spud bar

[sgpitman]

I always read of people using a spud bar for safety but I've never seen them for sale anyplace. I even went to home depot, lowes, and a couple other hardware stores looking for them but all they have are the 30 lb black 6 ft long cro bar looking things. Is that what everyone uses or is there something else? Where do I find it?

[minnowguy]

I make mine with some sucker rod or some rebar and weld a piece of flat iron to it and sharpen it. works good. Also if you do make your own put a slight bend in it and it works better for chipping out frozen tip ups. MG.

[WYIfish]

For the most part, having one made is the only option out in WY.  I have a good one with 1/2 inch rebar handle five foot long with a T handle of rebar at the top.  Blade is a 1/2 inch thick x 2 1/2 inch wide, and about 6 inches long. It has a 45 degree edge sharpened to a seriously sharp edge. Always keep it sharp.  You can tape up the upper handle with tape to cushion the handle. also can measure and mark the handle so you can roughly measure fish. Attach a cord for safety. Price for parts isn't much, labor is a cost unless you have a friend with a welder. My spud cost $20 at a sporting goods store in MI and I got it in 1987........a very good investment.

Like many things, it ain't got to be pretty, just has to work well.

[jtk]

bass pro sells them ill get the link and post in a min.

[jtk]

http://www.basspro.com/Eskimo-Redneck-OnePiece-Ice-Chisel/product/10220137/-1719880
 heres one

[jopes]

rocky mountain sports in casper has a bunch of different ones

[sgpitman]

Thanks guys. I'll have to buy one, no way I can make 1. I don't know how to weld and I have the creativity of a rock lol.

[sgpitman]

I gotta get back to rocky mountain sports. Last time I was there they didn't have much out. Sounds like they have everything out now. If they could only get in my shanty. Things been on back order for a month

[jopes]

if it is back ordered you might want to look into something that is in stock. 

as for welding all you need is some jumper cables, couple car batteries, blanket and some 6010. 

[Wyofarmer]

Check Murdochs in Casper, Big R in Riverton or Hasco Industrial Supply. Are you a farmer Jopes? because that's farmer rod. 

[jopes]

Check Murdochs in Casper, Big R in Riverton or Hasco Industrial Supply. Are you a farmer Jopes? because that's farmer rod. 

nope.  but I think I have welded once before 

[sgpitman]

Lol. I don't want something else. I want a shapell dx-4000 lol.

[minnowguy]

Better throw some baling wire in there too, thats a farmers best friend 

[jopes]

Better throw some baling wire in there too, thats a farmers best friend 

bailing wire is so 1920's.  Duct tape is the new and improved stuff.   

[minnowguy]

bailing wire is so 1920's.  Duct tape is the new and improved stuff.   

Ya, I got some of that to. Just got a new role.

[bigfish54]

 I never thought of getting a spud but I think I will pick one up,any recommendations for a brand?

[WYIfish]

I never thought of getting a spud but I think I will pick one up,any recommendations for a brand?

BRAND NEW is a good brand. Where the spud comes in is on thin ice like we have right now and when I cut two  holes with an auger, I can spud out the "V" between the holes.

[gulp]

BRAND NEW is the type I need. I had a lake bottom but it was getting old.

[Wyofarmer]

nope.  but I think I have welded once before 

I have a feeling that you have. i've graduated from grandpa's 6010 to MIG or 8018. and yes, baling wire, ducktape and JB Weld are the 3 things closest to a farmers heart.  (besides his Farmall)

[sgpitman]

I realy need a spud bar. In ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.

[trogdor]

I realy need a spud bar. In ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.

LOL +1

[wyoming_man]

Jopes- Duct tape is so 1980's!!  Now its Gorilla Tape!

Good thing I am not a skinny guy in Ohio!

[WYIfish]

Jopes- Duct tape is so 1980's!!  Now its Gorilla Tape!

Good thing I am not a skinny guy in Ohio!

 
Duc tape =  Arkansas chrome

[Rat-Man]

I really need a spud bar. In Ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.

That's what we do up here with people from Ohio, especially on shelf ice.

[sgpitman]

That's what we do up here with people from Ohio, especially on shelf ice.

Ha ha. Come on now, only time you see people from ohio is when the buckeyes are kickn that wolverine A$$

[4x4elk]

Well just so happens Walkers in Shoshoni packs a few so on your way to Boysen stop in they'll hook you up. They even come plastic coated so no need for duck or gorilla tape

[4cator]

Last year Walkers carried a Mille Lacs bar, if they have one, you will like it much better than a regular bar with just one edge.

laters,

the cator

[jopes]

So, I personelly never have used a spud bar,  this includes making holes to fish or to test ice.   Can some one give a newbie some pointers on using one to test ice?

[WYIfish]

Put on gloves. Pick up sharpened spud bar with both hands on handle. Locate a likely target place of ice to test/attack.
Lift spud bar up a foot or so, weight on both feet, maintain a good level posture, and whale away! 
When spuding out a hole, work in a circular direction in the size diameter you wish to achieve.  Start the first pass with the angle side so you have a tapered ring and when to the bottom of the hole rotate the spud bar 180 degrees so the taper is beveled out so the fish/fish line doesn't have sharply protruding edges to get fouled on. Imagine a sideways U  like "] [" with the top of the hole and bottom of the hole with a curved radius.

There you go that's ice spudding 101, practice makes perfect.

Another general rule I go by when testing early ice is with my spud (your's may be different-disclaimer) will penetrate about 2 1/2 inches of good ice.  If the spud goes through first crack, I back out very gently. On new ice I test the ice thickness with a healthy whack every couple of steps. Others may have other suitable methods too.

[jaklakmak]

Used mine today but didn't need it. 8 inches of good solid ice!!