whats with the big holes

[snohiker]

Just a little rant about big holes i want to take my grand daughter out on the ice at my spot went down tonight to fish a little and there they are ten inch holes , really what are we fishing for killer whales , if that fish doesn't fit thru a six  or even eight inch hole i want to see it. unless  you know there are big fish there i just dont see it , someones gone loose a kid or break a leg out there

[huntr-]

I'm not sure what you are referring to. Could they be previous holes drilled and opened up by the latest rain fall? I saw some today that were probably eight inch to start but were now about 24 inches in diameter with swirling water.
 

[DovaIceFisha]

I will not fish with anything but a 10" hole. Yes i mostly fish big lakes so for me if i get out of work early one day and want to run to the local pond i will definetly do so. Obviously a 10 isnt needed but im not about to buy  a $500 auger for a place i fish twice a year. That being said i do rarely fish smaller bodies of water, but maybe its someone who has similar type thinking.

[Nitro16]

I wouldn't own an auger smaller than 10 inches. I guess you have never fished the big lakes. Plenty of fish that would be tight thru an 8 inch hole. If it was an older hole I'm sure its been opened up by all the water run off.

[PDubs/NH]

Just a little rant about big holes i want to take my grand daughter out on the ice at my spot went down tonight to fish a little and there they are ten inch holes , really what are we fishing for killer whales , if that fish doesn't fit thru a six  or even eight inch hole i want to see it. unless  you know there are big fish there i just dont see it , someones gone loose a kid or break a leg out there

Really???  A rant about someone preferring a 10" hole over a 6" or 8"?   

[JIGGIN-]

I've seen a small little boy fall into a 10" hole on the ice before. Scared me to death where I got sick to my stomach. Still do thinking about it. He got yanked out of it but the thought is sicken.

With that I would suggest a tether on your grand daughter. Not being funny but seriously until she couldn't fall through a 10" hole. It happens in only a split moment.

I only own 10" gas augers, my hand augers are 8" & 4.5".

Just a thought......

[SALMONEMIA]

I hear you jiggin I have envisioned the exact thing happening, if that kid had went in under the ice he would be gone for good. A tether or a life vest. I only use an 8 but theres lots of guys that use tens, just be careful.

[Fyafyta7]

That thought is a nightmare for me. I agree with ten inch holes, I am going to keep a close eye on the kiddos.

[fishsluggos]

Be careful out there. I saw a few like this yesterday. The hat's not a lost fisherman I put it there for reference.

[treeguymark]

I've seen a small little boy fall into a 10" hole on the ice before. Scared me to death where I got sick to my stomach. Still do thinking about it. He got yanked out of it but the thought is sicken.

With that I would suggest a tether on your grand daughter. Not being funny but seriously until she couldn't fall through a 10" hole. It happens in only a split moment.

I only own 10" gas augers, my hand augers are 8" & 4.5".

Just a thought......

i make my seven yr old were a life vest and do not let her out of my eyesight ! could never live with it if something happened to her !! i had a big mastiff dog come running up to me last week whos end slid in to the hole i was jiggin .. i got him out real fast but he was having a problem and was scared ! all was fine but it can happen !

[fisherhawk55]

Snohiker I converted my 10" Eskimo auger to 8" by using my old lazer strike master hand crank I welded a coupling on the shaft works great the reason the weight 10" is heavy and most important hopefully stop child from getting hurt but 10" holes are nice on cold days .the rain really dose open holes watch out my brother fell up to family jewels one day I laughed so hard  my stomach hurt but he was Ripping
 

[sledneck21]

Be careful out there. I saw a few like this yesterday. The hat's not a lost fisherman I put it there for reference.

i cant belive someone would use an auger that big, noone needs one over 6 inches we must ban them all before something bad happens, we must punish everybody for a fews neglect............... ...................... ...

[carpzilla]

I chose to fish a pond today with my 3 year old, where I knew there wasn't going to be old washed out holes. I have a 10" jiffy but just bring my 6" hand auger if I have my son.

[snohiker]

I've seen a small little boy fall into a 10" hole on the ice before. Scared me to death where I got sick to my stomach. Still do thinking about it. He got yanked out of it but the thought is sicken.

With that I would suggest a tether on your grand daughter. Not being funny but seriously until she couldn't fall through a 10" hole. It happens in only a split moment.

I only own 10" gas augers, my hand augers are 8" & 4.5".

