How about some help guys,going to buy an Hand Auger . whats the best deal going ? How about size 6" or 7" .
Thx Jim

Jim.
Actually Jim, I'd give you the same advice I'd give to a guy fishing a jig for walleyes. Go with the smallest one you can get away with. In other words, if your only going to be fishing for perch or panfish, keep the hole size small. The smaller augers cut faster and easier no matter what the brand name. I personally like the Mora Ice Drills in the hand version.

I like the Strikemaster "Laser". I have an 8" and it works great!

I second the 8" Laser!

stay away from the mora(its the blue strikemaster), go with the lazer. I use the 6" and have never had a problem get fish out of the hole, once Iget the transducer out of the hole.

I bought that Worlds fastest hand auger from Cabelas last year and it is faster than the lasers. They come from Finland so I guess they should know about augers. I got a 4.5" and it blows through the ice. It doesn't shave the ice it chunks it. My buddy bought a 6" and he said he could cut through 16" of ice in less than a minute. Its also easier to crank because of the offset handle. Whatever brand you buy don't get more than a 6". When the ice get thick you don't want to drill a bigger hole than that by hand, trust me. If you need a bigger hole than that get a power auger.

>I bought that Worlds fastest hand auger from Cabelas last
>year and it is faster than the lasers. They come from
>Finland so I guess they should know about augers. I got a
>4.5" and it blows through the ice. It doesn't shave the ice
>it chunks it. My buddy bought a 6" and he said he could cut
>through 16" of ice in less than a minute. Its also easier to
>crank because of the offset handle. Whatever brand you buy
>don't get more than a 6". When the ice get thick you don't
>want to drill a bigger hole than that by hand, trust me. If
>you need a bigger hole than that get a power auger.

That is the Nils master, sold at Cabelas as the Velocity. Hands down the best.

Thx Guys

Strikemaster is the one for me!!!!!!! go to www.strikemaster.com and order one!!!

>I like the Strikemaster "Laser". I have an 8" and it works
>great!

I had an 8" Laser hand auger and would not recommend it. Unless the blades are brand new it is a major project to pop a hole. I have a 6" mora and like it much better. I am not saying that Mora is the way to go but I would not go bigger than 6" with a hand auger, no matter what brand it is. We pulled an 8 pound walleye through the 6" hole last winter without a problem and definitely could have take a much fatter fish.

BOUGHT MY STRIKEMASTER ON EBAY AFTER THE ICE SEASON LAST YR. FOR $35 BRAND NEW. I SEE THEY ARE SOMEWHAT HIGHER NOW AT THE BEGINING OF ICE. AROUND $50'S. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1976956648