The Bug House Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I've been using a chip bar the last few seasons when ice fishing. I get a 4"- 6" hole in about the same time and with the about the same effort, even in 20"+ of ice. I always seemed to dull the blades on my auger very quickly. Anyone else use a bar instead of an auger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I usually always use the auger, except for inside the shack to cut the 36x24" hole and the 18x18" hole. Other than that, it's auger time. Have a 10" gas auger and also a 6" hand auger. We usually see nearly 40" of ice on an average winter. So if you only had a chisel you'd be there til midnight cutting a hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted December 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 OOF! 40" on average..wow! I can only remeber twice having more than three feet (aboot a meter eh?) on 'my' lake. I've never owned a gas auger, but I used one before..sure is quick! I'm usually moving around a bit and don't set up a bob house. What do you use the large holes for, jigging? BTW - I looked on google maps where your camp is...I spent some time up there in cottage country a few years ago. Stayed in Huntsville for a few days before paddling around Algonquin PP for 2 weeks. We hit up a couple of small ponds around the park in the few days before we went in, I've never seen smallmouth like I did there! This was in late July, they were voracious! the lakies on the otherhand, were nowhere to be found:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I've been using a chip bar the last few seasons when ice fishing. I get a 4"- 6" hole in about the same time and with the about the same effort, even in 20"+ of ice. I always seemed to dull the blades on my auger very quickly. Anyone else use a bar instead of an auger? You must be using a really dull auger because there is no way you could spud a hole in the same amount of time as my hand or gas auger. Second, when I set out tip-ups I am allowed to set-up 5 of them. Then 5 for each kid. Now I am up to 15 holes. I cannot spudding 5 holes let alone 15. Go buy some new blades for your auger or get them sharpened. When you are making holes avoid hitting the bottom of the lake and keep the blades covered with a plastic cover when you are not using it. That will keep them sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 OOF! 40" on average..wow! I can only remeber twice having more than three feet (aboot a meter eh?) on 'my' lake. I've never owned a gas auger, but I used one before..sure is quick! I'm usually moving around a bit and don't set up a bob house. What do you use the large holes for, jigging? BTW - I looked on google maps where your camp is...I spent some time up there in cottage country a few years ago. Stayed in Huntsville for a few days before paddling around Algonquin PP for 2 weeks. We hit up a couple of small ponds around the park in the few days before we went in, I've never seen smallmouth like I did there! This was in late July, they were voracious! the lakies on the otherhand, were nowhere to be found:( The large holes are in the shack, in our shack on the river we set pike lines in them and also jig for whitefish if they're in the area. They're usually cut full size all the time. The water is clear so you can see the fish come in and take the minnow, or jig. Sometimes we'll have the big minnow set and jig beside it in the same hole. In our other shack on the river we don't usually cut them out full size. It's almost impossible to see bottom with the water clarity, and we're only jigging for walleyes. Yes the ice can get pretty thick up here, last year wasn't quite that thick, we hit 32" or so. Usually by February you're nearly or literally on your knees boring a hole with the auger. Glad you enjoyed this area. I live just outside of Ottawa but spend a lot of time up at my grandma's in Golden Lake. From there it's about an hour and a half from Huntsville. If you took Highway 60 east from Huntsville through the park you'd run right into it. The smallies are psycho up here mid-late summer! I have friends from Indiana that have been coming up for more than 20 years to do just that for a week straight, battle smallmouth on Golden Lake. Here's one my cousin caught, almost tipped the scales at 6lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisconsinboy Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 gotta go with a power auger. the new Jiffy pro4 propane is outstanding!! awesome piece of equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I use and own a 5" and a 6" Lazer hand augers. That said, I also use a Hitachi 18 volt drill attached to them. I'll race any power auger on the lake and beat them every time. I can get about 20 holes in 20-22" of ice on one battery. I have an extra as I move constantly. Always use the blade guards and you keep them sharp longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gzilla45 Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I use and own a 5" and a 6" Lazer hand augers. That said, I also use a Hitachi 18 volt drill attached to them. I'll race any power auger on the lake and beat them every time. I can get about 20 holes in 20-22" of ice on one battery. I have an extra as I move constantly. Always use the blade guards and you keep them sharp longer. This has me intrigued. My dad just bought a 5" Lazer and now I want to hook the thing up to my drill. It would be a heck of a lot lighter than hauling the old Jiffy out everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted December 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 I just have a cheapo hand auger I bought about 15 years ago during the summer at a sporting good store for $20 or so. It seemed to hold up fine for a few years with just an end of the season sharpening. A couple of years ago I could only get about 10 holes before it was completely useless. Someone mentioned that if the center point is not straight and sharp, it won't cut either. I think that may be the case with mine. Being as cheap...err...frugal as I am, I knew there was an old spud bar laying around the camp. I sharpened up the blade and put some new line through the T piece and gave it a try. It works remarkably well for me. It probably weighs about 8lbs or so, and I've gotten through 24"+ of ice with not much problem at all. You can always tell were I've been by the square holes...lol! It also fits just perfectly in my sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted December 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 .........Here's one my cousin caught, almost tipped the scales at 6lbs.......... . . . . . . (I'm speechless) !) :tt1::jaw: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 I also use a Hitachi 18 volt drill attached to them. I'll race any power auger on the lake and beat them every time. I can get about 20 holes in 20-22" of ice on one battery. I have an extra as I move constantly. Always use the blade guards and you keep them sharp longer. Yeah but that is probably a 4" hole isnt it? Put an 8 incher on there and we will see if you can keep up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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