CTFishTalk.com: Power Auger Advice - Connecticut Ice Fishing ( CT Ice Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Fish On! · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Northeast, CT

With the up coming ice season coming I was thinking about investing in a power auger. I was just wondering about other people’s experiences with them to help me make a wise purchase.

So far I’ve only decided that I would like one with a dual blade set-up. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

Pauleye · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 129

If you ice fishing A LOT then a power augur such as a Strikemaster or Nils Master is worth it. If you fish less than A LOT the I think buying 2 nils master hand augers is a better investment. Get the 6" and 8". I have a 6" nils hand and an 8" nils power auger and I ice fish CT. Although I like the power auger when the ice is at it's thickest, I never felt like it was "a must have." The hand auger cuts through the same thickness with ease. The gas auger enables you to drill holes at will so the ice looks like swiss cheese.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Pauleye - Now THAT's a piece of well-given advice. I may never buy an augur, but have always thought that gas augurs must be for wussies. A little bit of exertion would keep you warm on the ice, anyway.
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AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

I have a Jiffy 30 gas auger with a 12 inch blade. i have it because i used to live in minnesota. there is no real need for a gas auger in CT.
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pepperdawg · Joined: 16 Jan 2010 Posts: 45 Location: North-Central CT

Second the Jiffy - always used until last season....when my buddie and I went halfsie on an elecetric/cordless one....I was skeptical, but it popped 12 holes in 10" ice without issue and LED still showed green.....we'll see how it holds up this year...
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Fish On! · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Northeast, CT

Pauleye, i hear your point and do agree with you. I think I'm excited for this season and just want to buy a new toy, I remember the end of last season when I had to hand drill through 14 inches of ice and all I could think about was having a power auger.

tav1 · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Location: central ct.

i'll agree with fish on.... yea i'll agree minn. does have some thick ice , what are you getting 20" at a min. ? but ct. does get (in a good year) between 12" - 15" of ice on some northern lakes and useing a hand auger with that thickness really sucks. so having a decent 6-8" gas auger is is a plus.
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tav1 · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 47 Location: central ct.

going back to peco..... you said gas augers are for wussies....lol . if you have 12" of black ice just try and cut thru that with an hand auger....man thats a bitch,
ya you'll keep warm for sure and after cutting about a dozen holes you'll be asking a friend to borrow his. ( on a freindly note tho )
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SFC TAVALOZZI UNITED STATES ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

catch and release...#1 priority

we all live down stream once in a while and walking on water is a rush.

AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

Tav i agree with you on the 12-15 inches with a hand auger sucks
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Flipper · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 347 Location: Enfield

It's not about being a wus or how thick the ice is----It's about time! I personally would rather be fishing than hand drilling holes. Also, what if you want to move? Then you have to hand drill another 5 holes. I'd rather spend the money on a gas one so I have more time to fish.
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