Modify your Shanty
Something major, something small, there are ways to make your coop your own, and make the fishing just a tad more functional.
Everything I have to my Pro has been relatively small. I added a cup holder that is available at any marine dealer in the area. Not everyone will be able to do this, some shacks just aren’t built the same. In this case I drilled and attached the holder to metal corner brace. Nice thing about it is that it folds up flush, and when in use forms a nice stable platform for your beverage of choice.
In another instance I took my rotary tool, and cut three small slots in the front lip of the shanty’s base sled. Sanded down the rough spots just a lil’ bit, and inserted rod holders. The rod holders pictured here are actually made by HT Enterprise and originally designed to be used for holding your rod ‘n’ reel securely to the lip of a 5 gallon bucket. When I want to go and check some other holes out, but still want a jig in the water, they come in handy. You can also use them when you have more than one hole in front of you, dead stick one rod, while jigging another rod. Third slot, maybe I am having a sandwich and just want to have two rods in, but separated!
With the cabin style houses like the 5600, there wasn’t a lot I could do structurally. I did pick up some Otter rattle reels and clipped them to the support bars above. Like a tip up, but instead of using a flag to announce a fish taking the bait, there are little bells or rattles inside the spool that make a racket when line is being peeled off.
Other than that, taking another type of HT rod holder designed to sit on the ice, I just use them inside the fish house. Both styles of holders are really functional, and will not break the bank. Both are under $3.50 at just about any store you walk into. Pick up a few now if you like any of the ideas, but look for them at the end of the season, and you should be able to get them for less than two bucks on clearance.