8 inch auger- 12 inch hole

[jigs]

   Hey Guys
                  Was out on the weekend for the first time this year and we caught our first fish through the ice.Doesnt sound like much but after 3 or 4 trips without a bite it is a big step.Was drilling 12 inch holes with a 8 inch auger so come home and looked on ICE SHANTY to do some trouble shooting. A quick check of my auger confirmed what I found on the site. Blades were sharp but bent. Lots of information on here for a newcomer.First thing I do in the morning, check the site. Next  year I wont leave my auger in the back of the truck untill July.

[TGF]

Must take alot of work to get a hole that big with a dull bent blade
If I'm in a hot hole I will drill 2 deep holes side by side so you have a 13-15 inch X 8 inch hole, then a couple more right beside at one half way down then other 1/4 way down thru ice. That way you have a fairly big hole and a raising landing strip to land the fish.
I usually give a liberal spray of WD-40 all over the blades then put the cover on at end of season.

[springer]

Well at least you could pull a BC size fish through it

[tbone]

After 20 minutes of drillin the same hole with a dull blade, I would be tempted to reach for an axe.....or even fire up the chain saw!