Bonezee77
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Auger Info
I would like to get into ice fishing next year.I would like to purchase a gas auger but they are quite expensive.I dont want to spend a ton of $ on an auger because of my limited time to go fishing.What about a hand auger?Are they a total pain in the ars?Do I need to be a musclehead to drill a couple holes through 8 inches of ice or can the average guy handle the task at hand?Thanks for the info!
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sstuffy
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/21 22:00:45
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hand augers will work just fine if you are only gonna drill a few holes just gotta make sure you keep the blades sharp cause when the ice get 8 inches or more is a bit of a workout if you plan on drilling lots of holes to locate fish i would recommend spending the money on a gas auger
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pikepredator2
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 07:14:29
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when the time comes for a power auger, i'll be reviewing the propane powered ones.
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riverrunsthrume
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 07:18:39
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I purchased a Strikemaster w/ 8" auger 5 years ago or so. It has been fantastic and we have never had any engine/auger troubles. We maintain it regularly. I think we paid $299. 3 of us who fish together regularly split it evenly. I would say we use 5-10 times a year. We always drill 25-30 holes a day and it has served us well.
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davef
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 09:01:14
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If you are strapped for money and are only fishing mostly for panfish look at a 5 or 6 inch mora. I'm sure Fish USA carries them and they may be on sale now. I'm almost 65 and have no trouble drilling by hand until the ice gets to be a foot or so thick. Then I do use the gas auger but could manage a few holes by hand but once the ice does get thicker it will just take a little longer to drill by hand.
Take your time when drilling it's not a race anyhow. For over 30 years I used an old spoon type auger on High Point in Somerset County where the ice would sometimes get to about 24 inches. 5 Holes was about the most I could drill then with the old spoon auger. The current mora's and lazers are much easier.
Also check the various ice fishing boards for sales on used gear.
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frost
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 10:50:56
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I just bought a new strikemaster lazer 8" hand auger this year and have no trouble with it. cuts clean holes real easy. drilled 25 holes one day in about 8+" of ice and didn't think twice about it...I was looking at a gas, but didn't want to spend the money with the lack of time I have...
The worst day hunting or fishing will always be better then the best day at school or work!
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jonesy74
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 13:28:40
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between running out of gas, not starting, and being heavy to drag I reccommend a good hand auger. Lazer or Nils
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Archer75
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/22 19:50:29
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If u have money buy a nils u won't regret it !!!!!!
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PaWolfman
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/26 10:11:24
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I too just got into ice fishing and I have a hand auger. I have no problems with it but you won't be drilling a lot of holes.
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.-Thomas Jefferson
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Archer75
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/26 17:46:57
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Last week I drilled over 15 holes sn didn't break a sweat with mine best 160 ever spent
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chrishinesg
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/26 19:53:29
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just put new blades on a 8" hand auger after about 5 yrs on the old set and the difference is unbelievable...sharp blades are a must if you have a hand powered auger.
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D-MAC
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/27 07:01:36
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Fish afternoons all the holes you want without the work.....
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akitadog
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/27 08:17:16
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go with a 5" or 6". i dont ice fish much but i have an 8" and on the bay last week with 10" of ice the guys with the smaller augers was drilling through like nothing and we where having a harder time, and the blades where as sharp as trhey come. i am now going to purchase a 6".
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lovthoseyes
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/27 08:31:56
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If you're going to mostly fish for pan fish go with a 5 or 6 inch auger. After previously owning an 8 inch Mora, I can tell you the difference in the effort it takes to drill a hole compared to the 6 inch Mora I have now is very substancial. I was fishing next to a guy the other day that had a 5 inch Lazer that was pounding out holes in about a foot of ice faster than I could have with my gas auger. I was very impressed with that model and plan to purchuse one, although in a 6 inch. The Mora has served me well for quite a few years, but if you have a little extra cash I'd go for the Laser. Unless you're going after really large fish, do your self a favor and go smaller. They are a lot eaiser to use. You can pull a pretty big fish through a 6 inch hole. I hope this helps.
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chrishinesg
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/27 17:19:30
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just replaced my blades because they seemed dull and they are so sharp still that you can literally shave with them...they just wont cut the ice...so be very careful..."dull" ice auger blades are still razor sharp
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jon_e_si
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/27 23:08:33
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Linder brothers on old In-Fisherman show said drill a lot of holes and move if you're not catching them - hence the necessity of a power auger. Saw a guy make several dollars drilling holes for fisherman at a tournament. If you're going to do a lot of fishing invest in a power auger!
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onestring
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/28 01:37:57
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i think that the power auger scares fish
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chrishinesg
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/28 09:32:23
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i have always thought that...especially in shallow water...deeper water, not so much
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creel
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/28 20:55:20
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Hand Auger blades can be sharpened, I have been doing mine for about 5 yrs, Remove the blades and use a fine grain stone. hone from left to right using counter clockwise strokes. Blades can be honed from the beveled or upper side only, never touch the flat or bottom side with the stenciled name on it for deburring. this will destroy the blades, you want to feel a burr all the way across the flat side, that is how you know it its sharp, never remove the burr. This does work . John
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thats a good fish, they are all good, some are gooder than others
thats a good fish, they are all good, some are gooder than others
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chrishinesg
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RE: Auger Info
2011/01/29 19:56:12
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thanks for the info...will have to give it a try
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