spud bar

[jopes]

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.

this is exactly what I was looking for. 

Thank you

[WYIfish]

Bless the newbie who keeps the sport alive and witnesses us old timers so we maintain an air of mystical reverance. ..........sorry I got all taken up with myself.

[jopes]

Bless the newbie who keeps the sport alive and witnesses us old timers so we maintain an air of mystical reverance. ..........sorry I got all taken up with myself.

spud newbie,  been ice fishin for 30+ now. 

[wyoming_man]

I have been using a spud bar for the last 2 weeks.  For me its faster, and lighter, then my Jiffy 30 in the 6" of ice I have been fishing.  Here soon I will be moving on to Jiffy.  Been looking at getting a Nils for this early ice.  I am pretty sure that Ace here in Laramie has them.  I will look around and let you know.  I think 2.5" per whack is a fair estimate.

[WYIfish]

I have been using a spud bar for the last 2 weeks.  For me its faster, and lighter, then my Jiffy 30 in the 6" of ice I have been fishing.  Here soon I will be moving on to Jiffy.  Been looking at getting a Nils for this early ice.  I am pretty sure that Ace here in Laramie has them.  I will look around and let you know.  I think 2.5" per whack is a fair estimate.

One wouldn't want to be off on their whack!

[wyoming_man]

One wouldn't want to be off on their whack!

Especially if they are a whack job!!   

[WYIfish]

Especially if they are a whack job!!   

I could continue humorous quips but the mods may not appreciate it.

[augergas]

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

Hey now! Most of the pipelines in service in this country were welded with 6010 and 7010. I've done a bit of that...

6013 is farmer rod.

[Wyofarmer]

Ya, getting my Grandpa and Dad to use another kind of rod was like pulling hens teeth.

[rickl1968]

I used a piece of 1" gas pipe with the rubber coating on it and had a buddy weld a large washer on one end for the "rope" handle and a piece of hardened steel on the other end shapened to a angle. i stipped off the rubber coating 6' up either side so it wouldn't burn while welding it.
The best and cheapest spud bar I've owned, going on 8 years now (yep...the same one). The trick is always use the rope around your wrist, ALWAYS.

[hammerhead]

I made mine by cutting and crimping and then welding a piece of 1 1/2 inch pipe around a piece of 3/4 inch x 3inch wide flat for the blade.the pipe is only about 8" long and is a ferrel that I put a lodgepole pine handle in. The pine handle started life about 6 feet long, and I always figured it would be real useful if I ever went for a swim. The handle is shorter now because I have an ice house.

[Dirty P]

my brother inlaw made one from an old axle shaft. heavy duty.

[sgpitman]

Ok, I bought 1 from sportsmans warehouse today. Thanka guys for all the help.