Ice Fishing Auger

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Ice fishing is a great way to pass the days in winter. But if you are new to the sport, there are some things you may not know. One of the most important pieces of equipment you will need is an ice fishing auger. This tool is the smartest way to help you drill down through the ice and get to the water where the trophy fish exist. But there are dangers to using an ice fishing auger that you need to be aware of.

Basically the auger is like a really big hand drill. You must rotate the blade over and over to cut through the ice. Because it does take some skill to get the hole perfect, it is important to keep an eye on the angle in which you are drilling at. Even a slight angle can turn your hole in to a slide rather than a straight one. You should always start off very slow to allow the hole to start off right. Once you have a good start and the blade is not skipping around, you can put a little more muscle power in to it. However, there are gas powered augers which are much more cumbersome to take, but will allow you to drill holes in seconds rather than minutes. In most cases a hand auger is suitable for weekend fishermen.

I’d like to mention an important note about safety. The blades on the auger are as sharp as razors. If you hands ever go near them you should use extreme caution. Not only will they cut you skin, but they can easily cut your pants and boots. The last thing you need out on the ice is for an accident to happen. I remember one time I had cut myself really bad on the ice fishing auger blade and ended up needing stitches. If you are not one for the sight of blood, I suggest you be careful

Ice fishing augers won’t break the bank. You can pick up a new manual auger for under $60 and even cheaper if you can find a used one. If you do pick up a used one, bring the blades to the bait store to have them sharpened. They are like skates; the sharper they are the better they will perform. If you are fishing on thick ice, you may want to invest in a gas powered auger. A lot of pro fishermen prefer to use the gas powered augers. They come in different horse power ratings depending on your situation. One thing I can’t stress enough is to ensure that they are kept well maintained. Even though they are heavy duty, rust, dull blades, and loose screws can cause damage over time and make it harder to drill through the ice.

As you can see, and ice fishing auger is a great piece of equipment for novice and professionals. Just remember to choose the right auger for the thickness of ice you intend to fish on. If you want that extra bit of exercise to help warm you up, then I would go with a manual auger every time. Good Fishing!