Thanks guys. I guess I phrased my question poorly but actually think i got the answer i was looking for. I appreciate the info. Looks like I’ve just got to settle on exactly what I want in a rod and have it built.

I love my Honda! Always starts right up, not too heavy. Don’t have to worry about mixing gas. There’s a bunch of Honda small engine service centers around that can work on it for me if I need anything. Those GX motors are awesome! My landscaper neighbor talked me into it. He buys a GX series Honda motor whenever it’s an option from experience with them running forever. I look forward to it running for me for a LONG time.

Holy crap! I just read this all and if they come out with the RT-9 and give it the same future proof updates that the LX-9 has this will TOTALLY be my next flasher!!! I LOVE that you can use 2 transducers on the same machine. That’s AWESOME for me and my daughter. Hopefully it’s out in time for the ’16-’17 ice fishing season.

I don’t have a Garage and want to keep my new auger in the basement. I guess I could put bike hooks into the floor joists to hang it. Had wanted something free standing but now you’ve got me thinking.

My Strikemaster just came in and I got it put together. They say in the manual that a bit of play is normal between the powerhead and bit. Is it a good idea to shim that out with some Teflon tape or something? I didn’t know if the slop is designed in for a reason or if performance could be increased a bit with a tighter fit.

I race sailboats when I’m not fishing and polarized sunglasses are REALLY important. We need to be able to see the subtle changes in the wind on the water surface and glare isn’t very helpful when it comes to that. With that said, all the top guys I know of wear Kaenon’s. I’ve taken a look at them and if it weren’t for the fact that my Oakleys are in fine shape I’d say, my next pair is going to be a pair of Kaenon’s as well. It’s impressive how clear they are. I’ve tried on almost every other brand out there and spent an embarrassingly high amount over the years. They are definitely be worth a look.

I do agree about the kryptonite with electronics comment though. It kind of sucks fishing with my buddy and needing to cock my head to the side every time i want to see the fish finder.

So I ended up going with an 8 inch 4 stroke Honda-Lite and a 6 inch Lazer hand auger as back-up (after last year I don’t think i’ll ever go with only 1 auger again). I was holding off on it since this winter has SUCKED around me and there hasn’t been any fishable ice (well not that I was willing to risk).

Question about my gas auger. How many holes do people normally get out of a tank of gas through say… 12 inches of ice? Do most people bring extra gas out with them or does what’s in the tank last them the day?

Thanks. I ordered the 4stroke strikemaster and i’m thinking of getting a hand auger while i wait for it to arrive. wanted to know which hand auger to get to compliment my new one.

so maybe 6 inch hand and 8 inch power augers then. Thanks for the info!!!

Mudshark wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Make sure when you Google hotracks its one word….

Something like typing Best But instead of Best Buy ??

Neither of those are as bad as when I accidentally went to hot male . com Yeah… switched to gmail that day.

I see your point, but with that said… where’s it end? I’m sure I can chat with my Brother in the AF and see about having my holes cut with a laser from a satellite in space, but there’s a bit of a cost restraint there as well

The Ion and Lithium StrikeMaster interest me the most in that you don’t have to start them, you just push the button, they are also quite a bit lighter it seems, and don’t have the loud noise and fumes. I haven’t just gone and pulled the trigger however, in that they are a bit spendy, and I wonder if the Honda motor will last longer. There’s a bunch of small engine shops around that could get her purring again if I needed. Would you worry about the Electrics lasting 10+ years? And with it being newer tech, is there a likelihood that I won’t be able to find batteries in the future because the companies changed to something new by the time I need it? I’m not really worried about the cold. I normally fish from a 1 person flip-over and with my buddy heater on low it’s 70+ degrees in there. Maybe I’m just overthinking this all… As I type this, that Honda Strikemaster seems to me like the smartest choice.

Thanks for posting this question! I got 2 new Packers colored Beaver Dam’s for Christmas and have been trying to decide what to spool them with.

yeah i read that but it says depth and fish finding which is what confused me.

Yeah, I saw that set-up and have to say… I’ve always been a fan of how clean and well laid out the Clam Ice Team sleds are with the shelter mounted on the back and auger on the front. I have to say however, those new IDO sleds take it to the next level! That’s an awesome rig! I’m super jealous. If I could get one of those 2 man polaris long track sleds with that otter box set up and a 2 man Otter Lodge into a standard inclosed 2 sled trailer… I’ve got my new dream ride!

