Everything I own with an Otter name.
1) Pro X-over Lodge
2) Vortex Pro Resort
3) lights
4) Rod case
5) Chairs
6) Table
7) sled
There is definitely more that I’m not even mentioning!
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I had an issue with Otter in the past (maybe 5 years ago) which they fixed. Now the past 2 years I’ve had issues (hub and chair) which have been rejected. Let’s be real, most of these manufacturers are having their products outsourced overseas and issues do arise. It’s really about how a company handles the issue. Did I hope Otter would replace the chair yes, however I might have even settled for a compromise (discount on replacement) but nothing was discussed. My last 2 issues I’ve gotten the corporate “Go Pound Sand” from Otter. This is why I’m going to sell my Otter gear. Otter is dead to me!
Mark
I can’t tell you how many Otter products I have purchased (2 lodges, 1 cabin, 3 hubs (lodge, resort, monster) rod case, table, chairs, sled) and I’ve started to experience issues with their recent products. I purchased a pro vortex lodge hub and the stiching was so bad the interior nets wouldn’t secure correctly and the stiching was so loose I had 3″ strings hanginging in numerous places. I sent them pictures and my claim was denied. Purchased a new tripod chair from a small bait shop and the rivot at the bottom snapped. I sent them pictures of the new chair, DENIED (out of warranty) its not even a year, it was used on 1 trip. Im a 220 # guy not 400# guy. I figure I’ve purchased 1K of Otter products each year for the past 8 years. Guess who’s NOT going to be supporting Otter ever again!
Eskimo here I come!!!!!!
Mark
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I have a 10″ Ion Auger with the deep freeze for my Milwaukee. You can use various items for a stopper (frisbee) or there are aftermarket companies.
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I have Starlink for ~ 2 years now. I was an early beta tester when it came out.
The pros: It works if you have a clear view of the northern sky. It has a heat setting which increases the power usage to melt snow off the dish. You can for the most part play online games with it (son). My speeds in southeastern Wisconsin are ~ 100 Mbps down and 25 Mbps up. It can vary on your area and the number of users.
The bad: The price has gone up 3 times since my beta testing (it’s now $120 in my area) and can be $90 if your in an area whit limited users. Speeds during my beta testing were almost twice what they are now. During high periods of usage (Friday nights, Thursday night Amazon football streaming) you may see your speeds drop dramatically (below 20 Mbps). Starlink customer support is AWEFUL! I can’t stress this enough, if you have an issue and the service goes down, the only way to submit a service ticket is through the app (which works through the dish). So basically your service is down and you’re hoping someone is aware of the issue. I have literally asked questions like “Why was my service down for 1 hour on Saturday” and received a response back from starlink with nothing even remotely close to an answer.
Is it a good product if you don’t have high speed options, yes. Just keep in mind it’s not the cheapest option by far, the customer service is somewhere below AT&T standards (whom I’d never use) and the start up to purchase a dish has gone up as well.
Mark
Suzuki,
No reel winder here.
Bigwerm,
I was hoping not to add a 2nd person. Also, (mouth) with my luck I’d take a hook in the upper lip.
Crappie,
I’m ok with driving down the road with the tailgate open. My issue comes when my drive stops and I sleep at a hotel/motel. I’m not a big fan of advertising 1K in gear hanging out the back of my pickup. Out of sight, out of mind!
Also, my issue wasn’t lifting a shelter into the back of my truck, I did that with my Lodge. I’m talking more about getting rid of excess weight while I pull the shelter across the lake.
3 years ago I picked up a set of Korkers Polar Vortex for the reasons listed below. They are not cheap but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
1) Rated at -60° Insulated: 1200g of 3M Thinsulate insulation for the ultimate warmth during less active adventures like ice fishing and snowmobiling.
2) No shoelaces to tie or buckles to snap. Closure System: BOA M2 lacing system for quick on/off and custom fit. You can literally put the boot on and secure it with 2 fingers in a manor of several seconds.
3) For traction Versatile: OmniTraxreg; 3.0 Interchangeable Sole System adapts your traction to meet changing weather conditions. Includes two outsoles: SnowTrac Winter Rubber Lug and IceTrac Studded Rubber Lug with carbide studs (32 studs/pair). Which means you no longer need to worry about slipping on the ice.
