Which ice screw is best for winter fishing?

Content

1. Knives
2. Auger welding
3. Connections of parts
4. Ice auger handles
5. Drilling diameter
6. TOP 5 tips: how to properly care for an ice auger
7. Advice from professionals
8. Want to know more?
9. Ice drill for winter fishing - Video

With the onset of the “hard water” season, when all rivers and lakes are covered with ice, the arsenal of every experienced fisherman is replenished with such an irreplaceable attribute as an ice screw. However, only novice fishermen are tossed around in doubts - how to choose a drill for winter fishing? In this article you will find not only comments from experts, but also reviews about ice screws from ordinary site users.

Today, a newbie winter driver may simply get confused when choosing his first ice auger. Therefore, the fishing portal FishingSib offers to find out what the main elements an ice drill consists of, what these elements influence during “drilling” and listen to our experts, lovers of winter fishing.

The best electric ice auger

In electric models, the rotation of the auger is carried out by a motor that is powered by a battery. Also, with the help of special adapters, you can use a drill or screwdriver as a driving force. The advantages of such ice drills include low noise, uninterrupted operation and a relatively low price. Among a dozen applicants, only one was chosen, the nominee distinguished by its reliability.

Mora Ice Expert Pro

This powerful unit is capable of breaking through ice 1350 mm thick. It has a large drilling diameter, and thanks to the comfortable handle, it can increase the rotation force up to nine times. The model folds compactly, and thanks to its telescopic shape, the handle simply extends into four positions and adapts to the user’s height. Fasteners made of high-strength material securely hold each part; carbon steel ensures a long service life. Using a universal adapter, you can connect any power tool with a power of 18V - 3Am 40/80.

Advantages

• The knife blades are sharpened on a laser machine;
• Spherical knives are made of stainless steel;
• Non-slip handles with built-in bearings;
• Comes with an extension cord;
• Light weight.

Flaws

• High price of components.

It is noteworthy that Ice Expert Pro is suitable for drilling on dry and wet ice, and the speed will be equally high.

This is a professional tool that is suitable for almost any winter fishing conditions.

Knives

The problem of choosing knives for ice augers increases with the thickness of the ice. If drilling several dozen holes on the first ice in search of fish is a fairly simple task, then drilling a meter of ice takes a lot of effort, and if you multiply this with the vagaries of the fish, which often refuses to bite, then you get more fatigue from such fishing than pleasure. Therefore, it is important to choose the right knife depending on the structure of the ice, its density, humidity and layering.

At the moment, the most common forms of knives are: oval, stepped, serrated, universal and spherical.

Spherical.

They cope well with almost any type of ice: loose or dense, dry or wet, but they have one very significant drawback - their sharpening. It is difficult to maintain sharpening of the correct angles on such knives at home.

Stepped.

These knives have two cutting edges located close to each other. Unlike flat ones, stepped ones do not cut, but rather crumble the ice due to its fragility in the cold. Drilling such ice does not require any effort.

Serrated.

They cope well with wet or very wet ice, as a rule, this happens in the spring, when water from melting snow on the ice washes small channels and saturates the ice with moisture. By reducing the contact area of ​​the surface of such knives, the resistance decreases.

Flat.

Or as they are also called - universal, suitable for drilling any ice. The load when drilling with such knives will be slightly higher than that of other types, but their maintenance is much more convenient and less labor-intensive.

Ice screw rating

The rating is based on the opinions of experts who tested each tool. Feedback from professional fishermen was also taken into account; they helped to identify the disadvantages and advantages of the devices. When selecting applicants, the following parameters were taken into account:

• Convenience of design;
• Rod length;
• Attack angle;
• Noise level during drilling;
• Weight;
• Material;
• Availability of components;
• Price.

The individual properties of the presented models are also considered to provide a complete overview. The best ice screws are sorted into categories for the convenience of readers.

The best wobblers

Auger welding

One of the problem areas with ice drills is the auger and its method of welding to the drill axis.

