Glow hole sleeves

Anyone have opinions about these? Pros/cons, gimmick, etc.

I have them in my shack.

If you like to sleep with all the lights off I would spend a few extra bucks for them. They glow for hours and hours. Not like a Demon lure, but easily seen with your “night” eyes.

If you usually have a light on in the shack (even just a single hole light) you’d get by fine without them.

B-man wrote:

I have them in my shack.

If you like to sleep with all the lights off I would spend a few extra bucks for them. They glow for hours and hours. Not like a Demon lure, but easily seen with your “night” eyes.

If you usually have a light on in the shack (even just a single hole light) you’d get by fine without them.

I have to ask; Why would one not cover the holes when sleeping and avoid the tripping hazard completely? Even if you have a rattle reel line down, why not use a slotted cover? Just asking,,,,,,

Huntindave wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>B-man wrote:</div>
I have them in my shack.

If you like to sleep with all the lights off I would spend a few extra bucks for them. They glow for hours and hours. Not like a Demon lure, but easily seen with your “night” eyes.

If you usually have a light on in the shack (even just a single hole light) you’d get by fine without them.

I have to ask; Why would one not cover the holes when sleeping and avoid the tripping hazard completely? Even if you have a rattle reel line down, why not use a slotted cover? Just asking,,,,,,

You certainly can, but would obviously need to buy slotted covers for all the holes (more $$ yet).

I only protect the two holes closest to the bed (most prone for problems). I bought a pair of those clear polycarbonate vented covers. They’re nice, but not exactly cheap either.

Ideally you’d have them for all the holes. And even then, having glow sleeves would help you see the holes so you didn’t trip up a rattle reel while taking a leak

Like I said, you can live without glow sleeves, but they only cost $2-3 more and prove convenient if you sleep with all the lights out.

The catch cover sleeves are $15 more a pop. I have 4 black and will likely get 2 glows since I usually only run 2 reels at night. I dont like to leave a light on. Im guessing there may be other brands but I do like the idea of never buying them again unless i lose them.

As to the cover question – i find my holes freeze with the honeycomb catch cover safety covers, even with a fan on them. I dont keep my house super hot though.

I like them, I’d buy them again

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Scott,
Thanks for the visual. Sure look like they work
quite nicely !!

tweed

I like the glow ones. I have the fish buddy or whatever.

tindall wrote:

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As to the cover question – i find my holes freeze with the honeycomb catch cover safety covers, even with a fan on them. I dont keep my house super hot though.

Battled this issue this weekend on Mille Lacs in -20* temps. The two holes with my rattle reels and covered with the slotted honeycomb covers started as 8″ holes yesterday afternoon and by 8am today they were 5-6″ holes. Created a little more stress pulling the 26.5″ up.

First-Yes I banked the house. Therm set at about 68*. Would sleeves such as these keep my holes from shrinking?

Have another 3-day trip coming this weekend and would like to grab a couple before then if it will fix my issues.

I noticed a vast improvement with sleeves as far as holes not freezing over, and I think they slow the shrinking a bit too. Keeps the house warmer too if they are trimmed properly. I cut mine so that they sit flush when my house is on a flat surface (ice/asphalt) and my normal blocks are under it (2x4s). Regret waiting a year to try them.

Good stuff, thanks for the quick feedback. Was really trying to hold out as they’re not cheap. Figure 2-4 rattle reels down at night means $70-140 in sleeves. However, if it slows the shrinking and drafts it’s probably worth it.

Jamin wrote:

Good stuff, thanks for the quick feedback. Was really trying to hold out as they’re not cheap. Figure 2-4 rattle reels down at night means $70-140 in sleeves. However, if it slows the shrinking and drafts it’s probably worth it.

They make a huge difference with cutting down on drafts and holes freezing up.

And you can walk around in socks, Crocs or slippers

Side note: if your shack is heated the entire time it’s down, you don’t need blocks.

When it is very cold. The holes will still shrink in from the sides. But the sleaves properly sealed in will help. I always put house on blocks, 2x if not much for banking and 4x if plenty of snow. Seems silly but then you aren’t freezing frame or spray foam in. Also keeps things from getting racked if surface is uneven.

tindall wrote:

The catch cover sleeves are $15 more a pop.

I just checked on Milaca’s Unclaimed Freight site and glow sleeves were $15.98. Regular black sleeves were $12.98.

When I had an ice castle, I had all glow sleeves. The light color of them made it a lot easier to see everything in the hole compared to the black ones. If I were in the market again, I would not even consider the black ones. Hole sleeves are essential IMO for stopping drafts and keeping holes open.

Those are Fish Buddy brand. Unfortunately, I need the Catch Cover brand which are double the price.

I have two black and two glow. Glow is worth the extra $$. I put the glow sleeves on the door side of the house and the black sleeves on the other. That way we follow the door side when we have to take a leak…If I had to do it over, I would buy all glow.

Argh, $180 later I have 6 glow sleeves.

Luckily I kinda have the wife’s approval after she experienced the cool drafts this weekend. “Yes, honey, I promise they will keep you warmer…”

I looked at off brand but have read that the tolerances don’t always fit – which kinda defeats the purpose for this application. The catch cover ones are sturdy and fit the holes snug. And again, the forever warranty is nice. I kick the hell out of mine to get them loose from being frozen sometimes.

The catch cover stuff is rock solid. It’s nice to know it would be replaced worst case, but nicer to know it will likely not need to be replaced. I had some initial buyers remorse about the slush bucket after looking at diy options, but after the sub zero abuse I have given it I am beyond happy.

I block the house 1.5″ on ice or dirt because the spray foam is not perfectly smooth. I was super impressed that with no snow on the glare ice (and the small gap and wind) my floor was still toasty.