4) Waterproof: 100% waterproof construction includes waterproof/ breathable bootie, waterproof leather, webbing, and stitching to keep the foot bone dry.
Mark
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Let me just start out by saying I am an Otter fan.
I have owned an XT Pro Lodge flip over, a Vortex Lodge Hub.
I currently own a Otter Rod Case, Otter Vortex Monster Lodge and an XT PRO X-Over Lodge with all the fixtures (lights, center console, rod holders, Hyfax, tow hitch, shovel and more. I bleed Otter!
However I went out and purchased a new Otter Vortex Pro Hub (the one with the walk through door) from fleet farm. I got it home, opened it up in the garage and was quite disappointed. It had issues with the sewing (loops for the netting were sewn out of place, stitching that was longer than 2″ hanging loose in multiple spots. I then went back to fleet farm and exchanged the Otter Vortex Pro Hub for a new one. I opened up the new one and had similar defects in the hub (stitching, pole won’t straighten out, etc.).
At this point I contacted Otter to notify them of the problem. I was told to take some pictures and submit a warranty claim. To Otters credit they did request the hub be sent back for investigation. Otter then sent me a replacement that appears to be in much better shape.
I’m not certain if Otter is using a different factory overseas but there is a difference in build quality from my original vortex, last years Monster Hub versus this years Pro Lodge. Someone at the St Paul show told me Otter might have encountered issues with their supplier of these hubs, hence the reason why Reeds and others didn’t have them in stock during the show. I don’t know if this is true or not but it made sense to me since I found 2 defective hubs.
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Taylor,
I’m also in the market for something (UTV, ATV or sled) to pull my lodge with. Most of the time I’ve driven my truck out on the lakes. I’ve always been comfortable fishing out of a lodge. Something feels right about the 30 square feet when you have a 2nd person, heater 2 holes each etc. Now for a single person, I’ve actually seen people overnight in a lodge. Place a cot on one side and fish out of the other. The lodge or cabin are 2 man shelters. To answer your question, no I’ve never been one to downsize my shelters. Heat it up, hang up the jacket and fish. I once had a Frabill insulated 3 man flip over and decided to trade it for a hub. The next year I fished lake Waubay in SD, it was like -25° without the wind chill. Every time I had to move that hub I was thinking about how much easier it was with a flip over. Hook the flip over to the back of the truck (with gear in shelter) and drive vs fold up hub and throw it (and gear) in the back of the truck. There are benefits to both hub and flip over. My advice to you is get some transportation, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile, Snowdog, and a way to haul it. If you’re serious about ice fishing, you have to make the commitment to be self sufficient, that includes transportation! What good is having the time off to fish, but you can’t because your buddy with the sled or trailer is working. When I was young, the old timers would always say “Smarter not Harder”. I remembered this phrase when I tried pulling the Lodge through the snow without the smitty. Just keep getting “Smarter” and the play time gets easier!
Mark
Um….worked.
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I believe the law has since been changed.
On my first ice fishing trip up to MN (maybe 10 years ago), both me and my buddy (nickname No-Fish) were fishing for perch on Winnie. We stopped at the bait shop and picked up some bait, our license and mentioned we were going out in my portable. Then we dropped our luggage off at the lodge and hit the ice. While fishing on Winnie we were catching some small perch and another guy drives up with his shelter and proceeds to fish within 30 yards of us. Not a big deal. Then we hear a snowmobile outside my portable, the DNR officer asks if he can come in. Both of us say sure, I suddenly hear the other fisherman start his sled and drive off (odd, he left all his gear). The warden asks us if we have any fish, we were polite and said “No only caught dinks”. The warden checks our fishing license’s (we’re good) and he proceeds to say “Good Luck” to which we reply “Thanks” and he leaves. Then 2 minutes later he knocks on the shelter and proceeds to tell me that I don’t have any identification on the shelter. I said “It’s a portable and I have no plans on leaving it unattended”. I said being from Wisconsin I was truly unaware of this requirement for a portable. He didn’t care and wrote me a ticket. I don’t recall the exact amount but it was ~ 150 dollars. I then understood why the fisherman next to me bolted immediately once he herd the DNR person ask to enter my shelter. These are the kind of things that happen to me and No-Fish when we go fishing. Did I break the law, yes! Could I have been given a break, I thought so. But I was with No-Fish……
Mark
Taylor,
Congrats on the Lodge! I’ve lived your story! I have the X-Pro Lodge which I LOVE to fish out of! If you mostly pull behind the snow machine keep the lodge. You absolutely need a smitty sled, because without the smitty sled your gonna need 911 on your speed dial regardless if your pulling a lodge or cabin. Build yourself a good smitty sled (put eye bolts on the side to tie everything down AND frame in some kind of wedges on the sides of the Otter to keep it from shifting. I have pulled my lodge, auger, Big Buddy, Otter case, tackle (and more) all behind 8″ of fresh snow and it’s doable. Without the smitty it’s 10 yards and start hitting the speed dial. If the snow is packed down I can literally pull it with one finger. There is not much difference in surface area between the cabin 38″ wide vs Lodge 40″ wide. Now put the shack up on a Smitty and your down to maybe 6″. It’s night and day.
