Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-17-2018, 09:58 AM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default Size hole ice fishing

Just wondering what size holes you guys drill for ice fishing northern pike and walleye
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-17-2018, 10:03 AM
CNP's Avatar
CNP CNP is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WMU 303
Posts: 8,480
Default

Guys are drilling 6, 8 and 10 inch holes lol. Any jackfish or walleye you catch will come through a 8 inch hole.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-17-2018, 10:16 AM
cube cube is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,939
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taz1977 View Post
Just wondering what size holes you guys drill for ice fishing northern pike and walleye
Used to use 8" and occasionally double or triple 8's. Now my auger has a 10 inch so use that.

Like CNP stated all walleye and pike will come through an 8 inch hole. I just find that sight fishing is better through 10 inch, or double 8 inch holes. The doubles also leave the transducer out of the way but come at a cost. First double holes take much longer to clean and both the doubles and 10 inch holes leaver the fish enough room to turn around and swim away if they manage to loose the hook while in the hole. With single 8 or smaller the fish usually can't turn around in the hole so even if they get off you just have to reach down and grab them.
I know of a number of Whitefish guys who refuse to fish doubles or 10 inch holes for this reason.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-17-2018, 10:16 AM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default

So 8 sounds to be the better hole
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-17-2018, 11:34 AM
Sooner Sooner is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 9,650
Default

As mentioned, almost all fish will get through a 8 inch hole quite easily. 10 inch is sure nice to look down but they are a heavier beast to haul around the ice. 8 is my go to auger. If I was knowingly going to be going after bigger fish, i would take the 10 inch out of the shed.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-17-2018, 11:44 AM
guru fisher guru fisher is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 406
Default

9 is the perfect size
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-17-2018, 11:52 AM
Stinky Buffalo's Avatar
Stinky Buffalo Stinky Buffalo is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: A bit North o' Center...
Posts: 11,116
Default

For the fish I catch, ten inches is the minimum size I need to get them to fit through the hole.



But seriously, eight inches is great. Although I caught tons of fish through 6-inch holes drilled with a T-handled auger... I was much younger then.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-17-2018, 12:14 PM
Dean2's Avatar
Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
Default

8" will get the job done but 10" works way better, especially if you are running a sounder in the same hole.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-17-2018, 12:14 PM
swampy45's Avatar
swampy45 swampy45 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Spruce Grove
Posts: 368
Default

I have 6, 8, and 10 inch augers. Most of the time the 6" will come for early season trips and perch fishing. The 10" is almost too big unless you are sight fishing whites.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-17-2018, 01:08 PM
The Spank The Spank is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 553
Default

I have a 6” and 8” hand augers and 10” in a power auger. You’d be amazed how large of a fish you can pull through a 6” hole. That being said I use my 10” almost exclusively as I like the extra on very cold days when the holes are freezing over/in. Plus it’s nice to jig without line getting hung up on the edge of the hole continually when using a slow dropping fluttering spoon like a Williams Whitefish.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-17-2018, 05:37 PM
Fishwhere Fishwhere is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 388
Default

8” is plenty.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-17-2018, 05:59 PM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default

I have a 6 inch but looking for a 8 inch
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-17-2018, 06:26 PM
huntinstuff's Avatar
huntinstuff huntinstuff is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 9,586
Default

Ive used both a lot

I like 10”.

Zero issues at 8” tho.

I did get a pike a couple years ago where I was glad to have a 10” hole tho.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-17-2018, 06:33 PM
WayneChristie's Avatar
WayneChristie WayneChristie is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 12,772
Default

1.5 10s need the extra to get a big pikes snout up the hole when you have a single small hook 10 inches back from the tip thicker late season ice 3 holes. but then I dont fish for regular fish they get boring eventually believe it or not.
__________________
Dinos
681

Shove your masks and your vaccines
Non Compliance!!!!!!
"According to Trudeau, Im an extremist who needs to be dealt with"
#Trudeau must go

Wheres The Funds

The vaccine was not brought in for COVID. COVID was brought in for the vaccine. Once you realize that, everything else makes sense.” ~ Dr. Reiner Fuellmich
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-17-2018, 10:12 PM
Double-Eh Double-Eh is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 356
Default

8 is ideal. Won’t step thru, anything come up they it. Easier on the motor to drill

10 is used for sight fishing perch/whites or if doing an overnight as I can maintain them and keep them open despite them shrinking to as narrow as 6”

Also find I lose the odd one in a 10 as there’s rom to turn, thrash, etc.

