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Various ice fishing augers have numerous features. Therefore, choosing these products carefully is crucial to avoid spending the entire day drilling the same hole. When choosing, consider various factors. Winter fishing on the Putorana Plateau also has its own set of nuances that should be considered when planning winter fishing trips.
What to consider when choosing
First, it's important to know the components of a drill. Auger drilling tools are more common, and they include:
· Brace and handle;
· Rod or stem;
· Auger spiral;
· Knife mounts;
· Knives.
The most common ice augers are those with two handles. They are located on either side of the auger's central axis. However, there are also single-handled augers, meaning they only have a handle.
The circle
This element is considered the ice auger's handle. It has a curved shape with a variable number of lugs. The brace allows drilling while rotating. The size is selected to suit the user's height. Alternatively, you can choose a product with adjustable sizes, using adjustment holes.
Rod or stem
There's only one significant nuance here—the material it's made of. The rod is actually slightly larger in diameter than the brace, although it's also shaped like a metal tube.
Auger
The spiral-shaped element allows for deepening and bringing ice chips to the surface. It also determines the size of the future ice hole. A larger and wider auger allows for larger fish to be caught. However, drilling the hole becomes more difficult than with a smaller diameter. The optimal diameter for ice fishing is up to 130 mm. When targeting larger predators, such as perch and pike, a 200 mm diameter auger is appropriate.
How to select knives
They play a particularly important role and therefore require special consideration. Drill bits can be flat or spherical.
- Flat knives are considered the most versatile. They can drill through various types of ice (dry, crumbling, wet, and dense). They also come in stepped designs, meaning they crush the ice rather than cut into it. Serrated knives are a good choice for winter fishing in the nature reserve. These knives are used in the spring.
- Spherical ice augers are excellent for breaking loose ice, which is also more appropriate for spring use. They require a more complex sharpening process, which is why they're not often found in anglers' arsenals.
Examples of ice augers that became popular in 2021-2022
Let's take a look at a couple of excellent ice augers that were popular in 2021.
Mora Ice Expert Pro 110, 130, 150
This is an expensive product, retailing for 11,500 rubles and weighing 4.5 kg. It can drill through ice over 1 meter deep, and even deeper with an extension. The advantages of these augers include a non-icing auger, sharp blades, and a convenient telescopic handle. The disadvantages include the price and the rather heavy weight.
Heinola SpeedRun Comfort
The auger is equipped with a head that easily replaces spherical knives. Its price ranges around 7,000 rubles. The auger is fully welded, which helps eliminate unnecessary noise and ensures greater reliability. The handles are frost-resistant, and the auger has a rust- and corrosion-resistant coating. It weighs almost half as much as the previous model, at 2.5 kg.
Many Siberian fishermen cite its compact design as an advantage. Furthermore, the auger is reliable and quickly drills the required number of holes. Replacements are available for heads of various sizes and diameters. However, a disadvantage is the lack of a case. The cost of new replacement blades is not considered cheap. And the plastic used for the handles is a bit weak.
