As winter comes, many fishermen go to frozen lakes and rivers to drill their way through the ice in order to catch fish. Those who enjoy ice fishing should get a high-quality hand auger.
Ice augers are now available in every form, style, and size conceivable. For those who are new to the sport, the variety of varieties might be confusing.
This article will assist you in determining your requirements. We will go over all of the things that should be considered when purchasing a Nisus hand auger and recommend some good aguers.
Consideration when picking a ice auger
Weight
Without a question, ice fishing necessitates movement. As a result, it is evident that they must bring the hand auger with them. Consider the weight of a hand auger before purchasing one. A hand auger should not be so hefty that it burdens the angler. Make sure you use a lightweight and portable hand auger. Buran, Iceberg, Classic, and Tornado ice augers are developed specifically for fisherman who must travel. Nisus augers not only weigh less, but they are also incredibly portable.
Circumference and depth
The depth, which is connected to the thickness of the frozen layer, is a significant element. The auger should be able to drill a deeper hole if the layer is too thick. Iceberg Siberia ice augers can drill through 63″ thick ice, making them indispensable in extremely cold climates. If the ice is thinner, the hole will be shallower, and the auger should be chosen appropriately. Iceberg Mini or Classic ice augers are ideal for working with thin ice. Furthermore, NISUS manufactures Tornado and iceberg auger blades ranging in size from four to seven inches. The diameter of the hole drilled in the ice is determined by the blade size.
If you’re looking for tiny fish, a hole with a short circle would serve. An auger with a blade size of five or six inches is usually sufficient.
Height
The appropriate height is determined by the angler’s height as well as the planned depth of the hole to be drilled. The Tornado, Buran, and Iceberg augers may be utilized by a large number of persons because to their changeable height. This implies that the NISUS augers can drill holes of varying depths. As a result, whether the ice on the surface is thin or thick, you can easily select an auger and drill the hole as required.
Electric augers are becoming the industry standard. Several manufacturers provide purpose-built electric-powered augers that slice through ice. Do you have a good electric drill for home improvement projects? Simply purchase an auger attachment and hit the ice. While electric power appears to be the newest craze, many individuals still use gas and propane-powered augers. Even hand augers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Hand augers are simple and straightforward to operate. They are people-powered, which eliminates the need for gasoline or battery charging. They are lightweight and require little care other than replacing the blades every now and again. Hand augers, according to Marshall, have several advantages.
Recommendations when picking an ice auger
Electric augers are becoming the industry standard. Several manufacturers provide purpose-built electric-powered augers that slice through ice. Do you have a good electric drill for home improvement projects? Simply purchase an auger attachment and hit the ice. While electric power appears to be the newest craze, many individuals still use gas and propane-powered augers. Even hand augers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Augers for Hand
Hand augers are simple and straightforward to operate. They are people-powered, which eliminates the need for gasoline or battery charging. They are lightweight and require little care other than replacing the blades every now and again. Hand augers, according to Marshall, have several advantages.
“It all starts with the pricing. These aren’t your grandfather’s hand augers. We all grew up with them, and it was hard labor. These are razor-sharp and well tuned. They pack up tiny and don’t take up much space in your sled.”
While the cost of entry is modest and technology has improved hand augers, they may be exhausting to operate when compared to power augers, especially when the ice becomes thick. However, in the early stages of ice, hand augers might be an excellent choice.
Augers for Gas and Propane
Electric augers were not available a decade ago. When shopping for an auger, you had three options: manual, gas, or propane. Depending on how you fish, gas and propane augers may still be the best choice if you want the most power.
“The ability to refuel on the ice is a significant advantage in this area.” With a hand auger, you run out of fuel when you get weary. Electric augers are powered by batteries. You can buy several batteries, but they come at a cost. “This is where your fishing style will come into play when selecting an auger,” Marshall explained.
If you’re fishing in familiar waters, you might only need to drill a few holes to reach the fish you’re after. You may know why they desire to be where they are. However, if you often visit lakes that you are unfamiliar with, you may need to drill hundreds of holes. The number of holes you can drill with a gas or propane auger is only limited by the amount of fuel you bring out on the ice.
The main drawbacks of gas and propane augers are their weight and odors. These augers often weigh more than 30 pounds, while propane augers are slightly lighter than gas augers. Gas-powered augers produce more odors than propane-powered augers, although both are detectable, particularly when fishing inside a hardhouse. Propane augers do not require fuel mixing like gas augers, but you will need a propane source when on the ice.