Either this is a point version, when not the entire “tape” is welded, or a full one, when the connection runs along the entire length. There is no point in judging which option is better, since it all depends on the quality of the welding.

For example, spot welding is the weak point of some domestic ice drills. However, foreign ice drills, for example Mora Eriksson, also have spot welding, but its quality is much higher. For example, a Rapala ice auger has a fully welded auger.

The best titanium ice screws

On the domestic market you can find a whole range of titanium ice drills from different manufacturers.

Let's look at a few of the most popular brands.

Products from St. Petersburg

The domestic manufacturer from the banks of the Neva, FGUL Leningrad Northern Plant, has deservedly gained fame among domestic fishermen. Ice screws from this company are distinguished by excellent quality and reliability.

Titanium models were no exception. The St. Petersburg assortment includes tools with different auger diameters, with a standard and extended handle, with 2 and 3 knives.

Every ice fishing enthusiast will find the most suitable option for himself. For example, the standard model LSZ "Leningradsky" is available in 6 versions:

• P1004 has 4 turns of a spiral, 2 knives, an auger with a diameter of 100 mm and a cost of 5,690 rubles;
• P1005 differs from the modification described above in that it has 5 turns on the auger and costs 5,980 rubles;
• P is the designation of a standard titanium ice drill with 2 knives and an auger thickness of 130 mm - 5840 rubles;
• P3 differs from the standard version (P) by 3 knives and a price of 6190 rubles;
• P150 belongs to ice screws with a wide auger with a diameter of 150 mm, is equipped with two knives and costs 6,290 rubles;
• The P3150 differs from the P150 in the presence of 3 knives, which affects the price of 6,690 rubles.

All of these ice drills will help cope with ice up to 1 m thick. If desired, anglers can choose models adapted for drilling with a screwdriver, as well as modifications with a long handle or additional turns on the auger.

Barnaul drills made of titanium

Barnaul ice screws also have high performance characteristics. Titanium models are extremely durable and lightweight. The company's assortment includes fishing tools for different tastes.

1. Among the sports products we can highlight the TLR-100SD-2N model. The weight of the ice drill is only 1.8 kg, and the diameter of the holes will be 100 mm. The model is equipped with traditionally sharp 2 knives. The cost of such a tool is 8250 rubles.
2. The standard ice auger is the TLR-130D-2N product. It is equipped with a screw with a diameter of 130 mm, and the model weighs 1.6 kg. This modification retails for 7,540 rubles.
3. TLR-130D-3N differs from TLR-130D-2N by the presence of 3 knives. At the same time, the weight of the model increases to 1.7 kg, and the retail price is 7,930 rubles.
4. The TLR-130D-3NTSh ice drill has a telescopic auger that allows you to drill very thick ice up to 1900 mm deep. The weight of the product is 2.35 kg, and you can buy such a tool for 9940 rubles.
5. The TLR-150SD-2N model is in demand among fishermen. The screw diameter is 150 mm, the product weight reaches 1.65 kg. You can buy an ice screw for 8190 rubles.

Titanium ice screws by Ilyas Museev

Some fishermen, disappointed with store-bought ice drills, make their own designs for drilling holes. Some masters have achieved outstanding results , as evidenced by thousands of positive reviews.

Such a well-known specialist in the field of manufacturing titanium ice drills is Ilyas Museev. For each customer, the master selects the most optimal tool sizes.

All details and components of the future ice drill are discussed with the client. Manufacturing takes from 10 to 20 days.

Museev's ice screws are equipped with three types of augers:

• 90 mm;
• 130 mm;
• 150 mm.

The cost of the product ranges from 6150-7150 rubles. The tool can be equipped with knives from the Tonar ice drill.

• The master completes his product with original knives, which he makes from high-quality steel (62C, 65G, U8A).
• Many fishermen in reviews point out such advantages of Museev’s ice drills as fast drilling without additional effort and low content of ice chips in the hole.
• The weight of the fishing tool is in the range of 1.5-1.8 kg.
• There is also a reliable lock in these models, which operates on the principle of Mohr’s ice screws.

