Ice fishing gear

[Chrisper4694]

might as well start thinking about this now.

I have two gear questions. I'm tired of hand drilling but I don't want to be bothered with the gas and noise of a gas auger so I think I'm going to get an electric auger, probably the strikemaster Electra lazer 8" cause I can get it for like 400 bucks. Anyone use this before? Please throw in your 2 cents about my thoughts.

Secondly, my toes are always the first things to get cold. I have under armor moister wicking socks then a generic wool sock and topped with red head cold weather sock. I'd rather not get the battery powered heated insoles so who can recommend a sick pair of winter socks?

[Capt. Lou]

u did not mention type boots u wear, hoever the best socks r merino wool that fit over calf , boots tough to beat Kamik ! My feet NEVER get cold ,also felt inner soles help as well ! :cool

[ScowardNJ]

I met a dude at RV last year that let me use his electric auger for bunch of holes. I think I remember him saying he would get about 30 holes a day in thick ice out of a full charge. He had a back up battery also. It had plenty of balls to cut through the foot of ice that day.

[flatcreek]

The few times that I've went I used a chain saw to cut my holes. Worked fine, makes any size hole and I already had a couple. Not sure its enviromently freindly, but its a 2 stroke like a lot of outboards and you just leave the bar oil empty or shut it off, the water keeps it kool.:cool:

[jimmythegreek]

the ION is like 450ish and is the one to get if you go electric, otherwise look on craigslist theres a few gassers on there. I have a strikemaster lazer gas and it cuts like nobodys business, chipper blade setup.

Its the boots not the socks, no matter what u wear boots are the biggest thing. Merino wool is what you want, for both base layers and for socks

[FASTEDDIE29]

Gotta have warm feet. Im a huge fan of ski gear, Duofold or Under Armor base layer. Columbia coats and fleeces, Spider ski coats, Wigwam socks. Ski gear keeps you warm when your coming down a double black, of course it's going to keep you warm NJ. It's made for crazy weather. You can buy one of those ice suits as well but base layers and layers upon layers are most important. Don't go cheap on the boots. Good luck!!!!

[ratherbe]

I agree - Boots are always the critical piece, all the sock layers can hurt you really... Trapping in moisture over time. If you get some high quality ski or snowboard socks and the right boot - toes will outlast the fingertips.

Boots - sorel or muck

Socks - burton smartwool or thorlo

I'm an authorized muck dealer - shop in Bethlehem pa - and can get any of you guys a pair for 20% off retail if interested. Pm me for details.

[jrock]

I got the muck wetland boots and man are they an awsome pair of boots. Never had cold feet wearing my mucks!!!!!

[catfishonthelake]

Another vote for Muck boots. I've been wearing the Men's Arctic Sport for the last 2 years and I would never wear a different pair of boots on the ice. They are a 1000% waterproof, super warm and they're nice and high so when the water comes gushing out the hole when you're using your new electric auger it won't be an issue.:D

It never hurts to throw the foot warmers in there too.

[gwl2oneida]

Clam sells the auger that attaches to cordless drills for less than $100.00 I believe. As for boots you want a high gram count insulation and as everyone said wool socks. Cotton kills as they say.

[Sigma1073]

I made a cordless drill adapter for my Barracuda 6" hand auger. I could get 15-20 holes in about 6-10" of ice last year on one battery charge.(bring extra batteries) With all the holes I put in ice last year I was sure glad to have it. If you don't have access to machine tools to make one you should be able to find them online pretty cheap.

[birddog]

Cabelas extreme pack -boots, at the end of the day when I take them off there is steam coming out of them.

[Chrisper4694]

yeah the only thing cotton on me winter fishing is my underwear...maybe i'll start going comando.

i tried one of those cordless drill attachments a while ago...it was awful...maybe it was my drill's fault but i'm not going there unless i try it first.

[Ratso]

A good hand auger never runs out of battery power. Six to ten inches Is cake. The price of that one hand auger is about the same as one battery pack? No extra weight and keeps on truckin. I'm 66 and it's still my favorite way to fish.

[briansnat]

I don't think it's the socks, though a good pair of expedition weight Smartwool socks can't hurt. The key is boots. I have a pair of LL Bean pac type boots that are supposed to be warm down to 25 below. I've never tested them at that temp, but I can say my feet are one part of my body that never gets cold when ice fishing.

[BOOMER43]

As for boots I have the korkers ice jack boots. They have interchangeable soles with studs. Very warm and provide great traction on the ice