Every amateur fisherman engaged in ice fishing must have a good and high-quality tent.
In the absence of a warm and good tent, fishing in winter may not be a very attractive pastime: cold wind and frost will not give you a chance to stay on the river or lake for a long time. Therefore, a tent made of quality material is simply a necessity.
In this material, you will learn about the features of selection, types, and sizes of these products for winter fishing.
What to pay attention to when choosing a tent for winter fishing
A tent for fishing in the winter must meet many requirements so the favorite hobby of the fisherperson does not become a struggle or hard work.
First of all, this device must have the option to be blown. All materials from which the tent is made must meet the conditions.
When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the material, which must be dense, and, on top of everything, it must “breathe.” It is because fishing tents made of “breathing” material are the reason why condensation forms on the walls and ceilings of such a shelter, as a result of which further icing occurs.
Also, pay attention to the presence of opening windows in the walls of the tent. They are absolutely necessary for good air circulation. It is especially crucial when you want some kind of army tent with a wood stove.
In addition, the material should preferably be of a light shade – in such a tent, and you will have light.
Before you buy a tent, be sure to check how you can set the product on the ice surface, as camping in an ice fishing tent can sometimes be a challenge. In order for the tent to be securely fixed, it is desirable that it be equipped by the manufacturer with stretchers that are attached to the arcs.
Also, be sure to pay attention to the weight of the future shelter – you need to choose a compact and very light tent. With a tent that can be easily set up and, if necessary, quickly assembled, you will move quickly and freely.
And one more tip: if a lot of fishing friends are going, you need to choose a bigger tent.
Types of tents
#1 Automatic
Automatic (or self-opening) tents are mainly dome-shaped, although other forms can be found. The construction of the house is attached to the frame and forms a circle. Such a tent can be opened within a few seconds, as the structure works like a spring.
There are also automatic tents that look like umbrellas from the rain.
Automatic tents have windows that are well-ventilated and allow light to pass through. Also, most of them have fire impregnation, which means that you can use the stove for heating in the cold season.
The main advantages of such tents are lightweight and the ability to quickly and easily install and assemble them. With these products, it is easy and fast to move from place to place, looking for a better area for fishing, including moving to short distances.
Such tents include external arches (usually two or three of them) and an awning that is hung from the arcs on a hook. Usually, arcs are made of plastic or metal. Metal is a more reliable material, it is resilient to frost, but the cost of a tent with such arcs can be significantly more expensive.
Due to the fact that all the arcs are outside, there is a lot of space inside the tent itself. However, there is also a significant disadvantage – such “houses” are unlikely to be able to withstand strong winds.
#2 Two-layer tents
Such tents are most often used for fishing for a long time or during cold winters. In such models, another awning is attached to the frame of the tent inside, and an inner layer is attached to it (it is good if this layer is made of a membrane). A distinctive feature of such “houses” is good ventilation and thermal insulation. However, as a rule, such shelters have a lot of weight, so they are not very common.
Heating of fishing tents
Usually, during a fishing trip, fishers warm themselves with dry fuel, gas stoves, candles, or blankets. You can even make a simple stove from an ordinary tinned can to burn dry fuel in it.
However, when heating tents, do not forget about ventilation. A small amount of oxygen is dangerous – it can go into overdrive or cause other ailments.
Installation tips
First of all, it is necessary to determine where the wind is blowing from. After that, you need to install the tent as follows: the entrance and ventilation valves in the open form should be on the opposite side of the wind.
In case of a strong wind, the tent can be secured with an ice auger – drill a hole on the leeward side, and fasten the handle of the drill and the top of the tent.
When going fishing, do not forget to rub the locks with paraffin so that they work better. Never open the locks themselves completely – they can freeze in this position.
We will also give one more piece of advice to fisher people: put reflective elements on the outside of the tent. Then it will be easier for drivers of cars and snowmobiles to notice you.
Advantages and disadvantages of fishing in a tent
Warmth is an undeniable advantage in severe frost. Protected by a tent, you can even remove the gloves and use some kind of heater.
Also, if you have a tent, you are not afraid of the wind. You can wait out an intense blizzard in it.
Thirdly, in the tent, you can hide from prying eyes: no one sees what exactly the fisherperson does, what tackle he uses, what fish he pulls out, and what baits he prepares.
The primary and only disadvantage of fishing in a tent is low mobility, extra cargo in addition to already heavy fishing equipment, as well as a small view for the fisherman himself.
To summarize, it is up to you to choose how to go fishing and what tent to opt for. Stay safe and warm!
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