so i have a situation

[PmDavis300]

when taxes come back, i have a choice of what to buy....

either a flasher or an auger.

right now i have a hand auger and an aqua view. so what do i need more? the flasher would be great for depths and finding fish.... but the aqua view finds fish for me, and i can find depths with a depth bomb... but drilling holes is a pain.

so im kind of in a pickle. what would you buy first?

[deadeye]

I would get the power auger. If you got a camera then you can find fish, it is just hard to find them when you don't have any holes to look in...

maybe look at getting used stuff, you could probably swing both if you did it that way.

[Far-I]

I agree with deadeye. You spend too much time on unproductive holes with a hand auger only (at least I used to). A flasher is very useful, but as long as you have fish finding capabilty in any capacity, i would get the auger.

[gonefishing70]

I would get the auger to and make the flasher the next thing on your list. or as deadeye said look into used.

[PmDavis300]

hmm ok, well i could definatly see buying both for the same price, but i dont want to spend that much and get something that will break in a week. do you think its possible to get some (semi)quality used gear at the same price.

that being said, i was also thinking that maybe an auger would be best to get first seeing as i have the camera

[stifler51]

both, lol but thats cuz i hate hand auger and a vexilar will find fish 10x more then an aqua vu will (well at least in my case, water is too dirty to see more then 2 ft and in deep water forget it). If it was between the 2 and i HAD to pick id go for the auger since u can always to the group of ppl prolly get on some form of fish, plus u have an aqua vu

[basssmasher*]

i went with the auger 1st then marcum vx 1 the next yr.. More holes means quicker searching, especially if ya have a buddy w/ a flasher who can follow you as you are drilling to mark fish.. i would prefer a flasher over a camera because chances are the water may be too dirty to see with the cam anyway.. Just my 2 cents worth

[KTapper]

Buy a used fl-8 and a used auger. I know many people that are using older vexilars and they still work great.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Buying a used flasher isn't like buying a used 1972 pickup. I fish with a lot of guys, myself included until I upgraded, that fish with FL-8's that are far from new and work great.

If you have to make the choice between one or the other, though, I'd definately say go with the auger. I caught fish before I had a flasher, just not near as many. But the auger is what made me mobile and willing to move around. I've been there done that with the Mora hand auger with dull blades and 2 feet of ice. It seemed that once I had a couple holes drilled I didn't want to drill anymore. That equates to sitting and waiting instead of going search and destroy.

Keep an eye on the for sale posts. Guys upgrade their stuff regulary and sell their older stuff. It's a great place to pick up both an auger and a flasher.

[Micahmo80]

Here is another idea, coming from a guy who has never had a camera... Trade with some one. Buy your auger, I would recommend a 10" just because if you are spending the money, the extra 2" is well worth it. Then, look online and see if you can trade your camera for a flasher. Next year, buy a bigger, better camera. But that is just me. I can't live without my flasher or my power auger. Otherwise, definetly get teh auger first, especially this year, there is gonna be a lot of ice!

[harvey lee]

One could go with a use auger and a older flasher like the FL8. These flasher have been a very good unit for a long time and would serve you well.

For an auger, I would go with a 8" model as you can pull up just about any fish you want with that size. I had a 10" but it was a heavy monster to carry around punching holes and I have never had a fish I could not get through the smaller size.

If you watch the For Sale forum on Fishing MInnesota, you may be able to find a new auger and flasher in good condition for the price of 1 new unit.

If it comes down to one, I would probably go with the auger.

[caseymcq]

... but drilling holes is a pain...

I think you may have answered the question your self. I sounds like you would rather have an auger.

[NavyFishin]

AUGER!!!! I have a new hand held $50 auger and it is not fun. I do have a FL-8 but when there are no fish it doesnt matter. I am not moving. I agree with Stifler51, you will always be able to find some fish if you see the groups. Plus you can come to this HSOforum to get some good info too. If you have a power auger you can use a map, other resources, and your greatest hunting skills to go find them!

[kwohl]

Get the auger. You're not going to catch the fish if you don't want to drill the holes to find them. I've been there before. I never wanted to move after getting the first holes drilled, especially later in the season.

I also suggest the 8 inch. It's plenty big and it's never fun stepping in those 10 inch holes. Should be lighter, also.

[Traxxx]

I have all three and the two I couldn't live without would be the auger and the vex. Maybe you could sell the cam and get both.

[Captain Happy]

Get the auger with the stimulus check Obama's going to give out, and when you get your tax refund, get the vex.

[caseymcq]

Not to throw a monkey wrench in the conversation but, do you have a GPS with a lake map chip? That could be another piece of equipment you may want to buy. I know I value my H2Oc with either a Navionics or LakeMaster chip almost as much as my power auger or flasher. I would think the other two would be a bit more of a necessity than the GPS though, you can still use a map.

[caseymcq]

... If you watch the For Sale forum on Fishing MInnesota, you may be able to find a new auger and flasher in good condition for the price of 1 new unit...

That is actually some really good advice. Do more with your dollar.

[Jethro80]

I will never buy anything used again. You will get what you paid for.

[hopeforfish]

I bought a used auger from a pawn shop. Yes I have had to do some work on it but I got a 3hp jiffy for a song. The only work that I have had to do is clean it up, run some fresh gas with a clening agent in it and replace the gas cap and blades. I am very happy. Just be sure to check out what you are buying very well. My next purchase will be a flasher since I am using a green box right now, can you say old?

Hope

[croixeyes]

D-rock sells used augers that they use to drill for the brainerd ice fishing contest I think,then find a used Vex.Probably get both for under 400

[Caleb S]

Auger for sure

[kitchy]

If you fish by yourself alot I would definately go with the auger. If you fish with others that have augers then go with the flasher. It's easy to share augers but difficult to share flashers. It depends on your situation but for me the flasher was priority because I could usually find somebody else with an auger. That being said, I bought a power auger this year and I am on the ice way more than I used to be. I am now free from relying on others for the tools to get the job done.

As a side-note, I picked up one of those refurbed Strikemasters they used for fishing contests and have been very happy with it. It's like new, carries a full warranty and was over $100 off list.

[Flakeoutdoorsguy]

I have all three also and couldnt agree with traxxx more!The two that are always with me no matter what is the vex and the strikemaster. I only puts around with the camera on boring days which isnt to frequently.Also you cant use it in alot of lakes because of clarity and they dont work great at night. sell the camera or go in on a trade for a vex. fl-8 is ol faithful. if your camera is nicer then try for a step up like a fl-12 or fl-18. and when it comes to augers i would go with a 10 inch hole. you may not get the fish of a lifetime for years but the fish of a lifetime only happens once in a lifetime. dont take the chance.

[Esox_Magnum]

Never seen a fish yet that wont come up an 8" hole. I would have the auger first, as mentioned you can't find anything if you can't punch holes. Watch the classifieds and you can pick up a used 1 to start with and can always upgrade later. Same with a Vex, look around you can find a FL-8 or last years Marcum VX1 for under $200. Nothing wrong with with buying used, just be sure what you are getting.