Eskimo FF949 FatFish Pop-up Portable Ice Shelter Review
Going ice fishing with your buddies can be a lot of fun, but it can also be downright unbearable if you are fishing out in the open and the wind starts whipping around like crazy. However, you don’t have to suffer out in the cold and wind by seeking shelter in your own Eskimo FatFish Pop-up Portable Ice Shelter.
In this review, we are going to talk a little more about the features of the Eskimo FF949 FatFish Pop-up Portable Ice Shelter, but we are also going to give you an overview of what people who have purchased the pop-up shelter had to say about their overall experience with it.
Then, we’re going to give you our recommendation on whether or not this portable shelter is something you should consider purchasing for your own ice fishing gear!
About The Product
Folks who want to go ice fishing but don’t want to freeze often seek shelter in an ice shelter like this one by Eskimo. With this ice shelter, you have 61 square feet of room to move around, ample space for four people and all of their fishing gear.
The shelter stands at 80 inches, enough space for a 6 foot tall fisherman to still have some head space, and is approximately 99 inches of elbow room, so you can stretch your arms without worrying about knocking a friend in the head with your arms.
Also, this tent features 2 doors that can be zipped tight, 2 vents, 2 mesh pockets, as well as 2 additional pockets to store smaller items, 6 windows, and 6 ice anchors. When you aren’t using the tent, it can collapse down and fit and worn like a backpack, thanks to the backpack straps. You don’t have to worry about this tent being too heavy, as it only weighs 27 pounds!
Features
- 61 square feet fishable area
- Hub design makes set-up and take-down quick and easy and comes with portable carrying bag
- Six large, removable, Velcro windows allow for ventilation and plenty of viewing opportunities
- Large, mesh storage pockets to keep essential fishing gear handy
- Includes six strong, heavy-duty ice anchors
If you like going fishing in windy locations, you never have to worry about the stability of this tent because it will stay put, although assembling the tent in windy situations may require some help. When you’re inside the tent, you won’t feel the cold and you’ll find that it is nice and toasty inside.
During strong winds, no air is felt through the seams, or even the zippers, unlike other popup tents you may have used in the past. We recommend that you use the anchor ropes to ensure that the tent does stay in place. We especially like that there are ice screws that came with the tent— you should bring a drill to create a pilot hole that’ll make drilling the screws into the ice a little easier.
There is plenty of room for people to get up and stretch without getting in anyone else’s away. We also enjoy the ability to open the windows and allow for air to circulate should the inside begins to feel a bit stifling.
The Verdict
There’s no denying that fishing out in the middle of a lake can be a lot of fun for anglers, but to do so, you’re going to want to be prepared for the cold temperatures. Even though you’re going to be bundled up, an ice shelter is going to help you stay warm, especially when the wind starts whipping around and makes it feel colder than it actually is. The Eskimo FF949 FatFish Pop-up Portable Ice Shelter is the perfect solution to that.
Why? Because this shelter gives you plenty of room for you and three other people to fish comfortably since it has a large open bottom. If you’d rather use the tent as a place to get out from the wind and fish outside, you can always place mats on the floor to prevent heat from escaping from the bottom through conduction.
When you are preparing for your next ice fishing trip, you won’t want to overlook your ice shelter. We fully recommend the Eskimo FF949 FatFish Pop-up Portable Ice Shelter, whether you are looking to replace an existing shelter, or if you are buying a shelter for the first time. You won’t be sorry with this shelter!
