IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community

Wyoming => Ice Fishing Wyoming => Topic started by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 06:22 PM

Title: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 06:22 PM
I always read of people using a spud bar for safety but I've never seen them for sale anyplace. I even went to home depot, lowes, and a couple other hardware stores looking for them but all they have are the 30 lb black 6 ft long cro bar looking things. Is that what everyone uses or is there something else? Where do I find it?
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: minnowguy on Nov 29, 2010, 06:28 PM
I make mine with some sucker rod or some rebar and weld a piece of flat iron to it and sharpen it. works good. Also if you do make your own put a slight bend in it and it works better for chipping out frozen tip ups. MG.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 29, 2010, 06:30 PM
For the most part, having one made is the only option out in WY.  I have a good one with 1/2 inch rebar handle five foot long with a T handle of rebar at the top.  Blade is a 1/2 inch thick x 2 1/2 inch wide, and about 6 inches long. It has a 45 degree edge sharpened to a seriously sharp edge. Always keep it sharp.  You can tape up the upper handle with tape to cushion the handle. also can measure and mark the handle so you can roughly measure fish. Attach a cord for safety. Price for parts isn't much, labor is a cost unless you have a friend with a welder. My spud cost $20 at a sporting goods store in MI and I got it in 1987........a very good investment.

Like many things, it ain't got to be pretty, just has to work well.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jtk on Nov 29, 2010, 06:31 PM
bass pro sells them ill get the link and post in a min.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jtk on Nov 29, 2010, 06:32 PM
http://www.basspro.com/Eskimo-Redneck-OnePiece-Ice-Chisel/product/10220137/-1719880 (http://www.basspro.com/Eskimo-Redneck-OnePiece-Ice-Chisel/product/10220137/-1719880)
 heres one
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 29, 2010, 06:37 PM
rocky mountain sports in casper has a bunch of different ones
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 06:39 PM
Thanks guys. I'll have to buy one, no way I can make 1. I don't know how to weld and I have the creativity of a rock lol.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 06:42 PM
I gotta get back to rocky mountain sports. Last time I was there they didn't have much out. Sounds like they have everything out now. If they could only get in my shanty. Things been on back order for a month
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 29, 2010, 06:43 PM
if it is back ordered you might want to look into something that is in stock. 

as for welding all you need is some jumper cables, couple car batteries, blanket and some 6010.  :D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: Wyofarmer on Nov 29, 2010, 06:47 PM
Check Murdochs in Casper, Big R in Riverton or Hasco Industrial Supply. Are you a farmer Jopes? ??? because that's farmer rod.  ;D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 29, 2010, 06:48 PM
Check Murdochs in Casper, Big R in Riverton or Hasco Industrial Supply. Are you a farmer Jopes? ??? because that's farmer rod.  ;D

nope.  but I think I have welded once before  ;)
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 06:49 PM
Lol. I don't want something else. I want a shapell dx-4000 lol.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: minnowguy on Nov 29, 2010, 06:55 PM
Better throw some baling wire in there too, thats a farmers best friend  ;D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 29, 2010, 06:58 PM
Better throw some baling wire in there too, thats a farmers best friend  ;D

bailing wire is so 1920's.  Duct tape is the new and improved stuff.   :D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: minnowguy on Nov 29, 2010, 07:07 PM
bailing wire is so 1920's.  Duct tape is the new and improved stuff.   :D
Ya, I got some of that to. Just got a new role.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: bigfish54 on Nov 29, 2010, 07:15 PM
 I never thought of getting a spud but I think I will pick one up,any recommendations for a brand?
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 29, 2010, 07:23 PM
I never thought of getting a spud but I think I will pick one up,any recommendations for a brand?
BRAND NEW is a good brand. Where the spud comes in is on thin ice like we have right now and when I cut two  holes with an auger, I can spud out the "V" between the holes.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: gulp on Nov 29, 2010, 07:34 PM
BRAND NEW is the type I need. I had a lake bottom but it was getting old.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: Wyofarmer on Nov 29, 2010, 07:34 PM
nope.  but I think I have welded once before  ;)
I have a feeling that you have. i've graduated from grandpa's 6010 to MIG or 8018. and yes, baling wire, ducktape and JB Weld are the 3 things closest to a farmers heart.  (besides his Farmall) ;D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 07:42 PM
I realy need a spud bar. In ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: trogdor on Nov 29, 2010, 08:09 PM
I realy need a spud bar. In ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.

LOL +1
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: wyoming_man on Nov 29, 2010, 08:26 PM
Jopes- Duct tape is so 1980's!!  Now its Gorilla Tape!

Good thing I am not a skinny guy in Ohio!
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 29, 2010, 08:35 PM
Jopes- Duct tape is so 1980's!!  Now its Gorilla Tape!

Good thing I am not a skinny guy in Ohio!
 
Duc tape =  Arkansas chrome
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: Rat-Man on Nov 29, 2010, 08:42 PM
I really need a spud bar. In Ohio the spud bar was the skinniest guy in the group being sent out with the cheapest hand auger.

