Gas or not during first ice?

[MDBuckeye]

I have been contemplating my drilling strategy when we finally get first ice.  I have 4" and 8" mora Strikemaster hand augers and my 8" gas Strikemaster.  I was thinking until I am confident we have good solid ice I will probably stick to my hand augers but the draw back to that is not having the will to drill more than 15-20 holes during a trip.

Any thoughts?

[slabslayer]

I know gas is a little heavier, but I only take my 8 inch gas.  Had a 4 inch hand, but several times I had fish I couldn't get thru the hole.  It was a pain drilling out the hole without cutting my line.  Also like you if I don't have gas I'll never drill and fish like I should.  If the ice is that iffy I'll give it a day.

[pig puncher]

i'm with you md. i noticed last season, with power i drilled a lot more holes. dealing with joint pain in the shoulders and elbows, i think pulling the extra weight vs. drilling more holes is the way to go. power augers on 4" of ice? if you got it use it.

[bf1976]

When I got a 6" Lazer hand ice auger several years ago for Christmas I never even considered getting another power auger. With the amount of ice we get around here I just cannot justify carrying a power auger especially with gas, etc. I have never been on the ice when someone drilled more holes then I typically drill.

[1977walleyeguy]

Its situational based for me, but typical rule for me is 6" lazer til we get 6" of ice then i switch to the gas.  unless working a new body of water etc. etc.

[davidhoheisel]

I had a gas and it was not worth the Additional weight. Now Crv has one I just go fish his holes since he can't catch em anyways.

A 6 in lazer cuts like butter and I need the exercise.

[OhioFisher19]

When you get more then 8" a gas auger would probably be nice but I don't own one maybe it would be a nice investment for Erie but otherwise I feel like I am scaring them anyways!

[g]

i use my hand auger until the ice is 6 inches then it's gas all the way. both shoulders are bad so it's hard for me to drill many holes with my hand auger. am getting surgery on my right shoulder in early dec,. hopefully it will be good enough to use ice fishing. with my gas auger, i drill at least 8 2 hole setups at a time whereas with my hand auger, i can only drill 3 & my shoulders hurt too bad to drill anymore for at least an hour.