I planning to pick up an ice auger for next season.

Would you go with an 8" or a 10" blade?

big price difference? or no>?

Hi Raven,

It's only a $70 price difference.

Power or standard? If standard, the smaller the hole, the easier it is to drill that hole.

I've been using a 6" standard pretty much all season and it has been fine for most fishing. If you are targeting tiger musky you may want a 10.....
But I've found that to be overkill.

I'd go with an 8 and you will probably be happy.
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If you are going to spend the money. Go with the ION. That thing is the bizalls

Before buying an auger, think of what you will be fishing for, where you will be fishing and how you will be transporting it.

A power auger is nice, but can take up space in your seld and can be bulky to haul around. I have one, and I do use it, but it is a hassle to haul around.
hand augers are fine, but when you have to cut through thick ice, it is hard to cut one hole at a time (with a rest period in between) every 15 minutes. I have deliberately used my hand augers the past two weeks on some very thick ice.

Now a hand auger WILL cut thick ice with no problems, well only one....clearing the shavings from the hole.

I was cutting 6" holes in 24"+ in southern NH and 8" holes in 30"+ ice in the lakes region. I can cut a hole in less than 20 seconds, but will spend more than a minute clearing the shavings from the hole after that.

I can't speak for the propane or eletric augers, but they do have merit, and maybe some who have /use them can chime in.

the bottom line is do a little research before buying so that you are getting the best auger for YOUR needs.

Good luck!

I have a 10" Jiffy Auger. It works great. Only issue is it is heavy. I have resorted to using 2 sleds. Homemade for tilts, bait rigging and a jet sled for auger cooler chairs. If you typically have long walks I would go with the 8". If gear transportation is not an issue, snowmobile, 4 wheeler than go 10". IMO

If you are going to go with a standard auger, spend the extra money and go with a Nils.....unbelievable how this auger cuts through ice
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I can't speak for the propane or eletric augers, but they do have merit, and maybe some who have /use them can chime in.Good luck!

got to use a propane jiffy on Champlain one of the guys had. Thing was awesome, one crank start, and pretty light, used one of those small Coleman grill sized propane cans

got to use a propane jiffy on Champlain one of the guys had. Thing was awesome, one crank start, and pretty light, used one of those small Coleman grill sized propane cans

it started with one pull after sitting all summer and an accident( just before champlain it flew out of an open truck bed into oncoming traffic. he had to replace the bit but the power head was fine) pricey, but no gas mix is nice and it sure was reliable. some people say that the tanks freeze which i've seen on grills but this never has and it sat in subartic temps overnight on champ

Thank you all for your much, much appreciated feedback.

I am pulling a sled. I do not have an ATV....yet! :-(

I am targeting bass and trout primarily.

A nice manual auger would work for me, but I am looking to do some "ice trolling". I need to make holes fast. ;-)

I am 99.9% sure that I will go with am 8" Jiffy PRO4 Lite, which is 18% lighter than the original Jiffy PRO4.

THANK YOU AGAIN. You guys rock!!

Tight lines.

A nice manual auger would work for me, but I am looking to do some "ice trolling". I need to make holes fast. ;-)


I can drill holes faster with my Nils standard than someone using my Strikemaster Mag 2000.....Just ask Matt :hee:....and it was in a foot of ice.

This may be true.
On the first hole.....

But if you are jigging and looking for fish it would not be close. My guess is if we were drilling side by side is I would be done with 10 and you might be over 5.

Here's something to consider for an inexpensive addition to your ice fishing gear.

When you haul your gear, and are doing so on foot, do you often get tired from changing hands and position with the tow rope?

I haven't used it yet, but I picked up a "deer drag" harness that can be easily attached to the tow rope, allowingh you to walk upright over the ice. I can't take credit for this idea, but I will pass it along.

This may be true.
On the first hole.....

But if you are jigging and looking for fish it would not be close. My guess is if we were drilling side by side is I would be done with 10 and you might be over 5.

Maybe...Maybe not. :hee: I Did 10 holes in a foot and a half of ice on Saturday in about 15 minutes with it.

Not knocking power augers, kinds playing devil's advocate here....but once I got this I basically haven't touched my power auger other than using it with the scouts on a campout.

Big difference in price....maybe use the savings to pick up a flasher
Jiffy Auger - $500
Nils - $125

Big difference in weight too....especially if you are planning on running and gunning...

Jiffy Auger - 28 Lbs.
Nils - 4 lbs

There's pluses for both.....