How Big of a Hole is Too Big for Ice Fishing

[ICEHOLE]

I could be fishing for dink perch i still wouldnt want a 6" hole...i prefer my 8", and wish i had a 10" especially on cold days when my holes shrink a few inches in a day

[mikez]

I understand using a bigger hole when pike fishing.
The majority of the ponds without pike will never give up a fish that needs a 10 inch hole.

I'm probably just prejudice because I once stepped in a 10 inch hole that was invisible under a fresh foot of snow. Slammed my shin and filled my boot. Made for a long uncomfortable day. I was definitely cursing the guy with the 10 inch auger that day.

[lowaccord66]

I stepped in my buddies 8" hole last week and fell...chit happens.

[SkunkLuvver]

I used to use a 10” hole but bought an 8” shaft for it after having too many people step in my holes (including me).
I still have the 10” shaft (Eskimo) if anyone wants to buy / trade for it.

[SalmonAndStriper Stalker]

I run an 8 for everything but pike. I've seen bass that have barely fit up 8in holes. a 6in hole is useless in my eyes unless I was jigging for shiners but why not use an 8 at that point.

[RuttNutt]

I went to a 10” auger this year and LOVE it! 


Don’t even have to pull my transducer out of the hole most times now when landing a fish!

And I don’t know what the big fuss is about stepping in holes................d oesn’t everybody wear size 13’s?! 😜

[rhunt16]

This is MA. We don’t have any big fish here except for a few places that have pike. The majority of what you’re going to catch here will fit through a 6” hole.

Have you seen the trout they've pulled from Stockbridge Bowl this year? Most definitely wouldn't fit through a 6" hole!

[TheJigginJerk]

I don't guess I'll be booking any fishing trips in MA, lol.

Don’t come here for freshwater fish you’ll be disappointed. The saltwater fishing is good though and worthy of a trip.

[lowaccord66]

I don't guess I'll be booking any fishing trips in MA, lol.

Come on down. Some guys just can't catch and are jaded. 

[TheJigginJerk]

Come on down. Some guys just can't catch and are jaded.

Says the guy that’s constantly talking about trips to NY and VT. 

[lowaccord66]

Says the guy that’s constantly talking about trips to NY and VT. 

I do just fine in Mass just no lakers to ice fish for. 

[BASSQUATCH]

I like my 9" holes. 

[Rangerboats391]

8 inch is fine. for most fish, except for big pike. lakers

[lowaccord66]

I found one that was the right size for me yesterday.  Jigged it hard too!

[IceDog88]

I hope you were using about a 10’ pole to get next to that hole!

[lowaccord66]

36" flipped the jig while I stood far enough away.