What type of Hand Auger?

[CourtH]

Hey guys,  i'm new to the world of ice fishing and plan on buying a hand auger sometime this week.  I have read through all the topics regarding the different types and sizes on this forum.  I went out and shopped around, just checking out prices.  My question is: I have my decision narrowed down to 2 different augers.  One is a 8 inch Finbore lll and the other is a 6 inch Lazer.  The price is basically the same, so that is not an issue.  I plan on catching mostly perch, with smaller walleye and pike mixed in.  Which auger should I buy?  Is drilling an 8 inch hole with the finbore going to be that much harder than a 6 inch hole with the lazer?  What is the biggest fish you can fit through a 6 inch hole?  Any help would be great, thanks for the space.

[Pasquatch]

I would personally go with the Lazer, but I do not have a ton of experience with Finbores. Lazers are very good augers.

6 inch holes have been sufficient for me to pull out 10 pound lake trout and 7-8 pound pike. If you plan to catch bigger fish, you may want to use a 8 inch.

8 inch holes will take longer to freeze over and slush up, but require a good deal more effort.

6 inch should be sufficient for you.

Good luck, and welcome to IceShanty!

If you need anymore info about anything, shoot me a PM and I will see what I can do to help ya out.

[CourtH]

thanks for the quick reply.  I've lots of good things about the lazer.  I figure to go with the 6 inch if the 8 inch is that much harder drill with.  Has anybody had experience with the finbore lll??

[Bean]

Just remember that you are removing almost twice as much ice with an 8" auger than you are with a 6" auger. Do the math and you'll see what I mean.  Unless you're getting fish over 10 pounds, you only need a 6" auger.

[Icenutter]

The only thing I use in 8 inch is my power auger.  I have an 8 inch and it was a killer on ice over 10 inches.  I hated to move when we had thick ice because I did not want to drill holes.  Bought a 6 inch Lazer and never looked back. 

[DRabbit]

I would also recommend going with the 6 inch. It will be plenty big for most fish, and will be much easier to cut with.

[CourtH]

so it seems that everybody agrees that a 6 inch auger will be enough.  now what about a 6 inch finbore lll versus a 6 inch lazer.  has anybody had experience with both??

[BobWhite]

If your willing to spend $70-$80 on Lazer or Fin III I would consider the Nil'sMaster I had the chance to use one and its insane!  That will be my next auger. You could even get the 8 inch and it will cut easy as the 6 inch lazer. If you can see if someone in your area has one you can try and I know you would chose it.

[PigShanks]

6" or 8". Yes, the 6' will cut thru faster, but with a sharp set of blades the 8" is not that much more work. I have both and I prefer the 8 inch. The waters I tend to fish contain some rather large fish and Lord knows we have limited control on what size of fish will inhale your offerings

[bigredonice]

If I am going to be using a handauger, I am really going to want be using the one that cuts the most ice with the least effort, but still affords me a decent hole size.  Of your choices, the 6" fin bore would be my choice...but instead, I would go with the nils master 6" There is NO OTHER hand auger that cuts with as little effort as a nils master.

[Pasquatch]

If we're bringing 6 inch Nils into this, that is the way to go. If you take care of it and dont push down on the auger, it will be the best auger you'll ever own.

[Waubay Fisher]

I picked up an 8" Lazer on sale for $60 a few weeks ago for early and late ice.  I have to say it cuts a LOT better than I thought it would for being an 8"er.  I would've went w/ the 6" but they didn't have one and I also like a little extra room.  I used it last weekend to go through about 14" of ice and it only took a minute to get the job done - was very surprised at the ease of it.  I would also agree w/ everyone else though - a 6" will be even easier to use.  If ya can afford one - definitely get the Nils.  From what I've read from everyone that has em - ya just can't beat em... but the Lazer is a darn good handauger too.

[novice2]

I would agree.  I have an 8 inch Lazer.  I was hesitant to buy it given the talk about the difficulty in drilling holes.  Now that I have been using it, that simply isn't a factor.  It shaves the ice very smoothly.