Thread: Ice Fishing

Are you thinking a powered auger or a hand crank? What are you planning to fish the most for, panfish or big pike and other toothy critters? An 8" hole will most likely handle all but the hugest pike. I use an 8" for crappie and other fish; it's plenty big in my opinion. I would not want to hand crank a bunch of 10" holes. In fact, I used a hand crank for one season then invested in an 8" powered auger.

go small for a hand crank, and big for a power auger, the smaller the hole for a hand crank the easier it is to drill you don't want to hand crank 8 or 10 inch holes

I have an Ion electric for sale. Asking $350 and I’ll throw in the extra battery. Comes with charger and extension. I’m going to sale my ice fishing stuff as I’m thinking of moving south next year. I’ve got a ton of stuff from Smitty sled to livescope ice setup and a couple fishfinder too. PM me if you’re interested in anything icefishing. I’ll offer it here in PA before I put it out anywhere else.

That is a screaming deal on an auger; wish you'd made that offer about this time last year, LOL!

Hopefully the OP will see this and seriously consider hooking up with you to see what-all you have to offer, even if it means a drive across I-80. Getting the gear from an experienced ice fisherman will save him a lot of headache and hassle in the long run.

If using a hand auger smaller is better. I have used several strike master with sharp blades that does a fast job. A 5 inch auger can go through 10 inches of ice in less then a minute. Larger holes take a little longer. At 50 plus dollars they do a excellent job for the occasional ice fishermen.This will work for any pan fish and stocked trout. You must protect the blades to keep them sharp and do not even smack them down on the ice . I do not even reopen old holes.Our winters have been mild the last 8-10 years so safe ice has been somewhat hard to come by. I have seen guys pulling there arms off trying to get older non-serviced power augers to start. To each there own. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use the tool.

Originally Posted by addictedangler

If using a hand auger smaller is better. I have used several strike master with sharp blades that does a fast job. A 5 inch auger can go through 10 inches of ice in less then a minute. Larger holes take a little longer. At 50 plus dollars they do a excellent job for the occasional ice fishermen.This will work for any pan fish and stocked trout. You must protect the blades to keep them sharp and do not even smack them down on the ice . I do not even reopen old holes.Our winters have been mild the last 8-10 years so safe ice has been somewhat hard to come by. I have seen guys pulling there arms off trying to get older non-serviced power augers to start. To each there own. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use the tool.

You can’t possibly enjoy fishing in a five inch hole. Gotta have a seven or better if using any electronic device. I use a HB ice setup in my 7 and 8” holes. My Ion is an 8” . I use a drill on my seven inch strike master auger. I haven’t cut a hole by hand in years. But I still have a couple 7” strikemasters hand setups that I will sell. I’ve got way too much icefishing stuff. Even got camping stuff to cook on the ice.

I have caught many hundreds of gills from a 5" hole. I used a 20V MAX DeWalt hand drill on Strikemaster 5" . Run the ducer in a separate hole beside the one I'm fishing .You need a retainer disk just a bit bigger than the hole size to prevent the drill from going to the bottom if it gets loose. Opinions vary

I have been ice fishing for over 45 years and never had a problem with the smaller hole. I also have a 8 inch but never seem to need it. Most lakes are trout lakes in my area so it does not take a big hole to put a 12 inch rainbow on to the ice.