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Posted

All right, let's start the great debate. I'm looking at possibly picking up a new auger.<BR>I think I may go with either a Strike Master or a Jiffy.<BR>Who likes what and why? Pros? Cons?

Posted

There are a lot of good augers around. I have an older Eskimo that I bought about 6-7 years ago and have never had to replace a spark plug or anything. It works great and I love it. It is also easy on gas. <BR>Kupcho

Posted

I have a 7 yr old Strikemaster, and its tough to beat. Jiffy makes a **** good product,however; I lean to the Strikemaster for price and weight. They both have the same engines that can last half a lifetime.Last season I invested in a new auger bottom with the double blade. Very nice. I'd buy the 10"Jiffy ( for hauling in pickup with portable, or opening holes in a permanent house.) Buy the 8" Strike (if you like to explore and Panfish.)

Posted

I used to be strickly a Jiffy man but I had a chance to buy a new Strikemaster cheap and I love it. The only thing I am worried about is that it is not built nearly as tough as a Jiffy so I don't know how long it will last. I have one Jiffy that is about 30 years old, been through a fire, not much paint left, drilled probably ten thousand holes, but it still works great. I don't think the Strikemaster will stand that!!!!

Posted

I bought a new Jiffy 10" last year, and was more than impressed. Like a hot knife through butter.

Posted

I purchased an 8" Strikemaster with a 2 h.p. motor last winter. I was skeptical at first because there was 3 ft. of ice at the time. I was a little concerned that the smaller engine would not cut the ice near as fast as the 3 horse. My son has a 3 horse strikemaster and the last time we fished together there was no difference in cutting speed. In fact the 2 horse cut a little faster. It seems the slower r.p.m. on the auger blades allows them to cut more ice. The hole starts easier with less wobbling around. Depth of ice was not a concern even with the extension on. The smaller auger is great!! Starts easily. Cuts quickly. Weighs less. Totally happy with the product.

Posted

Just purchased a new 10" Jiffy 3hp this year after using a friends last year, and I believe it's the best out there. I've used many in the past, and the ease of cutting with the "Stealth" is amazing. Recent technologies (ripper blades, D'icer armor) have resulted in a very fast, and smooth auger. However, it is heavy, and they are the most expensive, but if you ask me, they are well worth it.

Posted

After 20+ years with a Jiffy 30, I've finally upgraded to the Strikemaster 2hp. If you're a mobile fisherman, nothing beats the speed and light weight of the Strikemaster. Some have said the gearing in the Jiffy is much more dependable, but as I age, light weight and speed far outweighs (no pun intended) the old reliable Jiffy. Lets face it, even if the Strikemaster breaks down after 10 years, we would all love an excuse to buy something new anyway!

Posted

I have the Strikemaster w/2hp. Chose it becuase it is light and several friends have had very good luck. The weight makes a big difference early and late in the year when you are hoofing it out on the ice. I could not be more pleased with the performance.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

You really need to take a serious look at the Eskimo line-up. The augers are just as good as the Strikemaster lazer mag and the price is definitely right.<P>We're talking some serious ice cutting machines here. They don't spend advertising money and pass the savings on to you.<P><A HREF="http://ardisam.com/Eskimo/pwrAugerHome.htm" TARGET=_blank>Eskimo Augers</A>

Posted

How about fishing sand pits? Anybody have any advice on blade choices? I fish some and there is wind blown sand in the ice top to bottom.What blades work best in that? It dulls blades in my hand auger real quick!!

Posted

<BR> Last year I bought the Strike Master Lazer Ultra with the light weight 2 horse motor and the 3 blade 9 inch auger. Best of both world's. Too much money though.

Posted

I have to agree with Rick's comment on Eskimo's. I purchased one about 7 years ago and it still is working like new. I have never had a tune up or had to replace my blades. Mine is a 3hp and 10 inches. <P>The reason I bought it was the price. Rick made a great point about their prices and their advertising.<P>Woodman

Posted

If you are going to be re-opening holes a lot in a permanent house, get a jiffy. If you will be moving a lot with portables, get the strikemaster lazer mag. Nice and light and cuts through ice like a mother.

Posted

gruffee<P>I myself used a Jiffy and with the chipper blades they don't dull very fast. In ND where I fish a lot on a Resevior lot of dirt and sand blow out on top of the ice I have had guess stop and tell me that there Strikemaster dull quickely. Don't know from personal experience because I have alway had jiffys and they have been very good to me. I have a new Stealth this year and it is very nice very satisfied with it. It is heavy but all my fishing is done with a ATV or Pickup so weight isn't a concern but I feel that they are built better to. THe auger itself has heavier metal..<P>------------------<BR>Grip it and Rip it<P>IFFWalleyes<BR>I Fish For Walleyes<BR>[email protected]

Posted

I have had an Eskimo for 4 years and so far Awesome!!! It starts and cuts with no problems. My buddy accidentally dropped the auger busting the throttle control lever. Eskimo not only sent me a new throttle lever but a new handle as well. Great customer service.

