A Simple Guide to Ice Fishing Augers

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To fish out on the ice, one must first punch through the frosty layers of frozen water to create a watering hole suitable for fishing. For the unexperienced ice fisherman, this may seem like a secondary task, but the fact of the matter is that your ice fishing excursion can be cut short or cut off if one chooses the wrong ice auger or foregoes one altogether!

Ice augers are built nowadays to reduce the effort it takes for one to open up a hole on the ice, and with the need for multiple fishing holes for a better chance of catching fish, the need for a well-built and aptly-suited auger is of utmost priority. Couple that with the fact that the wrong auger can postpone your trip indefinitely, then one may realize the true value of selecting the right ice fishing auger.

There are several types of ice augers on the market today, and furthermore, there are many details within those categories in need of close inspection. Also, your accessories that you choose for your ice fishing trip (such as tip ups) can influence your auger selection as well. With over 20,000 fishing items in our inventory, Outdoor Shopping has the most extensive lineup of fishing equipment online today! Shop our inventory of ice augers at Outdoor Shopping.

Types

There are three basic types of augers to choose from, and depending on the type you ultimately settle upon, you’ll need to navigate the pros and cons held therein. Your style of fishing, fitness level, willingness to pay a little more or less, and ice thickness will all factor into your ultimate decision.

Manual

Also known as a hand auger, these are the most commonly used but also require the most amount of physical strength to operate, as they’re solely reliant on the operator’s fitness to get the job done. New blade designs and handles have made the job easier for modern-day ice fishermen using manual augers, but at the end of the day, you still will need to be reasonably fit (or more so if you’re drilling through 12-18” or more of ice) to get the job done. Keep in mind that if you want a larger hole, you’ll have to work harder with a manual auger to achieve the same results as you would when drilling a smaller diameter hole.

The most common size for hand augers is the 6-inch blade, but they are available in 4-inch and 8-inch models. Consider the average depth of ice in your area as well as the desired hole size, as the combination of both will have a significant impact on the number of holes you’ll be willing to drill.

Gas

Drilling is made quicker and with less effort than a manual auger when supplemented with gas power. Because of the extra parts and fuel, these tend to be a bit heavier but are well-suited for those who want to cut through thick ice like butter.

Two-cycle motors have been the traditional choice for gas-powered augers, but oil residue collecting on the muffler and the user bumped up the demand for four-cycle counterparts. Four-cycle motors allow for the user to not have to mix the gas and oil, and they burn cleaner, start easier, and run smoother.While these units cost a little more than two-cycle augers, a user with a bigger wallet and more ice fishing trips may find that the cost is worth it.

Electric

With the power of a four-stroke gas-powered auger but in a lighter, more environmentally-friendly package, electric motors are the prime middle-of-the-road choice when it comes to ice fishing augers. These models are not as noisy as gas-powered models and don’t release the same fumes or spurt the same oil that you’d get with counterparts.

Electric augers are powered by onboard rechargeable batteries, but an auxiliary 12-volt battery can be used to extend your drilling time. This unit has similar speed and power with a 40 to 1 gear ratio. Choose from three bit sizes of 5-, 6- and 7-inches. Drilling depth is also similar, with a 42" length.

Blades

Many ice fishermen may find themselves having an easier time choosing the type of auger they’ll need than choosing the blade size they’ll need for their auger! Bits can come with several different types of blades:

• Single

• Two

• Four

• Serrated

• Pivot-Tip Center Blade

• Power-Point Center Blade

While one can logically guess that four blades are better than one, serrated blades are relatively new but are known to hack through the ice faster than their standard counterparts. Pivot-tip and power-point center blades bite into the surface and prevent the blade from wobbling around on the ice. The result is a quicker latch onto the ice and less work to keep the blades from wobbling.

Next, you’ll need to choose the right size blade for the job. This is typically dependent on the species you’re targeting, and 10” sizes are widely available and are likely to tackle just about any job you’ll come across. For those hunting panfish, a 4 1/2 or 6-inch auger is likely sufficient. If your goal is to chase panfish and walleye, then you may want to bump up to a 6 or 8-inch size. For manual augers, remember that larger sizes require more work, so try to stay with 8” blades or smaller if you’re opting for a manual type.

Accessories

Remember to shop for a few accessories to round out your auger-purchasing experience. While none of these are necessarily required, they can extend the longevity of your auger:

• Oil: Adding a coat of oil to the blades can prevent rust

• Dry Towel: Always dry your blades after use.

• Blade Guard: Keeping the guard on can reduce safety hazards and ensure your blades stay sharp.

• Auger Hauler: This makes it easier to haul an auger, has a storage compartment for tools and spark plugs, protects anything that might come into contact with the motor or blade, and it keeps your auger from getting scratched or damaged during transport.

• Ice Cleats: To keep you firmly planted on the ice when drilling your holes.

• Extension Handle: For manual augers, an extension handle can help when you’re drilling through thicker ice.

With over 20,000 fishing items in our inventory, Outdoor Shopping has the most extensive lineup of fishing equipment online today! Shop our inventory of ice augers at Outdoor Shopping.