Awesome advice Trophy. Thanks. Not going to be an issue for me though. I’m the only one i know that ice fishes. My friends are too cheap to buy any shelters and since they’ve never fished from inside a heated tent they think i’m the idiot for spending so much time out in the cold and wind. I try to tell them that it’s fun, you catch a bunch of fish, and all you need to do is invest a little into a 1 man flip over with a buddy heater and it’s totally comfortable but no one will listen. Oh well, their loss. On the topic of interference though, how close to other people do you need to worry about interference between flashers? I fish mostly by myself however there are times when I end up in an area with a bunch of other guys.

That’s normally been my philosophy as well. I’ve been TRYing to not let ice fishing turn into the money pit my other 2 hobbies are. HAHAHA I already race sailboats and have an unexplainable obsession with Benelli and Sitka for my whitetail gear. Figured I’d show the wife I’m not all bad by learning to cut a few corners with my newest hobby. The excuse of “well you know my ice fishing gets me and Sammie out of the house on saturdays giving you time to yourself and strengthening my relationship with my daughter” will only go so far.

I was given the knives of alaska fisherman’s combo for christmas last year with their Coho and Steelheader knives and have to say, their steelheader knife is awesome! Holds an edge well, and it’s SUPER easy to grip even with slimy hands. I use it for everything (unfortunately since that means I’m not catching the big salmon i’d been hoping for). The only thing I don’t like is the sheath. I’ve been thinking of trying to find a good leather or kydex sheath for them. I sharpen them on my spyderco sharp maker and they’re razors.

I’ve been looking at electric auger’s for this season and honestly I think I’m going to go with the Ion. It’s lighter, seems quieter, and has some cool features. I like the idea of the reverse to blow slush out of the hole after you drill it. Also the new quick change, and ice anchor attachments seem to make it fairly versatile as an all in 1 tool. When I go out, it’s usually for a half day and honestly I don’t drill 40 plus holes. The ice on my bays doesn’t really get more then 18 inches or so thick so the benefits of the Stikemaster and ice Gator for me personally didn’t seem to be that big a deal. I can see how if you were running and gunning from a sled or wheeler that you may want the faster auger that drills more holes per charge, but that’s not me. If I get to the point where I’m working from a sled, I think I’d actually prefer a 4 stroke Honda strikemaster. At that point, I’m not worried about fumes, noise, or weight. At least that’s my thought process since I’m in the same boat of currently shopping.

So, how many duplicates do people carry with them once they’ve found a jig and color they like? I like the idea of vertical and horizontal jigs being in their own fly box’s. I like to travel fast and light so having a few jig box’s in my pockets rather then a big Plano box in my sled appeals to me as well. Also, other then cost, is there benefits to the lead jigs over tungsten? In a perfect tackle box would you still have some lead jigs for certain situations and if so what would they be?

So, the “things” are right, it’s just the quantity I’ve got to work on? I’ve been looking at clam’s website and their tungsten jigs. When you look at buying jigs do you just order a few of every color and then more of the ones that work best? I’ve always SUCKED at shopping for tackle. My bass gear is full of lures that looked AWESOME in the store but haven’t caught a freaking thing.

those tubes your jigs and spoons are in, did they come with the lure or did you pick them up somewhere? I like that! My hooks always get snagged together.

LOVE that show. I’d never heard of it till I stumbled across it on youtube and now I’ve watched every video on their youtube channel and keep up to date with new releases as they come out. Only thing that would make it better is if it were daily instead of weekly! It’s probably the only time my 6 year old daughter slows down and cuddles up to me is when I put IDO on the TV. Watching that show and going ice fishing are our thing to do together and that means the WORLD to me.

Last year I bought a clam bigmouth thermal from gander mountain (I think it’s special for them) and it’s AWESOME. It’s full Thermal and folds up the smallest out of any flip-over i could find and I did a TON of research. size was huge for me cause my truck cover has limited space under it so I needed to have a sled that folded as sort as possible. I’ve been really happy with it. It’s similar to the wide 1 in how it expands giving you more fishing space. With my Buddy Heater going on low, I’m literally sitting in there in short sleeves with the door cracked open even on sub zero days. Toasty warm, and no condensation except fog on the windows. Been out in -30 and 45+ with driving rain and always been comfortable.

WOW! That’s awesome! I feel like an idiot now for waisting space in my sled bringing a backpacking stove. I had it with me all along!

Thanks for all the info. Didn’t think I could go wrong with my thought. I appreciate the info on other rods to consider. I’d never heard of Brickers before. What about reels? Anyone else make a panfish reel for ice fishing that’s in the same league or better then the 13 fishing that I should be considering?