Best ice skimmer

[osiris]

Well this year I picked up a 6" nills I love it but I need a ice skimmer for it I have a 8" oneshot skimmer w I can use my gas auger just checking if there's anything better then that I'm not aware of?

[Barfnick]

Are you using your Nils with a drill? If so, just run it in reverse for a second or two and it will clean out the hole.  Works pretty good with my Mora anyway. Otherwise,  I have a Rapala that colapses down to a pretty short length, but also extends so you can use it standing up.

[osiris]

Drilling by hand I tried a Northland skimmer that opens w u push it in the hole but if fell apart on the first few holes

[3300]

i just keep drilling after the the augur breaks thru the ice and wash out the hole and bring water up to freeze.

after a while it needs cleaning again and i use the cheap 5$ plastic spoons that break if you try to bang the ice off of them. great for landing fish too. i make hash marks on mine and measure ice and fish with them.

i think i saw a lifetime warranted one some time ago for 15$.

[hardwater diehard]

Drilling by hand I tried a Northland skimmer that opens w u push it in the hole but if fell apart on the first few holes

Never had a problem ...works well but can ice up some

I also have a cheap plastic scoop with an aluminum handle which I scored some marks on ...love that I  can bang all the ice off it ...I use hole hopping as it fits in my 7 gallon bucket.

[slipperybob]

The yellow scoop with black handle from Frabill has been my all time favorite.  I also have that cheapo plastic scoop and my buddy stepped on it and it broke.  Now I got the aluminum handle one...cold but works awesome as minnow scoop too.

One shot skimmer sure is awesome...

[ice dawg]

I have a small plastic scoop with an aluminum handle that works well with a 6 inch hole. Think I paid about two bucks for it years ago.

[jiggalo]

Sportsmen's Direct makes a really good one that has an alluminum handle with a ruler engraved on it...thing is bullet proof

[Capt. j-rod]

I use a slotted kitchen spoon made of silicone. I use a 4.5" nils and it works like a champ!!! I didn't tell the wife that she lost a spoon yet.

[JimQ]

None better! 

Love my Big Dipper for an 8” hole.  Maybe the Lil’ dipper for your 6” hole.

 

[Flint]

None better! 

Love my Big Dipper for an 8” hole.  Maybe the Lil’ dipper for your 6” hole.

 

Yep that’s the one.

[Capt. j-rod]

I have the Little Dipper for 8" holes. We need a Mini Dipper!!!! I've never tried the Little Dipper in a 6" hole, it might work but it would be tight.

[mikejd]

The little dipper  or the big dipper. made in gool ol USA MN. Probably one of my favorite pieces of gear.

[SirCranksalot]

My old kitchen utensil---shallow metal 'scoop' with slots and a handle---works better than the 'proper' ice scoop that I bought. The angle between the handle and the scoop is about 130-140 deg. instead of 90.  Makes for easier scooping