Which Flip Over

I am looking to get another 2 man flip over. I have looked at the Otter ful thermal (cabin or lodge) and the Fish Trap X (Jason Mitchell) and TCX? What are the opinions? Pros and cons?

Not sure if Frabill makes a comparable model?

I would really like to get one that I can load in my truck by myself, so weight is an issue. I will be fishing 2 people most of the time with kids.

If I can find a used one or an end of the year closeout, that would be great.

I am not a fan of Flip Overs as they are heavy and bulky. However if I were to buy one again, I’d seriously be looking at the Clam Fish Trap Denali II TC . It’s heavy at 100# but the roominess and layout is sweet. It’s short to which I don’t like.

I’m not sure about Frabill’s Flip Style Houses but I can tell you Frabill’s Customer Service is second to none. Simply an awesome company.

I have a Guardian. It’s a three man, and I have had two adults & two energetic kids in it without too much trouble. It lets me stand up in it, and I am 6’2″, if that is important. I can load & unload from a pick-up without getting strained. I have fished in Frabills other two man, the Trekker, and in the Clam Yukon TC (thermal) and both have good room. It was too warm to tell if the thermal made that much difference, but I liked fishing out of any of these and would recommend them all.

Otter all the way, Why mess around just get the best upfront.

Bergy:

The first question I ask people regarding a portable is – “Will you be towing it?”

If it’s the kind of portable you’re pulling out of the truck and dropping on the ice next to you, there’s a million options that will work well. At that point, durability and weight really have much less bearing on the overall decision, provided you can load it into the truck yourself. Of much greater concern then is warmth and layout/design. If those don’t concern you as much, and price is a driving factor, you’re probably going to be satisfied with most anything to be honest.

Most folks will answer that question as “Yes, but I hand-tow my sled quite a bit as well.” I think that’s the standard response whether true or not, but it’s an important answer. Be honest with yourself about how much you’ll really hand-tow.

If you are towing with either a snowmobile or ATV, Otter is really your best choice. For your loading concerns, I’d recommend an Otter Cabin with the new insulated fabric. It has less to do with brand as much as it has to do with how much money you’ll have sunk into a portable no matter which brand you go with. If you’re going to be investing that money and then taking it for rides across uneven ice, broken terrain, landing gravel and concrete, you’re going to need something that’s bombproof. I have alot of confidence in their sleds and materials based on what I’ve done to mine over the years, and I can’t say the same for what others I’ve owned or friends have purchased.

Ice fishing has become so specialized, it’ll really come down to thinking about the way you fish most often and tailoring a product to fit that method best. Good luck!

Joel

Can you fit an auger in an Otter Cabin? Is it big enough for 2 guys to fish out of? I like the size of the Otter Lodge, but don’t like the weight.

Absolutely on both accounts. It’s what I ran for years for the same reasons you mention. This year was my first year with a Lodge, mostly because of the extra camera equipment and additional fishing gear we tend to carry.

Joel

I went the Otter Wild Cabin

Otter Page

Word on the street was that Otter didn’t produce enough to meet demand, so what ever was out there this winter was all that was available. This is easy for me to get in and out if empty, if loaded up it’s a bear. When loaded and I am alone I run two 8 foot 2×4’s off the tailgate and carefully slide down, loading is easier just get it situated at the end of the boards and push into the truck. The house is roomy, I get lots of people saying they wish they would have gone with the bench. In a pinch you can fish 3, but one has to be a kid.

Joel,

After using both of them which do recommend? Like I said, I like the space of the Lodge. Is there a noticeable weight difference, especially for loading and if a guy pulls it out on the lake by hand? I want to make sure I have room for 2 guys as well.

Here’s an overhead view of the Otter Cabin to give you an idea of how much room there is to fish with the tent flipped over. The sled is 64″ long, big enough for two guys and their gear. A simple 2X plank with ramp end kit makes it easier to load any house. Buy an Otter – best sleds and frames – and the new insulated tent is really nice!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

I like the space of the lodge as well, but it does come at a weight cost. Most of my needs are gear related. Here’s my checklist of items:

-2 seats
-sportsman’s caddy with two spare batteries and 3 propane cannisters.
-sunflower heater
-3 tackle bags (one panfish, one predators, one soft goods)
– lunchbox sized still camera box/bag
-two otter rod boxes
-auger
-underwater camera
-flasher
-gas can
-bait container
-rubbermaid tote for video equipment or buddy’s gear

If you can pack only slightly lighter or have room elsewhere, like on an ATV, you’ll have no problem in the cabin. Also, if you’re really tall, you might want the lodge option as well.

I can load the lodge myself no problem on a low snowmobile tilt trailer. In my truck bed, it’s difficult but I do it. Cabin was much easier.

Joel

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Joel,

After using both of them which do recommend? Like I said, I like the space of the Lodge. Is there a noticeable weight difference, especially for loading and if a guy pulls it out on the lake by hand? I want to make sure I have room for 2 guys as well.

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Do not forget to take a look at the Canvas Craft Northlander ice houses. The Magnum house is their size like the Otter Lodge. I can fish two big guys & my kid.
The medium size is like the cabin of otters.

Canvas Craft’s NorpacR2 Extreme Weather Fabric insulated with 3M Thinsulate is a better material then that China material Otter uses. Plus, Canvas Craft is made in the USA!