New Ice Fishing Gadet - IceHogger

[Surface Tension]

I'd like to introduce a new tool for the ice fisherman and sponsor to HSO, IceHogger

The IceHogger caught my attention as an aid for removing chips from a perm shack and while drilling multiple holes for hole hopping.

While fishing out of a perm, at some point the chips are going to fill the space between the floor and ice. When that happens they have no where to go then on the floor. I think I've found that solution in the IceHogger. Now I can direct those chips into a container. I still have to empty that out on ever hole but it beats cleaning up the floor.

Take a look at this quick demonstration. Note the position of the discharge hole. By removing the straps that hold the Hogger on you can set the discharge to your choosing.

I was surprised at the amount of chips from just one hole. Another nice benefit is very little scooping.

How will Icehogger help the hole hopper?

Simply by eliminating the cone of chips around the hole and shushing the hole out. Every hole is ready for you to move to without having to remove that cone of chips around it.

Here is a demo from late last winter.

So far I've had zero problem with chips building inside the IceHogger. As you can see the Hogger will actually pump water, this flushes out any ice chips from the hols and inside the tube. As with any auger, taking it inside the house once in a while isn't a bad idea to melt the layer of ice that forms on the drill.

[crappiegetter]

I actually bought this when the Minnesota ice fishing show was here and I've been out twice now and I really like it. Especially if I'm hole hopping for walleye or trying to find a bite. Very nice little to no clean up of the hole. One thing i did notice the last time out it was shaving some plastic off with the auger hope it was a one time thing.

[Northlander]

I sure wish I could get one around here for my Nils Frank! It sure would solve the booting shavings out of the way and cleaning out the hole issues.

[HANS76]

Anbody know how much weight this will add to your auger?

[crappiegetter]

these are very light units maybe around 2-5 pounds will be added its all plastic and the top were the shaft of the auger blade runs through is I think light weight steel. and how much it weighs is just a guess but its still not heavy at all.

[Brad B]

it is a good idea but the thing that makes me wonder is when you have it on your auger there is no way to put the auger in a auger carrier on a 4 wheeler or snowmobile. I have a digger auger carrier and this won't work with that.

[Surface Tension]

Brad, you bring up a good point for those that already have an auger rack system on their tow vehicle and I could understand a reluctance to give up one for the other.

I can't speak for IceHogger but I see a market for adapters to existing systems and even their own line of auger holder.

I know right now that the Otter Shield

is a natural for the IceHogger.

[Northlander]

Thats what I was thinking Frank.

[Brad B]

you know I totally forgot about the otter one. I agree that it would be the most likely to work with the ice hogger.

[skee0025]

I was going to get one at the ice show, but they dont make them for an 8" lazer mag.

[swmndeerhunter]

Frank, Any idea how it works after its sitting outside for a while? Does it freeze up pretty solid? Looks like a pretty sweet gadet, but like everyone else is saying, my auger mount on my 4 wheeler would be useless now.

[crappiegetter]

From my experience using mine it does ice a little bit but running it again to knock out most of the ice helps. And the magnets you can purchase for the blade guard I recommend after drilling holes put it back on right away, as I found out it doesn't like to stay attached to the auger after the blades ice up.

[Surface Tension]

When you finish drilling keep the rotation going, that will flush out any chips out of the hole and between the tube and auger.

That isn't an extra step, rather the purpose of the Ice Hogger, to clean the hole and direct the chips out of the hole and to a desired location.

Just like any auger there will be water on the drill and that could accumulate over a period of of time in very cold temps.

[DTro]

Got to play around with this thing a little bit over the weekend. I really like it!

It took a few holes of practice but I got to the point where I could virtually leave a clean hole to fish out of without any scooping.

I also like the fact you don't have to kick the pile of snow out of the way either.

I didn't have any freezing issues at all (that was my first concern) and it was just above zero that day.

What you see here is the very first hole I drilled with the Hogger and the slush remenants. I got better with each hole. There is also some added catfish bonus footage included in the video

More videos at HSOshow.com™

[DTro]

I've had the Hogger out several times now and I've got the knack of keeping the hole almost crystal clean. Last night I didn't even need a scoop.

I did however have some ice build up on the very top of the discharge chute. As you know it's cold out there right now so it's a good test.

The buildup didn't affect the drilling at all though, just made it a bit heavier. I brought it inside last night to thaw out and ready to hit the ice again!

[Shack]

This will be a cool tool for late ice fishing when a hundred plus holes are the norm by noon and then another hundred or more by 4pm. Add up all the time you have in scooping during a full day and I am sure you are getting in the area of 30 minutes. Not to mention the wet fingers.