That's what we do up here with people from Ohio, especially on shelf ice.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Nov 29, 2010, 09:15 PM
That's what we do up here with people from Ohio, especially on shelf ice.
Ha ha. Come on now, only time you see people from ohio is when the buckeyes are kickn that wolverine A$$
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: 4x4elk on Nov 30, 2010, 01:07 AM
Well just so happens Walkers in Shoshoni packs a few so on your way to Boysen stop in they'll hook you up. They even come plastic coated so no need for duck or gorilla tape
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: 4cator on Nov 30, 2010, 08:09 AM
Last year Walkers carried a Mille Lacs bar, if they have one, you will like it much better than a regular bar with just one edge.

laters,

the cator
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 30, 2010, 11:56 AM
So, I personelly never have used a spud bar,  this includes making holes to fish or to test ice.   Can some one give a newbie some pointers on using one to test ice?
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 30, 2010, 07:59 PM
Put on gloves. Pick up sharpened spud bar with both hands on handle. Locate a likely target place of ice to test/attack.
Lift spud bar up a foot or so, weight on both feet, maintain a good level posture, and whale away! 
When spuding out a hole, work in a circular direction in the size diameter you wish to achieve.  Start the first pass with the angle side so you have a tapered ring and when to the bottom of the hole rotate the spud bar 180 degrees so the taper is beveled out so the fish/fish line doesn't have sharply protruding edges to get fouled on. Imagine a sideways U  like "] [" with the top of the hole and bottom of the hole with a curved radius.

There you go that's ice spudding 101, practice makes perfect.

Another general rule I go by when testing early ice is with my spud (your's may be different-disclaimer) will penetrate about 2 1/2 inches of good ice.  If the spud goes through first crack, I back out very gently. On new ice I test the ice thickness with a healthy whack every couple of steps. Others may have other suitable methods too.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jaklakmak on Nov 30, 2010, 08:02 PM
Used mine today but didn't need it. 8 inches of good solid ice!!
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 30, 2010, 08:03 PM

Another general rule I go by when testing early ice is with my spud (your's may be different-disclaimer) will penetrate about 2 1/2 inches of good ice.  If the spud goes through first crack, I back out very gently. On new ice I test the ice thickness with a healthy whack every couple of steps. Others may have other suitable methods too.

this is exactly what I was looking for. 

Thank you
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 30, 2010, 08:41 PM
Bless the newbie who keeps the sport alive and witnesses us old timers so we maintain an air of mystical reverance. ..........sorry I got all taken up with myself.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: jopes on Nov 30, 2010, 08:48 PM
Bless the newbie who keeps the sport alive and witnesses us old timers so we maintain an air of mystical reverance. ..........sorry I got all taken up with myself.

spud newbie,  been ice fishin for 30+ now.  ;)
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: wyoming_man on Nov 30, 2010, 09:24 PM
I have been using a spud bar for the last 2 weeks.  For me its faster, and lighter, then my Jiffy 30 in the 6" of ice I have been fishing.  Here soon I will be moving on to Jiffy.  Been looking at getting a Nils for this early ice.  I am pretty sure that Ace here in Laramie has them.  I will look around and let you know.  I think 2.5" per whack is a fair estimate.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 30, 2010, 09:32 PM
I have been using a spud bar for the last 2 weeks.  For me its faster, and lighter, then my Jiffy 30 in the 6" of ice I have been fishing.  Here soon I will be moving on to Jiffy.  Been looking at getting a Nils for this early ice.  I am pretty sure that Ace here in Laramie has them.  I will look around and let you know.  I think 2.5" per whack is a fair estimate.
One wouldn't want to be off on their whack!
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: wyoming_man on Nov 30, 2010, 09:37 PM
One wouldn't want to be off on their whack!

Especially if they are a whack job!!   ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: WYIfish on Nov 30, 2010, 09:40 PM
Especially if they are a whack job!!   ;) ;D ;D
I could continue humorous quips but the mods may not appreciate it.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: augergas on Dec 01, 2010, 02:09 PM
Check Murdochs in Casper, Big R in Riverton or Hasco Industrial Supply. Are you a farmer Jopes? ??? because that's farmer rod.  ;D

Hey now! Most of the pipelines in service in this country were welded with 6010 and 7010. I've done a bit of that...

6013 is farmer rod.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: Wyofarmer on Dec 01, 2010, 02:15 PM
Ya, getting my Grandpa and Dad to use another kind of rod was like pulling hens teeth.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: rickl1968 on Dec 01, 2010, 02:26 PM
I used a piece of 1" gas pipe with the rubber coating on it and had a buddy weld a large washer on one end for the "rope" handle and a piece of hardened steel on the other end shapened to a angle. i stipped off the rubber coating 6' up either side so it wouldn't burn while welding it.
The best and cheapest spud bar I've owned, going on 8 years now (yep...the same one). The trick is always use the rope around your wrist, ALWAYS.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: hammerhead on Dec 03, 2010, 10:35 PM
I made mine by cutting and crimping and then welding a piece of 1 1/2 inch pipe around a piece of 3/4 inch x 3inch wide flat for the blade.the pipe is only about 8" long and is a ferrel that I put a lodgepole pine handle in. The pine handle started life about 6 feet long, and I always figured it would be real useful if I ever went for a swim. The handle is shorter now because I have an ice house.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: Dirty P on Dec 03, 2010, 10:40 PM
my brother inlaw made one from an old axle shaft. heavy duty.
Title: Re: spud bar
Post by: sgpitman on Dec 03, 2010, 11:38 PM
Ok, I bought 1 from sportsmans warehouse today. Thanka guys for all the help.