ckrb2007

do NOT get a solid axle ATV if you're going to use it for anything besides farm work. they ride very rough compared to IRS machines and already have a lower ground clearance than comparable IRS machines meaning a loaded ATV with IRS has more clearance than an empty solid axle atv. your back will thank me later.

 

i really agree with low PSI in the tires though. i usually run 0-1 PSI in my XTR's when heading out on the lake, but they're also radial tires and much stiffer than 6 ply.

 

 

in general, aggressive tires that are good in the mud suck in deep snow as most mud tires are designed to dig (gorilla silverbacks) rather than push (highlifter outlaws) and it's because of this that so many guys have "summer" and "winter" tires. you'll have zero issues bottoming out in deep snow when using non aggressive tires that make you float on the snow while your buddies ATV's with muddin tires are sinking out of sight. my ITP mud lite XTR's fall under this category so rather than buying new tires i simply switch tires from one side to the other so the treads/traction arrow are backwards. studded stock tires are often hard to beat in deep snow and ice...

My 2003 solid axle 450 Kodiak has almost 10" of ground clearance with stock tires. Sure, you do get bounced around a little more on trails but I'm totally happy with it. Any machine, IRS or solid axle, will bottom out in deep snow or mud.

Checked out the Frabill and Clam products on sale at BassPro. I don't like the seat on the end of the hut. Most of the hut is out behind you, not beside you as it was in the older Clams. How do you reach stuff at the far end of the that Commando Frabill? Nice hut other than that problem IMO.

 

Just wondering if anyone knows where I could look at Otter products?

Tx.

Dan O.

I love my Frabill Commando. I just move the seat over to one side and put a 5gallon bucket beside it which holds most of my gear. I like the space behind personally. I put my heater behind me so it stays dry and also I wont kick it over by accident. I also like that there are no poles to extend. Just flip over the tent and yer good to go.

I love the Marcum's. Being able to zoom in on anywhere in the water column is a huge plus, and the resolution is great. I went with the Vex Fl-18 last season, mainly because of the tri-beam transducer since I fish so many depths. I love it, but I'm also a huge fan of the LX-7

You can also zoom anywhere in the water column with the x67 as well. You just need to set the upper and lower limits. It might take a little longer then the marcum but it's still do-able.

I was also wondering about the Marcum lx-7.....so I'll be watching this thread for sure.

I got Go Pro Hero for the first, and Canon Rebel T3 for the second, and I am quite content with both, especially my Canon. But I am told that there are better options than the Go Pro.

I was thinking about the Go Pro but I also want to let my son use it as well if he goes on school trips or whatever. Maybe a 3rd camera should be in the mix!!

It looked so "do-able" though, didn't it!! lol

I'm looking to purchase a couple new or good used cameras in the next month. I would like one for fishing, atv'ing and other activities where water, mud and roughness will be present. I'm thinking of the Fujifilm FinePix XP50 for this.

The other camera I'm looking for would be for family outtings, trips, wildlife...etc. For this I'm thinking of something like the CANON REBEL T3 or NIKON D3100. Now, I've never owned a dslr camera.....always a point and shoot for me so I'm just looking for something to start out with.

I was wondering, from the camera guys out there, if my choices are "ok" for what I'm looking to do.

Thanks all,

Colin

Very good tires. They were one of my choices when I was looking for rubber for my FJ Cruiser. I found a great deal on a set of Hercules Trail Diggers on Kijiji that I couldn't pass up though.

Any portable hut is a pain in the rear to pull by hand through the snow/slush. Sure, the "clam" type huts are a bit heavy to pull by hand..... but if you are going to get a pop-up style hut you need to factor in the hut, sled, chair and gear. Yes, it a pop-up may be a little lighter but for the ease of set up in windy conditions you'd be better off getting the "clam" style. The trick with pulling a hut by hand is a super long rope....... I'm talkin' 20ft long. Makes a HUGE dfference. If you're looking for a one man hut. Take a look at the Frabill Commando. Tons of space in it and super dark inside.

Thanks I'll look into it.

 

Is there something specific about this older model that you liked?

I really like the seats and the fabric of the older models. Way more durable then the newer models.

After completely destroying a fish trap guide in 2 seasons (towing behind snowmobile) I swore off Clam forever. After 1 season with an Otter Ice Cabin I'm more than happy with it. Everything is more durable. Just my 2 cents.

I've had my Guide for 5 seasons now....bought it used and towed it behind my sled and quad, full of gear, on Lake Simcoe 4-5 times a week during the season. Still going strong. Just the odd "mouse hole". The tub has no holes. I've always used downhill skis on the bottom as runners. I do go thru a few sets of skis per season though.

