Ice fishing (Page 2): Ice spuds are about $40 Hand augers are about $50 Be prepared to drill or spud more holes so you can chase the fish back to where you started 😉 A 5’ chunk of 1”...

Jeremy Loc: America

[quote=OJdidit]Ice spuds are about $40
Hand augers are about $50
Be prepared to drill or spud more holes so you can chase the fish back to where you started 😉
A 5’ chunk of 1” rebar would work or like Gordon suggested off

Chainsaw seems best for starters

Ken Bauer Loc: Sherwood Ohio

Chain saw sounds the best since I have one that doesn’t get used often. Now I just have to get time this weekend.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

J in Cleveland wrote:

I gave you credit for Gordon's idea in my response. Your avatars are similar.🤦🏻‍♂️

I caught that J. Oj and me have the same ideas sometimes.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Gordon wrote:

I caught that J. Oj and me have the same ideas sometimes.

I’d tell either one of you it’s a compliment to be mistaken for the other. You and OJ are both super knowledgeable and willing to share! Plus unless you both really have me fooled your great guys!

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

J in Cleveland wrote:

I’d tell either one of you it’s a compliment to be mistaken for the other. You and OJ are both super knowledgeable and willing to share! Plus unless you both really have me fooled your great guys!

Billy awesome Loc: New hampshire

I would say go buy yourself a gas powered auger . For under 300.00. . You will have more time enjoying fishing . I’ve used a ice chisel and a hand job auger and it takes time and sweat . Trust me. I can drill 6 holes in maybe 20 minutes And that’s because they are spread out 20 ft. Apart

Jeremy Loc: America

Billy awesome wrote:

I would say go buy yourself a gas powered auger . For under 300.00. . You will have more time enjoying fishing . I’ve used a ice chisel and a hand job auger and it takes time and sweat . Trust me. I can drill 6 holes in maybe 20 minutes And that’s because they are spread out 20 ft. Apart

Even if a guy has a good chainsaw and new chain? Go buy 300 bux if maybe will not keep ice fishing? Isn’t that like buying a big diesel truck because you want to drive it once and use it once? Not sure if will use or need for anything more than one weekend.

Billy awesome Loc: New hampshire

One can sell the auger. I wouldn’t recommend someone to use a chainsaw. But one who is proficient with one they could make up their own mind . Just my 2 cents.I have seen firefighters prepare for ice rescue training cut a 11 ft . Triangle hole with chainsaws. These men of course are professionals

Jeremy Loc: America

Billy awesome wrote:

One can sell the auger. I wouldn’t recommend someone to use a chainsaw. But one who is proficient with one they could make up their own mind . Just my 2 cents.I have seen firefighters prepare for ice rescue training cut a 11 ft . Triangle hole with chainsaws. These men of course are professionals

Well obviously. If someone shouldn’t be using the chainsaw anyway not sure they would be safe using the auger.

He already said is interested. Going and buying everything full throttle in a hobby may not keep pursuing is like a few people I know. Filed bankruptcy and always gets upside down in everything then switch hobby careers.

The chainsaw is to avoid bankruptcy.

Ice lodges and resorts are made with chainsaws. I was digging it. I have seen fire and rescue use them as well. Nice to cut whatever size hole you want. Just don’t fall in.

Billy awesome Loc: New hampshire

Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan

You can use a hatchet but its a bit awkward.

You can buy an ice spud that is also a lifesaver when used to test ice as you walk out. I fish with 3” no probs but I want 3” of clear, not white ice.

My spud is actually a hole digger made for rock hard soil but serves the same purpose on ice. It weighs about 20lbs with a knob on the end. Got it at harbor freight for 30$. Its best to have a lanyard around your wrist so you dont spud through and lose it.

Jeremy Loc: America

Ryp Hankins wrote:

You can use a hatchet but its a bit awkward.

You can buy an ice spud that is also a lifesaver when used to test ice as you walk out. I fish with 3” no probs but I want 3” of clear, not white ice.

My spud is actually a hole digger made for rock hard soil but serves the same purpose on ice. It weighs about 20lbs with a knob on the end. Got it at harbor freight for 30$. Its best to have a lanyard around your wrist so you dont spud through and lose it.

Spud seems like one of the definite safety devices besides floatation or survival suits.

Ryp Hankins Loc: N Michigan

Jeremy wrote:

Spud seems like one of the definite safety devices besides floatation or survival suits.

Yes and soon enough when the ice is 8” you wont need it if you are familiar with the lake. Spikes are a cheap and good to have.

RedA Loc: Stow, MA

Ken Bauer wrote:

I want to try ice fishing since we now have had 2 weeks of well below freezing temps. Anyone have a good suggestion for getting hole in the ice if you don’t own an Auger? I was thinking about trying my cordless drill and making a perforated hole that I could knock out with a small hammer. Has anyone ever tried this or have a budget suggestion. Not looking to spend a ton on gear until I know if I really want to do it?

Hi Ken
A lot of good information already provided by the forum.

We look/wait for 5 inches of mixed black & white ice. 4 is enough if it is all solid black ice. At the end of last ice season, I sunk one leg in up to my hip when we were down to 4 inches mixed 😬

I fished for years chopping ice with a Cabelas spud but that is also hard work at more than 7 inches of ice. I always found the manual augers hard to use for my height & strength. But I always searched out holes that previously been cut so there was only a couple of inches of new ice.

And you should be able to find others with augers that will take mercy on you and cut a few holes for you.

And then when you decide that you like ice fishing, you can invest in a power auger. One of my buddies bought an auger head and with a good drill he can cut a dozen holes on a charge. And last year, my buddy & I split the cost of an Ion 8 inch battery auger that could cut 100 holes on a charge and is a real game changer 🎣

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

I fish early ice mainly for trout. I start at Henry's lake, Idaho. It usually freezes by mid November. Sometimes late October. I will fish on 2" , but stay shallow and keep spred out, away from others. I have a 8" and 6" Nils. I love the 6" with a 1/2" drill. But I do like those 8" Ion's. I can't stand the sound of a power auger, and I know they scare the fish in shallow water. When I first got my 8" Nils hand auger, I used to bet anyone with a power auger that I could beat them through the ice. I also use a spud when walking on to ice.