keeping ice holes open

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Sharing a permanent this year and wonder if there is any good way to keep them open. Seems to chew up the auger pretty good when I have to go back through em and one hole for some reason I couldnt even get all the way threw trying to redrill it?

thanks

[Ears]

Banking it up good is about the only thing short of leaving the heat on. I used to have a laser auger and opening up the old holes was a fun expirence to say the least. I just switched to a chipper auger and this should help opening up the old holes.

[icehousebob]

A friend keeps a hole open all winter in a lake up north for his minnow tank. He made a box larger than the hole and insulated it with styrofoam. There's about 5 to 6 inches of air space above the ice and the warmth of the water keeps it melted. He does have trouble with muskrats using it as a feeding station. Over the winter, the hole grows larger and the bottom of the hole erodes, so he moves it every so often. You might experiment with an insulated box over a hole and see whether it works.

[shinde]

Years ago I remember seeing a product made for this. It was inflatable, kind of resembled a boat bumper, and you put it in the hole and inflated it. When you wanted to remove it, you just let the air out and pulled it out. Not sure how it actually worked, or if it was weighted in the bottom, but that was what it was for. Anyone else have experience with a product such as this? If so, did they work, and can you still get them?

[mjames]

I remember seeing an ad for those inflatable things your talking about. I asked earlier this season on this forum about them. From all the replies I got, I went to Reeds Sporting Goods . com whatever their address is and they have something they call "ice-hole keepers". I'm far from Reeds so I haven't gotten there to look. They don't show a picture of them on their web site.

[Dave]

Vados Bait in Spring Lake Park had them last year, I believe.

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

Thanks for the info I will try to see if i can find them. Sounds like a better idea then chewing up my auger every time (I do have a lazer)

[Dave]

My brother has used them for many years and they worked great but, with time and abuse they eventually did wear out.

[Realtor Boy]

hey guys is this the site you are looking for???

http://airplugs.com/

[eel pout hunter]

I bought one, but it was a 10 inch...I have an 8 inch auger and needless to say, it didn't work. I got it at Reed's in Brainerd. I gave it to a guy who had a 10 inch auger and he loved it. They were bright yellow and made by a company up north, in Walker I think, but I can't remember the name of them.

Pout

[Gadgetman]

Its called "hole saver", Reeds does have them and they cost $10-$15 I think. I have been using them for years and they work great. The 8 inch version seems to hold up better. You blow them up and then shove them down the hole. There is a valve like on an air mattress on them that you can use to deflate the thing with if it gets frozen in. It also has a loop on the bottom side to attach a minnow bucket to soo you always have fresh bait. The yellow torpedo shaped buckets work great. I buy a couple every time I find them as I am afraid that some day they will not be available and it seems that at least one gets a hole in it every year. I also have several friends that are using them so if I find them somebody always seems to have a need for one. I highly recommend them