I also have a Otter Hub that I will take out if walking and I’m looking to go super light, maybe short on time. But I’ll still throw the hub on a sled which then sits on the smitty. If you know you’re gonna be fishing solo on a specific day AND you have to walk a significant distance, I’d look at getting a cheap 1-man. Not because it’s not doable, it’s a lot of work just loading and unloading the equipment. If you’re pulling by hand pack only what you need (small heater, 1′ propane bottles, etc.) and when you can pull the otter with your machine bring it all, because you’ll love it.
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I also have the Otter Pro Universal Light kit for my X-Over Lodge. Now for my Hub I bought some LED lights, purchased some clear tubing from Home Depot, wired in a dimmer switch and I have a 6 foot LED light that I can run off my power box. All for about $25. I can roll up the plastic tubing for storage and shape it to any length. The dimmer gives me the option to adjust the lights. I was initially thinking about using LED’s that change colors, but decided against the “Disco” effect.
Mark
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I never believed that a Smitty would make that much of a difference but it does, you just have to make sure your stuff gets secured to the sled.
Mark
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Hands down a Smitty Sled is the way to go! You’re talking the difference between a heart attack or a good day on the ice. I have a video taken with a pistol bit auger, Milwaukee drill, Otter Monster Lodge Hub 2 tripod chairs, buddy flex heater, otter rod case tacklers, ice scoop and a partridge in a pear tree, all being pulled by my middle finger.
Mark
Jamin,
I run the entire livescope system (display, black box) off of the Milwaukee 18V 12ah battery. I have fished for 12 – 13 hours and it hasn’t gone dead. As I mentioned before, I also drill out my holes with a Milwaukee 18V impact. I’ll carry a 8ah for drilling and keep a 5ah for a spare, just in case the 8ah drill battery or the 12ah battery for the Livescope were to fall short.
Mark
Last season I used a 18 volt Milwaukee (12 amp hour) battery and it last me all day. In fact I don’t recall running out of power. Trust me there are PLENTY of folks that use higher voltage for the ease/performance. I use the Milwaukee series for my ice drill and for my livescope.
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For me this has always been a better night bite then day bite due to the clear water.
Mark
Fort Peck is definitely on my bucket list this ice fishing season. Talked with a few folks out west a few months ago who couldn’t say anything bad about FP.
Mark
Blair,
You bring up a valid point about the pressure cracks! I dealt with a few of those last year on my local lake. Also your spin on less usage, is definitely a different way of looking at things!
Huntindave, I’ll have to remember NOT to loan you my truck, as it may come back with no rubber on the tires!
Mark
Supercat, it looks like you have all your bases covered (ATV/Ski Doo).
JoeMX, the Argo looks like a hoot, but the thought of driving a convertible down the lake is giving me the chills, although the floatation would be nice.
Catmando, you’re another guy all ready for the ice!
Kbeck, I think I’m leaning towards something like your touring sled. It would be nice to have a UTV, but add up the front windshield, back windshield, doors, heat, wipers and your at 20K+.
