Hole cover discussion

[SirCranksalot]

Hard to explain to 'normal' people

[Subway4X4]

Here's a good source for hole covers. These yoga mats measure 2'x6'x5/8". The cost is $24. One mat has enough material to make a dozen factory size hole covers. If you don't need a dozen covers, the extra material is excellent for making kneeling mats for setting tip-ups or foot mats to keep your feet off the ice in floor-less shacks. When making your own covers, punch the center hole as small as you can. When cutting the slot from the center to the edge, use a straight edge and a brand new utility knife blade. Tilt the knife at an angle (30-45 degrees) when cutting this slot, that way the slots closes and keeps the hole better insulated.

  https://www.target.com/p/premium-fitness-mat-15mm-black-all-in-motion-8482/-/A-77459854?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000014807088&CPNG=PLA_Sports%2BShopping_Brand%7CSports_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Sports&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9017701&targetid=pla-82735320169&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAiA24SPBhB0EiwAjBgkhh7Id5C-vuSjz54QMOwlTqD9zJ2RlPW9X1eLW-IVKaraROFg_EFgvhoCJyMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That angle cut is a great suggestion.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Sorry but you are wrong. If that were true how would it ever freeze

Not sure what  your getting at

[njsquatch]

I just made a set last night using an anti fatigue mats. Flip over a 5 gallon bucket and cut around it with a long skinny exacto blade drill a hole in center and cut a slit for rail tip ups. Will be testing today as it will be a high of 16. Makes a 12” cover

[Gamalot]

Even if they don't keep the hole from freezing they sure should keep blowing snow from filling the hole and turning to slush. If there is no snow blowing then maybe try the covers on a couple holes and not on the others and see if they do anything. It is 3 degrees here right now so I doubt anything other then regular checking and scooping will keep the freezing out.

[whiteymalone]

Covers don't always stop holes from freezing, but they ALWAYS delay freeze-up.

[SirCranksalot]

As the surface cools & hits 39 it sinks to the bottom or the thermocline , that pushes the warmer water to the top & it happens over & over until it’s all 39 degrees. Now the water at the top cannot sink , goes below 39 & freezes. Directly under the ice the water will be 39 on any freshwater lake . It’s simple physics

AIA   wrote--------------Not sure what  your getting at.

OOOOps---fixed

Sorry but you are wrong. If that were true how would it ever freeze

[njsquatch]

I just made a set last night using an anti fatigue mats. Flip over a 5 gallon bucket and cut around it with a long skinny exacto blade drill a hole in center and cut a slit for rail tip ups. Will be testing today as it will be a high of 16. Makes a 12” cover

These worked great yesterday with temps below 14

[Gamalot]

These worked great yesterday with temps below 14

Were you able to do a comparison between covered and uncovered holes?

[Kobey]

I used hole covers for the first time on saturday.  They did keep the holes from freezing up as fast.  I only had to clean them out a few times during the day and there wasn't any serious chipping involved, it was always just a thin layer.  Unfortunately, it didn't have any effect at all on my catch rate.

[hardwater diehard]

I used hole covers for the first time on saturday.  They did keep the holes from freezing up as fast.  I only had to clean them out a few times during the day and there wasn't any serious chipping involved, it was always just a thin layer.  Unfortunately, it didn't have any effect at all on my catch rate.

Different lake same results ..with the frigid temperatures yesterday at sun up ..believe -3 I fished a small competition my black Gander Moutain hole covers did their job ..but as I stated before it is important to seal as best you can . some holes performed better than others.

[njsquatch]

Were you able to do a comparison between covered and uncovered holes?

Yes my buddy was chipping his tipups out of the new ice that formed all day long.