See if you can find an older Fish Trap Guide in good condition. Kijiji is a great place to look for these and you can usually find one cheap.

I made one out of an old BBQ propane tank years ago for my 6X8 hut. It worked awesome. I turned the propane tank upside down so the valve was towards the floor. I cut a door in the tank and attached the "cut out" piece with a hinge. Then I cut out a circle on the top (which is actually the bottom of the tank) and attached some stove pipe. Inside the tank I made a small grill to provide some air flow inside. I always used those "Javalogs" that you can buy from the grocery store. They worked great and smelled awesome. lol It kept the hut btwn 75-80 degrees even on the coldest days on Simcoe.

I think the bigger question will be if you can even find one to buy!

 

Nice unit though.

My fishin' partner works at Rapala who distributes Marcum now.

If you plan on dumping the x67, call me first!

Will do, Jesse.

Well we are finely tuned athletes......aren't we?!?!

I've got several baitcasters and for a starter real I think the Diawa Megaforce series is top notch! They will be under $100 at BPS. I'm a huge Shimano and Quantum fan but the Megaforce is by far the easiest and most forgiving real I own. I've taught several of my friends (who aren't regular fishermen)to use them in about an hour with minimal backlash.

 

That being said, the Megaforce died this summer after 4 years of pretty serious use. I was casting some fairly big lures with it that I really shouldnt have though...plastic gears dont like heavy lures.

 

I agree with the Megaforce reel being super forgiving. My first baitcast combo was the megaforce combo and still use it today. In fact, I landed a 20lb musky this year on it while draggin' tubes for bass. lol My youngest son has started using it and has caught on quickly with minimal trouble. My other preference is the quantum energy pt series. Awesome reels IMO.

I'm thinking about getting another machine for ice fishing this year and the Marcum LX-7 is one the the units I'm thinking of. Does anyone have any first hand experience with these? I presently use an x-67c and do love it....but I've had it for 4 yrs or so. You know, boys and their toys. lol

i have a good friend who works for Rapala in Oshawa. He said the reels still have a ways to go but the rods are very good. He strictly uses r-type rods and loves them. I've used the TS2 rods and I really like them. The Shift and Concept rods look sick as well!

My sister has a "cottage" on Oxtongue lake. I went there early ice fishing season last year and needless to say, I've never walked so much, and drilled so many holes without seeing any fish at all in my life. lol I haven't been back since.

Great pics though!

I have a 2003 Kodiak 450. LOVE IT! Yes, it does have the solid axle but it's something I'm used to. It's my ice fishing machine and summer trail bike. I would totally buy another Yamaha.

Good job man. Love the tune too. 2 of my buddies (well one now) are in MEGADETH so I'm use to that type of music. I myself can't play a lick of any kind of instrument so I appreciate the talent! You're right in saying it's not everyone's type of music but it does take crazy stamina to play like that on the guitar and drums for that matter. Look at the Adler brothers from Lamb of God. Wickly fast on both of their respective instruments!(Both are very nice guys too)

Here's one I've seen for all you Jeep and Toyota guys.lol (I drive an FJ Cruiser)

"I know all about the Jeep thing......that's why I drive an FJ"

I've used Ugly Stix and other lower priced rods all through my childhood and early teens and caught boat loads of fish on them. But I didn't know any different back then. The technique specific rods these days are awesome but I till believe that there's no need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a rod. I'm a middle of the road kinda guy when it comes to buying gear. I take 6 rods out with me on the boat when I fish.

1 - 7' verdict w/Abu Revo STX

2 - 6'9" Diawa Ballistic w/quantum pt energy burner

3 - 7' 2" Crucial w/quantum smoke 150 (my most expensive combo at around $400....Fathers day gift)

4 - 7' St. Croix eyecon w/shimano sahara

5 - 7' BP Carbonlite w/quantum pt energy burner

6 - 6' 6" Rapala TS2 w/quantum enery pti 20

This is all I need. I've got 6lb largies out of the slop, 15lbs 'ski from the skinny water, walters, crappie, whitefish, lakers on these combos. What i'm trying to say is that you dont need to spend $400 on just a rod. If I was to recommend one rod in the price range that you have it would probably be the Crucial. I'm also very happy with the Diawa Ballistic ($100) as well. Both of these rods can be found at Cdn Tire now. If anything, spend the $$$ on a good reel. 75% of my reels were found on Kijiji. There are some great deals to be found there.

Cheers and good luck.

Colin

...and by the way, I'd also be scared to use one of Spiel creations!! They look like awesome works of art!!!!

I've been using an Abu Verdict for 2 yrs now without any problems...in fact it's one of my fav. rods to use for flippin and pitching in the milfoil patches. What about the new Rapala Concept? I heard they're pretty sweet but I'm not sure of the price.