Ice augers are irreplaceable devices during winter fishing. The tool helps you quickly create holes in the ice to get to the non-frozen part of the reservoir where fish are found. There are many different models on the market, which differ not only in the length and sharpness of the knives, and in the mechanism of action. We've compiled a ranking of the best ice drills in 2020 based on user feedback.
Good ice screws for fishing are produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Particularly popular are products that are produced at factories in St. Petersburg, Barnaul, as well as in the Scandinavian countries. The domestic instrument is in no way inferior to the foreign one, but it is more affordable. Which model to choose is for the fisherman to decide - it all depends on the features of use. In our rating, tools are divided into categories according to the type of mechanism: manual, with a gasoline engine or with the ability to connect an electric battery.
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The main types of ice screws
Initially, there was only one type of ice augers - manual. Such devices gnawed into the ice due to the effort of the owner. During use, it is necessary to press the auger against the ice and turn the handle. If the ice is very hard and thick, it will take a lot of effort. Drilling with hand tools is time-consuming. Anglers who want to create several holes at once have to spend an entire hour on the preparatory stage. The advantages of the manual option include a low price, ease of use (no skills in handling electricity or a gasoline engine are required), and affordability. You can find such a device on sale at any fishing store.
With the development of technology, gasoline-powered tools have replaced hand tools. Of course, gas-powered ice screws did not completely supplant hand-held ice screws. They are still popular with beginners, as well as with those anglers who are only engaged in sport fishing. As for professionals, they are ready to spend 10-15 thousand rubles for the purchase of a drill with an engine. Such devices create a hole very quickly without requiring effort from the owner. The angler only needs to mix the oil and gasoline correctly, pour fuel into the tank and set up the unit.
The third type of drill is electric. It is important to clarify here that there are no drills with built-in electric motors on sale. Only universal drills equipped with an adapter are available. They can be used as a hand tool, or they can be connected to a cordless screwdriver using an adapter. The power tool rotates the auger, the hole is formed without the help of the owner. The downside is that you need to purchase a screwdriver separately. Another drawback of this design is the low power and fast discharge of the batteries in the cold. If the air temperature is below -10 degrees, it is better to refuse to use the adapter: most likely, the battery will run out anyway.
Our top of the best ice augers for ice fishing includes both classic and gasoline tools, as well as products with adapters.
Best Classic Boers
In this category, there are both budget models that are suitable for beginners and premium ones. All instruments are listed in ascending order of price.
Nero-110-1
Price: 1700 rubles
The product is folded during transportation, reaching a length of only 88 cm. The set includes covers for knives, which ensure safe transportation of the product. Unfortunately, the length of this tool (more precisely, its working part) is only 63 cm. Such auger is suitable for making holes in late autumn or early spring, when the ice is not too thick, as well as for drilling holes in large bodies of water. This is an ideal solution for novice anglers, because, despite the short auger, the tool cuts ice perfectly, has good knife sharpening, and weighs only 2.22 kg. This is one of the most affordable modern offerings.
Pros:
- excellent sharpening of knives;
- compact;
- lightweight, which allows you to easily transport the product by public transport.
Minuses:
- short auger;
- the protective covers may fall off the blades during transport.
TONAR LR-180D
Price: 2500 rub.
Of course, this is not the most budget-friendly tool. You can find products on the market for 1300 rubles. But the quality of such cheap models leaves much to be desired. TONAR LD-180D is the winner in the category of budget products. It has an optimal price-performance ratio.
The product produced by the TONAR CJSC, Barnaul, copes well with ice up to 1 meter thick. Knives can cut both loose and hard years. The length of the device changes depending on the position: in the transport position it is only 93 cm because the owner can fold the handle. The handle is made of plastic, rubberized for ease of use in the cold. Durable steel auger and knives. The weight of the tool is 3.1 kg. The main advantage is the large hole width, 180 mm.
Pros:
- low price;
- sharpened knives;
- sufficient auger length;
- durable tool.
Minuses:
- paint peels off the working part easily.
TLR-150D-2NDSH
Price: 9500 rubles
This is the best premium ice screw. This model has many advantages. Firstly, the weight is only 2 kg, although usually professional models are 2-3 times heavier. The body is easy to handle, folds in half during transportation and unfolds without problems when the angler is on the ice. The hole diameter is 150 mm, which is enough for catching large fish, the maximum ice thickness is 1175 mm.
The main advantage of the model is the titanium alloy, which underlies the product. It provides lightness, high strength, corrosion resistance. At the end of the auger there are two sharp knives, the set includes a cover for them.
Pros:
- low weight;
- large hole diameter;
- strength;
- compactness;
- excellent sharpening.
Minuses:
- there may be gaps in the mount;
- high price, especially for beginners.
The best models with a screwdriver adapter
Products with an adapter are universal. They are suitable for both handheld use and motorized drilling. If the battery runs out in the cold, the angler can drill the hole himself. Unfortunately, almost all products with an adapter belong to the premium class, their price starts from 10 thousand rubles.
Mora Ice Arctic 130 mm
Price: 10,000 rubles.
The tool creates holes in seconds, even if used manually. The product is suitable for drilling ice up to 2.13 meters thick. The drill can be lengthened or shortened by 400 mm. The hole diameter is 130 mm. With a mass of positive properties, the product weighs 3.7 kg, which is somewhat a lot for a product without a motor. Adapter 18 mm.
