Spud bar help?

[roosterfish]

I told myself that since I’m waiting for 4”+ of ice, I really didn’t need to get a spud bar….I would just follow the crowd. However, I can’t wait for the crowd, and hope to get on the ice early next week (if Saturday doesn’t spoil the party).

So, I don’t have time to order a “proper” ice chisel, and finding ice gear in SW Ohio is almost impossible.

Is there something that I can get at a hardware store?

This looks like it would do the trick, but at 17lbs it might just go through 6” of ice?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Atlas-70-in-Tamper-Head-Digging-Bar-GXB-441/202531238

Any cheap recommendation that I can find locally would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Mark

[CFosterI]

I bought a 6' ground rod at Glens Surplus and a big 18" hammer type chisel at harbor freight and welded it to the last foot of the ground rod. Then I put some of the rubber wrap that you put on baseball bat handles where I hold it. I've been pretty happy with it. Not that heavy. Take 3 punches to go through 3" of ice.

[slabslayer]

Here's the one I use.

http://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1335602

I put some duct tape on the top to make a knob to hold on better. It's not too heavy and if you don't have welding equipment or as in my case too lazy to weld something up.

[g]

I think 17 lbs. is too heavy. Wouldn't want to carry it and spud with it. Try calling some bait shops where you plan on fishing and see if they stock spud bars.

[ratherbefishing]

Having a spud bar or chisel necessary, especially for staying site at first ice. Be sure you have a set of pucks if you're going to forego the spud.

[Tin Guppy]

Roost fish the pro bass shop at Indian is where I got mine.

[Downthehole]

I have the Eskimo Redneck 1 piece ice chisel. It knocks ice out very well and costs $39.99. There are plenty of sales on at the moment so you'll get one cheaper. Also check out the clam ice chisels there are also on sale - saw one for $19.00 at Sportsmans Direct. Both are 11lb.

Before I bought my chisel I had a spud bar from Home Depot - it was ok, heavy and the head profile did not really chip out the ice. It was often difficult to pull it out of the ice. Several times I ended up cracking the ice as I tried to lever ithe spud bar out of the hole (not a good idea).....

[snowcone]

just about any bar of somin heavy and long enough to walk along with and bam the ice..mine is an axle 1 "  o d and about 4 ft long.  maybe hit up lowes and get a piece of re bar ....

[pig puncher]

3/4 pipe 5 or 6 ft. long. hammer one end flat and sharpen.fill with sand if you need more weight. put a "t" on the other end for a rope.