8 inch or 10 inch

[Dave S]

especially when you have a transducer in the hole.

I got into the habit of drilling a second hole next to the first just for the transducer. That way, when you get the fish of a lifetime on, you're not fumbling around trying to get your 'ducer out of the way.

Not only that, with the augers these days, it's nothing to cut extra holes.

[Phred52]

pdk511, Let's face it, unless you're fishing sturgeon or spearing, an 8" is gonna be MORE than enough! If (in Minnesota) you can't pull it up an 8" hole, you ain't gonna brag about it anyway. Some will tell you that you NEED a 10", Ask how many times they've REALLY NEEDED a 10" hole. For your "normal" panfish, Wally, and snotrocket fishing, an 8" is fine, a 6" will do and you'll cut a BUNCH more holes with it. Personally, I have a 13.75" Crappie that came up a 5" and so far, a 25.5" Walter through the same size hole. Don't let'em fill you with shineola, Bigger ISN'T always better. Phred52

[pdk511]

yea, i think im gonna go with the 8 inch. that would prolly be easier on the engine to.

[Jesse Drummer]

i would just own both!

[Phred52]

Yep, I do. A 5" and a 8" that fit the same powerhead. Works slick! Early, lotsa holes, runnin' and gunnin' 5". Later, in the perm, 8". Takes all the guesswork out of it!! Phred52

[deadeye]

I have never had a fish that won't go through a six inch hole, much less a 8 inch hole. I have a 6" lazer hand auger and a 8" lazer power auger. Like said above its nice to drill a second hole for the transducer so you dont have to fumble with it when u got a big one on. If i ever get a fish on that wont fit through a 8" hole then it deserves to get away.

[hunter101]

ive used a 6' hand auger for years, unfortunatly ive never caught a fish that wouldnt fit through the hole. My son has an 8" hand augar i dont see the need to go bigger then that

just im $.02

[HaRdWaTeR jUnKy]

have two 8 inchers, one hand lazer mag for early ice(nice and light when pulling the yukon out and takes up less room use it when im cutting through 4"-8" of ice) have a gas lazer mag for any ice thicker than 8"! unless im doing some early season scouting and popping a ton of holes the gas auger stays home until my forearms tell me theres enough ice to bring the big boy out...

[Toot]

I have a 10" because I stole it for $50. humm... Maybe after reading this thread it wasn't such a steal after all... I still like the bigger whole anyway.

[Vex Guy]

8" holes are perfect for any fishing situation. Larger 10" holes you will loose more fish in because the fish can wiggle around more. Kids legs also find there way down the larger 10".

[Maverick]

Originally Posted By: Maverick1951

The area of a circle is calculated by multipling Pi (3.14) times the radius of the circle squared. A 10 inch auger has 78.5 square inches of surface 3.14 X 5 X 5. An 8 inch is 50.25. A six inch is 26.26. Now without getting to far over my head, it would seem that the most logical size would be the smallest that will get the job done for you. The 10 inch is cutting almost three times the ice as the 6 inch. That's a lot of slush unless you plan on pulling out a fish with a girth of more than 19" (6 inch auger) 25" (8 inch auger)or 31.4" (10 inch auger.

You could also use the formula my Uncle Jack used when buying shoes. He always said he wore a 10, but 11 felt so good he bought 12's.

Dang Maverick, that's too much thinking for a Saturday night!!n Good info for sure though.

Sandmannd,

Thanks Sandmannd. I didn't want to appear Poindexter like, but most guys don't think about these things. I am cursed, though.

Mav

[JSK76]

I just went from a 8" to a 10" this year and would never go back. I fish in a wheel house mostly and cover my holes at night with the foam seat cushions. I drilled my holes over a week ago and yesterday the holes on one side of the house are starting to get smaller but very fishable more like a 8" now.

It's also nice for sight fishing for trout.

The 10" drills just as fast as my 8" did. the only drawback I can see is a bit more weight but it's worth it. Now when I see a 8" hole it seems so small. I can see if you had young kids I would go with an 8".

[Neighbor_guy]

I like the 8. Haven't seen anything I can't get out of the 8 inch hole and your foot won't fit down it. I've fell into 10 inch holes others left behind and I worry about kids out there with those size holes. That's my personal prefference anyway.

This is the way I feel about it as well. In the porty with my little girl I will run 6"ers. I went threw a 10" hole to the arm pits as a kid and she is MUCH slimmer than I was.

I use an 8" power auger and have a 6" hand auger. I use them both alot and honestly prefer the 6" when fishing panfish and the 8" for everything else.

[whitetailfreak]

i like 10", i just like the little extra room, havnt seen a fish not fit through an 8" hole before, so i would fish out of both. i really like the strikemaster lite. so im starting to lean towards the 8".

[dougger222]

Run 6 Lazer bottom from 6-10 inches and like the 7's the best for all around use.

When tip up fishing for big pike is the only time the 10 inch gets pulled out.

I like to move around a lot and the 7in is just light enough to drill a ton of holes with.

The only problem with the 7 inch is it's a tough size to get blades in at most stores.

[dougger222]

I have had both 8 inch and 10 inch. I enjoy fishing out of a 10 inch hole alot more. especially when you have a transducer in the hole.

My New Eskimo Z71 10" I bet will cut faster then anybodys 8 inch.

Not a Nils!

[Bulldoggr]

I have never had a fish that won't go through a six inch hole, much less a 8 inch hole. I have a 6" lazer hand auger and a 8" lazer power auger. Like said above its nice to drill a second hole for the transducer so you dont have to fumble with it when u got a big one on. If i ever get a fish on that wont fit through a 8" hole then it deserves to get away.

I'm thinking you never caught a real big fish... Let me explain, this is a true story. Up on Mil lacs about 15 years ago. My Buddy caught this northern. He was using 8" holes. They could not get the fish up thru the hole. All he could get was the head. He ws worried that he was gonna lose the fish so he took and put a chopper mitt on and put his hand in the northerns mouth. He has the scars to prove this. One of the other guys with him had a hand saw in his truck. while another guy drilled another hole close to the hole My Buddy was trying to hang onto the fish in. They eventually got the fish out. A full body graphite was made of it. I understand he was offered a graphite of the fish if he agreed to let the taxidermist use the fish to make the Mold. ( this is what I was told) I am also to understand that this guy uses this same mold for Doing Muskies.

Bottom line really is, is the fact of what you prefer. I myself have had both 8" and 10" Even when i was a Kid My Dad had one of those old 6" Spoon augers. I to this day only use my 10"

As far as kids stepping into them or Adults. A kid will step into an 8" or 6" just as ezily. I know back in the late 60's and early 70's when i was a kid i had stepped into a few. But Guess what. i learn to mind my surroundings and can't recall ever stepping into one of my or someone elses 10" holes as an Adult. I may step in one in the future. But if i do it's my own Fault.

I use a flip over style house. I prefer not to have to drill an extra hole for my transducer. the only Time i ever drill an extra hole for my transducer is if i am river fishing.

I do know this. I have lost Crappies at the Hole cause i could not get them thru the hole. it may have been a 6" hole i don't recall. it was back when i was a Kid. I do know this I have yet not been able to fit a big fish or tiny fish thru my 10" hole. I can't say the same for the 8" or the 6".

[Whitefishnetter]

I like the bigger hole on upper red lake when the ice is over 30 inches in March and I finally find one of those big Crappies