Pros and Cons of 8 inch auger vs 10 inch

[Hoffer]

I am thinking of picking up a new gas auger. Does anyone have any advice on choosing either a 8 inch or 10 inch diameter auger?? I use the round Frabil tipups quite a bit and am a little worried they wont fit over or work well with a 10 inch hole....anyone have any experience with the frabils and 10 inch holes?? any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Hoffer

[GatorBait]

I used my frabil's on 10in holes the last 2 years and haven't had any problems as of yet. Sometimes, they get a little frozen to the edge of the hole but it's never cost me a fish or broken equipment, therefore I don't see it as problem. They work as intended and the bigger the hole, the bigger the fish.

[Reynolds]

I would try doing a search for "what size auger" to use. I believe this topic was heavily contributed to a week or two ago.

I personally have a 10" auger, and I wish I had an 8". There is a noticeable weight difference in between a 10" and 8" auger. If you are using a 10" inside a fish house you are also more likely to bend up the auger when you inevitably hit the sides of the hole.

[Hoffer]

Reynolds- Thanks I found the post you were referring to. Didnt know this subject had come up already - and it was on page 5 -so I would have never seen it - thanks for the heads up!!

[caseymcq]

You could go with a compromise and get a 9" auger. I know Strike Master has one.

[Gordie]

PROS 10inch

bigger hole

more room for your tranducer and rod

CONS 10inch

more water and ice under your feet

uses more gas

weighs more

Big walleye can turn around in it.

boot fits in easier

more ice to scoop out

PROS 8inch

lighter

hole doesnt freeze as fast with frabile on it

boot doesnt fit as easy in it

most fish that go thur a 10 will fit an 8

less gas

less water and ice under your feet

lees ice to scoop out

drill holes faster less effort

Blades are cheaper

CONS 8inch

not as much room with tranducer in it

I just switched from a 10 to an 8 last year, I realy like the 8inch auger but when I had my permanant on Mille Lacs the 10 was great.I'm sure that an 8 would of been all I needed though.

[walterking]

i would say go with the 8 inch i have had both and currently have a 10 i do like the bigger hole but the weight alone makes it a lot less tempting to move as often and if you have children it makes you a little nervous knowing the could fit rate down the hole just my 2 cents.

[Lip RIPPER!]

I couldn't decide what to buy when I bought mine so I bought the 9 inch. I like it!

[toughguy]

I couldn't decide between the 2 so I got a 9 inch. The best and worst of both worlds.

[JP Z]

It also depends on the auger you are looking at. For instance the Strikemaster Strike Lite is only an 8" But I currently have a 10" Am going to get an 8" this year as I used a buddies Strike Lite last year and it is the way to go by far.

[MuskieJunkie]

The 8" is easier to drill, plus I don't think you need a 10" hole. If it's in your budget (about $500) it doesnt get any better than the new 4 stroke strikemaster.

[MASON38]

I've got two in one, started out with the 10" SM Lazer Mag Express, but wanted a smaller drill for panfish. Called StrikeMaster up and originally asked about the 7" lower unit. There was good snow that year, so stocks were sold out, and compromised and got the 8" instead.

What the 8" gives me is good alround drill for inland lakes, specially if good sized Northerns arent prevelant. What the 10" does for me is when I hit Erie, Michigan, Superior or Saginaw Bay is gives me confidence that I wont have to struggle to get a good laker, salmon, pike or walleye through the hole. I have caught Jiggers and Raps on the edge of the 8" hole lots of times, and with the 10" I can get the head of the fish through a lot easier. Less knock-offs right at the hole.

No matter what sized hole, you should kick your flasher out of the hole as early as possible. Fish will find a way to get themselves and line wrapped around the transducer one way or another.

If you go with the 4-stroke, remember you have to have the power head a certain way when laying it on the ice, or the oil will leak out in the case. Played with it last year and constantly forgot about it and had to go back to the auger and put it right side up. I like the extra weight you get with the Tecumseh engine and all metal auger. Think it helps center the drill point a bit, weight difference is a few lbs and for piece of mind when dealing the composite shaft of the Strike-Lite.

Good luck

[R_B]

Go with a 9". I have an Eskimo Shark that I love.

[Ed Carlson]

The 9" Jiffy Stealth is a great unit. Lots of power, cuts old holes just about as well as new, the 9" is not too big for round tip-ups to wobble into.

For most situations a 8" is plenty. A 2 hp Jiffy Stealth is a sweet cutting low maintance unit.

[Hoffer]

Thanks for all the advice..i think the decision is going to be either the Strikemaster lazermag 9 inch or the Jiffy Stealth 9 inch...should have it in the garage by tomorrow afternoon..now if we can just get some ice!

[Paul]

one thing I have notice over the years between our 10" and out 8" is My size 13 boot doesn't fit inside a 8" as easily as a 10". A 10" hole will swallow your leg all the way to your jimmies if your not carefull. I have only caught a few fish were I wish I had brought the 10 instead of the 8. Usually most fish will fit in a 8 when you are after eye's and pike and panfish.

[bigb56303]

i have a 10 inch jiffy and if you use the rounf frabil tip ups i have had the problem of getting them to sit right they barely fit i would go with a 9 inch, anyone know if you can get a 9inch for a model 30 jiffy 3hp