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About three years ago, I bought a Nils hand auger and it is amazingly efficient at drilling holes. Gave both of my mora augers away. Last year I bought a Clam plate, adapter and a Rigid drill. It is ridiculous how easy drilling holes is. I can drill a hole through 6" of ice in seconds. It was not cheap, but I watched for sales and regularly use the Rigid working around the house (great drill). I live in central Illinois, so I hear you on not wanting to buy equipment that you will only use several times a year. Its worth the money, as I look at my buddy's old Mora and just cringe about having to use it to drill a hole. Perhaps you can take a similar approach and buy a solid hand auger and then work towards the drill set-up as deals present themselves.
HT Nero auger may fit the bill ..easy on the budget and cuts fairly easy about a $100 or so ...could always add a cordless drill later on as it comes with the drill adapter ..comes in an 8 inch option this season . Could also go with a Mora style little cheaper but if are eventually going with a cordless set up you are going to have to purchase an adapter .As for drills several options Dewalt 991/996 and the Milwaukee 2803/2804 would be my recommendations . https://www.marinegeneral.com/product/ht-nero-auger/
I'm going to back up a step here... You say you want to go out a few more times so you'd have to drill your own holes. How many holes are we talking about? If you are just looking to camp out in one spot and use half a dozen holes per outing a decent hand auger will be just fine. If your intention is to pop a bunch of holes looking for fish then you'd want to consider something with some type of motor (i.e. drill). Next...do you have any cordless power tools right now? If you do then stick with that brand if possible when/if you invest in a drill for your auger. Match up the specs with what will turn the size and type of auger you get and go from there. It doesn't make much sense (if any at all) to get into another battery platform if you already are on one. Why buy a Milwaukee drill specifically for ice fishing if you already have cordless Makita tools...or vice versa....or <insert name of brand here>. Just match the specs up on a brushless hammer drill if you are already invested in a certain brand.
On one of the reviews for the Nils w/ clam plate - the person said they needed another adapter as well? Is this true or could I just purchase the Nils 6" + clam plate and be all set to star drilling holes?
The Nils hand auger requires an adapter for the auger shaft. There is a guy on e-bay that sold me one for $20. Zero issues.
Good advice.I've been spoiled in the few short years I've been ice fishing. My buddy with the gas auger will go out and just pop tons of holes and then I can camp by different one throughout the day. If/when I go out by myself this year, I'd still plan on making over 10 holes per trip. I'll be getting a Vexlar soon - so I guess it would all depend on what that tells me if I'm staying put or not. I do have tools but the drill is harbor freight...not sure how well it'll hold up. Does chores around the house and surprisingly still has life to it. But I do agree with you, if I can make that setup work (if possible) no need in going and purchasing things I already own.
not to start a war over electronics, but make sure you give the sonar units like what Lowrance sells a good review. I have several units (x67c and m68c) and could not imagine using a flasher (both units have flasher mode option on them).
+1.....drilling holes blindly is fun and all, but some sort of fishfinder will change how you fish those holes......of course the sky is the limit.....I started with a $100 garmin and worked myself up to a livescope unit in just a handful of years....now looking at wheelhouses.....I think you're on the right track though....you need an auger....and right after that get a fishfinder......
Maybe this is a super newbie question - but isn't a Vexlar a fish finder?
Would depend on how much ice were are talking about. If you are OK with a smaller diameter, hand drilling with a 5" or 6" hand auger in ice around say 8 inches thick isn't too bad, even if you are moving around a lot. I have a drill adapter that came with my Nero and have yet to use it because it is so easy to drill with it by hand.If you are talking about running and gunning to find fish on thicker ice where hand drilling would be too much, a used gas auger would be your best bet if trying to save cost. Lots of them for sale now pretty cheap with everyone upgrading to electric. That is unless you already have a suitable cordless drill and batteries. If you do, I'd get a hand auger with an adapter, but keep the hand crank for early ice. If it came down to it tough, I'd get the Vexilar and chip out holes with a hatchet if I had to.
Agree with this - get the Vexilar (or other suitable finder) and a hand auger. As long as you keep the blades razor sharp - it will serve you well. Allow the blades to get dinged up and you might as well bring the hatchet.
Cannot agree with this more. A lot of people clean the ice/slush off their auger by banging it on the ice. Quick and easy way to damage your blades. At $60 a pop to have them sharpened, I am the only one that uses my auger.
Where does one take an auger to have the blades sharpened?
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Topic: Is it worth it? (Read 3154 times)
