Never anchored mine either. We just put ours on 4×4 blocks and bank it and have never had issues. We just keep a jack in them to get the shack on and off the blocks. 6×10 and a 8×12 alumalites.
IMO, light weight skid houses are 100% the way to go if you live on a lake. Not sure if I’d want to deal with trailering them but that’s just me.
I remember an old timer telling me about lake trout in cedar a long time ago. Don’t remember the details. Maybe something about private stocking in the 40’s or something to that effect. Never heard it from any other long time residents so who knows.
Caught two smallies on opener. Have caught 3 eel pout over the years. All under 2 pounds, all at night fishing eyes in the winter.
I personally don’t use my garmin on the boat, just ice fishing. And honestly don’t use it to the full potential. Not even close. It’s just fun and you can learn about fish behavior and how they react to baits and jigging cadence etc.
I’ll occasionally use it to find structure but 99% of the time it’s a fancy vexilar. It is cool to see how far away a fish will react to a presentation. When I use my graphs, you can’t see the fish til it’s right under you.
I don’t see my self ever using it to snipe fish in the boat or on the ice. I’m too lazy for that and enjoy relaxing vs drilling out a massive grid and chasing fish around. Just not my style I guess.
I don’t stare at a screen any more or less now that I have it. It’s the exact same screen time for me but I’m probably in the minority.
Well, I’ve started to talk with Chris about putting an order together for a polar fox skid house to have ready for next year. Anyone fish out of one yet? Just wondering if there is anything to consider as must have’s etc. I’m doing an empire heater. 6.5 x 14 and planning on all 7 holes in a line for live scope if we want. Couch/bench on one side and open on the other for fold out chairs I think. Going to keep it fairly simple, no microwave etc.
I’m new to the FF bandwagon but they are slick. Haven’t had to try the hole cover and sleeve yet due to the warm weather. I used them in the shack also instead of a rattle reel. Super happy with the two I bought.
I am making a version of Picklericks today. I could only find ancho chilies locally, but I see they have the 3 pepper combo pack online that will probably be the next step.
I’ve made a lot of chili in my day, but have never used dried peppers before. Kinda excited to see the flavor enhancement.
I will add, good chili should be simmered all day. Maybe everyone already knows that.
I agree. Cooked all day. I don’t eat mine until it’s cooked for hours then put in the fridge or outside if it’s cold, for the night then back on the crockpot. Then it’s ready…
Not sure why but some sort of magic happens overnight.
IMO hybrids are the way to go for almost anyone. Unfortunately there are limited options especially for a truck or SUV. I actually don’t think there’s a truck made that is a hybrid besides the new tundra. The Silverado and Sierra or even the Hummer ev have a long range. Longer than a tank of gas in many trucks. But as you said how do you charge it on trips to Canada. The Ford lightning EV has been a complete failure.
F-150 has a powerboost drivetrain. Normal hybrid. 3.5 eco boost with an electric motor in the transmission. Been out for a couple years but wasn’t a large percentage of the overall f150 mix. For 2024 Ford wants them to be 25% of the F-150 mix. I’m going to try one. I’m in the biz and get in and out of new vehicles all the time so this will be a test. I’m assuming I’ll see no real difference in economy on the road but my city driving economy should improve a bit. They did cost more but ford put a package discount of $1900 on them to make the the same as a regular engine. Plus the residuals are better on a lease. My guess is they are trying to entice payment driven lease customers into these, as they lease out better than a gasser, in order to move the needle for the cafe standards.
Plus they come with the pro power onboard. So basically a built in generator.
I’ll report back if anyone is interested after I have it for a while. Should get it next month.
Yup humminbird app. Did get out yesterday but had to be very close to shore to stay on safe ice. Was on the bottom of a steep break close to the cabin. No luck at all. A couple fish marked but that’s it. Probably should have fished shallower. We were just happy to be out. Hopefully we get some ice soon on the rest of the lake.
Yes it’s pretty sketchy. Probably going to sit it out.
I think we are going to give it one more night of ice making and check ice in the morning. Then probably scout the inside turn area. I’ll update the results. Thanks
That’s like me with stocks. I buy, price goes down. I sell, price goes up. I stick to mutual funds now haha.
Aitkin
We were thinking of that inside turn as well. You can get an occasional eye on the steep break along the bottom of the image.