Among the disadvantages, fishermen note the high price, as well as the need for individual production of protective covers. Due to the increased length of the auger (0.9 m), choosing a casing on the market is quite problematic.

Titanium ice screws have confidently occupied their niche among accessories for winter fishing.

Being lightweight and durable, such a tool can serve a caring owner for a lifetime. And later it will be used by grateful heirs. It is only important to choose the right model for the fishing conditions.

Connections of parts

The connecting units of the ice auger are foldable, removable and telescopic.

Telescopic ones allow you to adjust the height of the ice auger. The most common units are folding ones. The simpler the connecting node is, the more reliable it is.

Most ice screws are made of two parts, so they have one axial lock. But there are ice screws consisting of three parts and, accordingly, with two axial locks. For example, this is an ice drill RAPALA UR 3-115-1000.

Types of ice drills, their design and characteristics

These fishing devices for drilling holes are distinguished by several parameters:

• by screw diameter in millimeters (90 - 110, 120 - 150, 150 - 175, 200 and above);
• by the number of turns of the auger belt (2, 3 and more);
• according to the type of fastening of the auger spiral (solid drawn, composite);
• maximum thickness of ice frozen on a reservoir in meters (from 1.2 to 1.6 and even 2);
• according to the method of operation (manual, motorized drill: gasoline, battery-electric);
• according to the nature of fishing (sport fishing - 90 - 110 mm, universal for predators and for fishing with girders - 120 - 150 mm, trophy for large predators or for fishing with nets - 175 - 200 and above, stationary or running);
• by type of knives (flat, spherical, hemispherical, cutting head);
• by the number of handles (one-handed, two-handed);
• possibility to lengthen the ice auger (telescopic handle, additional rod bend);
• direction of rotation (clockwise for imported and counterclockwise for domestic products);
• by weight (light, standard and heavy);
• by noise level (quiet, medium and noisy);
• axial lock folding mechanism (folding, removable and telescopic), etc.

Different types of fishing ice screws solve different problems in winter fishing. The variety allows you to choose the best option. Some fishermen have more than one drill, but several with different diameters or a manual one plus a gasoline one. Companies of winter fishing enthusiasts often get out of the situation in a different way: they agree and take different tools for different tasks in order to lend them to each other.

The design of ice drills is based on the use of rotational motion. The main difference between hand and motorized drills is the force used to drill the hole. Hand tools require human effort and cannot always cope with the conditions (wet, sticky ice with water, thick ice, etc.). Therefore, gasoline and electric devices with the ability to connect to a battery-powered screwdriver are superior to manual ones. But motor drills are much heavier and require a mixture of gasoline and oil for refueling or a drill with batteries. Manual is simple and reliable.

The characteristics of ice drills depend on the type of tool and manufacturer. Many well-established companies in the market use their distinctive developments in the manufacture of drills:

• material of the rod itself, protective coating, handles, etc.;
• head device and type of blades (shape and quantity);
• special axial locks and other fastenings.

Choosing a good ice auger can be difficult, especially for beginners. Simply buying an expensive model from a well-known imported manufacturer may not be enough. After all, the use of this device for winter fishing depends on fishing conditions, which are different for everyone.

Ice auger handles

In modern ice augers, both handles are spaced apart in relation to the axis of the ice auger. You need to drill with such ice drills with both hands at the same time, which is somewhat easier than with one. The point is that the load is distributed more evenly.

The handles of modern ice augers are more reliable than old ones, as they are made of hard rubber. In terms of tactile sensations, they are “warmer”, reminiscent of microporous rubber. In addition, the handle must be grippy.

At the bottom of such a handle there should be a restrictive collar that does not allow the hand to slide down while drilling.

What to choose from

The design of modern ice drills from all manufacturers is almost identical. It is based on an auger, thanks to which the knives are literally screwed into the ice, while the crumbs are pushed up. The choice has to be made between models from the following manufacturers:

• Russian;
• Swedish;
• Finnish.

