I have never Ice Fished and need to purchase an auger for making a hole in the ice. Pennsylvania allows up to a 10 inch hole. Do I want to get an auger that makes 10 inch holes or do I want smaller and what size? Appreciate the help. Pop
Printable View
I have never Ice Fished and need to purchase an auger for making a hole in the ice. Pennsylvania allows up to a 10 inch hole. Do I want to get an auger that makes 10 inch holes or do I want smaller and what size? Appreciate the help. Pop
Are you thinking a powered auger or a hand crank? What are you planning to fish the most for, panfish or big pike and other toothy critters? An 8" hole will most likely handle all but the hugest pike. I use an 8" for crappie and other fish; it's plenty big in my opinion. I would not want to hand crank a bunch of 10" holes. In fact, I used a hand crank for one season then invested in an 8" powered auger.
go small for a hand crank, and big for a power auger, the smaller the hole for a hand crank the easier it is to drill you don't want to hand crank 8 or 10 inch holes
I have an Ion electric for sale. Asking $350 and I’ll throw in the extra battery. Comes with charger and extension. I’m going to sale my ice fishing stuff as I’m thinking of moving south next year. I’ve got a ton of stuff from Smitty sled to livescope ice setup and a couple fishfinder too. PM me if you’re interested in anything icefishing. I’ll offer it here in PA before I put it out anywhere else.
That is a screaming deal on an auger; wish you'd made that offer about this time last year, LOL!
Hopefully the OP will see this and seriously consider hooking up with you to see what-all you have to offer, even if it means a drive across I-80. Getting the gear from an experienced ice fisherman will save him a lot of headache and hassle in the long run.
If using a hand auger smaller is better. I have used several strike master with sharp blades that does a fast job. A 5 inch auger can go through 10 inches of ice in less then a minute. Larger holes take a little longer. At 50 plus dollars they do a excellent job for the occasional ice fishermen.This will work for any pan fish and stocked trout. You must protect the blades to keep them sharp and do not even smack them down on the ice . I do not even reopen old holes.Our winters have been mild the last 8-10 years so safe ice has been somewhat hard to come by. I have seen guys pulling there arms off trying to get older non-serviced power augers to start. To each there own. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use the tool.
You can’t possibly enjoy fishing in a five inch hole. Gotta have a seven or better if using any electronic device. I use a HB ice setup in my 7 and 8” holes. My Ion is an 8” . I use a drill on my seven inch strike master auger. I haven’t cut a hole by hand in years. But I still have a couple 7” strikemasters hand setups that I will sell. I’ve got way too much icefishing stuff. Even got camping stuff to cook on the ice.Quote:
Originally Posted by addictedangler
I have caught many hundreds of gills from a 5" hole. I used a 20V MAX DeWalt hand drill on Strikemaster 5" . Run the ducer in a separate hole beside the one I'm fishing .You need a retainer disk just a bit bigger than the hole size to prevent the drill from going to the bottom if it gets loose. Opinions vary
I have been ice fishing for over 45 years and never had a problem with the smaller hole. I also have a 8 inch but never seem to need it. Most lakes are trout lakes in my area so it does not take a big hole to put a 12 inch rainbow on to the ice.
I use to have a hand auger that had 6in blades. That worked great until one day I was running tipups for pike and I got ahold of a huge pike. It's head was so big that it wouldn't fit through the hole. I purchased 8in blades the next day. I now have a power auger with 8in blades. You never know what is going to pull on your line out there. I will use nothing less than a 8in hole.
Sent from my LML212VL using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
So you drill two holes for my every one? Too much extra work for me. But seriously, five is just to small for my taste. If all I know I’m fishing for is gills, I’d understand but we have too many big fish in the waters I fish to take a chance on a small hole. Glad it works for you tho. Have you ever fished a bigger hole?Quote:
Originally Posted by Olegiller1
I need to keep in mind that members needs go far beyond my local lakes. All the fish I catch will easily come up through a 5" hole . My 20Vmax will punch a hole amazingly fast. My son had a 8" gas thing. I almost broke my ankle in one of those holes . A young buck with a 8 or 10" gas auger can create a minefield of ankle traps in a hurry . We don't get a lot of ice I can trust in my area.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I must admit though I am more confused than before I posted. I didn't want to spend the money for a power auger incase I didn't like ice fishing, but guess I need to rethink about what auger I need. Thanks again, Pop
That was kind of how I took your post POP. No matter what size auger you buy manual augers work very well for the average person. If only doing a few holes a large 8 inch is not a problem however if drilling 20-30 holes trying to locate schools of perch and other fish on on large lakes can be a little taxing. A fifty dollar auger, scooper and a couple of short rods can get you started. I like to use castmaster with a small mill worm or mousee to sweeten the very light taps. Most pan fish will hit the jig when you pause in the jigging. However trout like the jig constantly moving. You can use many other lures and baits similar to open water fishing. Perhaps go out when the first ice comes on and is safe and ask the locals how they are doing it. I agree that spending a lot of money then abandoning a activity is a waist of money. I can say that dress warm and be prepared for whatever , perhaps even a emergency just in case on should arise.
Good equipment can always be resold to another angler just starting out at a later date. But to be frustrated from the beginning simply drilling enough holes to find fish seems like a doomsday start. Also, being dressed real warm, then working up a bit of a sweat drilling holes is a recipe for getting cold quicker than not working up a sweat.
Judging by your handle of "Pop", I'm guessing you're not a young man. I'm in my late 50's and in pretty good shape and hand drilling 15-20 holes @ 7 1/2" diameter with brand new blades on a Mora auger in 10-14" of ice got old real fast 2 years ago, hence the power auger for last year's ice, which we never had any to speak of. I did it, and could have done it again but I felt the smart move was to a power auger. Your outlook may be different.
You can also equip yourself with a auger that you run with a cordless drill. I do not have one but my friends that do have them absolutely love them. You can drill alot of holes with one charge.
Sent from my LML212VL using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Got one of those for sale too. Even a couple 2xl ice suits.Quote:
Originally Posted by patrapper
In my area of Pa we see very little ice. Some years we are lucky to get on safe ice for a few days at best. Even the northern most areas of Pa can see very limited safe ice days. I do many outdoor show and fishing flea markets in the area as well as a three stare area and can assure you used ice fishing gear does not hold value. Perhaps in northern states it is a different story but not in our area. Also cutting through 4 inches of ice is a breeze with a sharp hand auger. Even cutting a half dozen holes will take a few minutes and not even make a sweat. I think all of us probably could use a little exercise? It can be more work trying to get a used gas auger started then using a hand auger. More then once one of those 2 cycle engines did not start and the guy wanted to borrow my hand auger. Also most times I do not need to cut more then a few holes. Some times a lake looks like swiss cheese as some guys go hole crazy. Many times you can just take a small chipping axe or even the edge of a metal scoop and break a hole open since our temperatures usually do not freeze hole very tight over night. My advice is do not spend any more money on equipment until you know what you need and then what you think you want.
Good advice for frugal people that can’t afford to upgrade to the modern icefishing equipment. The ice hasn’t changed since the beginning of icefishing so all the old stuff may still work to some degree but the newer products to improve fishing makes it more enjoyable to get out on the lake. Snowsuits, electronics, sleds, augers, shanties, even bucket heights and much more has made being out in low temps, more comfortable. If able to afford the amenities, go for it. If not, that shouldn’t stop you from going out. The newer stuff just makes it more comfortable and enjoyable.Quote:
Originally Posted by addictedangler