8 or 10 inch auger

[macminn]

A buddy of mine is in the market for a power auger. He's trying to decide between an 8 and a 10 inch auger. Mostly runs and guns, or sets up a porty.

What do you recommend?

[eagle_3464]

You won't want the extra weight of the 10" if you run and gun. Many electronics that we use next to the hole will fall through a 10". Most any fish you will catch will come through the 8" but you could always compromise and go 9".

[hamms-scooter]

8" all the way. Ten inch holes are for remote places where there isn't as much foot traffic. Or kids! I hate 10" holes!

[pathogen]

+1

For my money, 8" is plenty and anything over is a luxury. But I do like luxury......

[laportian]

8 inch hole is perfect. 10's can be dangerous. I've had a couple close calls were I was stumbling around after dark and stepped in them. I can totally see breaking an ankle around one.

[Cheetah]

I use a 7" auger. Can still fit a really big fish through it, nice and light, cuts super fast. The only drawback is that it gets a bit narrow if you like to run two lines in one hole.

[Maverick]

8 inch for all of the above reasons. I have friends with a 10 inch and the small motor. They are always struggling. With an 8 inch you can cut easily with the smaller motor.

[thatoneguy]

I pulled a 50 1/4" muskie through an 8" hole, so believe me, it's plenty big. Plus, as others are mentioned, it's a smaller hole for electronics and other things to fall through!

[BizzityB]

8" all the way. Lighter and a lot easier to run and gun many holes without lugging around that 10.

[Iceboy]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I love my 10" holes & my 2 HP engine never has trouble drilling them as long as I keep my blades sharp...

[randallt]

8" for me for all the above reasons. I actually like the 6" hand auger hole even better. Maybe I should look into getting a 6" power auger. Do they even make them?

[Vlasin]

8inch all the way!

I was in the same boat a couple months ago...decided to go with the 8in and still think i made the right choice.

[Gillfisher]

A 10 inch hole in a porty takes up a lot of room, I started out with a 10" then went down to 6" and I am now at 8". The only time I like the 10" better than the 8" is when the ice is over 2 feet thick. The bigger hole makes it easier to get the fish started up it in thick ice situations.

[DRH1175]

8"

[NoWiser]

I have both. I got the 10" for lakers up in Canada, and do really like it. It's nice for sight-fishing perch, too, and I can get by without taking the transducer out of the hole every time I hook a fish. That said, if I only fished in MN for panfish and walleyes, I'd stick with the 8" for the reasons listed above.

[JediTrav]

Get the 12 inch, anything could happen

[HandGunner]

go with a 16 LOL i get scared too im new but makes sense i got a 7 inch hand auger and still looks like my marcum can fall thru. if it were me id go 10 just cause but if the motor was not all big and powerful id go 8 hearing too much about ppls augers going bad, i think its all preference, seeing how i only catch perch and sunnies i wish i had a 6 inch auger i get tired drilling holes

[Brad B]

8" for me for all the above reasons. I actually like the 6" hand auger hole even better. Maybe I should look into getting a 6" power auger. Do they even make them?

yes they do. just buy a 6 inch lazer drill unit for your power head.

[ANYFISH2]

I own a 10", I love fishing out of the larger hole. That being said I hate hauling around a 40 lb jiffy all winter! Also not nearly as nice as a fast drilling 8" (like a SM) for hole hopping. My next auger will be a 8".

[G.J.]

Currently have a 10". Definitely would go with the 8 over the 10 if I was doing over.

[hamms-scooter]

Jiffy stealth auger is also available in a 6". That thing would scream!!

[rfish]

I had a 10" and hated it, too big and the fish get turned arounded too easy and get away.

[harvey lee]

I had a 10 inch and sold it. Was too heavy to hole hop and I have not caught a fish I could not get up an 8 inch hole.

[KrabbyPatties]

Absolutely an 8".

Eight inch is safer, lighter, faster, easier on your back, plenty adequate for any fish you'll catch through the ice, and though I haven't owned a 10", I believe an 8" would be cheaper on blades and fuel. Did I mention 8" is safer? Safer on the legs and ankles of adults, safer for any kids who might be on the ice, and safer for your expensive gear that likes to lunge for the hole once in a while.

I can't think of a single good reason to own a 10" auger over an 8". Really.

[Rippinlip]

8"

First hand experience on how bad a 10" can get, years ago a friend of mine fell in a 10" hole, breaking his leg. Not good.

Not our auger, but multiple holes drilled around where we were fishing and did not see it.