What size hole for panfish?

[gillhntr]

I'd used a 4" for a lot of years untill I added a camera to go along with the flasher. Now I use a 5" to fit the camera down the hole better. Never lost a fish in the 4" for being too small. You can drill holes all day if necessary with these smaller augers without wearing yourself out.

                                       
NBG

unless you catch an accidental largemouth

[btechvft70]

6" lazer mag xpress

[jeffd7766]

7 or 8" ive gotten numerous crappie that will not fit through a 6" hole......and before any one says any different i have pics to prove it.

[Lobes]

Didnt know lazer made a 4"

I bought my 4" quite a few years ago. What I liked best is it did NOT come in two pieces. Still cuts like new and I have at least two extra sets of blades. I have two of the five inch Lazers. Seems like everyone wants to borrow that one.

                                           
NBG

[cacher13]

6 inch lazer. cuts nice and easy.

[jeffro9023]

ive been using a 7" hand auger it works well if you dont need to "run and gun" so i bought a 5" bein that i target gills and perch and get a few treasure crappie now and again...should i have gone with a 6"?

[cbtrtbum]

i think 6" is the perfect all around size.

[rgfixit]

4.5" Fin Bor for me. Unless your buddy is drilling all the holes...then go with the 8"

RG

[Buckeye John]

I had a 10" switched to a 6". A lot easy er on this old guy!

[pikeking]

I like the 6" but I also have a 10" for when we are Pike fishing.

[hrlyridr77]

 I had the same question and opted for the 6" Nils - after reviewing everything on here about the Nils, it should be easy enough for what I do. I also have a 8" SM that I use for bigger fish. Got the Nils for those places I have to hike to, and for Early ice.
 

[icejunky]

for anyone using electrics I would not go below a 6", it is already tight then sharing a hole (yes I know you can drill separate holes for your flasher)

[carcaju]

go with the biggest hole possible you may hit a incidental catch and wish you had a larger hole. i know of two guys that have hooked pike and walleye with a 4" hole and lost both because they wouldn't fit.

[toddyrotten]

I like my 7" auger. The hole is small enough for easy cutting, but big enough if I land a big one.

[captain54]

8",with the ice-ducer in the hole,I just like a bigger hole,and it's nice getting really big crappies out.Smaller holes will work but you may have some problems.

[jeffro9023]

seems like a 5" hole doesnt get too much attention...ive read alot of references to 4" holes but 5 seems to be forgotten about...it seems 6" is the overall ideal size that wont kill you but wont lose many fish

[DaveSS1]

Now a days, I use my 6" hand auger when the ice is not terribly thick.  I used to own a 4" that was perfect for pannies and would punch through the ice in no time!  If you use electronics you can always drill a small hole next to it.

[duke31]

Can't argue with a nils but 6" will cover most anything you can catch

    thats the ticket.

[hoosier-iceman]

6" for me.

[filetandrelease]

for flat fish i've allways used a nills 4" but it is a 4.5" once there in the hole they can only travel forward ,over all drill is a 6" nills, just my .02

[jeffro9023]

thanks for all the replies...i went with a 5" bcuz i target bluegills mostly and alot of times in order to catch larger ones you need to keep moving and my 7" was just wearing me out so ill give er a go and see how it goes thanks again

[BMW20]

6" lazer hand auger and 8" power. A 5" hand auger would be sufficient for most any panfish

[IcemanZ]

8" best all around; gives ya the room when your running a flasher.