Posted

I've had my Eskimo "Shark" 10" for 4yrs. also and have nothing but good to say about it. Never have had to pull it more than 3 times first time out every year. Shut off toggle quit working, I informed them and they sent me a new one no questions asked. They are the only one on the market with the high rpm chain saw style engine. I'd put it up against any factory produced auger made. I love it and so do the rest of the guys I fish with that paid more and bought another brand.tuk<p>[This message has been edited by tip-up king (edited 12-16-2003).]

Posted

Well we got an Eskimo about 6 years ago and it has been a lemon since the day we got it. You think of it we have had problems with it. Heck a weld inside the auger broke and they wouldn't cover it under warantee and we even had the tip's weld break and come completely out. We were easy on it but it has been a lemon since the day we got it I swear in one year it spent more time in the shop then at our place. I have never had any problems using a jiffy. Neighbor was nice enough to let me use his 8" that hadn't been used in over 3 years. Dumped gas out and added new and pulled over and it worked great. Out did my Eskimo. So be cautious when you purchase one.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
    • smurfy
      🤣 did your nose just grow a bit!😏🤭
    • Wanderer
      I hope to be fishing….  It’s so rare that I get to go, I hate passing up the opportunity. 😉   
    • leech~~
      Since the Vikings are never in it. We use it for an excuse to make some fun stuff!  Last year was a bit light. Hot cheese bean dip, hot wings and pepperoni cheese bread! 😋
    • Hookmaster
      That snow and the 15-25 mph winds on Thursday with higher gusts will be nasty drifting. I didn't go to LOW (can I say that in the this thread?🤫) this week because of it.
    • smurfy
      Who's watching the big game Sunday? More importantly what's ya'all cooking!   I like good football si I'm tuning in. Food... yea no clue yet 
    • Wanderer
      Hard to see em well enough to tell.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing is strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Most anglers are targeting deep mud with others fishing structure if available where they are going out of.  There are fish in both areas.     Some ice roads are now extending more than 16 miles out, with over two feet of ice reported in most areas. Resorts and outfitters continue increasing weight limits. As a rule, fishing continues to be very good with consistent action for anglers.  Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fish frys and bring fish home.   On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.   On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    You never know when the fish will move through.  Anglers fishing the entire day normally have success.  Electronics are a big help as well. On the Rainy River...  The morning and evening hours are the best for fishing walleyes. A jig and minnow combination has been a good presentation.  A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is still producing some big fish through the ice.  There are two sturgeon seasons on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.    The harvest season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. The catch and release season runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.    Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing remains good at the Northwest Angle.  Resorts continue to move their fish houses staying on fish.  Some fish houses are set up on structure while others are targeting deeper mud flats.    Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees.  Good numbers of big crappies are still being caught in select areas and hard sided fish houses are available to target them.  Check with a NW Angle resort for info.   Jigging one line, deadsticking the second is effective.  Some days the jigging line is hot, other days the deadstick.  Some good colors have been gold, glow red, glow white, wonder bread, pink, chartreuse and orange. Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.  
    • JerkinLips
      Same story, different day (Monday).  Caught several small walleyes (biggest were 14 and 15 inches) with the best bite from 2-5pm.  Caught my record walleye this winter at 6½ (inches, not pounds).  Was wondering why the bobber kept going down a couple inches for several minutes until I finally reeled it up.  Fortunately it was just hooked in the lips.  Having a lively minnow definitely improved the action.  I put down a pike sucker for the first time this winter and got an immediate hard bite.  When I went to set the hook, the line broke just above the hook.  Don't know if it was a northern bite-off or just weak line by the hook.  May try some pike suckers next trip.   Ice conditions were very good except for heavy drifting (even with very little fresh snow).  Didn't see any vehicles traveling off road except for snowmobiles and a tracked SxS, although there weren't many people out on the lake.  Water came up around my house about 1½ inches but froze very quickly with the cold weather and no snow on top.  Will probably have to block it up again next time up.   Good luck fishing and be careful of severe drifting of snow, especially with the 3-5 inches they are predicting for Wednesday night.  
    • leech~~
      Why, do they all only wear Sitka camo over there? 😏
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