Anyone have trouble getting panfish (gills & crappies) through 4 1/2″ hole. A fisherman let me try his 4 1/2″ nils it cut like butter and also like that it is really lightweight since I mainly fish Mississippi backwaters and need to be mobile. I currently use a 5″ auger but that 4 1/2″ nils cut alot easier and faster than mine.
Can you get new blades for yours? I’d say its the sharpness of the blades that is why it cut so fast. If you can get your blades sharpened or get new blades, that would make yours cut like butter I’d bet.
Anyone have trouble getting panfish (gills & crappies) through 4 1/2″ hole. A fisherman let me try his 4 1/2″ nils it cut like butter and also like that it is really lightweight since I mainly fish Mississippi backwaters and need to be mobile. I currently use a 5″ auger with newer blades but that 4 1/2″ nils cut alot easier and faster than mine.
Go with the 6″ for sure! You can get big fish through it and it cuts easy!! Super light weight. Plus on sale right now!
I have been using a 4″ Laser this winter and really love the way it cuts. I have not had any issues with panfish or bass up to 17″ but it can be tough to get them started into the hole. The other issue I have is that my LX-5 transducer takes up a lot more space in the hole and I am pretty much taking it out for most fish. If I had to buy another auger today I would probably buy the 5″ Laser.
I have a friend who has the Nils in a 6″ (I think) with the crank and power head and that does work very well but I really love this 4″ Laser.
Good luck.
Dave
The Nils 6″ (manual) is so easy to use, frankly I don’t see the point of why they make a 4.5″ to be honest. In fact, I even suggest those considering a manual 6″ actually look at a manual 8″ again due to ease of use.
There is another factor to consider, crappies bite better under a small hole. I proved it to myself again yesterday. Frustrating but true. I can get a 14″ crappie through a 4 1/2″ hole, usually takes a manual assist but I’ve done it a number of times. Yes, I had one I literally could not get started up the hole, I shudder to think how big it was. I’d have released it anyway so it wasn’t that big of a deal. The vast majority of panfish fit handily and more bites mean more fish overall.
I would also go with the 6 incher. I had a 5 inch auger years ago and never caught a fish that wouldn’t fit through it, but some big panfish didn’t have much extra room.
I now have a 6″ Nils hand auger I use for early ice. Works well, I think any panfish will fit in it, and there’s enough room to fit a transducer too. A 4 1/2 with a transducer would get small in a big hurry.
Like the others have said, the 6″ Nils cuts so effortlessly, I don’t think there’s a lot to gain by going smaller.
There is another factor to consider, crappies bite better under a small hole. I proved it to myself again yesterday. Frustrating but true. I can get a 14″ crappie through a 4 1/2″ hole, usually takes a manual assist but I’ve done it a number of times. Yes, I had one I literally could not get started up the hole, I shudder to think how big it was. I’d have released it anyway so it wasn’t that big of a deal. The vast majority of panfish fit handily and more bit
es mean more fish overall.
This is one main reason I am considering the 4 1/2″ have noticed panfish in general bite better in a small hole especially in the shallow backwaters 3′-5′ range. I also don’t use a locator so no transducer to worry about.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Duke M wrote:</div>
There is another factor to consider, crappies bite better under a small hole. I proved it to myself again yesterday. Frustrating but true. I can get a 14″ crappie through a 4 1/2″ hole, usually takes a manual assist but I’ve done it a number of times. Yes, I had one I literally could not get started up the hole, I shudder to think how big it was. I’d have released it anyway so it wasn’t that big of a deal. The vast majority of panfish fit handily and more bit
es mean more fish overall.This is one main reason I am considering the 4 1/2″ have noticed panfish in general bite better in a small hole especially in the shallow backwaters 3′-5′ range. I also don’t use a locator so no transducer to worry about.
Like you said probably just release one that big after a couple pictures.
Oh yeah, one other thing. One day, a few years ago, while four old guys, well older than me anyway, were kicking my butt with their 5″ holes vs. my then 7″ holes. They said one of the main reasons they used the small auger was that when a fish came unbuttoned in the hole they had a chance to grab it as the fish had to slide backwards down the hole. Whereas they could turn around and escape in what they referred to as my “swimming pools.” They were right.
Most people whom have been icefishing pressured fish, clear water, sunny days leave skim ice in the hole! This prevents light from entering below which could shy away pressured light sensitive fish! If you are losing lots of fish in the hole or below you need to refine your equipment! Lighter rod, losen drag, or learn to fish fish better!
Leaving slush in the hole was the first thing I tried to defeat the too big of a hole problem. The problem was the slush adversely affected the drop of the lure and negated the up bite indication. Oh well, nothing is perfect.
Leaving slush in the hole was the first thing I tried to defeat the too big of a hole problem. The problem was the slush adversely affected the drop of the lure and negated the up bite indication. Oh well, nothing is perfect.
I agree with you on that I have been down that road also. The line would catch up in the slush then drop 2″-3″. I guess it would work if you fish at one depth, but I like to fish the whole water column. I guess to each their own on that.
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