Hand auger options for BWCA

[maddowg1192000]

I am planning a trip to the BWCA in February and am wondering what hand augers would be a good option. So far I am down to the nils and the strikemaster. Is the Nils really that much better to be almost a hundred dollars more? Any input would be greatful

[joneshat11]

Yes, NILS is that much better as it all comes down to blade design. Even though strikemaster isn't that much more behind. I would also suggest going no bigger that a 6 inch hole which will make it much easier and you'll still get big fish through. I would only chose out of those two though.

[Gunflint Guy]

Not sure where you are looking, but most prices I could find for the Nils and the Strikemaster were only $40 or $50 apart.

Some things to think about when picking a hand auger for the BWCA-note that I don't have any experience with the new synthetic auger that is new this year.

Weight matters with everything when you are pulling all your gear yourself. This is particularly true in the BWCA because snowmachines aren't packing down trails for you and forested shorelines mean snow piles up instead of blowing off...making for harder pulling, even when there isn't slush. The Nils is a bit lighter, I believe. Also, the Nils has a better, easier breakdown system that allows you to make the auger a smaller package quicker without risking losing your pin in the snow.

Hand drilling holes is work when the ice is thick. Running and gunning can take a toll. Even though it makes it more difficult to land fish, I only use a 6" auger. I have landed 40" pike and even 40" lake trout though a 6" hole (really tight, though). A bigger diameter takes more energy to drill. Finding structure can take a lot of holes. (By the way, why do depthfinder manufacturers claim you can shoot right through ice, when my experience is that is only possible when the ice is nearly completely clear and free? Am I missing something here? btw, somebody should make a 2.5 inch diameter auger just for structure finding).

The Nils' offset system does make for easier drilling as well, although the biggest factor in drilling ease (other than diameter) is blade sharpness. Strikemaster generally has easier ways to get sharp blades.

So, either way is fine.

[maddowg1192000]

thanks so far for the info. The weight isnt a concern(we are dogsledding in)and the place i looked at is in walker. I agree with the fish locator thing, i can never get it to work unless it is early ice. So you think a 6in will be fine for big pike(if we get any)?

[Gunflint Guy]

Oh, I should clarify I was talking about the Strikemaster Lazer...I wouldn't consider a Mora an option at all.

A 6 inch hole can handle some pretty big pike...like I said I caught a 40" in one, and it was a fairly girthy fish. Any bigger than that...I don't know...use long wire leaders and be prepared to be more patient in getting the head started. Lazer makes a 7" auger...I honestly wouldn't even consider getting an 8" hand auger.

Weight can still be a factor on dog sled trips...ask anyone from early season last year...breaking 10 miles of trail in deep snow and slush will test you and the dogs.

[Northlander]

With out a doubt the Nils hand auger is worth every extra cent! In my opinion the best hand and power auger out there. I love mine! Once you get the hang of cutting with it its unreal how fast they cut. When others see you cut holes with it they want to try it and when they get the hang of it they want one. I have a Strikemaster Lazer hand auger as well and it cuts good but not even close to my Nils good. If I were heading into the Bdub I would have my Nils hand auger and no matter what auger I had I would always make sure I had extra blades just in case something happened to the set on your auger. Crazy things can happen. I once saw a guy drill a hole where he thought he had like 10' of water only to drill right into a bunch of rocks. If I wouldnt have had extra blades that fit his auger with his cutting would have been done for the trip.

[tonkapat]

Yes the nils is that much better and no they aren't that much more expensive. I fish the bwca more than anywhere else and usually have one person haul the auger and another haul the jiffy mille lacs chisel. The jiffy chisel is a hollow tubed chisel that is halfway lite. Can you get most of the fish through a 6" hole yes. Is it a real FemaleDog to get a 34" plus laker through a 6" hole yes. I drill 2 holes side by side and chisel out the middle making a 6 by 13 hole. hand augering when there is slush is twice the work as normal. Last year alone there were 4 different groups of dogsledder that had brought strikemaster laser augers with and asked to borrow my auger because they were having a tough time augering a hole. Everytime they brought the auger back they asked where do you get one of those. Hope this helps good luck on your trip. If I were going by dogsled I would bring a hub house and heater. Standing outside on the ice all day in -20 isn't that fun. good luck

[schweady]

StrikeMaster 7 inch. I've owned both Lazer and Mora. Either one will cut through one inch of ice per crank revolution.

[Esox_Magnum]

Also agree on the Nils being far and away the best, only used mine once as a hand auger just to prove to my buddy my 8" would outdrill his 5" Lazer.....and it did, 3 times in a row.... wasn't even that close....I also give up 75 pounds, 10 years older and not nearly in the shape he's in....