Just a thought......

  and that's exactly what im talking about ,  having my grand daughter fall in

[jibbs]

I've seen a small little boy fall into a 10" hole on the ice before. Scared me to death where I got sick to my stomach. Still do thinking about it. He got yanked out of it but the thought is sicken.

With that I would suggest a tether on your grand daughter. Not being funny but seriously until she couldn't fall through a 10" hole. It happens in only a split moment.

I only own 10" gas augers, my hand augers are 8" & 4.5".

Just a thought......

i don't have kids but what a nightmare that would be...if I had a young one I would use a 6 inch

[6wheels]

Good points on both sides of the discussion. Yes it is a scary thought that anyone could go through the ice. On the other hand, safety should be on every parents mind. There are thin ice areas, open water near docks or aerators, and open holes where bobhouses may have been. To be absolutely safe no one should be on the ice . . . and that there is just crazy talk.

[PDubs/NH]

  and that's exactly what im talking about ,  having my grand daughter fall in

with all due respect, and I mean that 110%, after the recent few days of weather fishermen using a 10" vs. a smaller auger are irrelevant. A 6" hole could be 3ft wide after the rain & temps we've had leading to drain-off.  As others have suggested - a life vest for your tot and extreme vigilance on your part should be relied upon.  And I understand your concern... I raised (am raising) three kids who have been on the ice with me since they basically could walk...

[JIGGIN-]

I 100% agree.....in the end it is your responsibility for the safety of your kids / grand kids. Do what is necessary in order to protect them. I've seen small rocks open up the ice enough to swallow an ATV...(that's why I hate seeing folks checking the ice via chucking rocks onto the ice).

I didn't bring my kids onto the ice till they were big enough not to fall completely through a 10" hole and refuse to bring out my grand kids until they are bigger. Then it's all about educating them as well for their own safety knowledge. They are little sponges and will absorb what you teach them.
With that said, I am still responsible for their safety while on the ice and put fishing second on the priority list when they did or do come out. It's not about me and fishing at that point, it's all about them.

It's like saying, I'll never bring my kids to the city cause they might get run over by cars......again, it is your responsibility for their safety, outlawing cars is really not the answer.

Outlawing 10" augers is not the answer either.

Good discussion really, thanks for bringing this up. I hope it brings awareness about child safety on the ice.

[Wigeon]

Almost positive that the hole in Fishsluggo's pic was caused by this crazy warm up we've had lately....the water drains and swirls and opens up the hole as it warms....look at the shape....I see it every year as last ice approaches....auger size has nothing to do with it...all that being said...BE CAREFUL OUT THERE....especially with kids in tow...

[PDubs/NH]

Almost positive that the hole in Fishsluggo's pic was caused by this crazy warm up we've had lately....the water drains and swirls and opens up the hole as it warms....look at the shape....I see it every year as last ice approaches....auger size has nothing to do with it...all that being said...BE CAREFUL OUT THERE....especially with kids in tow...

Exactly.

...and to be honest, I prefer a 10in hole although going to the Ion has forced me to the 8".  It has less to do with the absolute size/"area of the fish" vs the size/"area of the hole" than is has to do with:

1) getting a lively fish's head into and up through the hole...   extra area/space gives you leeway as you fight the fish up into the hole so you dont have to wait until the fish's head is perfectly aligned and centered. My experience is that most fish, especially big ones don't necessarily comply with commands to settle down and cooperate

2) freeze up... on cold days, even going and chipping skim ice off regularly, a jagged edge of freeze-up starts getting created... Ive easily had 10" holes be down to about 8" holes over the course of a day... and 8" holes after a long day get too small for my liking

[NH Trout Fisherman]

I 100% agree.....in the end it is your responsibility for the safety of your kids / grand kids. Do what is necessary in order to protect them. I've seen small rocks open up the ice enough to swallow an ATV...(that's why I hate seeing folks checking the ice via chucking rocks onto the ice).

I didn't bring my kids onto the ice till they were big enough not to fall completely through a 10" hole and refuse to bring out my grand kids until they are bigger. Then it's all about educating them as well for their own safety knowledge. They are little sponges and will absorb what you teach them.
With that said, I am still responsible for their safety while on the ice and put fishing second on the priority list when they did or do come out. It's not about me and fishing at that point, it's all about them.