Fished the lake almost my whole life and with the exception of a few early ice situations, never fish this close to the house for eyes. Because, you know, good spots can’t be close to the house haha.
I’m trying to look at the positives since we can’t get to 99.5% of the lake. But it’s kind of a fun challenge.
Nostalgic for me. Had one in an older fish house from brainerd area sports I think. 8×8. We used to cook frozen pizzas on the top. However, no clue how to find one. But it worked well and never gave me issues. Was very old when I got it.
NAW = NICKEIL ALEXANDER-WALKER
Been playing well. Great defender. High energy. I was at the game Tuesday. Last year’s Target Center energy was higher than it was in the past. This year is even better. I recommend going if you haven’t recently. I have brought some of my hockey/football/baseball fan buddies and they have all had a blast (after years of them giving me grief for liking basketball)
Didn’t see the belly. But after getting home and looking online, I thought they were Red Belly Snakes as well…
That’s what I originally was thinking but the light mark behind their head had me confused.
Here we go
IMG_8478.jpeg
Dan how hard are they to dig out after freezing in after not being moved for a month?
To be honest, I don’t know. Never had them freeze in. Always have them up on foot long pieces of 4×4 blocks. 2 or 3 to a side. We have a low car Jack that we “pop” it off the blocks with. Jack it up in front, knock out the blocks, set it back down and repeat on the rear. Set it back down and pull away.
Occasionally, the bigger ones don’t want to move after being set back down. Usually due to it being a smaller machine pulling with low traction. But we found that putting a two foot section of 2 or 3 inch pvc about 1/3 of the way back from the pulling side under the skids, it gets going with ease. We do this when we have it jacked up to remove the blocking. Then you are off to the races.
Mind you, I’m only talking about Alumalite houses but I’d guess the same principles would apply to any of the lighter skid houses.
Not sure if Chris Beberg (beberg outdoors)owns it or not but he is a class act. Ordered an alumalite from him years ago and he was great to work with. His guys did all the finishing and we must have had dozens of emails and phone calls from start to finish. Never made me feel like I was taking up his time. The fact that he has gone all in with Polar makes me think they are a quality shack. I will be considering one when I upgrade for sure.
For those considering a light weight skid house and are concerned about blowing away etc, I have two alumalite houses at the lake and they stay on the ice all season long. Never had an issue with the wind. Of course we bank em pretty good.
I used to use the egg,swivel, leader, plain red hook and a leech for years and didn’t get tangled much. Always a side arm lob cast. And right as it was about to hit the water, I’d slowly grab the line and pull the rod slightly away from target to “straighten” the rig out before letting it sink. Seemed to work well.
Now I just use the vmc lighted float with the proper size jig and a leech. Still use a swivel but not sure if it’s necessary. Just like having a flouro leader.
Walleye set up as this is how I fish 80% of the time in open water. 7’6” ML XF. President 30. 6 pound XL mono. Trimmed bobber stop, I apply a touch of flame to the tag ends of the stop, carefully to not damage mono. Just bend the mono at the stop and hold in fingers with tag ends of stop facing away. This slightly melts end of bobber stop and prevents fraying. Then bead. Then VMC night bobber in 1/8 ounce size. Then barrel swivel. Then a few feet of 6 pound flouro. Usually a 1/8 ounce jig with a leech but some times put a 1/8 ounce egg above the swivel and run a plain hook. Been doing it this way for years. You can replace the batteries in the VMC bobbers but I usually just replace the bobber to be honest.
Baccarat lunchadore
Voted
Been in the biz forever and this is the craziest it’s ever been. All departments. Parts are super tough so lots of customers are in loaners for months at a time if their vehicle can’t be driven. No cars to take off the lot to use as a loaner. Like mentioned earlier, no shop is fully staffed.
The craziest thing is the car rental companies are calling daily trying to pay retail or more for late model used vehicles to rent out since they can’t source new vehicles like normal.
Perfect storm.
I have a place towards the north end. Newer blue aluma with a Honda 75 on it. My brother and I will be out this weekend. Msg me if you want to Stop over for a beer. I have some decent insight on the lake.
I’ve sold a bunch of the 6.2 half tons to customers that have had a 5.3 and not a single one would go back. Same or better mileage is what they report back. I drive lots of new trucks and love the 6.2……..
This is the style jack I use.