Answer is 8
__________________
AA
Remember that you are unique... Just like everybody else
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-18-2018, 02:19 AM
Captainslug's Avatar
Captainslug Captainslug is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: In a cardboard box
Posts: 49
Default

To each their own I guess. Everyone has their preference and no doubt a valid reason for it.

The biggest problem I ever had was with my kids when they were young (5-6) and not paying attention and stepping into the hole. Have to admit size wouldn’t have mattered other than them filling their boot vs. wet to their knee. Only happened once to each kid. They have sure watched where they step ever since.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-18-2018, 04:58 AM
Kim473's Avatar
Kim473 Kim473 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,470
Default

Best thing I ever did was upgraded to a 10" from a 8"
__________________
Kim

Gonna get me a 16" perch.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-19-2018, 09:23 AM
7magtime's Avatar
7magtime 7magtime is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Far Enough From The City, AB
Posts: 1,569
Default

I like the 10" for the extra view down the hole, getting bigger fish's heads to enter the hole and for the edges icing up as well.....
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-19-2018, 02:02 PM
cube cube is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,939
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taz1977 View Post
Just wondering what size holes you guys drill for ice fishing northern pike and walleye
These are always nice to ice from from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYq6-h8o3gM
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-19-2018, 02:04 PM
tallieho tallieho is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: calgary
Posts: 1,216
Default

This is from a guy that broke his leg in 3 places because of a unmarked 10" hole....8" please is plenty....All the titanium pins & the cold ,i no longer icefish,arthritis ,pain med's after it happened & are taken daily......8"
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 01-19-2018, 05:56 PM
Big Racks's Avatar
Big Racks Big Racks is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 1,358
Default

Just ordered me a new 10" Eskimo P1, on sale at Cabelas.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 01-19-2018, 06:44 PM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Racks View Post
Just ordered me a new 10" Eskimo P1, on sale at Cabelas.
How much
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 01-19-2018, 07:47 PM
pikeman06 pikeman06 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,615
Default

I find with ten inch your big perch and wallies fall off the hook more often in the hole and they can turn around a make a bid for freedom in the blink of an eye. Lots of straight arming down the hole and cussing too. But that just adds to the challenge. It becomes more physical just don't put your phone in your chest pocket because that's the first thing to go when you drop to your knees and stick that arm down the hole to your shoulder.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 01-19-2018, 07:52 PM
Big Racks's Avatar
Big Racks Big Racks is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 1,358
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by taz1977 View Post
How much
$50 off on both the 8" and the 10". 8" is on sale for $579 now and the 10" is $619. Almost pulled the trigger on the ION X, but decided on the propane instead.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 01-21-2018, 06:42 AM
Kim473's Avatar
Kim473 Kim473 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,470
Default

CT has a sale on augers now. Clearing them out I would guess. Manning crossing store is where I visit.
__________________
Kim

Gonna get me a 16" perch.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 01-21-2018, 08:09 AM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 7magtime View Post
I like the 10" for the extra view down the hole, getting bigger fish's heads to enter the hole and for the edges icing up as well.....
This....why fart around trying to get the head in a small hole etc
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 01-22-2018, 08:09 PM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default

I just got the 8 inch auger now I'm going to grab a 10 to see how I like it I like the 8 inch it's a good size
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 01-22-2018, 08:24 PM
RavYak's Avatar
RavYak RavYak is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Edmonton
Posts: 5,174
Default

I prefer 8 unless targeting big fish(20+ lb pike/lakers) or sight fishing. 10's are heavier, take up more space, easier to knock things down the hole, possible to step in the hole(multiple guys have broken legs/ankles with 10 inch holes), drill slower and require a more powerful auger.

Literally the only advantage of a 10 is having the bigger hole for bigger fish or sight fishing. If you do those things lots then they are worthwhile, otherwise you can always drill 3 8 inch holes together the odd time you want to have a bigger hole.

Also most round tip ups don't work well with 10 inch holes. Something to consider if you use them regularly.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 01-22-2018, 08:30 PM
taz1977's Avatar
taz1977 taz1977 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 319
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak View Post
I prefer 8 unless targeting big fish(20+ lb pike/lakers) or sight fishing. 10's are heavier, take up more space, easier to knock things down the hole, possible to step in the hole(multiple guys have broken legs/ankles with 10 inch holes), drill slower and require a more powerful auger.

Literally the only advantage of a 10 is having the bigger hole for bigger fish or sight fishing. If you do those things lots then they are worthwhile, otherwise you can always drill 3 8 inch holes together the odd time you want to have a bigger hole.

Also most round tip ups don't work well with 10 inch holes. Something to consider if you use them regularly.
Hey thank you for the info I will keep it in mind
__________________
I work to live not live to work life is too short have fun
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.