New Tricks for Your Trap

By Scott Seibert

When you hear people talk about ice fishing you might think about a fish shack or wheelhouse pulled out on the ice early and remains in one spot everyday until February and then it has to be pulled off. 

With modern fishing techniques and technology portable ice fishing shelters are an important part of today's tactics. They let you stay mobile so you can search for fish and offer protection from cold temperatures and winter's harsh weather.

One of the most versatile portable shelters is the flip over model. Scan a community ice fishing spot, and you'll see plenty of flip-over shelters. Popular models include Clam Corporation's Fish Trap Pro, Scout TC, Kodiak, Nanook, Yukon, Voyager, Denali, and Thermal X shelters. Flip over shelters come in one- to four-person models.

These models are built on a sled base. The foundation acts as a container to hold gear during travel. It also holds the fishing seats. The sled's sides hold the adjustable poles.

The poles operate like a convertible car, except they operate under manual angler power. When ready to fish, sit down on the sled chair, extend the poles, and flip them over. Suddenly, you're fishing in an Ice Armor fabric tent with a large patch of ice in front of you. Most models have at least three tent positions: completely open, up halfway for a windbreak, or fully closed. During travel the poles are lowered, with the Ice Armor fabric collected, and rested on the top of the sled.

Now these are the basics for any flip-over shelter, but you might want to improve upon the bare essentials without adding additional weight.  The first area that I concentrate on is the floor of the tub.  I want to add additional insulation between the ice, and me, so first of all I will cut pink Styrofoam insulation to fit the tub.  While cutting out the insulation I will cut a spot for an additional battery.  This battery is going to provide external power for lighting, cell phone charging, and a heater for my seat. (More on this later) 

On top of my insulation, I will cut a piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting to size and this will add an additional layer of insulation, soundproofing and prevent slippage of my Vexilar unit, heater and rod bag.

Next I will add a Fish Trap Organizer to the rear pole behind my seat.  This bag has a zippered pocket to store pliers, lights, lures, and remains there for the next trip.  Other features of this organizer are that it has hooks to store gloves not in use or to attach a pocket light.

After installation of my insulation and storage units, I then will insert my “Power On Ice” external battery.  This battery as mentioned previously is a real asset to a portable ice shelter.  It will allow me to power lights, fans, flashers, and heated seat slipcovers and cell phones.

To the right of my seat I will attach a fish ruler, lightweight and it adheres to the side of the tub.  Also on the right hand support pole I will attach a Catch Cover multi flexible rod holder.  This rod holder is ideal if I need to put down my rod to organize things in my shelter or as a dead stick rod.  My rod can be clipped into the Catch Cover rod holder and I can easily position it anyway I would like to.

With all of these additions to my Scout TC, I have not added a lot of weight, but I have made my bare essential portable shelter warmer, better organized and comfortable.  My tricked out Scout TC, is now ready to hit early ice and to be there just before the ice goes out.  I have a portable ice shelter that allows me to follow the fish and not to be sitting in one spot with the hope that sometime a fish might swim by and take my bait.

For these and more accessories to add to your portable shelter visit your local sporting goods store or visit  www.clamcorp.com on the web.  Hope to see you on the ice real soon!