Jeremy, an additional 4K for tracks…UGH!
dbright, you definitely are not selling me on tracks if they break down once a year!
The thought of a UTV for 20K’ish along with another 4K for tracks might put me in divorce court. Now I see why resorts that drop you off and pick you up cost so much. I think I need to start playing the lottery…..!
Mark
Munchy,
Much appreciated!
I ordered the 8″ this morning from FishUSA and used the code “JINGLE40” which gives you $40 off an order of 200. So even though it was listed for 199.99 it took off 40 dollars.
Shipping was free
Price 199.99
Discount $40
WI tax. $8.80
TOTAL. $168.79
Mark
Gator,
Like yourself, I went from a 8″ Jiffy propane auger to a 8″ Strikemaster 40V. Honestly I only had the opportunity to drill about 100 holes with the 40V. In all honesty, I CAN’T say anything bad about the 40V, its smooth, plenty of power, almost effortless when cutting through the ice. I haven’t had to drill 100 holes in a day yet, because I got the auger at the end of last season. I did drill 30 holes through 24 – 26 inches of ice and the 40V just kept going. I purchased mine with a second battery for several reasons:
1) I was worried about getting a defective battery and finding out when the auger was load tested (on my ice fishing trip).
2) Most folks will take a battery out of the auger after drilling holes and place the battery in a warm location. Frankly I could see my buddy or myself doing something dumb like dropping the battery down a hole or forgetting it out on the lake.
3) If we were to drop the charger or had an electrical short in one of the places we stay at.
I would never want to rely on a single contingency (1 battery) for my ice fishing trips when I’m taking the battery on and off the powerhead in subzero weather, yes something plastic could break! The Jiffy propane auger would get a new bottle of propane and never get messed with, far less of a chance for something to fail. Again nothing bad to say about the 40v auger, just thinking about going lighter.
I was interested in the fishing report, was thinking of heading up there from L.Geneva
Mark
“Mark,
Out of curiosity, how well have the interchangeable soles held up? I looked long and hard at them before I went with the Apex again. I couldn’t find much online about how durable they are with having to change the soles. I was afraid that I’d drop 2 bills just to have the clips or something break.”
Al,
So far this year, all of the lakes that I’ve fished have had a fair amount of snow on the surface, so other than switching the soles out in my house, I have not needed them for the ice. However this will not be the case when I head out tomorrow night in southeastern WI. The bottom of the soles are fairly stiff, therefore I expect them to hold up for now.
I absolutely DIG the Open/Closing System (BOA M2 lacing system for quick on/off) with regards to taking the boot on and off. With my size 13 it was always a pain getting my bibs on when I was wearing my boots. With this system, I can literately take the boot off in seconds, slide my bibs on and put the boot back on. Basically you pull out the round dial with 2 fingers at the top of the boot, and all the tension (as if the laces were tight) is instantly released. At that point you can slide your foot out. When done, put your foot back into the boot, push in the round dial and begin to spin clockwise with 2 fingers. The more you spin the tighter the tension gets. Simply put, you could put these boots on (secure them) or take them off with mittens on!
I have been out in -32° with wind chills of -50° and my feet were fine. I can’t speak with regards to the Baffin Apex or any other boot.
Mark
I picked up a set of Korkers Polar Vortex for these reasons listed below. They are not cheap but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
1) Rated at -60° Insulated: 1200g of 3M Thinsulate insulation for the ultimate warmth during less active adventures like ice fishing and snowmobiling.
2) No shoelaces to tie or buckles to snap. Closure System: BOA M2 lacing system for quick on/off and custom fit. You can literally put the boot on and secure it with 2 fingers in a manor of several seconds.
3) For traction Versatile: OmniTraxreg; 3.0 Interchangeable Sole System adapts your traction to meet changing weather conditions. Includes two outsoles: SnowTrac Winter Rubber Lug and IceTrac Studded Rubber Lug with carbide studs (32 studs/pair). Which means you no longer need to worry about slipping on the ice.
4) Waterproof: 100% waterproof construction includes waterproof/ breathable bootie, waterproof leather, webbing, and stitching to keep the foot bone dry.
Mark
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Shipping yes, extra battery…..No
Ron,
Much appreciated!
Mark
