Didn’t want to hijack the other ice equipment thread…….

Gas or propane ice augers ?? Pros & cons ………


Funny to even ask this as its January in Michigan and No fishable ice right now !!

Propane cans freeze up in cold conditions
Make sure your gas auger cap is on tight, nothing worse than gas on fishing equipment

I have a gas 8" Jiffy auger for sale, cheap! I doubt it's drilled 200 holes.

I was on a lake all weekend Friday till Monday morning and never heard a gas auger. It was nice and peaceful. Till the snowmobiles would come racing buy.

I have a Ion.

Father in law and a fishing buddy have Jiffy propanes. They seem to be really good never had 1 freeze up by I’ve heard that before. Seems like you have to lay them a certain way when you’ve not running it. Me I have 2 gas augers a 1984 Strikemaster that will start and run every time doesn’t matter the conditions but it cuts slow. Also a Jiffy model 30 that’s an ice cutting machine personally I don’t mind gas.

Sold mine-bought a drill auger and never looked back

Propane augers weigh a ton

Plus propane freezes..you have to put the bottle under your coat.

I use that ",true gas..in a quart can. I have a 4 stroke strike master

You must be in southern Michigan because we've been fishing the UP for the past month and alot of the shallower waters in the northern-lower, as well. But I will agree, the ice season is getting a very slow start and you cant just march out anywhere.

Its a buyers market for gas augers right now, everybody is switching to electric. I felt very lucky to trade my 10" Strikemaster for a small flip shanty a few years ago, couldnt even sell it for $50. I sure dont miss the hassle and stink of 2-cycle. But if thats what youre looking for, you should find some great deals.

-NC

I sold my gas powered Lazer Mag and bought an electric StrikeMaster. Not because I agree with everything electric. But, I had to open the windows on my fish house every time I drilled out the holes because of the exhaust. I don't have to open windows with the electric.

Neither. Go with battery opp.

I went electric about 6 yrs ago. I decide to go electric, when I was drilling 8 holes in my big fish house. The ice was thick and needed a extension to get thru the ice with house in the air. There was so much smoke and fumes in the house it was hard to breath. I did go to full Syn oil for the rest of the yr. That did help a lot.

Supergoose....you're smart to go the gas route: I Just bought an electric auger (well last year). Wish I would have stuck with gas. Gas is cheaper... and it won't need a new battery in a few years (Can you say SPENDY). And it turns about half the speed of the gas augers.

Yes, there are pros to the electric auger. Just more cons, IMO.

I'll race your gas auger with my Milwaukee drill and 8" strikemaster auger any day of the week.

I had too many trips ruined because the old Jiffy wouldn't start. Hasn't happened even once with the drills I've used.

I've been ice fishing for 50 years and still fish ALOT. Been through alot of gas and hand augers. Bought my StrikeMaster Lithium 40V (10") about 4 years ago and the original battery is still going strong! I've never counted, but on days when I'm prospecting and hole hopping, I'd guess I cut at least 30 holes (average 20" ice on my walleye lake). Its never run out of juice so I have no idea how many it will cut. Much more reliable than a gas engine since it has far less parts (no carb, hoses, plug, primer bulb, etc.).

Its just as fast as any gas auger, probably faster than most. Speed is mostly a function of blade sharpness. There was a guy near me last year, with a gas auger, and I swear he had his blades mounted backwards. I think he rubbed his way through the ice, it was truly ridiculous- like 3+ minutes to cut one hole! And he cut holes allllllllllll morning.

-NC

My old Jiffy was 33 years old and never failed to start on the first few pulls. Maybe, jussst maybe it wasn't your augers fault.
Let that drill sit in the slush we have out there now and see how well it works.

Id wager I spend more time on the ice than most.

Gas augers are a thing of the past.

Get a drill auger, you will never go back!

Appreciate the information. I never considered an electric one…… I’ll look into those as well.

Not crazy about the sound of a gas powered auger…….. I don’t want to be “ that guy” although I’m not known for hole jumping across the lake. I don’t know anything about propane but have seen them used and they are fairly quiet compared to gas powered. I’ve seen mixed results with the hand drilled powered ones and not too crazy about those…….no real reason why though to be honest.

I’ll go to the battery powered ice auger inter webs and see what I find. Also will keep an eye out to see what other guys use……. may not be an issue this year though !!!!

And, whoever mentioned it— yes in the lower on the west side

I own the Lazer auger in several sizes that have served me well over the years.

I have a strike master powered by a big ol hilti 22v. Works great.


But I also kept my 10" jiffy stealth gas auger. You wouldn't know it this year, but I've buried that auger several times and hit no water. When ice gets over 4 feet, and you want a hole fast, the jiffy is still the ticket.