Augers for Drill Bits
Auger drill bits are becoming increasingly common. If you already own a good drill for home improvement jobs, drill bit augers might be a more cost-effective option than purchasing an electric or gas auger. According to Marshall, the benefits are numerous.
“Drill bit augers have been one of the most popular auger trends.” You gain the advantages of electricity. There will be no fumes if you drill inside a hut or a wheelhouse. No combining (of fuel). This removes a step from the process of going fishing. I don’t need to get petrol. I’m not required to mix it. I don’t have to be concerned about fumes. The main advantage of them is their light weight. The Eskimo Drill Bit is four pounds in weight. It weighs seven pounds once you drill it. In comparison, a motorized auger weighs 34 pounds.”
Portability is another feature that hardhouse fishermen would appreciate. At the end of the day, you can easily remove the auger from your drill and put it beneath a sofa or in your hardhouse’s closet. All you have to do is bring your drill home to charge it. With less clutter, it makes getting on and off the rink simpler.
There are a few things to remember.
- If you don’t already have a high-quality drill, purchasing one and combining it with the cost of the auger raises the price of this arrangement to the level of a purpose-built electric or fuel-powered auger.
- If you’re planning a large home improvement job, you can easily justify the cost. If not, you might want to look at a different auger. Many ice fishers have used the same drill for years, but construction drills are built for building projects, and the wear and tear of an ice season can limit their average life expectancy.
Augers powered by electricity
Electric augers are no longer a passing novelty. The majority of power augers on the market today are electric augers. Their usability is unparalleled. You are not required to blend gas. You don’t have to pull a rope to get them started. They chop ice by just pressing a button. The reverse function on ION Ice Augers allows the operator to flush slush back down the hole. Many ION owners no longer clean their holes with an ice scoop.
Weight is another significant factor to consider. The new ION G2 Auger for 2019 weights under 17 pounds. “It’s the lightest, quickest, and longest-lasting electric auger on the market,” Marshall explained. Even older electric auger types are more than ten pounds lighter than a conventional gas auger.
The most significant advantage of electric augers for wheelhouse fisherman is arguably their cleanliness. There are no exhaust emissions or gas odors. You may leave the auger in the house while fishing without worrying about gas seeping on the floor or elsewhere.
When looking into electric augers, there are a few things to consider. All of the benefits of electricity come at a cost. Electric augers are not cheap. ION augers range in price from $449 to $749 for the latest G2 model. If you wish to pair your auger with an extra battery for increased drilling capability, you may pay roughly $150 more, however bundle deals with cheaper price for the second battery are occasionally available. In any case, it’s a hefty investment.
If you run out of gas when using a gas auger, all you have to do is add more. You’re done drilling holes for the day when your electric auger’s batteries run out.
Marshall advises taking a close look at your fishing technique before purchasing a new auger. “ The typical ION is powered by a three amp hour battery. It will provide you with 1,000 inches of ice per charge. That is most likely where 80 percent of fisherman should be. The ION X is powered by a 5 amp hour battery. On the 8-inch model, it translates to 1,600 inches of ice each charge. The new G2 is powered by a single-cell lithium with a capacity of 6 amp hours. That will provide you 2,000 inches of ice on a single charge.
If you’re a wheelhouse person who can drill 8 holes inside and 2 holes outside for tipups, a thousand inches of ice should enough. These are the questions you should ask yourself before making a purchase. What auger is best for me? What is my fishing style? Then you may work backwards to get the best auger for your needs.”
Conclusion
You must pick a hole size before using a hand-powered, gas, propane, or electric auger. If you intend to pursue large fish, a 10″ auger may be in your future. However, larger isn’t necessarily better. Smaller holes may be quite useful when fishing with children. Nothing like a chilly juvenile on the ice, and wider holes are simpler to slide a leg down. The most significant advantage of a smaller auger is energy savings for both the auger and the operator. Marshall claims that larger holes require more effort to open. “It makes no difference whether it’s a hand auger, a drill auger, a power auger, or an electric auger.
When you increase the diameter by two inches, you move 60% more material.”
Every ice auger has benefits and cons. The easiest method to find the correct auger for you is to first figure out how you fish.
If you want to learn more about ice fishing baits, please click here.