It is in these countries that interest in winter fishing is traditionally high.

Among Russian budget ice drills, St. Petersburg (Leningrad) and Barnaul ones are popular.

Drilling diameter

When choosing an ice drill, this parameter is determined only by what kind of fish you are going to go after. A diameter of 100 mm is good for catching small fish: roach, perch weighing up to 700 grams, pike up to 1 kilogram.

Larger fish may no longer fit into a hole with such a diameter, and narrow holes freeze over in the cold much faster than wide ones. But in ordinary ordinary fishing for small fish, this diameter is in great demand: the smaller the diameter, the easier it is to drill a hole.

An ice drill with a drilling diameter of 110-115 mm will be universal for the average amateur fisherman. In such a hole you can put virtually any fish that you catch with a jig or a balancer, and in terms of drilling speed and physical effort, drilling a hole of a similar diameter is not much more difficult than a hole with a diameter of 100 mm.

Ice drills that drill holes with a diameter of 130-150mm are most often purchased with the intention of fishing not only with a fishing rod or balance beam, but also with girders. The 130mm diameter is good for those anglers who can only afford one ice auger. Drilling holes, of course, will be somewhat more difficult, but into such a hole you can safely pull out large pike (up to 6-7 kg), pike perch and medium-sized bream.

Well, if your target is a trophy fish: for example, a bream weighing more than 1-2 kg, a pike weighing more than 7-8 kg, then you should choose an ice drill with a drilling diameter of at least 150 mm, and preferably 175 or 200 mm. Drilling holes of this diameter is quite labor-intensive, and usually in Siberia holes of this diameter are drilled with motorized drills.

Which ice screw is better to buy?

So, which ice screw is better to choose? To do this, it is recommended to pay attention to the thickness of the ice and the weight of the device, especially when fishing over long distances. Noise level and screw length are also important indicators. Avid fishermen are advised to buy ice screws made of hardened or cold-rolled sheet steel.

TOP 2021 experts identified the best models in the following categories:

• Mikado APM01-A5 stands out in the hand tools category. It has a large drilling diameter, an adjustable handle and a long manufacturer's warranty. Plus Mikado is universal, suitable for dry and wet ice.
• Vista Solo SGPH-01 became the best in the category of gasoline drills. Its two-stroke engine provides good power, and its factory-ground serrated blades ensure fast performance on any ice.
• Mora Ice Expert Pro is considered as the best electric ice drill. It has sharp spherical blades, non-slip handles with built-in bearings and fits almost any power tool.

Experts also recommend paying attention to other models presented in the rating. Considering all the selection factors, you can make the right purchase.

TOP 5 tips: how to properly care for an ice auger

1. When fishing, try not to put a wet drill in the snow - ice will immediately form on the auger.
2. After fishing, taking the ice auger into a warm room, wipe the ice auger blades dry with a cloth.
3. Under no circumstances should cutting knives be slammed on ice, much less on any other hard surface. Do not knock frozen ice off the blades. You need to either melt it in a warm room, or lower the ice screw into the hole and wait until it thaws. As a last resort, the ice can be scraped or scraped, but not knocked.
4. On a folding drill, periodically lubricate the junction of the elbows.
5. Always carry a simple repair kit with you: a screwdriver, a wrench and spare bolts for the blades.

The best gasoline ice screws

Gasoline ice screws have varied reviews, work even at the lowest temperatures, and do their job quickly and efficiently. Another advantage is their ability to make large holes. In this nomination, two candidates were considered, who became the best thanks to expert assessments.

Dde IceD-52-200

This motor drill without an auger has a fairly simple design and is equipped with comfortable handles. Engine power is 2.5 l/s. This is enough for fast and accurate drilling, with a permissible diameter of 20 cm. The advantages of this model include a fuel pump, which ensures easy engine operation. The return starter also facilitates starting; it ensures quick return of the tool when jammed in the well. Gasoline consumption is low, the tank is stable enough for the whole day, and its volume is 1.2 liters.

