Why a 8" hole and not a 10" any thoughts?

[Dry_Fly]

Well said Crappie Tom. I figure if the fish is to large to fit through a 8' hole it would only be a wall hanger anyway and I would be releasing it. My own opinon I prefer the smaller ones for eating. Don't get me wrong it's fun to catch the larger fish but I release them also. I agree a 10" hole is nice in the permanent houses that are a long ways off the ice. Can be a long haul up to the floor out of water but remember when they flop off it's a larger hole for then to hit to freedom also. I didn't mean to make the post out to be strictly child safety we all know how important that is in any activity we do. I just think a 10" hole is needless in most instances.

[M.T. Bucket]

Nice post Tom. I remember your post from last year. When you're a parent of a little one, even an unlikely event like falling through a fishing hole has got to be on your mind. I've taken my boy to the ER at least 4 times in the last 4 years (walked into a hornet nest, swallowed a 1 1/4" wood screw, fell down the stairs just as I was installing a railing and split his head open on the corner of it, stomach disorder that required surgery after being assured by many that it was just normal throwing up); as you can see, parents don't really NEED any more disasters to anticipate. I'd rather not have to keep my son from ice fishing for several more years just because there are an abundance of "land mines" out there.

I was also going to mention that 10" may be appropriate in permanent houses and remote waters where small children are unlikely to be. Problem is, most people don't buy one auger for those lakes and an 8" for elsewhere, so the 10" holes end up on the local busy lakes too.

If we're talking non-safety reasons for having an 8", mine have pretty much been mentioned:

- It's easier to lose gear down a 10". Even easier down a spear hole. I remember my dad forgetting to use the wrist lanyard and rocketing an ice chisel straight down into the sand on the bottom of Trout Lake a couple of years ago. Stood straight up on the bottom, though I managed to fish it out the next day with a big weighted treble hook on a parachute cord. He could have easily speared any northern swimming through at the time.

- It's easier to lose fish back down a 10" hole.

- 10" holes are harder to cut and are generally not necessary for landing anything short of the Loch Ness Monster.

- Electronics sit nicer. My dad uses a little portable heater and a Vexilar that he mounted on the same little wood stand. It doesn't add any size (in fact is saves since the Vex and the heater can be stacked) and it straddles an 8" center hole in a 2 man flip portable perfectly.

Kind of a long winded post, but I don't want to forget to wish you luck on the ice this winter, fiskynut!

[CrappieJohn]

And to go one further, Fisky...

I'd like to think someday I'll get up your way and maybe fish with you. I am still trying to imagine how big a northern would be that might need a ten incher. Got any estimates for us? 25...30 lbs?

[Early Riser]

I use four different sized augers from 5" to 10". I like the 10" the best for several reasons: 1) the larger hole doesn't close up as fast when it is really cold and you are fishing outside; 2) It is easier to land big fish with a gaff when the ice is really thick becuase you can see what is going on down there; 3) It is great for sight fishing inside the house; and, 4) you can get a big fish turned up the hole a lot easier. The only 2 downsides for the 10" is the weight of the auger and the fact that if a smaller fish falls off on the way up the hole it can often get away if you are not fast enough!

[Steve Foss]

Tom and Fisky, any time I think 8 inches isn't enough hole I remember the 29lb laker on Surface Tension's wall that came through an 8 inch hole through a lot of ice. Fat, fat, fat, that fish is. When the budget allows, my XL3000 10-inch is on the used dock, sweet as it's run and cut, and I'm in line for a Strikemaster 2hp 8-inch.

Man, if I can't shed 20 pounds on my body, at least I can shed it on my auger.

And here's the other thing. If I think I'm fishing for truly large fish on trophy water, I'll overlap a couple 8-inch holes. With the center point on these lazers and other brands, that's a piece of cake. Guess that means I'm targeting lakers 35 pounds or better if an 8-inch hole isn't enough, eh?

[Deitz Dittrich]

very good point stf... with augers now days you can overlap holes. And to be honest, I would rather stick my leg down an overlap hole than a 10"... I have big enough feet that I can loose a boot on a 10..LOL

[jerkin'm]

All the big muskies you have seen pics and vid's of on this site came through an 8" hole....one was a little bit of a squeeze, no problems ever though....The amount of girth you can get through an 8" is amazing...No need for a 10..

[dougger222]

Own a 7in Lazer electric, 8in Lazer gas, 8in chipper gas, 5in Lazer hand and a 10 1/4in Jiffy 3hp monster!!!

I think it's been 3 years since I've used the 3hp auger, too heavy. My father in law uses the chipper auger, really like the lazers.

[Phred52]

Its' gotta be that it's more time consuming getting a SNAGGED fish through an 8" hole than a 10". WHY in Minnesota would ANYONE "need" a 10" ice hole? They're too small to spear through and unless you're fishing Sturgeon OR just in a big hurry, an 8" will pass about ANYTHING in THIS state!

[nytelyter]

i use a 10 in my permenent but have an 8 for portable fishing i have size 13 boots and even with them being that big i still curse when i hit an unmarked 10 on the ice