Ice augers..... what is your preference?

[kim63ny]

What is your preference for ice augers and why?
Prefer gas, electric or hand?
Prefer a specific brand or style?
What size hole do you typically drill?

[focusin]

I just got a new jiffy Stealth. It cuts ice like butter. 9inch holes.
Hand augers are only good when the ice is thin. or if you're only drilling one hole.
I think if you're going out to fish a full day with 5 holes or more. you need a gas powered auger. If you fish frequently it is worth the investment. you can get a used one for about a hundred dollars.

[kim63ny]

Are you using such a large hole for larger fish or for the 'freeze-over' factor? Do you use tip-ups as well as jigs through that size hole? Thx, Kim

I just got a new jiffy Stealth. It cuts ice like butter. 9inch holes.
Hand augers are only good when the ice is thin. or if you're only drilling one hole.
I think if you're going out to fish a full day with 5 holes or more. you need a gas powered auger. If you fish frequently it is worth the investment. you can get a used one for about a hundred dollars.

[HoneoyeH]

What is your preference for ice augers and why?
Prefer gas, electric or hand?
Prefer a specific brand or style?
What size hole do you typically drill?

Gas powered is best by far.  I've used manual spoon and screw augers, and they work really well.  But after 12 to 15 holes, you're worn out.  With the gas auger you can cut all day and still have enough energy to fish.

Strikemaster with an 8" blade is my personal auger.  I only need 6" but the 8" was the only one available.

[eyedoktr]

Kim, I feel the best auger on the market is the NilsMaster. If you buy the hand auger, you can later add a powerhead to it. I can usually have 2-3 (or more)holes drilled in more than 6" of ice before a power auger is started, warmed up and has drilled one hole. yes, if you're going through 18" of ice or more and plan on alot of holes, a power auger is the way to go. In that case, i would recommend the Nils Master also. I have used the spoon type, Mora's and Lazer's and none compare (or even come close) to the Nils.

[Jigger]

I use my reliable Jiffy 3 hp that cuts a 8 inch hole,it has started all the time and has never let me down(Knock On Wood).

[dwayne]

I use a 6 inch laser....Keep sharp blades on it and it cuts like butter.  Also can re-open your holes on the cold days....I have iced 12 pound pike through the hole for all the guys out there who say it is too small of a hole diameter.

[FishinFoool]

Kim, I feel the best auger on the market is the NilsMaster. If you buy the hand auger, you can later add a powerhead to it. I can usually have 2-3 (or more)holes drilled in more than 6" of ice before a power auger is started, warmed up and has drilled one hole. yes, if you're going through 18" of ice or more and plan on alot of holes, a power auger is the way to go. In that case, i would recommend the Nils Master also. I have used the spoon type, Mora's and Lazer's and none compare (or even come close) to the Nils.

I agree with pete the Nils Master has a very nice blade design that cut like no other as well as being versitile enough to fit on my power head.Nils Master has my vote!!!

                                                           The"FishinFoool"

[bigredonice]

Hand augers are only good when the ice is thin. or if you're only drilling one hole.

now that there are nils master hand augers, this just isnt true anymore

[IceGeek]

I like the simplicity of a hand auger...nothing to go wrong as long as the blades are sharp and fixed to the auger well.  I've tried the lazers and jiffy hand augers...never a nils master though.  I've got a cheap 8 " mora and I keep the blades super sharp by polishing the blades with a dremel and metal polish.  No problem popping 20-25 holes per day up to a foot think.  Plus it's lighter too.  I'm still young so I don't mind burning a few calories out there. maybe some day I'll go with a gas auger.

[kim63ny]

Have any of you heard about the adapter so you can hook to your bigger amp rechargeable hand drills to so you can use an ice auger blade with it? Sounds like a 'cool' idea! I think an adaptable 4-6" balde would work great that way and wonder if there are shorter blades avaiable for this type of use rather than a 2-3 foot one? Anyone know anything about this? Thanks, Kim

[Bensmen]

For slight ice. Hand Auger w/Alaskan Dreams drilling. 8" .

When it's thick Eskimo Barracuda w/10' holes is the trick. It's a bit heavy w/3 horse but the 10' holes are really sweet for jigging or tip-ups.
Alaskan Dreams (son) and Chucker (nephew) are good and strong pullers of sleds and weight isn't an issue.

Also still bring a spud for opening old holes and quick checks of iffy ice.

Kids and wife got me a power auger to even odds with arthritis. It's a back and arm saver.