Advantages

• Small dimensions;
• Convenient control;
• Engine resistance to very low temperatures;
• Availability of consumables.

Flaws

• Heavy;
• No heated grips.

The last drawback can only be considered a quibble among some users, but given the price of the model, this is justified. Dde are designated as semi-professional ice screws for fishing, designed for different climatic conditions.

Vista Solo SGPH-01

This model is quite powerful, the engine has 2.7 l/s. An integrated fuel pump ensures quick starting even in extreme temperatures. The decompression button guarantees easy cranking of the starter, and the air cooling of the engine will prevent it from overheating. Fishermen note the good build quality of the ice axe, all parts are securely fastened, the bolts do not wobble and the paint on the augers does not peel off for a long time. Also, the advantages include a moderate noise level, and the muffler has a dense protective casing that protects it from freezing.

Advantages

• Compatible with universal augers;
• Easy to use;
• Durable serrated knives made of hardened steel;
• Sturdy case;
• Two-stroke engine.

Flaws

• Small tank volume;

Experienced users recommend taking a supply of fuel with you for long fishing trips, since the volume of the fuel tank is small. This is the only noticeable flaw in this model; overall, Vista Solo is rated as a reliable tool.

Advice from professionals

Sergey Kazantsev, Deputy Director for Development of TONAR Group of Companies. President of the Altai Territory Fishing Federation, senior coach of the Russian national team for fishing with jigs from ice:

— I consider the best ice screws to be “Sotka Kazantsev”, “Tornado” in all modifications and the right-hand rotation ice screw “ICEBERG”. Of the imported ones - this is “Mora”, rarely “Rapala”. It is worth noting that the first ice drills that I noted have optimal angles of attack, allowing you to drill through any ice quickly enough. Plus, it’s easy to sharpen your knives while fishing if you get caught in debris frozen in the ice.

Imported knives require special equipment for sharpening and cost several times more. They love the “Mora” and “Rapala” ice drills for their fairly comfortable drilling of wet ice, but, in my opinion, they are very slow, and at the current exchange rate they are not justifiably expensive.

As for those who decided to master winter fishing only this season, ideally you need to have two ice screws, with a diameter of 100 and 150 mm. If you do not plan to search for large fish, then a 130 mm ice auger is the best solution. It will be enough for you under any conditions. But personally, I recommend a diameter of 100 mm, since on our ice screws of this diameter you can install knives of 130 mm, thereby increasing the diameter of the hole to 120-125 mm, which is enough for catching “city fish”.

When fishing, it is advisable to have a couple of spare sets of knives with you, since the ice can be filled with sand like a “layer cake”, or with frozen debris.

Vladimir (Romualdovich), an avid fan of winter fishing, one of the oldest users of the FishingSib website:

— I use TONAR. The reason is simple - cheaper than everyone else. And in general, the brand of drill itself is not as important as perfectly sharp knives and, in addition, different replacement ones for different types of ice. And also the presence of gaskets that allow you to change the angle of attack of the cutting planes on the spot. In this case, even suddenly dull knives (on sand) continue to work.

However, the length of the working part is also important (for thick ice at the end of winter - so as not to carry an insert with you) and diameter (in most cases, 100 mm is enough - easier to drill). And in my opinion, all sorts of imported drills are fetishism.

Yakov (Rybanuty), an old resident of the FishingSib website:

— My opinion is simple - there are simply no better ice drills at the moment. And this is regardless of the model of a given brand. And in general, it’s unlikely that anything will change in the near future, since the Scandinavians are the pioneers of fashion in this direction, and they “ate the dog at it.”

Sergey Lushkov (lushkoff.serg2), a regular writer of winter news from reservoirs, a lover of “hard water”, a man who taught his wife to love winter fishing:

— Since 2007, I have been using the domestic ice drill “TONAR” LR-130D. I especially want to highlight the point - the condition of the knives. If you use the drill carefully, then they will last a long time, but if you drill sand, knock them on ice or knock off frozen ice with a hammer, then they will not be enough for one fishing trip. Again, the advantage of knives is that they can be sharpened and returned to battle. In general, the drill is made quite well. The downsides are the short screw and weak plastic handles.

