Ice auger 8" vs 10"

[Norm1980]

As mentioned above if your fishing portable and drilling in multiple locations through out the day go with the 8". If you do the majority of your fishing in a perm house, or fish mostly for lake trout or pike go with the 10".

I have always used an 8" auger fishing for crappies, walleyes and the occasional pike and never had a problem.

I would imagine a vexilar would fit nicely down that 10" hole though... just a thought never say never

[Wally fisher]

If you are going to buy an auger take a look at the new strikemaster solo. the weight between the 8 and the 10 are identical. And these people talking about a 10 taking more elbow grease just need some sharp blades. I can rip a hole in under 10 seconds without putting any force on my solo. I just bought one and it was the best investment ever. way nicer than my eight and cuts bigger and faster. That is just my recommendation anyone else who has bought the new solo will back it.

[thedeadsea]

I thought a Vex was just a little big to fit down the 10 1/4" Strikemaster hole. At least the FL-8 I borrowed was as I checked to make sure....

[Wanderer]

I have a 3-man portable, so we tend to move 2 or 3 times when we go out. Using a neighbors 8" now. From what I see weight does tend to play a part. Mostly fish for panfish and walleye.

An 8 will do ya fine.

FWIW, I have both sizes and choose accordingly. Every thing everybody has posted is true so just look at your situation.

[wbliceman]

i would say you can even go down to a 7" but thats what i use and have pulled just about every species through that hole no problem. I like the new Strikemaster solo's. i own one but if your gonna buy used make sure it runs before you walk away from the deal.

[riverview]

I have a 8 my buddy has a 9 and i have fished out of a 10. i wuld like a 9. speaking of falling in holes went down to the river on fairly early ice after a afternoon snow. my buddy went down with the first load onto the ice and stepped in a 10 in hole covered in snow he fell and put his arm in another covered 10 in hole. his eyes were so big he thought he was going down. he did the crappie flop on the ice. I had to fall i was laughing so hard.

[toomanyjigs]

8" spiffy stx pro 100/1 amsoil it's pretty fast and doesnt freeze up as fast while fishing without a shanty also helps more clearence for the ducer cord. so the fish doesnt get tangled but thats just me and all prob 10 ice fishing buddys but get what you want

[DTro]

If you are going to buy an auger take a look at the new strikemaster solo. the weight between the 8 and the 10 are identical. And these people talking about a 10 taking more elbow grease just need some sharp blades.

LM-8 8" Lazer Mag Power Auger

26 lbs.

LM-10 10" Lazer Mag Power Auger

29 lbs.

simple math and physics will prove that it takes more energy to cut a 10" hole.

[jkjkoda]

Back in the day 6 inch was what we used always worked for Grandpa and me. The we finally got the eight hand opperated. to this day I still prefer an 8 seems i alway have little people with me <kids> Just saver I feel. for the kids.

[wildmanp]

8 faster then 10.......

[ec30_06]

The round tip-ups dont work as well on a 10" hole, but it is easier to get a big pike up a 10. I have a 9" that works really good for everything i fish for.

[hydro]

I have an old reliable Jiffy Model 30 that came with a 9" drill. It was a beast to carry around and to hang on to after a few holes. A couple of years ago I bought a 6" XT drill and now it's way easier and faster to drill. For the Vex, I punch two holes next to each other fish in one and hang the xducer down the other, no tangles. If I fish pike with tip ups I drill two holes connected and then drill out the web at an angle. It gives me a 6" X 10" hole that any fresh water fish will slide right up through. Now if I could just hook into something that needed that clearance........

[Mcfin]

8 inch for numerous reasons

[Mainehazmt]

If I could run a 10" on my icegator thats what I would have but have a 6 and an 8 8 is what I use a 10 would be much better for the cold winter days slow down the freeze up of the hole so untill the day icegator makes a 10" I think of st patrics day each time Im out and just drill 3 holes in a cloverleaf!

[trapperdirk]

I have a 10 inch Jiffy and like it for many things but it's weight ,I love my 8 inch power Nils but will also be adding a 6 inch version of the Nils into the fray next year for those perching days inside the portable .

For me it's about the convenience of the size hole and the type of fish that I'm after that dictates what one I will be using on any given day . Although I like to be considerate of fellow fishers I'm not going to downsize my holes for their sake or small feet . They are in control of their own destiny as soon as they decide to become icefishermen and step out onto the ice .

TD

[tomfromblaine]

I like both and have fished both but I use an 8" mainly for weight reasons and my buddy got a 29" walleye thru an 8 , I can see lakers or pike thru a 10" though, I guess it just depends on what and how you fish.

[dougger222]

I run a 7 inch most common. An article written years ago by Genz made mention to a 7 inch being his hole of choice. He went on to say that if you can't fit a fish up a 7 inch hole he wants to fish that lake!!!

Gotten plenty of large eyes up the 7 incher and even a 39in pike with three feet of ice.

In the fleet are two 7 inch lazers, 8 inch lazer, 10 inch lazer with two gas heads and an electric head. This past Winter gave my Dad the 3hp 10 inch Jiffy, it's a monster

[Northlander]

I used to be a hard core 10" cut guy. Now I have a 8" Nils. If I need a biiger hole I over lap my holes. Imglad I went with the Nils and saved my back and dont have to fight the auger anymore.

[LindellProStaf]

Years ago I wondered too which one to get. Well I decided on the 10" since I wouldn't be carrying it much. When I went to buy all they had was 8" and 9" so I bought the 9". I love it. The bigger the hole also the longer it takes for it to freeze back up in cold weather even in a warm house.