6 inch hole big enough?

Been up there once only got small eyes 6 inch hole should be enough shouldn’t it?

Plenty, unless you hook into a big smallmouth, pike, or musky.

6″ should be good to go, besides just think of the story you can tell if something doesn’t fit up thru it.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

6″ should be good to go, besides just think of the story you can tell if something doesn’t fit up thru it.

And in ten years after telling that story 1000 times that hole will have grown to ten inches!

I’d go 8” or better. There’s some dandy fish in there. I’d hate to lose a fish of a lifetime trying to turn its head up. I hesitantly changed my 8” to the 10” yesterday when me and the boy were in a bay pike fishing. Thank god I did. We had a heck of a time turning this pikes head up the hole. 41” and FAT. His PB, and beats my PB by an inch!

mrpike1973 wrote:

Been up there once only got small eyes 6 inch hole should be enough shouldn’t it?

Guys, come on! This is IDO. Let’s see now, what’s that saying? Oh, yeah. BIGGER is better.

I think most guys are going with a 16 inch hole now right? I mean, most weekend casual guys. I’m personally going with a 22 inch, but next year when the turbo augers come out, I’m going 26.

For the record, 6 inch is just fine. If you’re catching too many fish that won’t fit up the hole, then you’re having a freaking awesome time.

Grouse

The issue isn’t normally whether or not it will fit up the hole but getting the head turned and coming up the hole. Larger the hole the easier to get them turned and coming up. I won’t fish ML with a 6″ hole but it is your choice, free country.

Our biggest was 27 this weekend and a few in the 20 inch size. How mad would you be if that 27 busted off at the hole? I personally think it is too small, but if it is all you got then you will figure it out.

Getting them started up the hole is the issue with a 6 inch hole. That said if you get them started in a 6 in they can’t turn around on a guy. I prefer fishing an 8.

mrpike1973 wrote:

Been up there once only got small eyes 6 inch hole should be enough shouldn’t it?

All I use is a 6 inch head. I did get a 36 inch northern up the hole with no problem.
I do like the fact that if the fish gets unhooked in the hole it cannot turn around.

You’ll be fine. If you turn a fish up through a 6” hole enough you’ll get really good at it. Some of you guys would die if you were stuck in the wilderness for a day.

Thanks for the replies! Today I bought a K Drill 8 inch it only measures 7 1/4 hole, it also is hard to hang on to. I would think it would need the clam plate way to much money for a weekend trip. $250 for drill 70 for clam plate. I tried drilling 2 6 inch holes together I think it will work OK for me. Returned the K Drill love the 6 inch but the 8 is a pain. I then after returning it bought a Mora 7 inch put it on the drill and it’s now in the bottom of the lake. What a joke that’s what I have to say the bolt sheared off. Bought a magnet no luck will try tomorrow. From what I’m seeing here it looks like i’ll be OK with my 6 maybe double hole it? I see Reeds has the ION on sale how about that spendy but may work Ok?

If your still planning on coming during the GTG, I got a jiffy pro-4 as a backup for my ion you can borrow for the weekend. As of now I’m 95% certain I’m coming. Only thing holding me up possibly is Valentines being a couple days prior. But my Birthday, (the day after V-day) hopefully will negate that. When she asks what I want to do for my birthday I will say go to Mille Lacs for the GTG. Which shouldn’t be a surprise by then since I spend pretty much every weekend in the winter up there anyways.

Mn Drifter wow thanks for the offer! i believe I got it now. Was able to run a clam plate today on the neighbors drill. Way different than I thought worked awesome! I got the 8 inch K Drill back and getting the Clam plate and converter for the K Drill. I will send a note to Strikemaster about losing the 7 inch I really liked it. I can see how with the plate it would work good. I doubt Strikemaster will do anything but the bolt broke I saw it snap and in slow motion I jumped for it missing just like the Vikings. Had to say it not a foot ball fan but still your home team.

I used a 6″ hole this weekend for hole hopping on URL, it worked fine. But for ML, I would prefer an 8″ hole. 6″ hole diameter is 18+”, pending your auger selection. Most fish will fit up the hole, it’s getting the head turned that can create the issue. The thought of losing a 9 or 10lb Walleye because I had trouble turning the head up the hole is reason enough. I love my 6″ because it cuts so much faster and easier, but the 8″ has its benefits.

I can also bring an 8″ Pro-4 lite to the GTG, it’s my backup and I would be more than happy to let you borrow it.

A 6” is “usually” good but I also prefer and 8”. I have a 8” strikemaster but have been using the 8” k-drill and have had no problems. I have it on a M18 Fuel and use the extra handle and it is great.

Offer stands Mr.P. I can’t take any time off work since I’m headed to lake Havasu the following week. I’ll be pulling into Red Door roughly 8:00pm Friday good lord willing.

Thanks MN drifter I should be OK. I called Strikemaster they are going to send me a new auger WOW! So it is a 7 inch but I can put 8 inch blades on it thinking of Returning the K-drill or would that be a no no would like to save the money but if that’s what I need that is what I need. The Mora on you tube does more holes than the K Drill. ANd even 7 inch hole should be better than a 6 inch hole.