If I could recommend a reliable and inexpensive drill, I would recommend the TONAR Tornado M 130 ice drill, with a long auger. As for the diameter, everyone chooses this according to their interests. But somehow I don’t recognize 100. I always storm with 130. Many people say that it is better to chase pike perch with 100-110 mm. But we all know that pike perch bite in flashes. And then you came across a trophy that didn’t fit into the 100th hole and it started, gaff, axe, help, etc. and so on. And by the time you get him out onto the ice, the pack has already left. And in the 130th hole, you would have taken him out with a whistle and another 10 with him. So the choice is up to you.

Ivan (Predator123), a repeated participant in winter fishing competitions, took 3rd place in the individual competition and 4th place in the team competition at the NSO Open Cup 2021 (January) for jig fishing, sales consultant at a fishing store:

— My choice is the famous “Sotka Kazantsev”. I have been using this ice auger for several years now, I have participated in almost all competitions with it, and in general I do not plan to change it yet. I like it because of several advantages. It's light weight - it's very comfortable to walk with it, your arms don't get loose in the evening. It has a long auger, thanks to which thick ice can be drilled without problems in one go. Another thing is a variety of interchangeable knives, among which there are cutters for both dry ice and wet ice.

Vlad (vlad40), a summer fishing enthusiast, but also not averse to drilling in winter:

— Although I don’t fish much in winter, I can’t give advice on this matter yet, so I’ll speak for myself. Previously, I had a Barnaul ice drill of the well-known brand “TONAR”, model “Tornado”. However, after using it, I changed it to the Swedish “Mora”. Why, you ask? Because it’s the same as our AvtoVAZ “craft” and a normal car. Yes, there are those who like “Zhiguli”, apparently because they have not seen anything better, or cannot buy it. But as soon as they try something more expensive and of better quality, all the love will immediately disappear.

Ice auger diameter depending on fish

In the last part of the article I would like to give advice regarding the diameter of the ice drill when catching a particular fish. I would immediately like to discuss that the data given is correct if the ice thickness is 20 cm, since on thicker ice the diameter of the recommended hole also changes.

lake perch

Perch, with a characteristic hump and weighing from 500 grams to a kilogram, is best fished with a large hole diameter - from 150 mm, but if the perch is small in size (up to 300 grams), a sports-type ice drill may well be suitable, since the hole size should be about 90 mm. For average fish, a hole with a diameter of 120 mm is suitable.

Main types of ice drills

Initially, there was only one type of ice drill - manual. Such devices bit into the ice due to the effort exerted by the owner. During use, you must press the auger against the ice and turn the handle. If the ice is very hard and thick, you will have to put in a lot of effort. The drilling process using hand tools is time-consuming. Anglers who want to create several holes at once have to spend a whole hour on the preparatory stage. The advantages of the manual version include low price, ease of use (no skills required in handling electricity or a gasoline engine), and accessibility. You can find such a device for sale in any fishing store.

Barnaul ice screws

It is believed that Barnaul ones are more interesting in terms of the price-quality ratio:

1. Finding spare parts for them is not a problem.
2. Production does not stand still, but develops.
3. New models are appearing.
4. Good materials are used.

For example, the Tornado model is practically in no way inferior to ice drills from another Russian manufacturer, NERO, which have similar characteristics.

If the question is that the quality is decent at an adequate price, this is just the right option. Barnaul ice screws produced by the group are easy to transport; they have a wide range of models, including special sports models.

Advantages:

• The design and connections are reliable;
• The knives cut any ice perfectly, are inexpensive and are sold everywhere.

Well, as usual: if the product is good, fakes begin to appear. Barnaul ice screws did not escape this fate.

To protect yourself from buying a counterfeit ice auger, check that the plastic handle is stamped with the words “Tonar”.