FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fish Trap FAQ
’s
Q: The zipper on my shelter freezes up and/or sticks. Is there anything I can use to help prevent this from
happening?
A: Yes, there are a couple of zipper lubricants available that our customers and pro staff have used with good results.
• Zipper Lube is one brand, often found in the camping section of sporting goods stores. This is a gel applied to the
zipper.
• There are also a few silicone sprays that may be used to lubricate the zipper.
Q: Are there replacement bases available for my Clam/Fish Trap?
A: We have bases available for current shelters. If your shelter is an older model, we may not have the exact
replacement for that shelter, but may have one that will work. Go to
or email Customer Service
Q: What will help keep mice or rodents from eating the tent of my Clam or Fish Trap?
A: We recommend that you keep your tent in a sealed plastic tote with laundry dryer sheets or moth balls. If the shelter is
stored in a barn or shed take the tent off the house and store it in a rodent-free environment such as in your home.
Q: I have lost the owner
’s manual for my shelter. Where can I get another one?
A: There are owner
’s manuals available online at
Q: Do you have replacement tents for Clam and/or Fish Trap shelters that are a few years old?
A: We have replacement tents available, but are limited on tents that are several seasons old. Go to our
On-line
store at
Q: The sliding seat poles, frame poles, or spreader poles of my shelter are sticking. Is there anything to put on
these poles to help them slide better?
A: Our pro staff and customers have used the following with good results.
• Zipper Lube, a gel, can be found in the camping section of your local sporting goods store. Apply the gel to the poles
and use a rag to wipe off the excess.
• Car wax can be effective in helping to lubricate poles. Apply wax and rub well. Wipe off excess wax.
• When poles slide up and down against each other sometimes burrs are created. If this happens separate the affected
poles and use a fine file or sand paper to deburr the pole(s) and then apply a thin coat of lubricant before rejoining the
poles.
Q: Must I put screws through the V-channel molding and tent of my shelter?
A: Yes, putting screws through the V-channel helps to securely fasten the tent of your shelter to the base. This is a
necessary step for proper installation and failure to do so will void the warranty.
Q: I am trying to attach the V-channel molding to my shelter, but am having difficulty getting it started, as it
seems too stiff and will not stay attached to the edge of the sled. What can be done to help?
A: It may be difficult to attach the V-channel in cold conditions. Assembly of the shelter should be done indoors with the
V-channel warmed with a hair dryer, heat gun, or soak it in a bucket of hot water for several minutes so it will be more
pliable.
Q: I can see pinholes of light through the fabric of my tent. What can be done?
A: Tent fabric is a woven material and these pin holes are part of the thread that the coating did not attach to. Also,
sometimes more pinholes appear along seams, and are simply holes where the stitching is pulling the fabric. In either
case, this has no effect on the function of the fabric and is simply an appearance issue.
Q: There are cracks on the inside finish of the fabric of my shelter. Is this normal? Can anything be done to fix
this?
A: It is normal for some of the dark colored coating to come off the inside of the tent. Over time, as you set up and take
down the shelter, the dark coating can begin to flake off, especially along the folds in the fabric when the shelter is
collapsed. This does not affect the function of the fabric. If you feel that too much light is now entering your shelter in the
places where some of the coating has come off, you may wish to apply a new layer of rubberized coating. A product you
may use for this is Loctite Color Guard (black), available in liquid (paint-on) or aerosol form. The product number is LOC
34894. This is available at many hardware or home improvement stores.
Q: Would it be best to completely dry out my shelter after every time it gets used?
A: It is recommended that your tent be dried out completely after each use. If it is not dried out, moisture may cause
some damage to the shelter. This is especially important if the shelter is to be stored for a long period of time.
Q: I bought the correct travel cover for my Fish Trap or flip over style shelter, but it does not seem to fit properly.
Is there a certain way the travel cover should be put on?
A: The travel covers are custom made and most of them do need to be put on a certain way. If you are have trouble
getting the cover on over the last corner, or if it seems too short, try rotating the cover 180 degrees and pull it over the
collapsed shelter.
Q: How do I wash the tent of my ice fishing shelter?
A: We recommend that you use a mild bleach and water solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), or a mild soap
