Otter Vortex Pro Lodge

This year I bought the New Otter Vortex lodge with the full size door as my first pop up. I have to say, I am impressed! I got it out for the first time a couple weeks ago and it did really well. The door was awesome, no tripping coming in and out any more! More than enough room to fish 3 guys, especially with the door. I really like how tall it is as well. I am 6’2″ and I can stand up anywhere inside the tent. It was also nice having the oversized zip up bag because it was a little stiff after being out in the cold for a while. Now to figure out the lighting situation…

I know everyone says the otter lites are over priced but I absolutely love them, worth every penny IMO.

I recently picked up the same hub. Set up is a breeze. Packing it in the bag is a bit of a workout, but not a deal breaker. Definitely like the full door. I plan to go with the Otter light set up. Built-in dimmer will be nice. Those that use these lights in a hub, can you leave them strapped to the poles when you pack it up?

Still trying to figure out a couple rod holders. Thinking about trying the Catch Cover brand clamp on ones that could clamp to the leg of a chair. Any other rod holders I should be looking?

I’m old school, rod holders slide over the side of a five gallon bucket, haven’t seen them in quite a few years, but they are small and I always have a bucket along.

I use the clam light that mounts to the hub in the roof and has alligator clips to connect to a vexilar battery. They are not the cheapest but I have one in both my otter hubs and they work great. No dark spots and have been very durable. Going on 4-5 years with the first light

I put a clam light bar in it. When gander went under I got it for 5 bucks and it’s a great 5 dollar spend.
I would pay full price for it.

I got the Pro Resort this year with the full door as well. Haven’t used it yet, but now I am regretting also getting the Pro Lodge. I have the older lodge and just know that once I start using the full door in the Resort when I need the extra space, I am going to be hating going through that door in my old Lodge now.

I view the full door in hubs now as a big distinguishing mark making the older hubs become almost worthless. Kind of like how no one wants a gas auger anymore.

Once you go full door, you can’t go back. Not only for the ease of getting in and out while wearing a big jacket, but being able to simply pull a sled into the hub when you want is pretty neat, too.

queenswake wrote:

I got the Pro Resort this year with the full door as well. Haven’t used it yet, but now I am regretting also getting the Pro Lodge. I have the older lodge and just know that once I start using the full door in the Resort when I need the extra space, I am going to be hating going through that door in my old Lodge now.

I view the full door in hubs now as a big distinguishing mark making the older hubs become almost worthless. Kind of like how no one wants a gas auger anymore.

Once you go full door, you can’t go back. Not only for the ease of getting in and out while wearing a big jacket, but being able to simply pull a sled into the hub when you want is pretty neat, too.

Looking to sell the lodge, I have one but know somebody looking for after fishing in mine, I know once I fish in the pro I’ll be getting one…but until then I’m not selling him mine.

My brother just bought a resort this year with the full door and the full door is awesome

Coletrain27 wrote:

My brother just bought a resort this year with the full door and the full door is awesome

Thanks Ctrajn27, just what I need is a nudge…!

Hookset wrote:

Thanks Ctrajn27, just what I need is a nudge…!

Better just sell yours and upgrade now then

Joe Jarl wrote:

I recently picked up the same hub. Set up is a breeze. Packing it in the bag is a bit of a workout, but not a deal breaker. Definitely like the full door. I plan to go with the Otter light set up. Built-in dimmer will be nice. Those that use these lights in a hub, can you leave them strapped to the poles when you pack it up?

Still trying to figure out a couple rod holders. Thinking about trying the Catch Cover brand clamp on ones that could clamp to the leg of a chair. Any other rod holders I should be looking?

I know you can use the Clam Hub accessories in the Otters. There’s videos on Youtube on how to make them work for Otter hubs. I got the rod holder attachment but I haven’t set it up yet

The light bar I just hang from ceiling pole and it illuminates the resort hub great takes 2 seconds to hang. I wanted a permanent light set up but couldn’t find any thing worth while

Didn’t Otter get bought out and the quality go downhill?

usmarine0352 wrote:

Didn’t Otter get bought out and the quality go downhill?

Have seen no quality drop. No idea if they were bought out

I used an Otter Vortex Lodge Hub last year and really liked the full sized door and added room. I do think the quality is not as good as my older XTH Pro Cabin Hub that I have used since 2018 and still looks brand new.

The XTH Pro Cabin Hub material seems more solid/durable and the parts just more solid all the way around. Not sure how to describe it. It is not like the new one is bad in anyway. Has anyone noticed that or am I just imaging things?

The full size door definitely makes up for it and I am tempted to buy the Cabin and sell my older Cabin, which is what I use when I fish on my own.

With the full size door is the zipper always at the base in the snow slush stuff? And is that the only door in the place ?

I have the Otter Vortex also great shack has stayed toasty warm in nasty weather conditions. Having the 20lb tank and propane hose in the otter is a really nice setup. For lighting, I use the Ryobi Flood Light I just slide the light stand into the top hub poles and it works perfectly. Way brighter than the otter lights or really any lights made for ice fishing. Also I love not having to deal with cords or 12-volt batteries. I stand that thing on my tote outside while packing up and have a huge flood light beam to see everything.

$389 right now. https://www.amazon.com/Otter-Outdoors-Vortex-Lodge-Thermal/dp/B09M5V235B?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1GEW0HTL7HC8L

That is an insane deal! My son’s friend works at Scheels and can get them for 7% over their cost and he paid that just this week.

Show that add to scheels and they will price match it

Is the lodge really large enough to fish 4 people comfortably?

Nevermind. I’ll find out sometime next week.

biggill wrote:

Is the lodge really large enough to fish 4 people comfortably?

NO

I’ve done 4 people in the Lodge, but it’s tight and no room to hang stuff to dry. But if you are walking out and need to save on weight and space, it can work.

CaptainMusky wrote:

That is an insane deal! My son’s friend works at Scheels and can get them for 7% over their cost and he paid that just this week.

Only 7 left there at that price. So these are also $400 at Marine General. They also have the Pro Resort for $569.

https://www.marinegeneral.com/product-category/ice-fishing/ice-shelters-sleds/otter-shelters-accessories/

I’m thinking 2 adults and 2 kids. Also thinking it’s something easier to pull in a sled than a pullover shelter.

Kind of tired of lading and unloading the otter lodge in the back of my truck too.

2 kids and 2 adults can be done but its kinda tight. 4 adults is very tight and not much extra room for anything

Crazy – the Lodge is only about $40 more than the Cabin right now. Amazing they are that close in cost. I like the Cabin if just fishing by myself, as Lodge feels too big.