What Is the Ideal Barometric Pressure for Ice Fishing?
Ice fishing is normally more slower than conventional fishing, but there are a few methods to make it more fruitful by taking use of environmental circumstances.
The barometric pressure is one of the most important environmental parameters that you may take advantage of.
Although I didn’t really grasp the concept of barometric pressure for the most of my fishing career, now that I have a better understanding of how it works, I’ve been able to boost the amount of fish I catch on each trip.
During this session, we’ll discuss how to leverage barometric pressure to your advantage when ice fishing. Hopefully, it will assist you in speeding up what would otherwise be a sluggish and tiresome process.
What is the definition of barometric pressure?
I don’t want to get into too much detail about this. For anyone interested in a more in-depth examination of how and why barometric pressure impacts fishing, I recommend you read this post I wrote. Barometric pressure is covered in much more depth in this document.
All you really need to know right now is that it’s basically the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the globe. The barometric pressure rises or falls as a result of storms or other meteorological conditions. Even if you and I are not directly affected by the changes, they have a significant impact on fish.
The Importance of Barometric Pressure to Ice Fishermen
Although it may not seem like air pressure should be important to fish or fisherman, it really is. Fish swim with the aid of an unique organ that enables them to vary their depth at any time and also helps to keep them afloat. This is why dead fish prefer to float to the surface after they die. Their swim bladder is depleted.
In response to variations in barometric pressure, the fish’s gas-filled bladder is forced to expand or deflate against its will. When the pressure is low, their bladder has a tendency to inflate, giving them a feeling similar to our version of an upset stomach, which is uncomfortable.
They clearly are unable to tolerate Tums in the same way that we can. As a result, they travel to deeper water in order to allow water pressure to remedy the issue.
Because of this, they are more difficult to capture, and the pain causes them to refuse to feed a lot of the time.
When the pressure is greater, fish do not have bladder pain, and it is much simpler for them to move about. Because of this, they are easy to capture.
How to Take Advantage of Barometric Pressure When you’re out ice fishing
For the most part, barometric pressure affects fish beneath ice in the same way that it does in the open water. When it comes to low-pressure circumstances, things are a bit different.
When the barometric pressure is abnormally low, the water in which the fish are swimming becomes turbid. When the lake is frozen over, the deeper waters that they would normally seek refuge in aren’t nearly as soothing. As a result, they normally merely float about under the surface of the ice.
That, however, does not make for excellent fishing. The fish are in a state of acute discomfort, and they will almost certainly look at your bait with little interest.
How to Determine the Optimal Barometric Pressure For Ice Fishing
When fishing in open water, you may still get good bites when the barometric pressure is at 30.5 millimeters of mercury. When ice fishing, the ideal spot is just below the surface of the ice. The optimal time to go ice fishing is when the barometric pressure is around 30 mmHg or above.
If you go fishing while the water level is high, you will still be able to catch fish, but the process will be slower than you would want. If the pressure is really low, I recommend storing your rod in your garage until the pressure begins to slowly rise again.
Lastly, some last thoughts
When it comes to barometric pressure, ice fishing and open water fishing are practically identical. The sweet spot is only a smidgeon smaller than it would be otherwise.
Investing in a barometer or a watch with a built-in barometer will help you ensure that every ice fishing expedition you go on is as fruitful as possible. You’ll be able to check the atmospheric pressure anytime you want, and you’ll know exactly what to anticipate when you’re out fishing.
For Ice Fishing, the Best Hand Auger
With these hand augers, you can cut holes in the ice faster and easier.
When it comes to ice fishing, there are a lot of items to remember to pack, but none are more crucial than a hand auger. You won’t be able to dig a hole to fish in without it.
You won’t want to squander money on a low-quality auger since they’re so crucial. In this review, I’ll walk you through my three favorite augers and provide some advice on how to make your first ice fishing trip a success.
Hand Augers for Ice Fishing are mentioned in this article.
