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Offline Dand

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Ice auger questions
« on: December 23, 2003, 07:32:10 PM »
Well looks like we're going  to have winter in western Alaska this year and I'm thinking of trying ice fishing.  

Any recommendations for ice augers?  Some times our ice gets to 4 feet thick.

Do these electric augers or electric drill adapters work?  Don't have an electric start snogo so don't know if these would be a viable option but I'm interested in opinions and experience.
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Offline NHANG

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Ice Auger
« Reply #1 on: December 26, 2003, 06:44:40 AM »
With 4 feet of ice, my only opinion is don't buy a hand auger.  Good luck fishing.
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Offline upnorth

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2003, 10:14:47 AM »
we too get 3-4 ft of ice here on the red river. if you are going to do lots of drilling, buy the largest jiffy or eskimo you can afford. larger engine, easier to drill. also invest in a 24" extention as well. The battery powered are good for down south where you get 2 ft of ice.
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Offline Dand

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thanks upnorth
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2003, 12:31:47 PM »
thanks guys - yeah I seem to remember my dad trying to use a hand auger and working so hard he nearly threw up. Not the way to chum an ice I think.  Guess I'll start shopping for a Jiffy or Eskimo drill. We've had nearly a week of -20 to -30 F so the ice should be getting safe, and thick rapidly.  Now if it will warm up enough so we can have some fun.  Good luck.
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liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline NHANG

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Augers
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2003, 03:00:21 PM »
I was stationed in the Upper Pennisula of Michigan when I was in the Air Force.  We would get 3 feet of ice there too and all I had was a hand auger.  My buddy and I would drill the holes together and we hoped we hit the lucky fishing holes on the 1st round.  But hey all that drilling keeps you warm in the wind and snow.
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Offline Daveinthebush

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Augers
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2003, 07:03:24 PM »
Dand:  It depends on what your going after.  You can get a 4" hand for trout, bluegills and such that will cut through rapidly.  For bigger fish you need a 6" or an 8".  If you try to drill a 6-8 through 4' of ice take your heart medication first and call 911 by the end.  

In hand augers avoid the "spoon" types.  Buy only the ones with replaceable or re-sharpenable 2 blades.  A Lansky type sharpener will help you maintain the edge.

The Jiffy's and Eskimo gas augers are a legend.  Again, a Lansky sharpener will assist in keeping it sharp.  You can buy extensions and I have seen guys drill 8 feet of ice.  Obviously dedicated ice fishermen! :roll: A pair of ice creepers help to keep YOU from spinning as the ice gets slick once the water hits the top of the ice helps.

Good luck out there.  The lakes up around the Wrangels have some nice trout in them.
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Offline Dand

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Thanks Dave
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2003, 04:57:29 PM »
Dave, I was about to consult you over on the AK Hunting forum 'cause I know you have mentioned ice fishing on the Yukon or somewhere north of here.  Thanks for all the suggestions.  Just found a guy who has done quite a bit of ice fishing here in Dillingham and he invited me to join him.  Now if it will just refreeze.  He's an old had at ice fishing from Minn I think - has a little tent and all the gear on a sled. Sounds fun. The radio just reported that  kid caught a sockeye salmon through the ice with a daredevil a few days ago!   A few years ago some folks caught some small king salmon about this time of year.
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liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA

Offline ken w.

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ICE AUGERS
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2004, 02:03:57 PM »
Here in New York,we usually never get over 2'-3' of ice.Gas augers are real nice,but you must remeber to drain the fuel tank and run it out of gas at the end of the season to prevent varnish and gum build up.I rebuild ice auger carbs every year for friends who neglect to do this(even me  :oops: ).Theres nothing worse than your ice auger not running well after you get out there.
   I had the chance to use an electric ice auger last winter.A guy on the ice had one and let me use it.I was very impressed with how quite and powerful it was.It was brand new,so we didn't know how many holes it would drill before recharging.
     Extra blades,extra carb kit,and spark plugs should be ordered as soon as you get a gas auger,so you have them just in case. :D
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Offline kevin.303

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2004, 07:40:36 PM »
i've got a Normark 8" Swede-Bore. i've used it on thick ice a time or two, but it's not very fun when you want a lot of holes. BTW why is it you Alaskans call a snowmobile a Snogo. is it a brand name or local slang? i've seen it used in Fur-Fish-Game a couple times too.
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Offline lefty o

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2005, 07:30:29 PM »
definately buy a gas auger for thick ice. ive hand augered too many holes in 3ft+ ice over the years, and it just isnt worth the workout.
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Offline lefty o

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2005, 10:11:59 PM »
hi Jerry, nice to see a familiar face. :D
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Offline kb

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2005, 02:43:24 PM »
Definately a power auger.  Gas will not die in the cold like an batt powered one.  If the ice is smooth, (with no snow on it), wear cleats/grippers so you dont slip WHEN the auger sticks.  This really sucks.

Also bring a BBQ, to cook lunch, warm hands, and heat coffie, ect..

Gas stabilizer is a must

good luck

kb
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Offline wijim

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2005, 06:01:10 PM »
yeah i know this thread is old...but...
i have a jiffy now and love it.  i had a eskimo before.  the jiffy is a better cold starter.  

ken w suggested pickin up a few extra vitals to keep ya running on the ice in case of failure.....biggest failures ive had is a coil.  there is no cuttin a hole if that goes....you can limp through a hole with many other ailments...but the coil is a must.
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Offline corbanzo

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Ice auger questions
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2006, 01:35:20 PM »
First of all... it's not a snowmobile.  A mobile is a colorful thing that spins in a cirlce to entertain babies.  Snowmachine, snogo, sled, any of the above... but please dont call it that world in alaska, it bothers us.  Anyways, I grew up on a hand auger, and never fished more than one hole in a day.  After buying a gas auger, I'll never go back.  It's expecially good when the ice is very think.  I have a 8" 4.5' long auger, with a 24" extension and still have to get to the very end of it to get through ice.  I like being able to make more holes for more rods...  or to explore for more fish.
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