Advances in ice fishing equipment have made monumental leaps over the last 50 years in innovation, technology, durability, ease of use, and best of all, less work for the angler.
Tip-ups are built higher, stronger and with more visibility and the reels are sturdier and larger with better adjustable drag systems. Did you know that some forward-thinking “hard water” angler came up with a tip-up design that allows the reel to stay above the water?
It saves a lot of wear and tear from the freezing and thawing that normal reels take going from water to air and back to water a dozen times per outing.
Heavy-duty polymer, tote sleds were developed to haul lots of gear smoothly over the snow and ice by hand or hitched to an ATV or snowmobile. Fishing lines, hooks and jigs all got better.
Electronic fish finders and flasher units gained prominence, and commercially built fishing shanties now boast the comfort and convenience of small houses. Bait buckets, ice scoops and mini-jigging rods specifically for ice fishing are improved.
But many winter anglers will agree that one of the greatest additions to their sport is the snowmobile. Aside from its ability to haul people and tow loads of gear over terrain where travel without snowshoes is impossible, anglers gain easy access to even the furthest locations.
As with any complicated mechanical machine, it’s not without drawbacks — initial cost, need of a trailer and mechanical maintenance to list a few. And of course a bit of snow cover is required for smooth operation.
Due to unusual global warming in recent years, many Maine lakes and ponds seem to form a safe layer of ice in December, and often with no appreciable snow depth, unfortunately.
Experience teaches us to work smarter, not harder, and that has become my mantra. Take advantage of new equipment technology.
I’ve met a lot of sportsmen who don’t seem any smarter about how they accomplish outdoor endeavors than when I knew them a couple of decades ago. Sixty years ago, I had to use an ice chisel or “spud” as they were called, and an ax to open a hole in the lake.
Then I got my first manual ice auger, which saved time but wasn’t fun. Eventually we graduated to using a chainsaw for ice thickness of a foot or less and finally the blessing of our first gas-powered ice auger arrived.
For me, that mechanical auger surpasses even the snowmobile for ice fishing convenience. A lot of sportsmen agree. Over the last couple of years, auger technology has rocketed into futuristic levels with some amazing battery-operated models.
No need to haul gas cans with the smell and possible spills in vehicles or a fishing hut. No toxic fumes to inhale hole after hole and trip after trip, and no tune-ups and no mechanical failures to jeopardize outings.
Even with those benefits, I was skeptical at first and waited a year, watching friends buy and use this modern marvel. I just didn’t feel battery power was going to be efficient or strong enough for multiple holes through two or three feet of blue ice on late season outings.
I was wrong.
New lithium ion batteries weigh less than half of their old style lead core models, fully recharge in roughly two hours and can auger between 60 and 100 holes through 24 inches of ice. The variation in numbers is based on using a 6-, 8- or 12-inch-wide drill.
There’s far less noise than any gas-operated units, not to mention the new electric augers are much lighter despite being constructed of more durable materials. Most models even feature a reverse mode that helps clear ice and slush from the hole or free the auger on the rare event that the blades jam in the ice.
Ergonomic wide handles with a pressure switch shut-off, built in LED lights for drilling in dark conditions and a composite polymer cutting head with centering ring and point are some other features.
Strikemaster, ION, and Jiffy lead the pack in brand popularity. No dealing with gas, less noise, no exhaust fumes, lower maintenance cost, no start cord to pull or break and most battery-powered models are far trimmer and very comparable in price.
From personal experience and input from hard-core anglers, battery-operated models’ impressive features include instant start, super quiet environmentally friendly noise level, and are less likely to scare fish,
In contrast to steel, synthetic drills, especially composite materials, produce less friction and have easier operation and enhanced battery life.
Any sportsman just getting into ice fishing, or even long-time enthusiasts who already own a gas-operated auger, should take a serious look at the electric motor models.
The benefits are numerous and not one of the more than a dozen new owners I’ve spoken with over the last couple of years had any regrets — other than they couldn’t seem to sell their old gas augers.
Not all were ready to agree with me that battery-operated ice augers were the “best” thing to ever happen to ice fishing, but all agreed they belonged in the top three.
Check out one of these modern marvels for yourself, I’m betting you’ll be impressed now and for many winters to come.