Pros:
- the possibility of automatic work;
- sharp knives;
- adjustment of the length of the working part.
Minuses:
- small hole diameter.
Mora Ice Expert-Pro 200 mm
Price: 10 500 rubles.
The product shows itself well both on hard and loose ice. The screw section is 200 mm, one of the largest indicators. The tool does not lend itself to corrosion, suitable for creating holes in thick ice. There is an option to lengthen the handle.The knives are spherical, the adapter works perfectly and allows you to create holes in a matter of seconds.
Pros:
- works well on any ice;
- light weight;
- reliability.
Minuses:
- price.
HEINOLA SPEEDRUN CLASSIC HL1-135-800
Price: 11 260 RUB.
This is one of the most expensive tool options. The product is made in Finland and belongs to the premium type. The handle is telescopic, the knives are spherical, which increases their productivity. The knives are removable - they can be changed or disconnected during transportation. Using the adapter, you can connect a drill or screwdriver. High alloy steel knives do not rust. Even when used manually, the spherical blades create holes instantly.
Pros:
- telescopic handle;
- rust protection;
- removable knives;
- ease of use.
Minuses:
- high price.
The best products with a gasoline engine
If the angler doesn't mind tinkering a bit with filling the fuel tank and still wants to create a large number of holes as quickly as possible, a gas powered tool is the best choice.
PIRAN GD520
Price: 7000 rub.
The most budgetary option. Made in China. Of course, the low price affects the quality: there are strong vibrations, recoil. On the other hand, the auger diameter of 250 mm, as well as the possibility of using the product when working with thick ice, make it in demand. It should be noted that the Chinese tool is suitable for drilling land. Two handles allow two people to press on the drill, allowing for faster drilling of thick ice crust.
Pros:
- very low price;
- wide diameter of the hole;
- two handles;
- use for drilling the earth.
Minuses:
- poor build quality;
- strong vibrations.
ADA GROUNDDRILL-2 ICE FISHERMAN
Price: 12,000 rubles.
Another Chinese representative, but much better. The set includes a set of tools, a canister and a funnel, which makes it easier to care for the device. The volume of the tank is 1.2 liters, the diameter of the screw is 200 mm. High productivity allows you to instantly create holes up to 1 meter deep. The drill features a smooth ride and low gas consumption, soft handles.
Pros:
- smooth running;
- rubberized handles;
- 2.45 l. from.;
- economical consumption.
Minuses:
- ice thickness is only up to 1 meter.
IRON MOLE E53 ICE
Price: 14,000 r.
A worthy representative of the modern domestic market. The design of the drill provides everything for the owner to use it with maximum comfort - rubberized handles, a shock absorber and a smooth start in cold weather. The product is also suitable for frozen ground, practically does not require efforts from the owner. Fuel consumption is economical.
Pros:
- soft start system;
- depreciation;
- reliable one-piece body;
- suitable for soil
Minuses:
- weight 8.5 kg without the working part, 11 with it;
- loud noise and vibration.
Ada Grounddrill-2 + Drill 150
Price: 15 200 r.
The product is designed for cold winters. The engine does not fail even in the most severe frosts. The movement is smooth, although a lot of noise is noticeable during operation. The kit contains everything you need to care for the device. Thanks to the high power, wells up to 1 meter are quickly created.
Pros:
- set of tools, canister and funnel included;
- the possibility of extending the screw;
- power 2.45 hp;
- suitable for soil;
- works well in cold weather.
Minuses:
- weight 11 kg;
- set of tools, canister and funnel included;
- high price.
Additional advice on the selection of drills
Which ice screw is better to choose? It all depends on the purpose of the instrument. Anglers are divided into several categories:
- Beginners. When choosing which ice screw is best to buy, such fishermen usually choose budget tools. And this is correct, because, perhaps, the hobby in the end will not like it, and the purchased expensive instrument will gather dust idle. In addition, it is better for beginners to purchase borax with a small hole diameter. 110 mm is enough to try your hand at a small fish and successfully pull it out. Better to pay attention to hand tools.
- Lovers. Such people are already hunting for larger prey, but they do not strive for records.They are willing to spend their money on no more reliable and easy-to-use tools. The optimal cutting diameter for knives for amateurs is from 110 to 180 mm. Such a hole will allow you to pull out a large specimen. Hobbyists are advised to try borax with an adapter. The connected battery allows you to significantly speed up the process of creating holes.
- Professionals looking for trophy fish. So it is better to buy premium hand tools with a large hole diameter, from 180 to 250 mm. The price of a good drill for the pros starts from 10 thousand rubles. This is a justified waste if the angler wants to get a trophy fish.
You should also take into account the physical abilities of the owner and the thickness of ice freezing in the region. Pensioners and weakened people are better off buying at least an ice screw with an adapter. If the angler is in no hurry and is ready to turn the handle for a long time, you can get by with the manual option. As for the drilling depth, it varies from 60 to 150 cm. In more northern regions, you have to buy tools with an extended auger (for example, models with a telescopic handle).
So, it's impossible to answer unequivocally which ice screw is better. You need to focus on your own goals and preferences. However, the TOP 10 best devices will allow you to quickly navigate and narrow the range of choice.