The Best Ice Fishing Hand Augers (Reviews)
Below is a list of three of the greatest ice fishing hand augers, along with a brief assessment of each. You may learn more about any of these augers by clicking on one of the links below. By following the same link, you may read additional customer reviews.
1. Lazer Hand Auger by Strike Master (Top Pick)
The Strikemaster Lazer is a multi-purpose auger that has been commended for its ability to drill through ice with little resistance. It’s a terrific pick for senior fisherman because of that final detail.
We’ll begin by discussing the handle. It’s adjustable, for starters. With a single pull, the handle can be extended from 48′′ to 57′′. It’s also built of a tough steel shaft, and the gears are intended to dig as deeply as possible with each spin.
The blades themselves are rather remarkable. Although they are built in China, they are constructed of high-quality chrome-alloy steel. After years of being dipped in the chilly water, this protects the blades from rusting.
You may pick from a variety of hole drilling diameters ranging from 4″ to 8″ in terms of blade size.
The device has a suction pad on the bottom to keep it from sliding around while you’re drilling.
Pros:
Height Adjustable
Blades of Superior Quality
Drilling Mechanism That Is Extremely Efficient
Cons:
It can drill holes up to 8″ in diameter, however it appears to operate best with smaller holes.
Take it with you
I would highly suggest this auger to anybody interested in perch fishing. It’s a fantastic piece of equipment that’s also quite simple to use. This hand auger is a wonderful alternative if you’re handicapped or lack upper-body strength. It has a reputation for digging through up to 15 inches of ice with ease.
2. Hand Auger for Eskimo Ice Fishing
Hand Auger Eskimo
Purchase on Amazon
The Eskimo is similar to the Lazer I reviewed earlier, except it’s made for digging deeper holes. It’s not even available in sizes less than a size seven. However, this isn’t always a terrible thing. It has a few distinguishing characteristics.
Because this is a bigger item, the manufacturer ensured that it could be disassembled and reassembled quickly. This makes it easy to transport it on the ice while simultaneously carrying a rod case and the rest of your gear.
Although the blade is designed to survive for years without needing to be maintained, several consumers have reported that it arrived with a crooked blade rotation. If you do manage to find one that is free of flaws, be aware that it is known to cut quite readily. So, if you acquire a lemon, don’t be scared to utilize the warranty.
The Eskimo’s handle is one of my favorite features. It contains a foam grip at the top with a reinforced cover to protect you from sliding off when turning, and another grip on the shaft to assist you balance the auger without touching the chilly metal.
However, it is missing a suction cup. If you utilize the secondary handle, this won’t be an issue, but you’ll have to use more power. If you’re weary or lack upper-body and back strength, this might be a problem.
Pros:
Larger blades are required for larger fishing holes.
A pleasant and secure grip
Designed to last
Cons:
Some people have expressed their dissatisfaction with receiving a lemon. It is, nevertheless, covered by a warranty. So don’t be hesitant to use it to your advantage.
Take it with you
This isn’t the best option for perch anglers, but it’s a terrific choice for anglers who want to catch larger fish. It’s low-cost, and it gets the job done. Just be sure to inspect your auger when it comes and replace it if the blade is bent.
3. Mora Hand Auger by Strike Master for Ice Fishing
Mora Hand Auger by Strikemaster for Ice Fishing
Purchase on Amazon
This choice is more adaptable than the other two. The Strikemaster Mora is available in six-inch and eight-inch sizes and combines some of the advantages and disadvantages of the other two alternatives.
For starters, it shares the Eskimo’s handle design. It’s simpler to constantly spin the Mora because to two handles and an ergonomic shaft design, and its long blade shape makes drilling through particularly thick ice a breeze.
The blade is made of the same chrome-alloy material as the Lazer, but it is longer to enable you to dig deeper into the ice. In contrast to the Eskimo, all of Strikemaster’s blades are known to be defect-free.
It’s also quite simple to put together and take apart. As a result, it’s simpler to transport than versions that don’t disassemble.
