Auger Dilemma

[DarkAisling]

I've got a bit of a dilemma, but as I've never used an auger before I need the advice of those who are experienced with them.

I would like to purchase an auger. Ideally, I would like a gas powered auger. That seems a little excessive right now, though.

Is there anywhere in Calgary that rents out well maintained gas powered ice augers?

Barring that, how easy is it to use a manual auger with a drill? Does it require a lot of downward force and/or strength?

Despite that fact that I'm tall, I'm not particularly strong. Add arthritis and injury to that, and making a hole in ice could be a real challenge.

[calgarygringo]

I don't know about rentals but a power auger is the way to go. It is not too bad this time of year but wait until the end when the ice is 3 feet thick and do your hand drilling. Ask the guys on the board that were hand augering beside us last week and were out of breath and tired out. It was nice when we just came over and a few seconds later they were fishing. Look for a used one on the board or try Kijiji, you may find something there for less.

[Oilberta]

I use a manual auger all the time. The thing to remember is that the smaller the auger the easier it is to make the hole. I use a 6 inch and find it very easy to use. Also I can still pull a very big fish through the hole. It doesn't take much force to drill the hole and it goes fairly fast.

But I fish mostly Spray lake, and I find I don't usually drill more than 6 holes in a day. If you fish somewhere where you drill significantly more holes I would go with a gas auger. I don't know if you can rent one but I would call the U of Calgary they have alot of outdoor equipment for rent.

[hockey1099]

id recommend buying a power auger. unless you have a $600 cordless drill your not going to have alot of luck drilling holes with it. Even then i hear the batteries die quick. Costco has them at $329.00 for an 8" eskimo (mako model). I have one and it works great.


this my first year on the ice and it got a little expensive at first but in the future it will cost almost nothing if you buy quality stuff in the begining

[allenford]

went to costco last night, Eskimo Mako 8 inch, $299

[omega50]

Maybe you could swing by PCR on a weekend and look for AO guys see if someone would let you try both a powerauger and a manual auger and then you would know what you can manage without 2 much pain.

[slingshotz]

I spent the entire season last year using a foldable 6" Finbore hand auger. If you keep the blades sharp, you don't need any downward pressure as the auger wants to pull down through the ice (it's actually bad to push down on the Finbores). I drilled through 3 feet of ice pretty fast but the only issue was when I wanted to move around a lot as it did get tiring drilling 10+ holes. I pulled some big fish through the 6" hole so it was never an issue.

This year I'm investing in an Icegator with a 8" Nils auger. I have the 8" hand auger already and it's awesome, a little more work than the 6" but boy do the blades cut through the ice.

[Cal]

Tell me how great that mako is at the end of next year, or after you need parts and find out there are exactly two places that cary them, One in Minisota and one in Winnipeg. Mine worked ok untill just after the warenty ran out, then I needed a carb rebuild kit and had to wait a month for it to get here. Personaly unless I was looking at a stihl or huskey auger I would not buy one this year. With tecumsi going under everyone is using a new and unproven motors that are likely going to be hard to get parts for. Had enough of that with my eskimo, wait till someone figures out how to make their engines work properly. Hand augers do require a bit of energy in the late season but I'd rather spend my energy drilling holes than yanking a starter cord and cursing.

[Dougie55]

I had to get rid of my power auger last year, and won't do enough winter fishing anymore to justify a new one. As far as the drill attachment to a hand auger, maybe it makes a difference in which attachment you have. I have a 19.2 V Craftsman and an 18V Crappy Tire drill, and have had NO troubles so far, but that is only through about 12 inches of ice so far. Drilled 8 holes the other day on one battery, so not as bad as some say. Depends on how much you will fish in my mind, as to whether you need a power auger. A lot of money if you are only out a few times a winter.

[fourty12]

Here is my 2 cents worth. I am always trying new lakes and therefore moving around a lot. A power auger makes for a much more enjoyable day. If I was only going to drill a few holes (Max 10) I could get away with my manual auger. I'm just lucky that my 2 main fishing buddies have gas augers!

[Paul C]

Originally Posted by DarkAisling

I've got a bit of a dilemma, but as I've never used an auger before I need the advice of those who are experienced with them.

I would like to purchase an auger. Ideally, I would like a gas powered auger. That seems a little excessive right now, though.

Is there anywhere in Calgary that rents out well maintained gas powered ice augers?

Barring that, how easy is it to use a manual auger with a drill? Does it require a lot of downward force and/or strength?

Despite that fact that I'm tall, I'm not particularly strong. Add arthritis and injury to that, and making a hole in ice could be a real challenge.

I have been fishing since the age of 10 and I think you are better off with a manual one. The auger I own folds in half for travel. I usually pay some on the thick ice to do it for me. Sometimes its beer. Ask for help and most people are happy to do so.
Cheers

[fishunter77]

Had mine from Costco for over a year now. I have drilled over 200 holes and it still works great. Pretty inexpensive and a good entry level power auger.

If you have any problems they will take it back. Great warranty.

Tight lines!!!

[chezandy]

ive got a 3 HP STIKEMASTER TRIPPLE BLADE 8" for sale 300 bucks i bought itlast year for my dad to much hp for him comes with a strike master bag/carring case i live in edmonton first one takes it call me or send me a message 780 699 9373

[chezandy]

or tnafab@gmail.com