8" vs. 10" hole

[JacobMHD]

Besides the obvious foot in the hole, what is your preference and why?

[Esox_Magnum]

I see no need for a 10" unless you consistantly catch giant pike or fish lakers. 11 pound eyes and 50" muskies come up an 8" hole. Haven't seen a fish yet here that wont come up 8"

[g_anoka]

The 10" was on sale, otherwise I would have an 8".

[JacobMHD]

The reason I ask is I have two augers right now. A 10" 3hp eskimo and an 8" Strikemaster Mag 2000. I need to sell one. I guess I am looking for advice.

[Esox_Magnum]

Keep the Strikemaster

[andrew chadwick]

Sell the eskimo.

[DarthBaiter]

That would be a dilema for me. I love my Eskimo, but not sure I'd really want a 10" auger. I had a strikemaster, but not as dependable as the Eskimo.

[Balmie]

I've currently got a 10" and I like the larger hole mainly for two reasons. #1 It takes longer for the hole to shrink down when fishing out in the open. #2. It gives you a bit more room to hang your transducer and still be able to fish out of the same hole. On the downside the auger is a beast to lug around if you move much. Also it takes a bit longer to drill a hole which really comes into play when the ice gets thick. Also alot more slush to deal with than with the 8".As far as needing a 10" to get your fish through,I can't say I've ever caught a fish I couldn't have gotten through a 8" hole but on the rare occasion I've actually caught a larger fish I was glad I had the 10". It is easier to get them started up the hole.One thing to keep in mind though is the fact you can easily fit a size 12 down a 10"....all the way to the crotch. I've done it!

[meschke]

if you fish for panfish its nice to have a smaller hole, it takes the fish a little longer to turn around and swim down if they fall off the hook at the top of the hole. as said it also alot a faster to drill more holes if your a run and gun type of guy. keep the 8"!

[Keith_MN]

10" holes are nice to sight fish thru, but from a safety perspective I'd prefer that nobody use them.

[fisherman-andy]

Before you sell your 10" Eskimo ask yourself why you think your 8" Strikemaster is better? Don't go by what people think is a better auger cause of brand preference.

For me i'd take a 10" auger over an 8" anyday. There are many reason you can argue but the one that does it for me is the clearance of size which speaks for itself.

[NorthlandProCrow]

I spin a 6" lazer. Only when I fish lakers and such do I turn a 8", especialy in the b-daub. Although, I would love a power aug for area lakes, just waiting for that 11 or even 12" blade.

[Walleyehunter82]

I have a 9" Jiffy,so I guess I get the best of both worlds!

[Brad B]

My strikemaster magIII came with a 8" but this year after buying a 10" drill unit and using it a couple times I find that I may be swithing back to my original 8" drill unit instead of the 10". When I take my son in a year or two I may even down size to a 6" lazer drill unit or better yet I may just buy a whole new auger and have 2. use the 8" when it is just me and the 6" if my son is with. For me its a safety issue and also I normally just fish bluegill & crappies anyway.

[mr_jman]

It really comes down to preferance and species. Most fish will fit through a hole smaller than 6" actually. My dad bought a 10.25" power auger about 10 years ago and that was the first thing I used as far as a power auger. The hole size is nice, but I really prefer using an 8 inch hole. Being a panfisherman primarily, this hole size works just fine. A 10" hole could also claim my Vexilar which would not make me very happy!

[sparkydm]

I use a 10" because it takes longer for the holes in the skid house to shrink up to point I need to either re-drill or move the house. On the other hand, I have stepped in them so there's the trade-off. If I were you, I would looked at which auger performs best and is most reliable. Or better yet, sell both and get yourself a Jiffy!

[Ed Carlson]

I have a 9" Jiffy,so I guess I get the best of both worlds!

I'm a fan of the 9.25" as well, plenty large, and a Vexilar will not slide down it.

Plenty of room for a ducer and fishing.

Also a 9.25" hole fits a thermal tip-up better, resulting in a better overlap to seal from freezing or drifting.

[MNice]

If I was in a perm, a 10" would be nice, hole hopping a portable I use my 6" hand lazer till the ice is about a foot thick, then 8" lazer mag. This year may be different, I only have a 2x4 4 wheeler, so if I can't get around on the lakes, my hand auger will be dragging in my otter, not the power auger.

[paceman]

Lots of plusses/minuses for each. I have not used a 10" very often but the times I have I didn't likle it. The 10" hole is just to big when you have young kids around which I do most of the time. To easy for them to step into or drop things into.

[slurpie]

Keep the eight if you drill alot of holes it is way easier. i have both eskimo and strikemaster either auger you keep you'll like.

[TSchultz]

10" hole = 10% more of your [PoorWordUsage] at the bottom of the lake.

[BobT]

I prefer my big 10". Using my portable I only have two holes. With the 10" hole, it allows more room so I can have my sonar puck in the hole with my jigging line and I don't have to take the time and risk losing a fish while I pull the puck out with a fish on the line.

I also like it how I can see down into the water better with the larger hole from inside my portable.

I also find that it is easier to turn a fish up through a larger opening. With smaller holes, there are times when it can be difficult to turn that fish up through the hole.

The 10" hole is also handy with my minnow bucket because it is big enough that I can replenish the minnow water by submerging my bucket rather than using a cup or something to scoop water from the hole.

[thedeadsea]

I like the 10" It is hard enough to get the head of a larger p'ed off northern (or any bigger fish) through any hole when they swim right under the ice (especially when you have one on light line).

You have a better visual while landing fish, and the larger hole takes longer to freeze up.

Worrying about slipping in the hole has never been a problem for me, but then again my portable has a floor. I am assuming the problem comes in flip-over houses without a rigid floor?

[thehawk]

I like the 10" hole just for landing bigger fish. I am no walleye slayer by any means but I did get into a big 27 3/4" eye on Mille Lacs and he would not have fit thru a 8" hole. Pure and simple for me...I wanna catch big fish and they just don't fit thru the smaller hole. No the bad part of the big hole is you can fit more junk down there. I have stepped into the bigger hole and gone in up to my hip...that sucked but my fault. I say go big...you won't put a trophy fish on the wall in the winter time with an 8" hole...unless it is a trophy sunny or crappie.

[thedeadsea]

You would be surprised how big of a fish would come through an 8" hole. At the same point, I would rather not have to worry about that when I have a 10"