The lack of a stability cup to suction it to the ice is something I dislike about this auger. If you just need to drill one hole and have the strength to keep it steady, it’s not a huge issue. This gadget will wear you out if you’re drilling several holes or if you’re a little weaker.
Pros:
blades of various sizes
Exceptional control
Blade of excellent quality
Cons:
Having a built-in stability cup would be a huge plus.
Take it with you
I can’t think of anybody to whom I wouldn’t suggest this. The blade selections cater to the demands of perch anglers as well as those who prefer larger targets, and they are both comfortable and efficient. If you intend on drilling a lot of holes, you may want to bring a friend along. It might be exhausting to use your own physical power to keep it stable.
What To Look For When Purchasing A Hand Auger
Hand augers are very simple pieces of machinery. You’ll be OK as long as your auger can cut through ice. A few distinct traits, on the other hand, may make the experience much more delightful, and they’re well worth investing in.
Quality of the blades
The most significant feature of an auger is its blade quality. You may have all the fancy bells and whistles in the world, but if your blade isn’t up to par, you’re not going to have much fun.
Mostly, you’ll want to double-check that the blades are sharp, and you’ll want to put the auger through a dry run to ensure that the blade doesn’t revolve in a curved path. It should remain straight during the whole cranking process.
Pretend you’re drilling in the air to check for flaws in the blade. You’ll be able to tell if it’s straight or not in a matter of seconds.
Also, try to use stainless steel blades wherever possible. Although carbon steel is more durable, you’ll be using this on the ice. Ice is just water that has been frozen. In the blink of an eye, water degrades carbon steel. A stainless steel version is required if you want a tool that will not corrode after a single journey.
Take Care of Ergonomics
The form of your handle will decide whether you get weary before you even begin fishing.
You want a handle with a straight shaft that bends into a lateral “U” a bit above the center in the ideal situation. The handle should be curved out at the top so that you can have a solid grip.
Grips made of rubber or foam are a nice addition.
They’ll go on the top handle as well as the curve in the center. That way, you won’t have to contact the metal when cranking, and your chilly fingers will have an easier time grabbing it in the first place.
You don’t have to worry about the handle if you get a powered one, so ignore this piece of advise.
Stability
You don’t want to have to fight to keep your auger in place. You’ll wind up with a slanted hole, and you can probably anticipate how tough it is to draw fish through that.
Suction cups or bracing at the bottom of the auger may aid, but they must be allowed to pass under the auger. You won’t be able to drill too far if you don’t do so.
Useful Hints for Using a Hand Auger
Even if you buy one of the high-end augers on my list, you’ll probably have some difficulty getting accustomed to it and caring for it. So, here are five pointers to assist you in overcoming that learning curve.
Use the blade guard: Augers are designed with blade guards in mind. Your blades will become dinged up and dulled if you don’t keep it on, and they won’t last very long. You may expect your auger to remain sharp for years if you leave it on while you’re not drilling.
It’s not a good idea to smack it: Many individuals believe that slamming their auger into the ground would help them drill faster. That could not be farther from the truth. Banging the blade around will dull it and may cause it to distort. This will cause you to spend far more time drilling than if you used the auger properly.
Oil it: You won’t have to worry about rust as much if you choose a stainless steel type. After each fishing excursion, you should still apply a little layer of oil to the blades and internal components. Stainless steel is strong, but it will rust if water sits on its blades for an extended period of time.
Don’t attempt to manhandle the auger; instead, use steady strokes. You’ll become tired of moving it about, and you won’t be able to produce a decent hole. Apply a tiny amount of pressure to the handle and turn it at a comfortable yet steady rate. You’ll be able to dig through the ice quicker and have more energy to do the remainder of your duties.
Ice auger blades should remain sharp for years, but they will ultimately dull if not sharpened. If this happens, you should either have them professionally sharpened or replace the blades. You should only attempt to sharpen them yourself if you’re confident in your abilities, but if you were, you wouldn’t be reading this. If you do it incorrectly, your auger’s blade will be entirely destroyed.
