What size auger??

[toughguy]

I'm on the market for a new auger this year and I was wondering if any of you guys have a 9" or 10"er. I have always used 8 in the past and I want to know if you think its worth it to buy a larger one. I've never had a problem getting a fish through an 8" hole but someday I hope to. I have heard of friends putting a leg through a 10" so there might be such a thing as too big too.

[hanson]

I agree with all your points.

8" all the way!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm with Hanson on this one... Not only a leg, but depthfinder and a lot of other things fit down a 10 inch hole a lot easier than an 8"...

If I ever catch a fish that cant fit through an 8" hole.. it deserves to win and live. so far its only happened once... big sturgeon on LOW(that somehow snagged in its fin.)...

[Gissert]

I have run a 10 for the last decade. I like the extra room for a transducer. I got a good deal on a spring close out when I made the purchase.

Now that I am on the backside of 40, my next auger will likely be an 8 incher. Less weight, 8 inches is plenty big even with a transducer in the hole.

I have not done the foot in a 10 inch hole dance, but I have seen it a couple times. Not fun....

[Matt Johnson]

A 10-inch hole is going to take longer to cut and you're going to drain more gas and receive less holes per tank of gas. A 10-inch auger is also going to be heavier than an 8-inch, so keep that in mind if you're looking to move around a lot by foot.

I like to fire off 10-15 holes at most spots before I even start fishing, so I like to be as fast and efficient as possible. An 8-inch auger allows me to punch through the ice ice quicker, and I'm not as tired or worn out after punching 15 holes with an 8-inch auger than I am with a 10-inch auger.

However, if you do a lot of tip-up fishing or spend a lot of time in a permanent fish house, then I could see the advantage of going with a 10-inch auger. But if you're a mobil, run-and-gun style of ice angler, then a 8-inch is the way to go in my opinion...

[Holaey]

toughguy,

I have a friend that is 6'2" tall, Lets just say that his foot found a 10" hole one time.... and it brought him to his knee....twisted!

If you are a calm good fisherman, there is no reason you can't get any fish up a smaller hole.

besides, it adds more sport to the catch.

[Flatlander]

A couple other points to ponder. I have a 25 yr old 10" Jiffy, that my grampa gave me 6 years ago. So, the price was right. If you do a lot of sight fishing, which I do, the 10" hole is nice. The extra room for the transducer in the hole is also nice. I could have a 20" hole, and the perch would find my transducer to tangle around. There is an advantage to the no plastic part ancient auger as well. If I fish 3 days a week, that's $50 a month you don't have to pay for a gym membership. Not only that, my flexibility has improved dramatically over the last few years. Every time you step in a 10" hole, your groin and hamstrings get stretched more than polates(sp?). And the last and most important attribute of the old 10". When I'm fishing with one of my buddies, and we're on foot, I never have to drag along my auger, because they want nothing to do with it. Now, if I could only convince them to drill my holes for me, I'd be set.

[Eric Wettschreck]

A couple years ago Mrs. Boilerguy gave me an 8" strikemaster for Christmas. (Whatta woman)

I can't argue the price so I'm a super duper big fan of 8" holes.

[nitroant]

After using a 9" for many years, I went to a 7" hand auger last year to take as much weight out of the sled as possible due to walking out. I really like the 7" I drill two holes in house, 1 to fish out of and 1 for the vex. The 7" lazer is pretty quick by hand. Never drilled more than 5 or so hole at once, so if you do a lot of hole jumping it might wear a guy out I guess. I would not go bigger than 8" if I had to do it all over again.

[Reynolds]

I have a 10" and wish I had an 8" after luggging mine around all day. I would love one of those four stroke Strikemasters. I think that auger is about half the weight of mine.

[hill7410]

go with a nine, i have one and it fits perfect around the five gallon bucket for the big ice house but its also good for walleyes to perch, good all around size.

[deepportage01]

14 year old Stikemaster 8" with up graded bit [2 blade], I have a freind that tends not to use his 10" just from the weight and it tends to be hard on the catch covers when it it hits the sides also we fish shalow alot and the 10" is not a good auger for trying to keep the light out of the hole.

I 'm sure there is a place for a 10" but I have not found one

[lookin4fish]

i have to mix it up a bit and say that i really like the 6 inch auger. i have run into times where a bigger ice hole would be nice, but i have had more times where it has helped out. it sometimes takes a little tallent getting the fishes head started up the hole, but after it is, you wont loose it. usually if the hook comes out, the fish cant turn around and actully swims up the hole to you in its struggle. then it is an easy grab at the top of the hole. i wouldt say the smaller 6" is better than the 8" or 10", but the smaller one works for me. its light, and can drill lots of holes. when i first started fishing out of a 6" hole, i thought it was horrible becasue i was used to the bigger ones, now i really like it.

[Reynolds]

I also have had problem with hitting the edges of my holes in the permanent house when using my 10" auger.

[deepportage01]

It's hard not to hit with a 10" but what's worse is you get a hole cover that becomes a line cuting hazard.

[coldmark]

I went with the 9 inch with the smaller engine (2hp) and will do it again. You get a light auger and a plenty big hole.

[deepportage01]

Coldmark, who makes the 9" auger? Jiffy or strikmaster.

[Reynolds]

I know Jiffy makes a 9", not sure about Strikemaster.

[toughguy]

I think strikemaster also makes a 9" in some models.

[toughguy]

I think I'll stick with the 8in. due to the weight, safety, and the fact that I don't feel I'll ever need it. Now I've got another question: What size extension should I buy? I mainly fish the south part of the state so I have not needed one yet. I have made trips to LOW and the gunflint trail but used someone else's auger. Would you recommend a 12 or a 20" extension for LOW or gundlint??

[deepportage01]

I use a 6", just cuz I'm kinda short and the 12'I would need a bucket to stand on to drill holes .I have not needed to put it on of 3 years

[Northlander]

I like my 8" Nilsmaster because its super light and fast. I do at times wish I had a bigger hole. Usually for pike and lake trout or when fishing in the river and current. 10" is nice but Im no longer going to haul a 10" auger around with a bad back. I did that with my Jiffy for years and man was that a work out. I wish Nils would come out with a 9" blade. Thats a happy medium and it would still be light. 99% of the pike and lakers I catch would fit threw that ok.

[Borch]

Quote:

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I know Jiffy makes a 9", not sure about Strikemaster.

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Strikemaster has a 9" auger in their Lazer Mag Auger.

[juggs]

Toughguy--Before you buy, you might look into buying a Nils Master. The shaft is longer so you may not even need to buy an extension. I don't know how thick the ice gets on the gunflint trail, but I measured my Nils shaft last year and think it taped at around four feet from the blade to the top of the shaft. Could be wrong, but it's longer than the standard auger. They make them in 6" and 8". I bought the six since I've always fished through a smaller hole and would never go back. It's lighter, you can cut faster, and like looking4fish said, once you get the fish started up the hole, you very seldom lose them. You might have to look around for a Nils, they seem to be getting more popular and harder to find in stock. Good luck.

[Blaze]

I have a woman similar to Mrs. Boilerguy - Christmas '03 I got an 8" Strikemaster Lazer Mag. I love that woman!

Quote:

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I have run a 10 for the last decade. I like the extra room for a transducer.

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One thing that works great for me - I cut 3 holes when fishing in my Fishtrap Voyager - 2 for lines and a 3rd or my LX3. I cut the 2nd hole right next to my primary fishing hole (so it almost makes an 8) and never have problems with my 'ducer anymore. I drop my deadstick in the other hole and can often see my jig on the LX3 too.

Just thought I'd share.