Please HELP!!!

[sallyda6th]

        I ice fish in illinois so, the species i fish for are , bluegill, perch, crappie, bass, and some times walleye and pike.  I want to fish with a rod with a jig and minnow while having a couple of tip-ups out for bass.  Whats a good hand auger size.  I can get a real good deal on a brand new 6" eskimo auger.  But i dont know if its big enough.  I can also get a good deal on a brand new folding "8 eskimo, but think its a littel over kill.  Also is a 6" to small for tip-ups for bass.  And is a chisel worthful.

[fishingking]

Derpends how big the fish are that you are catching bigger the hole the nicer it is for landing fish but not always a must bass hole sized i am not sure off try asking the bass addicts over in Massachusets what size they use because i know they pull up alot of 4-6 pounders all winter long   8" hole is nice for those 40" pike i believe a 36" pike will fit through a 6" hole but you shouldnt have any problem with a 6" hole for panfish

[nocash0000]

i have a 9" jiffy work's well for all species of fish.

[Oldfart]

Get an 8" and youll never worry about getting a big one through the ice. And it wont take much more muscle to drill with an 8 over a 6 if its sharp.  Also, a 8" hole takes a little longer to freeze over again.

[missfishylicious]

olfarts got it eights better gives you a litle room if you want to use a fishfinder or camera and won't freeze so easy good luck

[FishDaddy09]

Sally, if your the one turning the crank get the 6" you will drill more holes and catch more fish. If your going to use a power auger go with the 8"

[Polar]

You can get any fish your fishing for, thru a 8 inch hole without any problem.A 6 inch hole you have to be a little more patient getting the head of the fish coming up thru the hole when they decide to do a few head shakes at the last moment.

[twodoggs]

I use a 7.25 in augar and have pulled all sorts of fish through the hole.  Nice thing about a smaller hole is the fish cannot get turned to get away once they are in the hole.    It takes a very large fish not to fit in a 6 in and if you are getting a hand augar you will find it easier to drill and be more likely to move around if they are not bitting in the first spot you set up.

[Oldfart]

Lets make it easy for her? Him?  You wont need a 10" hand or power auger, and its not much fun with just a spud, so cross those two off your list. You will, however, need a dipper to clean those holes no matter how you made em. Start there and just have fun for a few trips. Then go back and look at the rest of the gear and see what might be a help to the way YOU fish, not the other guys on the lake. Bring spikes if you dont know how safe the ice is, too!