Winter fishing is a favorite pastime of many Russian men. The standard equipment required for such a pastime is ice drills for fishing. Reviews about existing models are very different, so with a competent and careful attitude, there is plenty to choose from.
Features of choice
How to ensure a good catch? Experienced fishermen know: only good equipment and the ability to handle it will allow you to catch large fish is relatively simple. What to consider when choosing ice drills? Fishermen note that the most important characteristic of this equipment is its reliability, and only then you need to pay attention to the diameter and depth of drilling, the height of the screw and the pitch of its turns, as well as the knives used. Of course, there is a weak link in every type of equipment, so wisely choose ice drills for fishing. Reviews, by the way, can help you make the right choice.
Main characteristics
Experienced anglers recommend choosing ice drills depending on the goals and conditions in which they will be used. This equipment is produced by different brands and differs in diameter, drilling depth, sharpening angles. There are no universal ice drills, so real fishermen have several varieties of them.
The second important point is the diameter of the drilling, since the catch can be of very different sizes. That is why it is necessary to choose models in which the cutting head has a hemispherical shape. If necessary, such a head can be replaced with a different size. Domestic production of the Tornado ice drill fully meets these requirements.
Are there any universal models?
An important role in choosing an ice drill is played by the size of the fish. A diameter of 100 mm is enough only for catching small fish - perch, dace, roach, whose weight will be no more than 700 grams. But a larger prey will not crawl into such a hole, in addition, too small holes quickly freeze in severe frosts. Similar models are in demand by sports fishing enthusiasts who drill many holes - with this ice drill, this can be done much easier and faster.
110-130 mm
Boers are considered universal among fishermen, the diameter of which is 110-115 cm. With this size of the hole, experts advise using a balancer or mormyshka, and you can catch medium-sized fish. The best option is an ice drill 130 mm. This model is ideal for winter fishing for any prey. Drilling a hole, of course, is not easy, but you can be sure that you can easily pull out a huge pike . Such models are considered universal and attract attention with a high drilling speed, a minimum of effort for this, reliability and durability.
150-200 mm
If you are sure that your hunt will be for really large fish, then you need larger and larger models. For example, a 150 mm ice drill is ideal for drilling large holes where a giant catfish will pass. Popular models in this size range are Tornado ice drills, which are equipped with two handles at once, and therefore are especially convenient to use. The distinctive features of the model, users include:
- convenience of folding the handle;
- the presence of a telescopic insert extension, which makes the drilling depth even greater;
- hard plastic handles coated with soft plastic;
- original painting - under the "chameleon";
- durability.
Thanks to these qualities, the Tornado ice drill is considered one of the best among the analogues.
Main types
There are various ice drills that are in demand among fishermen. Consider the most popular:
- "A spoon". This ice drill is characterized by a sharp part in the form of a spoon, which is used to cut ice. Such a design is considered obsolete, since the drilling process did not differ in speed and simplicity. In addition, changing the knives in case they were dull was not an easy task.
- Auger ice drills for fishing got more good opinions. Reviews say that using it is simple. From a structural point of view, the model is a rod (tube), at the bottom of which knives are mounted that cut ice. Around the rod is a metal tape in the form of a spiral that rises up. Such ice drills have a very different diameter - from 70 to 250 mm.
- Cylinder . This equipment is used infrequently. The principle of its action is in cutting an oval hole in the shape of a cylinder, which is pushed under the ice, in the thickness of the ice.
Choose knives
Winter ice fishing is impossible without the ice drill, which creates the holes. To make this process easier, knives for ice drilling should be well sharpened. Note that they are created on the basis of international standards using cold quenched steel. The special heat treatment of the material allows you to give the knives certain characteristics:
- resistance to negative environmental influences , primarily to dampness;
- impact resistance : the use of cold-hardened steel gives the knives reliability, strength and protects them from deformation and damage;
- sharpness : due to heat treatment, knives for ice drills become especially sharp, which makes it possible to cope with drilling holes even in the thickness of ice.
In addition, knives can be used for a long time, gradually grinding them.
