hub shelters in the wind

I’m thinking about getting a hub style shelter but was wondering what people’s experiences have been with them in windy conditions? I mostly fish solo and could see them being difficult to set-up by yourself if there’s any significant wind. Is that true or are there some tricks for set-up in the wind?

it is true they are more of a challenge to setup especially when by yourself but its doable. whatever you do make sure you spike at least one side down before you open it up. you’ll probably hear that advice given a lot

Block the wind as much as possible with whatever atv, utv, or car you have on the ice (if it is thick enough). Prepare – Get all your stakes ready for a quick setup. As Crappie mentioned, get one stake in on the upwind side and attach one of the outside hub strings to that stake. After you get the string attached to the stake it becomes fairly simple to setup a hub, even by yourself. With this method I am able to setup my big Eskimo 9416 all by myself in 30mph winds in about 4 minutes.

You will want to stake at least the two upwind corners inside and three outside hubs (upwind and two sides, the downwind hub doesn’t matter very much). Big key is to point one of the hubs directly into the wind. If you don’t tie down the hubs that get hit with wind, odds are you are going home with a black eye.

I echo the previous comments.

I’d add that I will sit inside with my back into the wind in case an anchor pulls loose. Having a side cave in from wind and knock stuff around isn’t fun. It’s probably quite comical if you see it happen to someone else but if you have anything standing up close to that wall, such as a pail of tip-ups or other gear it get’s punted and makes a mess.

What everyone else said.
Just don’t anchor it to your Atv, snowmobile, car, etc if you know what I mean.

Poles can break in high wind as well. I have an eskomo quick fish 3 and one of my poles snapped in high wind. So make sure you do anchor it in or block the wind.

All the comments above I can agree with, most hubs have anchor points on the inside and outside, anchor it down on the outside in the direction the wind is coming from, they set up really quick so I try and anchor as quick as I can, usually I fish with at least one other buddy so he will hold the shelter while I anchor it

Get yourself a set or two of the non-ratcheting tie down straps. (I believe they call them motorcycle straps?) Makes tying the house down much easier and faster and if you get a bright color they are more noticeable than the tiny ropes that are sold with the units.

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
What everyone else said.
Just don’t anchor it to your Atv, snowmobile, car, etc if you know what I mean.

Can you explain this? Curious on your thoughts. I’ve always tied it off on my ATV (ATV up wind). It’s supper easy with no ice drilling and it’s never failed me.

I mimic what others have said and anchor down one to two side that are getting pushed by the wind…and like stated, I usually use my atv as the first anchor point.

Probably in case you forget they are tied to the vehicle….

Thanks for the input everyone!

Are all the hub shelters pretty much the same design? – any that are better quality than others? I was looking at the otter xth cabin or eskimo quickfish 3i as possible options.

I have 2 clam hub shelters and I really like them, and my buddy also has the Jason Mitchell 5 sided thermal hub and I use the clam six pack full thermal. Really well put together

If you like elbow room and are a bigger guy, i recommend the fatfish. Going on 5 years now i believe. Wider bottom gives you more room, even fishing alone it is nice to stand up and stretch in. Plenty of options out there. Also it has been mentioned for years but if you get a clam hub, get either a cordless drill or eskimo anchors.

I have the polarbird and the only reason I mention that is that with the floor inside it really helps to hold your fish house in place.

munchy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bob clowncolor wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
What everyone else said.
Just don’t anchor it to your Atv, snowmobile, car, etc if you know what I mean.

Can you explain this? Curious on your thoughts. I’ve always tied it off on my ATV (ATV up wind). It’s supper easy with no ice drilling and it’s never failed me.

I mimic what others have said and anchor down one to two side that are getting pushed by the wind…and like stated, I usually use my atv as the first anchor point.

Probably in case you forget they are tied to the vehicle….

Exactly , don’t want to learn that the hardway

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Exactly , don’t want to learn that the hardway

That had to be a mess!!

The Eskimo thermal is great as well. Personally love windows, should be on your list IMO to check out.

crappie55369 wrote:

I have the polarbird and the only reason I mention that is that with the floor inside it really helps to hold your fish house in place.

Awesome Crappie, I have a polar bird as well. I also have a Clam bigfoot XL6000. My Polar Bird is built more rigid and I have never had issues with hubs popping in. They actually take a good amount of force to pop up and it takes more than wind to pop them in.

The floor is nice as its attached to the house. Leave a couple of heavish objects in the house (a heater, chair, a bucket with a bunch of slab crappies lol) and you don’t have to worry about anchors.

Are 8×8’s any harder to manage solo vs a 6×6? Since I fish alone most of the time I don’t have too much concern about space in a 6×6 but a bigger size seems more versatile for those times I do have other people along.

I fish hubs almost exclusively. Love the convenience and space.

Wind does get tough at times, especially fishing solo. As mentioned, if you’re strategic with your anchors, it can be overcome rather easily.

Another tip: I always collapse the side facing wind last, so it doesn’t act like a sail. Also, I keep the ropes/straps attached to the house. That way, you can get it mostly folded up without removing anchors. In strong winds, I always leave one anchor in until it’s folded, just incase the wind catches it, there is something to keep it in the area.

Also, get ice cleats if you don’t have them. Lots of wind plus slippery conditions on the ice equals an unpleasant ice ski trip down the lake if you’re not careful.

x100 on the Eskimo anchors…Clam anchors are tough to get in by hand…night n day difference with the Eskimo’s.

Carl S wrote:

Are 8×8’s any harder to manage solo vs a 6×6? Since I fish alone most of the time I don’t have too much concern about space in a 6×6 but a bigger size seems more versatile for those times I do have other people along.

I think bigger is better. The downside of hubs is that you arent moving much. I have an eskimo 6×6 then got a 6×12. I ended up using the 6×12 even if im alone because why not leave the sled inside or punch 12′ of holes?

It can be a little tricky setting them up in the wind, but after a dozen times and some trial and error, you’ll figure it out and its not that bad.

SW Eyes post is full of good tips on the matter.

Don’t forget to anchor the one or two sides facing the wind, unless you want them blowing in on you.

I would typically anchor the base on three sides on the windy side, and also anchor the two sides getting the most wind. 5 anchors, never needed more. Rarely used less on windy days (12 mph/hr+)

I often anchored it next to the truck, using the truck as a wind-block. On the side facing the truck, I’d bungee the side of the house to the truck. Worked like a champ. I don’t see the disadvantage of doing so.