Ice auger storage question

[Guest]

I was just out snowmobiling and noticed that a lot of ice fisherman are putting their ice auger partially in the ice. I thought that was the wrong way to do it. Isn't the right way to just lay auger down on the ice horizontally. They say that putting it vertically and drill partially stuck in the ice is bad for the drill and power head as the stress of the engine bends the blade. Don't ice fisherman know that? If so then why do they do it wrong?

Charles

[kslipsinker]

I do that to keep the snowmobilers away from my portable. Seriously, the manufactures recommend laying the power augers on the ice. It is easier to have it standing up when you go to grab it so you don't have to bend over. My old auger used to ice up the blade if it layed out, so I put it vertical. Most of the power heads are pretty light weight, so bending the blade shouldn't be a issue.

[This message has been edited by kslipsinker (edited 02-02-2002).]

[Ferny]

Hey Guy's A friend of mine left his Lazer in a half hole on LOW last year and melt water ran into the hole and froze it in real good.
He took the powerhead off and had to hook onto it with the truck and his strap to get it out. Needless to say the auger was wrecked. I used to do it to mark my tip-ups so they don't get run over but don't fish them much anymore. The darn lazers don't rest on the handles like the old ones did, they either fall on the hot muffler or the gas tank :-(

Ferny.

[Guest]

I saw on a bay in St. Boni a person use some tree branches for safety barrier. He only had them on 2 sides of his house but those were the only sides needing a form of safety. Didn't think it would be all that bad for the auger. Maybe if it was a 3hp or bigger?

Charles

[Guest]

There has to be a reason that every manufacturer of ice augers specifically states in the owners manual that you should never leave it in a partially drilled hole.

Paul

[hunt4food]

I have been doing this with my 3HP model 30 Jiffy since I got it 6 yeas ago. No problems yet. I am careful about the hole freezing around it though. That could be a disaster.

[Jim W]

Basstracker, I highly recommend you follow the advice of the manufacturer. I too have witnessed this practice.
I also have witnessed fellow fisherman with auger problems, probably directly related to how they store and take care of their gear.

Like any product you use, especially that costs that much, I would hope you would want it to last. Just follow instructions, take care of your gear.

Jim W

[Guest]

I think it is easier to just lay the auger down flat on the ice. I only fish in the day so I don't really need to worry about putting up a barrier protection. Why do people risk having the auger freeze into the ice?

[Guest]

I stepped in a friggen hole some genius drilled partially into the ice to keep his auger propped up in and luckily didn't get hurt this weekend. It was filled with fluffy snow and I couldn't see it. Enough said.

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Kevin Neve's Devils Lake Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/kevin-neve-guiding/
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 701-473-5411 or 701-351-4989
Minnewaukan ND

[This message has been edited by kevin neve (edited 02-04-2002).]

[Guest]

Been doing it for many years, never had a problem.