Go with the Helix you won’t be disappointed. I ran mine all last year and loved it. My Vexilar became my backup unit.

Thanks for sharing the video. Curious why you pull your auger cover off before going on the ice? Going to ruin your blades on the cement or cut your shelter canvas. Worst case scenario you slip on the ice and fall into your auger blades while walking out. Just looking out for a fellow fisherman. Good luck!

That Glow Cup is Legit! It really does depend on the paint the lure uses. At first when I turned on the glow cup I was disappointed because it’s not very bright. However after testing it out on a number of lures I’m sold on it. Here is the proof…

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It’s a Gen2 Chirp unit. Haven’t had any issues with other units.

Go with a shuttle under it! You won’t be sorry! I’m a big Vexilar guy but ran the Helix last season and fell in love with it.

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I hate to be the bad news bears guy but gas augers are on the out… Electric is the future. I run a Dewalt 20V Brushless drill on the clam plate. Only reason I use the clam plate is to keep the drill up off the snow/ice. I’ve been running this setup the past 5 seasons. Started out with a lazer auger 7″ but the last 2 seasons I went to the K drill 6″ to lighten it up even more. Light weight and reliable (starts every time) are what I’m interested in. I drill a ton of holes each time out and never have any issues. Never needed more than two batteries in one day and had well over a hundred holes. I used to run a Honda 4 stroke lazer and it was quiet and fairly quick but at the end of the day my back was shot and I was exhausted from all the drilling and hauling it around.

Do yourself a favor and at least look into the electric drill options. I cannot speak for the Ion or Strikemaster electric. Both seem a little too heavy still for my liking. I’m sure they do a great job as well. Good luck on your purchase!

Forgot to mention the weight savings from switching from the Honda 4 stroke to the Dewalt Drill/Clam plate and 6″ K drill. Honda dry weight is 23 lbs but after you put gas in it that adds another roughly 3 lbs. So the Honda weighs in at around 26 lbs.

Drill/Clam plate and 6″ K drill 15lbs and that included my ram mount for my GPS(See pics)

Let me know if you guys have any questions. Thanks!

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I mounted mine on the Marcum Shuttle. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to convert a unit from their boat. Was really impressed with the entire unit last season and I am a die hard Vexilar guy.

I didn’t get the bird kit because it didn’t have rod holders or a lithium battery. Plus I read reports the 7 barely fit in the case. Marcum shuttle is awesome.

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Thanks

I’m curious about the trolling trees they were using. Anybody know who makes them? Thanks!

How does that even happen? Did the auger bind in the hole and you had to wiggle it free? I’ve had my K drill 3 years now. Never had any issues with it knock on wood… They will get it fixed up for you.

Do you have pics of it?

Mine did the same thing on the second charge. Appears to be good now.

Munch that does make sense… I was able to find the transducer at Scheels. Had to call around a bit but found one. Thanks guys!

They might be pushing baitfish right up to the bottom of the ice in shallower water? Just my first thought. Shallow doesn’t look like it’s been tried much at all. Just a thought.

Yeah I would agree however if you have the arm on it and it only uses a certain sized stopper then you kind of need that stopper included. Had to order one online since none of the stores I checked had them.

Crappie love the #3 Rippin Rap. Don’t over fish it and you will catch fish.

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I like the Clam Plate on there for easier handling but also to keep my drill out of the snow/water. Those drills aren’t waterproof and could short out easily if water/snow get into them. So the plate makes me feel more comfortable laying it down on the ice since it keeps the drill off the ice.

I’m guessing other who have the drill without a plate have to put it back in their shack or lay it on something.

SOLD

I made a UFO style light. Take a 5 gallon lid and some LED strip lights. Drill holes and zip tie it as you work it around the lid. I angled mine outward so it will shoot light toward the corners of the hub. Then I run speaker wire down to my power box. Attach it to the center with Velcro straps and you’re set.

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Quick update on my issue. It turned out my charger had gone bad. New one works great.

Unfortunately there isn’t a inline fuse.

http://www.rapala.com/marcum/accessories/batteries-and-chargers/lithium-12volt-3amp-battery-charger/SEE12V3ALBC.html?cgid=marcum-accessories-batteriesChargers&start=2

I called Rapala customer service today however I got a message saying they are closed for the holiday and will be back Jan 4th.

Well guess I’ll get to test out how long I can run on these batteries….
I’ll report back after my trip.

Thanks for all the help guys!

I’ve tried this charger on both of my lithium batteries and it does the same thing. Both batteries appear to be fine since they power up my Marcum camera and flasher. I’m hoping it is just isolated to the charger.

Thanks guys! I remember getting some paperwork talking about the lights and what they mean with the charger/batteries however I no longer have the paperwork. Was curious if anybody knew off the top of their head.

I double checked the polarity and allowed the batteries to warm up but no change in lights.

I’ll give Rapala a call in the morning.

Last question. Anybody know where I can pick up one of these chargers in MN. Heading to LOTW Fri leaving from Iowa and am nervous about not being able to recharge my batteries. Thanks guys. I’ll let you know what I find out.

I think it also depends on if you are talking mono vs. braid etc. Braid will last you a lot longer compared to mono. I typically swap my mono rods out each year mainly due to the coiling you get over a year. I hate that coil for light jigs so it gets swapped out. Good luck.

KirtH wrote:

If everything works out right it will be recorded for future viewing

When is the recorded version going to be available? Thanks!

This will work… It will cost you though.

I’ll be running a big buddy heater in my Otter Resort utilizing the hose and larger propane tank option as opposed to the little 1 lb tanks on each side. 18,000 btu’s should be plenty to heat that shack up even on the coldest of days.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

I picked up the Resort, It’s fliipin huge.
I plan on welding up galvanized lags with a fender washer and using my impact driver.

ICE! I need ice!

Or you can use the supplied ice anchors and get an attachment to use the same drill. Eskimo’s one is cheap and works well. Plus it’s all steel unlike certain other attachments from a competitor that seem to break cause they are plastic… Ha!

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I ended up going with the Otter Resort. It’s the first HUB I’ve ever owned. I was amazed how quickly it went up and came back down. I have two other flip over Otters. This HUB is going to be fun to take the kids and hang out with good friends. Easily get 10 people in it. Attached is a pic of the Resort set up and one of Otters ice anchors.

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I’ve heard rumors of Otter coming out with after market cargo nets for the hubs. Stay tuned…

BTW the ice anchors Otter has are way better than Clam’s in my opinion.

Most of the ice fishing takes place in what they call the little lake. See attachment. You will find Yellows, Crappie and Walleye in there. Crappie will be in the deeper holes. Yellows are up shallower.

http://www.iowadnr.gov/idnr/Fishing/WheretoFish/LakesPondsReservoirs/LakeDetails.aspx?lakeCode=CLE17

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