Hand or power auger?

[Team_long_rod]

Do you guys think it makes more sense to use a hand auger or power auger while the ice is thin? I'm not sure if I should get my power auger out for this weekend

[adkRoy]

With a hand auger, you can at least hear the ice cracking while drilling your holes.

[Hardwaternubie53]

My old shoulders don't like a hand auger anymore. My power auger is electric. Can still hear the cracking ice, over the quite motor!

[NatefishNY]

I use my hand auger until there is about 8 inches, then I will switch to the power

[gil_lunkage]

Agreed, hand until 8-10 is a no brainer.

[blizzardfisher]

I use my hand auger until there's at least 8" as well. unless you're too old or worn out to use the hand auger but people get grumpy when you're running gas around them specially if the ice is thin!

[pmac3]

Get yourself a Nils hand auger and you won't even need a gas auger. Cuts ice like butter

[Huntyeraws]

Get yourself a Nils hand auger and you won't even need a gas auger. Cuts ice like butter

Same with a Normark Fin-Bore III - The offset handles over the center axis really make a difference as you use both arms to efficiently cut the ice with the sharp blades.  Nils also has the offset handle and that is one of the reasons why they cut with less effort.

 

[coldfish]

I use the hand auger till we have 10" of ice then gas auger.

[Hood]

With a hand auger, you can at least hear the ice cracking while drilling your holes.

LOL!

The spud lets you know it too 

[ICE4ME75]

spud your way out and then an 18v dewalt with a mora auger. damn they work sweet.  one of the best investments i have made.

[fiskasassassin]

when i goto chatauqua for perch i bring the wine cork remover for those slobs

[saltyfly]

I just picked up a Nils for this same reason.   I have the Jiffy that I will still use once the ice gets about 10" or so, but never liked the weight of it when I'm trying to stay light and mobile on thinner ice.. Nils = 6 lbs.. Jiffy = 40lbs.. no brainer for me during early ice.

[iceman_phil]

I used to be in the "wait for 8 inches" before bringing the power auger crowd, but then I started watching the In Depth Outdoors videos and other ice fishing videos and they start using the power augers at first ice.  Since I drill lots of holes, it is pretty stupid to leave the power auger home and waste time and energy drilling by hand.  Nils or not.  So, will probably bring the hand Nils on Saturday since it is our first time out on new ice, but I will bring the power auger on Sunday if we find that there is more than 4-5 inches of ice.

Phil 

[Kuyahoorakid]

I have a 5" mora hand auger, and that thing can move some ice when it is razor sharp! It would probably take me longer to get my old strike master going than it would to drill by hand.

[trapper2000]

if i can get someone else  to  drill the  holes  i  don't  care what is  used

[jigginguru]

I have a 5" mora hand auger, and that thing can move some ice when it is razor sharp! It would probably take me longer to get my old strike master going than it would to drill by hand.

x2

[Fishlip off the hook]

hand

[Tigerstripe1]

Hand Auger hands down

[meatman]

6" I go to gas. I didn't buy it to look at it.

[slipnot]

I rather use a hand auger.  I can't count how many times I got flags drilling the next hole.  Nothing like turning around and seeing that it's going to be a good day.

[ADKLakerTaker]

Use the hand auger if you can! don't spill anymore gas, oil, other crap in the water than you have too!     Plus it doesn't spook football browns out from under the ice. 

[bee]

Use a hand auger with a power head.