One could make the argument that the auger is the single most important tool an ice angler has. If you can’t cut through the ice to get to the water, you aren’t going to catch fish! It’s an exciting time for the sport of ice fishing, innovative new styles of augers come out what seems like every year! However, this can make it challenging for anglers to navigate the auger market. Today, we’ll break down what to look for when purchasing your next auger!
Blade Type
The first thing I look for in an auger is blade type. This is where I feel anglers get most confused. There are two types of blades on the market: chipper and lazer. Let’s take a deeper look at each type of blade available.
Chipper
Pros: Very durable. Handles dirty ice and reopening old holes well.
Cons: Slower cutting time. More kick back to the angler.
Chipper blades are more like the linemen of the ice auger world. They might not be pretty, they might not be fast, but they’re dang tough. They take care of the dirty work or in this case, dirty ice.
When you’re exploring the ice auger world, the term “dirty ice” often comes up. Dirty ice means there may be dirt, mud, sand or other debris particles blown onto the ice by high winds. The Dakotas are the perfect example of dirty ice. North and South Dakota are famous for putting a real beat down on your blades.
The other beat down though, can be on the angler. Chipper blades often result in your auger kicking, twisting and fighting you back as you drill holes. If you drill a significant amount of holes in a day, you are probably going to feel it in the morning.
With this being said, if you’re fishing out of a hard shack or other situation you find yourself opening up old holes frequently, the chipper blades are a fantastic option. They do well reopening these old holes and in a situation like this, you won’t be drilling dozens upon dozens of holes each day.
Lazer
Pros: Cuts lightning fast. Minimal kick back to angler.
Cons: Blades dull faster. Difficulty handling dirty ice or reopening old holes.
If the chipper blades are the linemen, the lazer blades are the running backs and wide receivers of the ice auger world. They’re lightning quick and flashy, but can’t take near the beating the linemen can.
These blades are going to have a noticeably faster cut time than the chippers. When you’re hole hopping and drilling upwards of 100 or more holes each day, it will save you considerable time.
However, if you are going to be reopening old holes or drill those hundreds of holes across the Dakotas, the blades are going to take a significant beating.
The good news is, while the blades may be taking a beating, you won’t be. Lazer blades are much gentler on the anglers and even if you are drilling hundreds of holes each day, you won’t be subject to the type of physical force a chipper blade may give you.
Engine Type
There are so many different types of engines out on the ice. Traditionally, 2-stroke engines owned the ice fishing industry. While 2-strokes are still certainly out on the ice, many anglers argue that they are of a dying breed.
These claims come as 4-stroke, electric and propane augers have burst onto the scene. Let’s take a look at the different types of augers out there.
Electric
The latest trend in ice augers is absolutely electric. Electric augers burst onto the scene fairly recently and while there have been some bugs for nearly every company, they have just become better and better.
There are two main variations of electric augers. The first is one piece, electric augers. These augers will have a build in battery and engine and look more like your standard auger. The other type is a drill powered auger. These augers are powered by cordless drills. These drill powered augers are significantly lighter than their counterparts.
There are several advantages to electric augers. The biggest is the fact these augers will always be ready to start. There is no priming, no pulling, no warming up or any of the other aspects of getting a gas powered auger to run. The other benefits are there is no exhaust and no mixing of gas.
The drawbacks to these augers is still in the batteries though. If you are like me and forget to charge your batteries, you can’t just run to the nearest gas station and spend $2 on gas and be ready to go. Also once your batteries run out, there is no refueling on the ice. It is also important to keep your batteries warm.
Propane
I consider propane as kind of a compromise between electric and gas. These augers once again resemble what we are used to seeing, but as opposed to a gas tank they feature a 1lb propane cylinder instead.
Once again, the key benefits are going to be the easier and quick start. The cleaner burning exhaust and lack of mixing of gas are also attractive to anglers.
The drawbacks are once again you need to make sure you have your propane tanks and enough for a day out on the ice. The good news is, unlike with uncharged batteries these are fairly easy to find in a pinch. The other drawback is the need to keep the propane canisters warm.
2 and 4 Stroke
Ah the old standard. This is what we are used to talking about in the terms of ice augers. While 4-strokes are relatively new on the market, 2-strokes have dominated the industry for years.
These engines start well in the cold, generate plenty of power and can be easily refueled both on the ice or on the way to the water.
The drawbacks are the mixing of fuel, the priming, pulling and warming up aspects and the more exhaust produced.
I am the farthest thing from a small engine mechanic, but a basic understanding of the engines on the market can really make your shopping more understandable.
Other Factors
I look at a couple other factors when deciding the best purchase for an auger. Let’s take a look.
Weight
This is a big part of my comparison. When you’re drilling hole after hole, one or two pounds can really make a difference at the end of the day. I tend to favor a lighter auger, especially if I know I’ll be out hole hopping.
Height
Although it very rarely comes into play, I do take a look at the height of the auger. This gives me an idea how much ice I will be able to cut through and how it will play in to my personal height.
Mechanic or Parts Availability
Even the best augers may run into issues. It’s a good idea to take a look at how easy it may be to receive parts for common pieces you may need or what you have for mechanics in your area. Depending on warranty, some augers may need certain mechanics.
As the ice fishing industry continues to evolve, navigating the market can become more and more challenging. Armed with this information, read reviews, try different models and find the next perfect auger for you. Good fishing!
Related Readings
Your ice rod is your connection to you and the fish. Learn about the types of rods you should select for your presentation in Selecting the Right Ice Rod for the Job.
It’s an exciting time for ice anglers. There are so many great bibs, coats and suits on the market to keep anglers not only warm, but safe. Learn more about this new trend in the ice fishing world in Look Good, Feel Good.
With so many products on the market, how do you know which ones are going to help you catch the most fish? Nick Harrington breaks down how he approaches tackle shopping and how to maximize your ice fishing budget in Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck.
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