Power Ice augers

[Fishy]

My wife is coming around and is possibly going to let me buy a power auger. What brand is best?? What size?? Any information is appreciated.
Thanks Fishy

[Eyez]

I'd recommend a 2hp 8 inch Jiffy. There are other good brands, but you can't go wrong with a Jiffy. The 3hp is quite heavy, and I don't think it drills any faster than 2hp with an 8 inch blade, at least not enough to be worth the extra weight.


Eyez

[slick2526]

i would have to say, if you want to have a great auger. by a eskimo powerhead and then use the shaft/auger part of and lazer. get an 2hp and a 8in auger size

[Pitts]

I bought a new Lazer auger for my 12 year old Strikemaster powerhead last year and it will literally screw through the ice. Twice as fast as the old chipper blade. Never had a problem with the powerhead except the gas cap leaks.
If it is 25 below zero I have had it not start and had to be warmed up in a house before it would.
I would stick with the 2 HP and 8" because of the weight factor.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of the two major brands.
Mine was the cheapest Strikemaster made at 139$ at that time 12 years ago.

Pitts

[ggg]

I agree with post # 1. The 2hp. Jiffy with a 8" auger is perfect for most conditions. I have had one for 10 years! When it comes to service, Feldmann Eng. can,t be beat. I have friends that are running 20 to 30 year old Jiffys and they have them tuned up only every 5 or 6 years. From what I see, everyone is always trying to copy them. Go Jiffy ! Any other brand, Good Luck !

[punch1]

I'm not particulary a brand loyal person when it comes to ice augers. All I know is that last year my friend's one month old Jiffy 3HP 10" failed to start and I had to finish all 30 holes with my 15 year old-never serviced Strikemaster 2HP 8". I can't knock Jiffy. They have been around forever and when my friend's auger did work, it was great. A little heavy but a nice auger.

If you plan on walking quite a ways to your spots, primarily fish for pan fish, walleye and an occasional pike, and won't be out there when it's litterally 25 below zero, I think the 8" can't be beat. That being said, if you have trasportation to your holes, fish in Manitoba for monster pike when it's 30 below zero, do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for the 3HP 10" auger. You will need it!

Moey may also be a factor. The Strikemaster Mag2000 runs $239 for either 7.25" or 8.25". The Jiffy Legend runs $339 to $349 for 8" and 10". Both Strikemaster and Jiffy use Tecumseh engines. Good luck!

[curt quesnell]

there isnt any real crap out there if you stay with the
mainstream brands.

the jiffy is great and bulletproof. the strikemaster is amazing
and, if you make sure you get the lazer auger with it, you will
drill thru the ice quicker and easier with the strikemaster than
with anything else.

my vote is for the strikemaster...i dont know anything about
the eskimo (sorry) i cant say anything good or bad about it.


curt quesnell

[Mattman]

Interesting posts. What are you going to fish for? I'm assuming Walleye because of where you posted your question. I'd have to say that 8" is THE size for Walleye fishing. If you are going to be fishing Lakers or big Northerns a few times a year look at the 3 horse 10" models. As far as brands go I don't think you'd go wrong with either (sorry Eskimo I still don't know anything about you) brand. But I will say when my buddies and I go on our annual Laker trip there are two Strike Masters and two Jiffy's. The two Strike Masters magically wind up getting left in camp and the two Jiffy's get all the use. I haven't been impressed with the few Strike Masters that I've been around. But there are lots of loyal followers out there so there must be something good about them.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Chad]

I have a 3hp Lazer Mag w/ a 10". Dont get this one! Way too heavy and the holes are dangerously big. I stick my foot in the hole 2-3 times a year and go right down to the crotch.

There is nothing wrong with it, it was a gift.

Knowing what I do now I would have chosen to go with a 2hp 8".

