Hand Auger

[Len]

What is your choice for hand auger and what size?

[CTom]

For crappie, panfish and walleyes a 6" is plenty. If you are in an area where pike roam, or maybe even catfish, do an 8".

StrkeMaster makes a nice conventional auger in those sizes and they also make a Laser model that really cuts ice. The Lasers are spendy. There is a Nils Master auger but I don't care for them at all and if you ding a blade you are sunk.

[harpenter]

6" Lazer will work just fine.

[wilbur]

before i got a gas one i used a 4in. never had a problem,pulled 14in. crappie through the hole. It was plenty easy to drill. They are hard to find though.

[no1son]

6" Lazer agreed. As far as the Nils augers go you get one of two responses, either totally positive or totally negative. I have never used one, not needing anything more than the Lazer, and the Lazer is very easy to change out blades on, blades that are commonly available, too.

You can step up from that for very little extra weight to mounting an 18v drill on it, and even use that through ice over two feet thick providing you carry an extra battery or two and do not need too many holes. Lithium batteries are both lighter and pack an extra punch, but cost huge. You don't need to carry around or mix gas though.

[skillett007]

ive been using a 8" lazer , been looking for a 6" though

[tail chaser]

WoWWWW new laser blades !!! I was looking at the Laser blades at Bass Pro a few weeks ago. Almost 40.00. They have almost doubled in the last 3 or 4 years. I have been using the 6" laser for many years. It covers all the fish I go after.Panfish,perch & walleyes. I also use a 18 volt Bosch drill adapter that is really sweet for cutting ice. This will be my 3rd. season ( if we get ice ) with the drill adapter . This is just another tool for us old guys.

[no1son]

I use a Ryobi to push my 6" lazer. It sure does make it easier on us old goats. Last winter I bit up and switched to Lithium batteries and that is both lighter and packs a better punch so long as it is not extremely cold. My third season with a drill adapter, too. I got the Kluge adapter from Vexilar. It costs a bit more, but I am completely satisfied with it after three seasons. The 6" size hole has also been more than enough for my needs.

[icefisherman]

6'' lazer till ice gets too thick then I gotta bust out the jiffy.

[birddog one]

6" eskamo doesn't get alot of use here in kansas still praying for hard water