Ice Augers

[Fishingjg]

We currently have a Jiffy 30 gas powered auger that is 20 years. It was rebuilt last year, and we are just waiting for some safe ice to test or use it. I know the new thing is battery powered augers but spending $500 to $700 when we have an auger is a little hard to take. What is everyone else doing?

[MumbleSEED]

Nils 6 inch hand auger.  Western PA I haven't had to churn thru more than 8 inches in a while.

[hardwater diehard]

If you piece meal a cordless set up  together a lil at at a time ...end of year sales Amazon Warehouse deal etc ...it is less of a sting . You can get a great deal $200-$250 with some sales on a cordless combo ...auger drill units ..run the gambit from hand auger set ups to compostite set ups ...$50-$230. ..Choose your poision ..Clam Plates can be had fro $55-$90 the extension(required for most hand drills go from $16-$24 .

[dipNrip]

My drill set up cost around 250 and can drill probably well over 100-150 holes on a charge of 8” or less ice

$150 fRigid octane hammer with 4ah battery that was a deal a couple years ago at Home Depot before Xmas

$80 for Eskimo silver tip I got sake

$15 Ht enterprise adapter

$5 for all 12” thread, washers and nylon lock nut to keep auger from going through ice if disconnected from drill

[chapru]

I have a 30 year old Jiffy 30 that looks like new. It starts with 3 pulls at the start of the season and was never rebuilt (I drill roughly 300 holes a season). I can’t bear getting rid of the old girl even though she’s about 35 pounds. I just plop her in the sled or on top of the shelter and go.
  Besides, I know the noise ticks off the yuppie cross country skiers based on the dirt looks.

[IceSpartan]

Ion Lithium.  Hasn’t leaked a drop of gas mix in my SUV yet. 

[Emptybucket]

Anyone have issues with thier Ion gen 1? Last year mine seemed to drill a few holes and lose battery power, it was very cold and even my extra battery lost power quick. Just bought a new 5 amp and I'm hoping there are no other issues. This will be my 3rd or 4th year using the Ion, first few years no problems.     

[Ryan51993]

No need to spend 500-700$. My Milwaukee fuel was 200$ and my strikemaster lite flite was 180$. Nothing else required. My setup weighs like 12 pounds and punches holes in seconds. I've been out 3 times this year and haven't charged the battery its showing 50% still.

[RuttNutt]

I bought my Milwaukee Fuel 5 years ago and spent 300. Another $15 for the adapter and I used my 8” Strikemaster Mora hand auger to convert to electric. I needed a new(good) drill anyway so it was a no-brainer!   

[Cat panfield]

I went with an ion lithium last year. It was the best thing I ever did fishing.  Lightened my sled up a noticable difference.

[curtrein]

Yeah, Ion is a game changer…

[bigvfb]

i have a gas powered auger but i much prefer to use my 7inch hand auger unless the ice is very thick.
the new electric augers are fantastic but in south western pa our ice season is so short or sometimes not at all
that i cant see spending $700 on an auger i might only get to use 2 or 3 times a year.
now if i lived somewhere that actually got alot of ice and had a season then an electric i would have .
as far as a hand auger goes. i like a 7inch auger . ive caught fish that wouldnt fit thru a 6in hole
but ive never caught one that wouldnt fit thru a 7inch hole.
and an 8 inch auger wears you out too fast just my 2 cents

[FreshwaterPhil]

Ion G2 for most of my needs. I have the 6ah 40V battery, so far most I've drilled is 1600 inches in a day and still had power. Only got it last year, so hoping battery lasts a long time, as they seem to be harder to come by these day. Get spare blades to carry around, if you drill too shallow or into debris, you may need to switch blades unless you can resharpen properly on the spot.

I also have both 6 and 8 inch fin bore manual augers, I use the 8 inch early season up until 8-9 inches of ice, and the 6 inch is my go to for perch/bass up until 12-15 inches or so, also my spare. I actually enjoy using a manual, the cardio workout is a bonus

[BuckTrout15]

Any opinion on Eskimo hand augers? I'm new to the hardwater and didn't want to drop $200+ on an auger when I only expect to go on a few trips a year. I ordered an 8" Eskimo auger online because it was cheap and all the reviews seemed positive.

[IceSpartan]

Any opinion on Eskimo hand augers? I'm new to the hardwater and didn't want to drop $200+ on an auger when I only expect to go on a few trips a year. I ordered an 8" Eskimo auger online because it was cheap and all the reviews seemed positive.

It will be fine.  For a few trips a year it would be a waste to spend a lot of money.  If you get hooked on the sport you can upgrade later. 

[MumbleSEED]

Any opinion on Eskimo hand augers? I'm new to the hardwater and didn't want to drop $200+ on an auger when I only expect to go on a few trips a year. I ordered an 8" Eskimo auger online because it was cheap and all the reviews seemed positive.

I rocked an 8 inch Eskimo and auger for 15 years only sharpened blades and simple maintenance.  It’ll Do just fine.

[VD]

Here is my path over few years, I guess, common for many beginners (ice is not too thick in NE PA):

Hand auger(2015) -> add drill adapter(2018) -> Eskimo 8" pistol bit(2020) -> new drill Metabo HPT 36V(2021)

[Mr. Charlie]

I went to a Dewalt hammer drill with an adapter to my old strikemaster. It’s great.

[Chris338378]

If I had to replace my auger I'd get another gas auger.  The reason is they're cheaper, I can get it fixed just about any where, and for the price of the replacement batteries from what I've seen that run around $200 each I can just about buy a new gas auger. 

[Scranton Joe]

If I had to replace my auger I'd get another gas auger.  The reason is they're cheaper, I can get it fixed just about any where, and for the price of the replacement batteries from what I've seen that run around $200 each I can just about buy a new gas auger.

Propane, Chris, propane

[jaeger80]

First year for me not using a hand auger.... It's been amazing.  Clam Plate, 7" Nero and Metabo 36v drill.  It actually pulls me down towards the ice...I put no pressure on the rig.

[Scranton Joe]

First year for me not using a hand auger.... It's been amazing.  Clam Plate, 7" Nero and Metabo 36v drill.  It actually pulls me down towards the ice...I put no pressure on the rig.

It's one of the best innovations for ice fishing imo.   

[MMWood]

First year for me not using a hand auger.... It's been amazing.  Clam Plate, 7" Nero and Metabo 36v drill.  It actually pulls me down towards the ice...I put no pressure on the rig.

Love my 36v metabo!!

[RuttNutt]

It's one of the best innovations for ice fishing imo.

I’d say it’s THE best ice fishing innovation! 

[jaeger80]

Even though the Nero cut extremely easy, it still would make you break a sweat chasing roaming crappies.  This drill is amazing even when the ice was glass hard. 2 seconds per hole...

[Scranton Joe]

I’d say it’s THE best ice fishing innovation! 

....better than a flasher/sonar?

[icebreaker12]

I went to a Dewalt hammer drill with an adapter to my old strikemaster. It’s great.

I run the same set up. No complaints. Always carry multiple batteries and never use more than one.

[RuttNutt]

....better than a flasher/sonar?

Well, you can use it even if you don’t have a flasher or sonar, so I’d say yes! 

[Salty Ice Queen]

We run with a Ion,..3Ah,..Gen 1
 ITS much better than Eskimo gas...I still keep our hand auger,..for back up..