Originally from Barnaul
If you like domestic products, then pay attention to the Tonar Plus fishing ice drills that are created by the Barnaul factory. The lineup contains models with the most different drilling diameters - from 80 to 150 mm with a drilling depth of up to 1500 mm. The plant offers to evaluate five modifications of ice drills - from classic to sport fishing style. These ice drills for fishing received good reviews due to their following features:
- high drilling speed with minimal effort;
- convenient folding of the handle, so that the equipment becomes compact;
- lack of backlash;
- the presence of a telescopic extension.
From the classic ice drills, the Barnaul ones are distinguished by an increased screw pitch. Thanks to this, drilling becomes easier, the drill does not get stuck in the hole. External processing with polymer paint ensures the strength of the coating and its resistance to temperature extremes. Special attention should be paid to the Barnaul titanium ice drill, which is distinguished by its lightness, strength, resistance to rust and high quality workmanship.
Originally from Leningrad
The Leningrad plant offers a wide selection of ice drills of various types. In the standard version, the drill copes with an ice thickness of 1150 mm. These models are available both with a conventional handle and a cutting head, as well as in a different modification, which is complemented by auger turns. According to the fishermen, this is a very convenient model for ice fishing, which folds easily: for this you need to fold only the handle, which is locked with a nut. It is also important that the titanium ice drill is also lightweight in comparison with steel counterparts, so it is much more convenient and simple to transport it. There are also sports ice axes in the plant’s line, which allow to drill holes with a diameter of 100 mm. According to manufacturers, such augers will appeal not only to supporters of active ice fishing, but also to those who hunt medium-sized fish. The cost of the simplest model is about 3,000 rubles, an expensive telescopic one will cost 7,000 rubles.
Mora
Among foreign manufacturers, the Swedish company Mora is well-known. It has its own peculiarity - drilling is carried out clockwise, while domestic models allow drilling counterclockwise. In the lineup you can find a wide variety of Mora ice drills, and the main difference between the models is in the height of the knife spiral, dimensions and diameter of drilling. Users note that the drills of this brand are convenient to use, and among the shortcomings, the knives are too blunt if sand gets on them. But they can be sharpened. Among the popular modifications, users note the following:
- Mora Expert PRO 130. This drill costs 3000 rubles, is convenient and easy to use. The uniqueness of the model is in spherical knives, thanks to which dry or wet ice can be easily drilled. The telescopic handle allows you to drill ice up to 120 cm thick. Another feature is the ability to connect the auger to a screwdriver, which will make drilling holes even faster.
- Mora Ice Arctic. This Mora ice drill drills holes 150 mm in diameter to a depth of 160 cm. If the ice is deeper, an optional extension insert can be used. Drills in this line are equipped with a folding handle, a universal screw, which is complemented by spherical cutting knives. Among the positive aspects, users note the durability of the coating and painting and the increased length of the screw.
NERO
The products of this brand are also in demand among buyers. In their opinion, the Nero ice drill should be chosen for a particularly cold climate, since it is created from excellent quality steel. The handles of the model are made of plastic with high frost resistance, and special inserts based on fluoroplastic guarantee that the drill will rotate easily even at extreme temperatures. The difference between the model is a patented system of connecting sections, which increases the durability of the entire structure. This is a modern fishing equipment that can be purchased at affordable prices. So, for the simplest ice drill, the average price is 1700 rubles.
The telescopic drill, which was released by the brand just two years ago, attracts attention. Its distinctive feature is the possibility of operation in any natural conditions, since testing was carried out in the Arctic. Depending on the depth of ice in a particular region, the drill can be supplemented with an insert that can significantly improve the performance of ice fishing. Every year the brand offers an expanded line of ice drills, each of which resonates with fishermen. Ledobur "Nero" has established itself as a reliable and easy-to-use fishing equipment, which has a well-thought-out design and is equipped with high-quality knives.
To summarize
As we see, modern drills are supplied by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. What to choose? How to choose? We offer you a number of the most popular advantages and disadvantages, so that you can choose the appropriate ice drill for winter fishing:
- foreign analogues with similar technical specifications are more expensive;
- sharpening knives of foreign models is not an easy task;
- on the other hand, knives of foreign manufacture are much more reliable than domestic ones;
- Among Russian-made Boers, marriage is often found.
So the question of what price the ice drill does not have to be dominant when choosing this equipment.