Which is the next logical purchase?

[Hory]

I was just looking for some input as to what my next ice fishing purchase should be. I have only been icefishing for a few years. I have a half a dozen rod and reel combos, a few tip-ups, a vx-1pro, a 6 inch hand auger, and all kinds of jigs and such as well as good cold weather gear. I am definately on a budget being a student...so my question is would I get more positive usage out of a new ice shack...or a power auger? Thanks for the help!

[silverbulletguy]

Go with a shack. It will let you have more time on the ice. And most guys will come over and drill a few holes for you with their power auger if they see you cranking by hand.

[jigginjim]

the shack even if your alone you can fish in the colder weather, get you out of the wind.

[BD110]

I would go with the shack hands down. The new auger will save you a couple of minutes at the start of your day. The new shack will help you enjoy a full day of warmer fishing.

[buckhunter21]

If you only had to pick one I would go with the house. But if you find the right deal you can probably get both. Dont know how much you plan on spending but you can get a fold up portable with no floor, Clam has them for $150 and you can usually find them or other brands on sale every once in a while for even less. You can also usually find some pretty good deals on used power augers if you are OK with a used one. If you dont want to go that route than a portable and a sunflower heater will get alot more use than an auger.

[fishinben351]

yeah the shack, hand augers arnt that bad, lol they get you in shape, and plus a lot of nice people on the ice will drill for you with there power augers...

[thehawk]

I agree, shack for sure. I got a new solo this year and would always drill holes for a guy with a hand auger. The shack will get you out there more often too because you won't be cold!

[zamboni]

Shack and a heater, buy a used power auger in the spring when they are CHEAP

[jakemcarroll]

I was in your same boat not that long ago (now that I am graduated and have a job it is nice to have some more money to spend on fishing gear which means I will soon have enough cash to get the power auger I have been waiting on!). I went with the house for the same reason everyone above mentioned. I figured I was better off out of the wind and warm (definitely get a heater!) than suffering in the cold with a whole lot of holes to fish. I also managed to fish with a lot of buddies and friends who had power augers or could borrow them. I rarely ended up drilling all my holes in a day with my hand auger!

[gritsnham]

A shack is great and its hard to deny that most of the time it will help you fish longer and stay warm but a power auger will help you catch more fish hands down. It depends on what you want to do and what you fish for...if you are fine drilling two holes and waiting for fish then the house is the way to go.

But if you want to find fish consistently in numbers hole hoping with a power auger string is hard to beat.

I would say if you are comfortable fishing outside on the average day and used to it go with the auger...drilling holes with them is alot of fun and when you get cold just drill ten holes and you warm up really fast!

[Phred52]

DEFINITELY!! Go with the shack! It'll extend your hours on the ice (in comfort) thereby helping increase your catch. I started with a hand auger, 2 years later a 'portable' shack,after that, I started on my terminal tackle. Before that point, everything I/we caught was on a bare hook/ minnow/bobber combo. I started in the '60's, so I've seen a LOT of improvements!! Phred52

[baggy]

Go with the house...Isn't there an adaptor out there to turn you hand auger into a power auger with the use of a drill.

[jdog]

id say the house for sure unless your a tip up guy when it comes to fishing tip ups there is no need for the shack when you can drive out but if you like to jig fish hands down get a shack

[Ed Carlson]

A shack, maybe a lightweight package like the HT Hub package on special at Gander...$199.

You get a Hub shack..sled..cover..two chairs. A good 1-2 man starter kit. A Mr. Heater Buddy 4000 $79 will heat it well, whole rig easily fits in a car trunk.

[Islandlaker]

I got my dad a pack shack for christmas and he/we love it. It fits in his car easily. Is super light weight and fast to move from spot to spot with. Like you I am a student so I am also on a budget. I got it for 100 bucks on HSO-Classifieds new. I see now though that reeds has them on sale for like 70 bucks. Great deat!

[Ed Carlson]

I agree...another very lightweight economy shelter option. You can also get the Pack Shacks on clearance now at Gander, $56.97. The HT Hub is a far larger rig, worth looking at both, as they are priced right.

[splakeshaker]

I would agree with the shack. You have a hand auger, and if you in your 20 and decent shape still, you'll have the holes you need. I just got my first power auger this year and I'm 35 years old. I hand drilled for 9 years. For the last 3 of them I kept telling myself to get a power auger but couldn't justify the money because I already had the tool to do the job and capability of doing it. Now being a bit older and get worn out a bit(or alot) easier, I did finally purchase one. It's great and drlling holes isn't the work it was before. They're fun. The shack in my opinion is really the right way to go. If you can afford a small flipover, You wont regret it. My first house was a smaller suitcase style, and it was pain to strap everything down and move around with. The ease and convienence of a flip over is second to none.

[Chode2235]

I was in your boat a few years ago, and unfortunately I made some compromises on my student budget. I bought a 'cheap' shack and ended up replacing it a year later. If I would have put that money toward the one I really wanted in the first place I would have, in the end, been money ahead. I bought one of those HT Polar tents (older style hub), and now fish out of a great otter den.

Those hub shacks are nice and lightweight, but can be a pain alone. I am a huge fan of the flip over style houses, a one man clam, otter, or frabill would be what I would recommend.

Heaters are nice, but you will be amazed how much more time you can spend out there with only the shack breaking the wind for you.

[trapperdirk]

As we acquire more gear over the years you need bigger gear to move the gear because weight also becomes a factor . Personally since you do have an auger and there are good folks around that would drill you a hole, a portable would naturally fall into place . A flipover that is . Even with a power auger first you will need something to haul it in .a flipover is also a great tool /gear hauler because it comes with a tub .

TD

[shizzy]

I think you can find a hub style shelter for around $149 this time of year.

once it starts to warm up or even coming in to the season you can find used augers for a decent price. I also think there will be plenty of used strikemasters for sale next fall since the new Solo engine will already be past its first year on the market and more guys wont be scared of them.

also, keep an eye on the for sale section right here. I have had some wonderful dealings with folks here. in fact I avoid HSO-Classifieds and all that and just wait till someone here posts something up.