[adkRoy]

Gas powered Jiffy model 30 with 8" diameter

Hand powered mora with 6" diameter

[kim63ny]

My husband's auger has a 10" blade and often finds that the hole is generally too big for most tip-ups on the market today. He does well with his Heritage tip-ups as they are broad and sturdy and will span the 10" gap quite well. Have also heard concerns over the course of time of having large holes in the ice where children might be present or where the water will tend to freeze poorly, so only use our 10 incher when conditions seem appropriate for it, otherwise we rely on our 8" Jiffy Lazer mag hand auger(and the energy of our 15 year old sonof course! LOL!). Kim

For slight ice. Hand Auger w/Alaskan Dreams drilling. 8" .

When it's thick Eskimo Barracuda w/10' holes is the trick. It's a bit heavy w/3 horse but the 10' holes are really sweet for jigging or tip-ups.
Alaskan Dreams (son) and Chucker (nephew) are good and strong pullers of sleds and weight isn't an issue.

Also still bring a spud for opening old holes and quick checks of iffy ice.

Kids and wife got me a power auger to even odds with arthritis. It's a back and arm saver.

[Gamalot]

I bought a Strikemaster Mag 2000 last year with 10.25 inch auger. Love the unit but would prefer the 8.25 inch instead.
I use the disc type polar tip ups that fit in a 5 gal bucket and the 10 inch hole is just a tad big for these.
On very cold days it is ok because of re freeze but when it is warm or raining the holes get bigger and the discs are a sloppy fit.
Very few fish in NY that will not fit thru an 8 inch hole!

[Fishinut]

I'm a jiffy dude (never seen or used a nils, but I am sure they are good). I have a Stealth that cuts a 9 inch hole, a little on the large side...

I also have a 6inch strikemaster laser hand auger. I like it because it is easy to carry around to different jigging spots.

[Walleyed]

I agree that gas augers are generally quick and painless, but I am a firm believer that they will definitly spook the fish. I have had guys drill holes with a gas auger close to me and any fish I had on my vex disappear. So if it means sweatin a little or take a chance on spookin a fish (ecspecially crappie fishin) I'll do some sweatin and hand drill the holes.  Just my oppinion.

[sounder]

when im on the move jiggin lakers i may drill up to 60 holes a day if i got company up to a 100 the 9 inch jiffy stealth  is for me.

[Walleyed]

when im on the move jiggin lakers i may drill up to 60 holes a day if i got company up to a 100 the 9 inch jiffy stealth  is for me.

When you are fishing those depths it dont make much difference when it comes to the noise. I am ussually fishing 10'- 30' for panfish or walleyes and I think the noise spooks them. Just like soft water, I use my trolling motor to get into a place I think is holding fish.

[bigredonice]

i couldnt tell you how many times i have drilled a few holes with the power auger, and immediatly after i drill the holes, whoever is with me has fish down there on the vex...happens at any depth too...but i agree sometimes fish can be spooky, but generally the fish that i fish for usually arent.

[Walleyed]

i couldnt tell you how many times i have drilled a few holes with the power auger, and immediatly after i drill the holes, whoever is with me has fish down there on the vex...happens at any depth too...but i agree sometimes fish can be spooky, but generally the fish that i fish for usually arent.

you are probably right bigred. It is just one of those percautions I take. I have heard of guys say that they think it attracts the fish. Who knows. To each there own.

[kingfshr16]

 6" Strikemaster Lazer all the way, cuts like a hot knife on butter.

[Booker]

Jiffy 30, 10" for the Pike and Walleye in the Great Sacandaga.

[billybono]

6" Strikemaster Lazer all the way, cuts like a hot knife on butter.

i agree 100% the only way to go

             billybono

[fiesty]

Strikmaster Lazers Hand-Style, size depending on what you're landing.  Fifty plus holes a day, no problem, my wife even uses them.  When we've got alot of ice, put a powerhead (gas hand drill) it.

[bigredonice]

Lazers are great!, but have you guys ever tried a nils master hand auger?

[TJC]

Jiffy has always been good to me. Sturdy, strong and easy to maintain.

[NAD42]

used for the 1st time, my 'new' 8'' NILS on 'toga the other day(I got dragged out there )...it was different at first, but, after I got the hang of it, could use 2 fingers on each hand to drill 5'' or so in seconds, no effort...that was nice.

[bushbunny]

Nils Master all the way!!!( I have the predecessor, when it was called Tanaka).  Otherwise I would adapt a Husqvarna engine to a Nils flighting and cutterhead.