It's like saying, I'll never bring my kids to the city cause they might get run over by cars......again, it is your responsibility for their safety, outlawing cars is really not the answer.

Outlawing 10" augers is not the answer either.

Good discussion really, thanks for bringing this up. I hope it brings awareness about child safety on the ice.

Same reason I won't take my son out there until he is a little older. As much as I Love to fish...The thought of that scares the crap outta me. My son is a runner and doesn't sit still for more than two seconds (wonder where he gets that from? Lol ) I just wouldn't want to take the chance with him.

[Roccus]

For over 30 years  I used an auger making a 10" hole and never thought anything of it( prior to that I used a spud... I bet the holes were bigger then 10".. we also used to cut fish pens.. yea those were real safe!)) .... one afternoon on Winni, I was making my way back to the truck in a snow squall... wind wipping.. snow blowing and drifting... all of a sudden my size 8 boot( yea I'm a little guy 5' nothin 145 lbs) dissapeard out from under me... right up to my knee.. snow had hidden a fresh 10" hole in the un even drifts.. my hood was pulled up, all but my imediate vision obscured.. I didnt break my leg ( it did hurt like H%!!) I was wet and cold and limped for a few days... I use an 8" now..not because I think they( 10") need to be outlawed.. I'm just getting too damned old to lug that old jiffy 30... I bought a lighter smaller auger.. 10 looks so massive now.( I still have the old jiffy 30 - 10"). on the other hand, I've fished on Champlain when the ice was so thick I was happy to have that 10" hole.. a 30" long 8" tunnel probably is not the best vehicle to deliver a once in a life time pike onto the ice... and then again .. the biggest pike of my life( 21lbs) came through  an 8" hole( 4" of ice.. big differance from a foot or more).. it was a chore...even under thsoe conditions....

as far as the children... all 4 of mine were brought up around the ice from the time they could walk ( I was an under ice beaver trapper.. talk about the use of BIG holes).. they knew the dangers involved  with fishing and trapping on the ice and with ice in general.. I tought them well ... but my head was always on a swivel....

Outlawing an important tool ( 10" auger) for those that fish places where the ice grows very thick   would be wrong... it gives those that use every bit of ammo they can get more leverage to take away our sport completely...  mark your hole when ever possible so as to allert others of the dangers... a branch or ribbon of surveyors tape  on one of those cheap bamboo plant props( I carry a bundle of them in my sled.. they are cheap and light) can go a long way in warning others of inherant dangers and keeping potentialy harmfull legislation from being passed...

  My .02
   Roc

[KingBlunted]

BE EXTRA CAREFUL on the ice. look where youre stepping. Just because you don't agree with the size of a hole, doesn't mean someone cant cut a big hole in the ice.. whos to say they didn't make their own polar plunge and jump in. I mean come on, if a big hole in the ice, is your biggest concern at the time, youre living a great life!!

[jethro]

If a 10" hole is too big for a 9 year old, an 8" hole is too big for a 5 year old, and a 6" hole is too big for a 3 year old. Where does it stop? The fact of the matter is that no ice is safe, even if there isn't a hole in it at all.

[Oddfish]

This is why you need a 10" hole, says the guy with only eight inches .     

This was in Idaho.   

&feature=youtu.be

[DConICE]

And if the ice was much thicker - even the 10" hole would have been a challenge to get that beast turned into.

[Fishsavage]

More than one use for the jet sled 


It might take 2 or 3 trips this way but one goes out and scouts the area, setup a perimeter, and then let the kids get out.  Its amazing if you stress safety to kids before they get out on the ice and even during that time- they can be like little soldiers.  There's risk in everything, be responsible, have teaching moments, and fun.  I don't want to live in a bubble 

Family's first, fishing and everything else 2nd 

[Capt. Black]

Great pic Fishsavage.

[perch_slayer]

 its always good to where snow shoes if theres snow on the ice because u can't see the old holes. guys on 4 wheelers really have to watch out for these gaping holes i saw one guys front wheel fall through!!

[Wigeon]

More than one use for the jet sled 


It might take 2 or 3 trips this way but one goes out and scouts the area, setup a perimeter, and then let the kids get out.  Its amazing if you stress safety to kids before they get out on the ice and even during that time- they can be like little soldiers.  There's risk in everything, be responsible, have teaching moments, and fun.  I don't want to live in a bubble 

Family's first, fishing and everything else 2nd 

Great pic, and even  better insight....thanks...