ice auger

Thanks, Pat

First of all, DON'T get an electric. Also, unless you plan on fishing for large pike or trout through the ice, don't bother with a 10 inch hole. They're nice, but I've done too many "One Leggers" down a 10" hole when snow covers them up. An 8 inch auger is plenty big for 99.9% of the fish that you'll catch.

Don't get one of those monster Jiffy Augers. They're too bloody heavy to carry around and when ice fishing, mobility is one of the keys to success. Get a heavy auger and you won't want to move too terribly often. It's just too much work.

I have a StrikeMaster 8" lightweight gas auger and it's all that I've ever needed. I've been hearing some problems with the Jiffy augers. You might want to avoid those, look at StrikeMaster and Eskimo.

I have a StrikeMaster 8" lightweight gas auger and it's all that I've ever needed. I've been hearing some problems with the Jiffy augers. You might want to avoid those, look at StrikeMaster and Eskimo.

Depends on what you're going to fish for and how often you use it.

Are you in a marginal ice area? If so - I wouldn't put the money in to a gas unit. A hand auger will drill a lot of holes, espec when you don't have alot of ice - like up to 12" you can do nicely w/ a hand unit. Also - a smaller hole - ie 6" cuts easier than a 8", etc.

I have a 2hp Strikemaster w/ a 7" chipper blade. Digs a plenty big hole the fishing I do (mostly panski's and pike, sometimes walleyes). Plenty of room for a line and the lead for your sonar.

The chipper blade is adequete for me - not the FASTEST blade, but plenty fast for my needs - and it was cheaper. The 2hp power head is lighter too.

My $.02

Jim

You guys are nuts!

Warren (watching fishing shows all winter)

Warren

No - my augers (gas and hand cranked) don't float - but I've not had the ice break under me either. The trick is to know "when" it's ok to be on the ice and when it isn't.

4" of clear or blue/black ice is generally safe to walk on and fish from. Notice I said "generally" - no ice is 100% "safe". Early and late season, having a PFD along is a nice touch, should the ice give way. Its one of those things you learn to accept. But it can happen mid-winter too....ie finding a spring, or a spot where a school of carp "finned" the water under the ice, causing a thin spot.

Having a partner along when out on the ice is an insurance policy in case something happens. Also a set of "ice claws" in your pocket in order to get some traction for getting out....

I don't disrespect any one who chooses to stay ashore during the ice season.

And when I said "marginal" in my post to Pat, I used the wrong word. I should have used "short season", for geographical areas where the ice developes late, and melts early, such as southern Iowa/N Missouri or equivalent. Less ice thickness can negate the need for a gas auger.

But - in its (ice fishing) favor, and to keep this post remotely on topic, the biggest bass I've ever caught was thru the ice, a 4-4.5# LM, caught the day after Christmas in 1998.

Jim

Used to do it, didn't really enjoy it. Taught my kid, and he still loves it. But he weighs about 130 and has no qualms about walking on 2" of clear black.

http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/photos04.html

Scott... Chetek, WI

Wanna go ice fishing Jim? ;-)