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RainGearRight
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My bro in law bought a Nils a couple years ago. Last year on Seagull we were cutting through about 30" of ice. We doubled up on it and could punch a hole in about 15 seconds. Pretty slick auger.
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jake68
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Hands down the NILS and they have several different sized so if you are not worried about getting a big lake trout through the whole you can bring the smaller one just to get water etc.
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Pinetree
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quote jake68: "Hands down the NILS and they have several different sized so if you are not worried about getting a big lake trout through the whole you can bring the smaller one just to get water etc."
Only Nils here. I do oil or spray my nils after using for the season and that helps keeping it getting corroded. Going at least three years on one set of blades but do have a backup blades.
Used a Normark for decades and does the job find just tajkes a little longer but very dependable.
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Gadfly
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Nils. The blades will dull and you most likely will have to mail them off but I keep a backup blade and don't mind a little extra work for the performance. I also use it when I'm not in the BWCA, I'm not one of those guys drilling a zillion holes to chase pan fish around all day so it works fine for me.
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Mnpat
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6" nils is an amazing auger. Don't get an 8" in slush its to much work. I drill two or three connecting holes with my nils for big fish. The blades on a nils are hardened steel not soft stainless like a lazer. If you take care and don't redrill old holes or dirty ice they will last for years.
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walllee
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Strikemaster 8" Mora is what I use in the BWCA. Cuts fast as long as the blades are sharp. jiffy is my choice as far as power augers go.
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WhiteWolf
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quote walllee: "Strikemaster 8" Mora is what I use in the BWCA. Cuts fast as long as the blades are sharp. jiffy is my choice as far as power augers go. "
same thing in a 6". much less effort then an 8". If you drill a lot of holes or go late season with thick ice- big difference.
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kajy
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First hand experience that the ion is not legal in bwca. It only costed me 185 bucks to figure out that one. Never mind that I just walked in 4 miles and drilled 2 holes before 3 snowmobiles came in behind me. Thanks again DNR for the ticket and packing down the trail for my walk out! Needless to say I have not been back in the winter time!
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Pinetree
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Mnpat: "6" nils is an amazing auger. Don't get an 8" in slush its to much work. I drill two or three connecting holes with my nils for big fish. The blades on a nils are hardened steel not soft stainless like a lazer. If you take care and don't redrill old holes or dirty ice they will last for years. "
You know have a 6 and a 8 inch nils. I will have to try two connecting holes with the six and see how hard that is?
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MackinawTrout
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quote Kiporby: "Ordered the 6 inch Nils from Cabelas. Thanks Guys. With coupons and the sale, got it for $60. DEAL!"
Get an extra cutting head and you are all set. Nils rock!
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PaddlinMadeline
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Is a Ion battery operated auger illegal in the BW? I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Just curious.
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Pinetree
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quote PaddlinMadeline: "Is a Ion battery operated auger illegal in the BW? I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Just curious."
I would say definitely yes. Also why would anyone want to carry in a augar that weights 22 pounds and limited holes to drill.
With the 6 inch nils 20 inches in 20 seconds is very possible if not better.30 inches of ice no problem
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PaddlinMadeline
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I found some old threads. I figured they were. Just needed confirmation. Thanks
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Kiporby
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Ordered the 6 inch Nils from Cabelas. Thanks Guys. With coupons and the sale, got it for $60. DEAL!
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Kiporby
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Looking at getting the Nils, High Velocity.
What size? 4.5, 6 or 8 inch is recommended?
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Gadfly
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I have an 8 and will probably purchase a 6 at some point and use the 6 for most of my trips. The 6 has the obvious benefits of being lighter and cutting through the ice faster and with less effort. If I was going to buy one with my only intention being to bring it on trips I would get a 6.
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Pinetree
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quote Gadfly: "I have an 8 and will probably purchase a 6 at some point and use the 6 for most of my trips. The 6 has the obvious benefits of being lighter and cutting through the ice faster and with less effort. If I was going to buy one with my only intention being to bring it on trips I would get a 6. "
I have a 8 inch and a 6 inch Nils. The 6 inch one goes so fast you don't even know your cutting ice. I use the 6 inch on lakes for panfish and stream trout lakes. Maybe you would want a 8 inch for lake trout.
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tg
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There aren't too many lake trout in the BWCA that won't fit up a 6" hole, BUT if you hook one of them you may be sad you didn't go with the 8" auger. Of course you could also drill adjacent 6" holes or use a saw/spud bar to enlarge a 6" hole. Personally I carry 6" because I never catch anything big, the auger is lighter/smaller and the drilling is way easier.
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Pinetree
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quote tg: "There aren't too many lake trout in the BWCA that won't fit up a 6" hole, BUT if you hook one of them you may be sad you didn't go with the 8" auger. Of course you could also drill adjacent 6" holes or use a saw/spud bar to enlarge a 6" hole. Personally I carry 6" because I never catch anything big, the auger is lighter/smaller and the drilling is way easier."
6 inch will do find in most cases and little bigger hole is nice trying to turn them into the hole when ice is fairly thick.
I do recommend buying it now,many places run out of them as winter goes along.
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Gadfly
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quote Pinetree: " Maybe you would want a 8 inch for lake trout."
I have to admit this is part of the reason I bought an 8 In the first place. Having a fish on my line that is so big I can't get it through the hole because I wanted to drop a little weight would lead me to true depression. That being said I never catch fish that big so I'm not too worried about it.
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Arcola
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Been drillin holes with a hand auger for years and always used a Mora. Bought a Nils last year. I'm never gonna cut a hole with a Mora again!! You might not believe it, but the Nils make it fun. Very fast, no heavier, and breaks down in two pieces for packing . Well worth the price IMO.
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tg
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6" lazer. did the nils and they are awesome when the blades are sharp but i got a little tired of dulling blades and mailing them off to be sharpened. I have a fitting that adapts my lazer to a tanaka powerhead (the same motor sold with nils augers) so when im not in the bwca thats what i use and it absolutely rips!
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Jaywalker
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I have a Lazer. Can't recall if it's 6 inch or maybe 5? I have no experience with others, but was amazed how well and fast it went through.
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Kiporby
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Looking to purchase an ice auger for this year's trip.
What do you guys have / use?
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