01-14-2017, 02:14 AM
Let's post our ice fishing tent set up tips here. Equipment suggestions and thinking is invited, too.
I present some ideas here, but expect others with experience will see what I'm trying to accomplish and suggest better ideas and tips.
I'm going to set up an ice fishing tent for the first time. I bought the Cabela's 5 sided tent. I especially liked the windows all the way around, that it's black and can be very dark inside to better see the fish and to get warmer in the sun and I suspect the five sides makes it more round and stable in strong winds than four sided tents and with close examination the stitching seems to be very strong which maters because I've seen some fairly new tents with stitching stretching to let light in and looking like a weakness waiting for movement and wind to cause failures. They told me to wax the hubs for them to be lubricated and last with all the movement from wind.
Lubricating the hubs and wanting to practice setting it up and taking it down has me planning to set it up indoors Saturday to become proficient before doing it on ice and perhaps even in the dark and wind and with only one person. It might not be calm wind when I set it up, so for my practice, I'll do it with ways that might be best for those conditions.
To be able set up under adversities like snowing, strong wind, snow or slush cover with darkness and maybe even a need for speed, I'm thinking of being prepared by making a ice anchor location template out of some fifty pound test braid and put it into a tiny bag with the corners twist tied together to minimize tangles. That way, I can install all anchors before even taking the tent out of it's bag. The template will have zero slip loops tied in with rings tied to the loops with four pound test that mark the exact locations of the five corners. I'll screw an anchor into the ice through the first ring. Next, I'll pull the no stretch line out and put the second anchor into a next ring, so it will be precisely the correct distance from the first. The third ring of the braid template will also have a line to the first, so when I pull it for both sides of the triangle to be tight, it will be at the exact distance and angle for the precise location of the third anchor and so on. Picture the template of braid looking like a pentagon with a star in it to hold it's shape true. Once the five anchors are screwed in place on the ice, I'll pull up the braid template breaking the four pound test and put it away in it's small bag for next time and to not be in the way or cause trip hazard. The rings will stay on the anchors to be reused next time by tying them back onto the braid template later with four pound test.
If it's very windy, I'll anchor a corner or two of the tent before I even roll it out. Then I imagine I should pop the roof up before the sides while I can reach it easily.
I'll buy five extra anchors to have for the side guy lines for when wind is very strong. I'll likely use 550 paracord with a taut line hitch for adjustability.
For the possible hazard of high speed snow vehicles in poor visibility in the dark while I'm fishing, I'm thinking I might include some lightweight stakes with reflectors and maybe even reflective ribbon surrounding the tent out a ways.
I'll bring a flat blade shovel for snow and slush. I hear that fish might be attracted by clearing an area of ice of snow cover for sunlight penetration to produce an area of brightness under the ice. Perhaps that attracts tiny bugs that attract small fish that attract larger fish and my lures will glow and flash with better visibility.
I might want to ice fish overnight. I know many do for burbot and I might, too. But, the main attraction to me would be already being there, set up and ready for fishing the sunrise bite without the hassle of travel and setting up in the dark and without the disturbance of noise and augering holes running off the fish. For an overnighter, I have a cot and I have a foam pad. I can go lighter weight with just the thick foam pad and a sleeping bag or go heavier with a cot or both and it doubles as a chair for fishing.
On ice fishing chairs, I've been tempted to buy a hunting blind chair. They fold up for carry and have a swivel seat. A bucket is lighter, doubles for multiple uses and can have a swivel seat, too. But, the hunting blind chair has a back which would be more restful for an extended stay. I'm even thinking of those fancy folding recliners which can be for both fishing and reclining to sleep part of the night. I haven't decided, but I have been ice fishing four seasons with just a bucket to sit on. Mainly, the greater comforts would be for overnight stays.
What are your tips, ideas and equipment or accessories suggestions?
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I present some ideas here, but expect others with experience will see what I'm trying to accomplish and suggest better ideas and tips.
I'm going to set up an ice fishing tent for the first time. I bought the Cabela's 5 sided tent. I especially liked the windows all the way around, that it's black and can be very dark inside to better see the fish and to get warmer in the sun and I suspect the five sides makes it more round and stable in strong winds than four sided tents and with close examination the stitching seems to be very strong which maters because I've seen some fairly new tents with stitching stretching to let light in and looking like a weakness waiting for movement and wind to cause failures. They told me to wax the hubs for them to be lubricated and last with all the movement from wind.
Lubricating the hubs and wanting to practice setting it up and taking it down has me planning to set it up indoors Saturday to become proficient before doing it on ice and perhaps even in the dark and wind and with only one person. It might not be calm wind when I set it up, so for my practice, I'll do it with ways that might be best for those conditions.
To be able set up under adversities like snowing, strong wind, snow or slush cover with darkness and maybe even a need for speed, I'm thinking of being prepared by making a ice anchor location template out of some fifty pound test braid and put it into a tiny bag with the corners twist tied together to minimize tangles. That way, I can install all anchors before even taking the tent out of it's bag. The template will have zero slip loops tied in with rings tied to the loops with four pound test that mark the exact locations of the five corners. I'll screw an anchor into the ice through the first ring. Next, I'll pull the no stretch line out and put the second anchor into a next ring, so it will be precisely the correct distance from the first. The third ring of the braid template will also have a line to the first, so when I pull it for both sides of the triangle to be tight, it will be at the exact distance and angle for the precise location of the third anchor and so on. Picture the template of braid looking like a pentagon with a star in it to hold it's shape true. Once the five anchors are screwed in place on the ice, I'll pull up the braid template breaking the four pound test and put it away in it's small bag for next time and to not be in the way or cause trip hazard. The rings will stay on the anchors to be reused next time by tying them back onto the braid template later with four pound test.
If it's very windy, I'll anchor a corner or two of the tent before I even roll it out. Then I imagine I should pop the roof up before the sides while I can reach it easily.
I'll buy five extra anchors to have for the side guy lines for when wind is very strong. I'll likely use 550 paracord with a taut line hitch for adjustability.
For the possible hazard of high speed snow vehicles in poor visibility in the dark while I'm fishing, I'm thinking I might include some lightweight stakes with reflectors and maybe even reflective ribbon surrounding the tent out a ways.
I'll bring a flat blade shovel for snow and slush. I hear that fish might be attracted by clearing an area of ice of snow cover for sunlight penetration to produce an area of brightness under the ice. Perhaps that attracts tiny bugs that attract small fish that attract larger fish and my lures will glow and flash with better visibility.
I might want to ice fish overnight. I know many do for burbot and I might, too. But, the main attraction to me would be already being there, set up and ready for fishing the sunrise bite without the hassle of travel and setting up in the dark and without the disturbance of noise and augering holes running off the fish. For an overnighter, I have a cot and I have a foam pad. I can go lighter weight with just the thick foam pad and a sleeping bag or go heavier with a cot or both and it doubles as a chair for fishing.
On ice fishing chairs, I've been tempted to buy a hunting blind chair. They fold up for carry and have a swivel seat. A bucket is lighter, doubles for multiple uses and can have a swivel seat, too. But, the hunting blind chair has a back which would be more restful for an extended stay. I'm even thinking of those fancy folding recliners which can be for both fishing and reclining to sleep part of the night. I haven't decided, but I have been ice fishing four seasons with just a bucket to sit on. Mainly, the greater comforts would be for overnight stays.
What are your tips, ideas and equipment or accessories suggestions?
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