Why a power auger this year.

[WhiteMTfish]

After recovering from having both hips replaced I'm going to treat myself to a new gas powered auger. I have always used a chisel until the ice got too thick then went to a hand auger. Since I will be free to ice fish every day and I don't want to beat myself up this winter I'm going to splurge.

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[Minnowhead]

Hahahaha! I don't blame you a bit!

[Curley]

Good luck on whatever you choose. Some nice machines out there. I got a Strikemaster 8 inch lazer last year and love it. My last auger was a Jiffy white lightning that served me well for over a dozen years . No comparison between the two. Wouldn't even be fair to compare. Both got the job done.

[pontiac787]

It's a decision you won't regret.  Especially when your standing on 2 feet of ice.

[filetandrelease]

Good for you enjoy ,

[Digs]

A nils with a drill attachment is an option too. Light and easy.

[Mr.Harry]

To echo Curley, good luck in your decision making! Take your time and check em allllll out! It's no simple decision anymore these days. Just a lot of great and different options. Whatever you end up with, I'm quite sure you're going to like it. Congrats!

[Roccus]

I bought my first one when I turned 40 after rotator cuff surgery... when I turned 60.. I bought a 4 wheeler... when I turn 80...I'm going to hire a youngster to cart my carcass around!...

you'll be happy you did once you buy one...

[Chris338378]

After you drill your first hole you'll wonder why you waited so long to get one and never want to be without it again.  I don't know what brand you're looking for but Glen's has a deal on a 8 inch Eskimo Mako for $289.99 with free shipping. 

[NorthNH603]

Love my hand auger for under 25" and under 5 holes.

Love my power auger for 25+" and when the temp is above 15.

Good for you on your 1st PA

[jellyroll44]

I have had Eskimo and jiffy brands... Eskimo cuts better and starts easier!  Use true fuel, no worries about ethonal, few extra bucks a year,   But what is the cost of getting out there and your auger wont run?

[NorthNH603]

I have had Eskimo and jiffy brands... Eskimo cuts better and starts easier!  Use true fuel, no worries about ethonal, few extra bucks a year,   But what is the cost of getting out there and your auger wont run?

Under 15 and im using a hand auger, my power doesn't start under 15.

[makomanfish1]

Lots of options.....Hand,  Propane , Nils, Electric, Gas.... i'm using jiffy Xtreme starts every time cuts like butter

[anglure]

Cant beat the POWER for drillin lots of holes .   

[WhiteMTfish]

My new hips courtesy of the VA.


I tried ice fishing twice last year on a cane but too painful. I now have the whole winter off and will be recovered by ice in. I predict a lot of fishing.

[dickbaker]

  My surgeon tells me that a sure fire way to injure  bad, shoulder, hip and knee joints is to walk on the ice carrying a 30 lb power auger with your hands held out forward??    That's why I've decided  to stay with my hand drill and Nils 41/2" and 6" auger at less than 6 lbs.
When I go pike fishing my grandson is in charge of the 8" Jiffy!
Dick

[bee]

Look into Cordless drill setups.

[Chris338378]

Call it being lazy, spoiled, or whatever but it's very rare that I use my hand cranker and when I do it's when the ice is six inches or less.  I'd much rather spend my time fishing rather than drilling holes especially since I do a lot of moving around. 

Dickbaker, why not just turn the auger off and pull it hole to hole in a sled?

[WhiteMTfish]

Just found a brand new Eskimo Mako 43cc 8" blade for $299.

[stinkyfingers]

I go back to the spoon augers from the sixties. Glad we're all done with those things. Lots of hand augers over the years and they still have their place, at least for the top end ones early season. Many options for converting to power. I've got two old gas jobs and an electric and they all have plusses and minuses. In your position, I think I'd look hard at one of the Milwaukee Fuel setups. They'll take you to the end of your natural ice career and make your drilling a lot more pleasurable.
Stinky

[dickbaker]

Call it being lazy, spoiled, or whatever but it's very rare that I use my hand cranker and when I do it's when the ice is six inches or less.  I'd much rather spend my time fishing rather than drilling holes especially since I do a lot of moving around. 

Dickbaker, why not just turn the auger off and pull it hole to hole in a sled?

Chris,  Ok for most fishermen, but by the time I get my Auger warmed up one of us drills a dozen or more holes with another person cleaning the holes and ice around the hole, with last fisherman  setting tipups  or checking the holes with flasher looking for fish!   We don't fish for lake trout so our holes are usually pretty close together?   I do sled the hand drill and Nills along with the flasher to check each hole before I even clean it out?
Dick

[Beebs]

WhiteMTfish, Whatever you get is worth it, I use a cordless drill until the ice gets to about 10", nice and light. Then i go to the power auger after that. All the guys here give great advice.Most of us are older and busted up so we know where your coming from. I bought an ATV 5 yrs ago because i was sick of trudging threw deep snow. If you need help, many of us can drag your gear out on the ice for you. There's always someone on this site that's looking for someone to fish with, just give a shout. I mainly fish the Sunapee or Winny area but most of us will travel to try new spots.

[WhiteMTfish]

UPS just dropped it off.
My brand new Eskimo Mako M43 8" auger. Now to get a gas can and some 2 stroke oil.

[Joe Henry]

UPS just dropped it off.
My brand new Eskimo Mako M43 8" auger. Now to get a gas can and some 2 stroke oil.

Congrats!   I got my Eskimo HC40 I couple of weeks ago ... I go down in the Garage everyday to make sure its doing ok!