[Brian]

I would have to say that the StrikeMaster Lazer Mag is the bes t auger on the market. I bought one last year and it is a great investment. My cousin bought a Jiffy 3hp and i will have my holes drilled and cleaned before he will even be done drilling. The StrikeMaster Lazer Mag also eats 3ft of ice ine 6 seconds

[ww]

Buy the new laser 3 blade 9". Awesome unit

[Eyez]

I don't know if there's something different with the new jiffy's than the old ones, but I've seen a couple of the newer 3hp models that would not start well, and did not idle at all. Maybe it's a break in thing, anyone know for sure?


Eyez

[waterfowler]

Here is my two cents:

If you are going to be carrying/pulling this auger around with a shack and a heater and rods and, you get the point... Weight is always big factor when packing my ice fishing gear.

The Jiffys are bullet proof and will last you forever with some minor maintenance, but they are heavy. My friends all run them and have to take them in every other year for a "tune up".

Strikemaster lazer mags are light and fast. I've owned both the 8" and 10" models both in 2hp. Anyone who says the 2hp won't cut a 10" hole obviously hasn't run this auger. I'm guessing it takes me about 3-5 seconds longer to drill a hole. Even at 60-80 holes a day, your talking a matter of minutes overall. Had to replace the throttle cable once on my 8". Both augers always start after 3 pulls. I guess you would say I'm a strikemaster guy!! "Your hole is our goal" You should see the looks I get with that sweatshirt on....

I like the 10" hole because it allows me more room to get the fish started up the hole. Plus it gives me a little extra room for the vex, but as stated above, a grown man's boot will go right down a 10" hole.

If you are looking to save a little money, keep you eye on ebay. I've seem some augers listed out there.

[Spinner]

My vote goes to StrikeMaster LazerMag 2HP/8". I've never had a problem starting(1-2 pulls) nor cutting holes(fast). I can't compare it to any other brands other than an old 6" manual dish auger...

Plus, if you live in Minnesota and have any problems, you can physically bring it to StrikeMaster Inc. in Big Lake.

[Rapaleye]

I have owned both Jiffy and Strikemaster lazer. Guess what both cut holes. I found 3 differences I found first the Strikemaster will cut the same size hole faster, but what difference does a few seconds make. Second the Jiffy chipper blade will throw more chips around while cutting, only a big deal if your boots are real short or your are drilling inside a house and don't want the mess. Third the single bladed Jiffy will bind more often trying to break through than the double bladed Lazer.
I will say that before buying I called several repair shops to get their opinions (I figure those guys tend to see which brands have problems). They all said that for the same horsepower there was no real difference between Jiffy and Strikemaster because the basically use the same engine. They did however say that the 3hp does tend to have more problems starting and keeping it running than the 2hp. Something to do with redesigning to meet emission standards.
Stay in the 2hp models and then buy on price unless flying chips or hole cutting speed makes a difference.
Jim

[twogun]

I'm getting my 17yearold a 9in. ultra mag with the 3 blades, 2hp. dont get the 3hp, they run like *%#$ if you can start em. Jiffys do not run good for long periods.Way to heavey, they leak plus they are loud.and slow. I have a 20 year old 149cc Strikmaster 8in. that has seen it all,and will see some more this year. I can depend on it, thats the main thing.

[Paul Fournier]

For the money, speed and weight, I would go with the 2HP - 8" Lazer from Strikemaster or the new 9". I run trips all over Mille Lacs and other local lakes. The group I fish with uses the Jiffy's because they last forever. I can drill holes at a rate of 2 or 3 to 1. The lazer also goes very well through old holes that have frozen over.

If your plan is to go out, drill a couple holes and fish, then a Jiffy is fine. If you plan to be more mobile need to drill a lot of holes, then you can't beat the Lazer from Strikemaster. Keep an eye on the Gander Mountain ads before the 1st of the year. They usually have a good 'early ice' sale every year.

Good luck,
Paul Fournier

[Dave]

I have a electric jiffy that I keep mounted on the back of my widetrack snocat, with a deep cycle battery mounted in the cargo rack.
I have my holes cut before most guys would even get theirs started and warmed up. No gas to worry about, no starting worries... flawless. I have a gas powered jiffy that I have had for years and it has been great also, but It stays in the garage most of the time now.