9" auger here. Yet to use it but I bet it will beat my 6" from my last year.

Here's a Q - when you drill a hole do you kick in the ice shavings after your done or keep the heaping pile showing.

I heard the snowmobilers hate that when we leave a pile then it freezes solid. But people walking around would see and avoid it. [/quote]

I snowmobile and actually like the piles everywere lets me know were to avoid, but when I fish I do kick out a little spot just so my tip ups sit closer to the ice and my rod holder arent tall enough.

I use an 8" Jiffy and it is plenty big, I really wish I could afford a new auger and would get a Nils with both the 8" and the 4 1/2" so when I was hole hopping I could really fly through the ice.

Jiffy 3hp 10" for me. We have an 8x20 perm on skids that serves us quite well. We can punch the holes one weekend and when we return the following weekend I can usually just punch through the skim with my chisel and still fish an 8" hole without drilling them out. JMO

Early ice I like my "8" hand auger.. Then later on I use my "JIFFY" "10".. It weighs a bit, but the extra width is nice for some of those crappies and bluegills i can barely fit through that "10" hole!! My "JIFFY" really growls and snorts! It is a model #30 Bought it for $50.00 from a friend..

I use an 8" hole. Primarly because my sons boot fits down a 10". I've pulled a 7lb+ eye and plenty of big pike out of an 8" hole with no problem.

I like my 9" 3 blade lazer the blades are kind of expensive but its like a knife through butter also for tip ups a 9" hole will stay open longer then an 8"

Got a Jiffy Model 30 8 inch auger.

I also have an 8 inch hand auger for early ice to help keep the weight down.

Thought about a 10" but didn't get one for these reasons

1. 10" blade is heavier to handle

2. 10" is large enough to fit a guys foot in and possibly a small child. I have an 18 month old and really didn't want to find out the hard way.

3. 10" gives a lot of room for fish to turn around in the hole and head back down if they get off the hook. 8 in they still can but doesn't happen near as often.

4. Putting 5 holes in a voyager so 3 guys can fish takes up a lot more room when they are 10" vs. 8" actually 6-8" holes is like 5-10" holes for size

5. IMO at 8" a hole is perfect when pike start up the hole they just wiggly themselfs right up and out.

6. Never had a fish that wouldn't fit through an 8" hole

I am acctually going to buy an "8" auger/shaft assembly for my model #30.. Lighter weight.. I myself have stepped in a "10" hole up to my knee.. I HAVE THE "10" NOW BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT CAME FOR A HECK OF A DEAL.. $50.00

I use a 6" for hand and 7" for my elec. Strikemaster.Plenty big for what I catch.

I us a 5inch lazer 98% of the time best auger I have ever owned 8 inch is nice for tip-ups 13.5 pounds northern through 8 inch hole did take sometime

got a new 8in strikemaster this year...10 is just to big im clumsy

Reed's has "8" assemblies for $129.oo is that a fair price?? or should I check out the ice fishing show ST. PAUL.. Last year is when I bought my JIFFY from my friend.. It's big it's fast.. but after I stepped in one of the holes and almost broke my leg, I think I will go with "8" ..

When my son was little he fell in a 10" hole up to his waste! So IMO small kids could go through. For this reason I use a 8" I did have a 10" and do not think I have lost any more fish with the 8" then with the 10". And I alway clear away ice/slush/snow from around my hole.

got a 10" strikemaster, it was on sale and I like the larger hole, more room for transducer cord. I am careful to watch where I am walking so as not to step in one. I kick the ice away from my hole, if you leave it its an extra 3-4" that a fish could get off.