Rating of the best ice drills for 2022

Winter fishing is not just a hobby for many, but the meaning of life. And the point here is not only the value of fish as a food product, but also the exciting process of fishing. The key to productive fishing is the availability of high-quality gear, including an ice screw. Before choosing a tool for winter fishing, you need to carefully read the characteristics of this tool. The rating of the best ice drills for 2022 will help with this.

Origin

Initially, ice screws were used by climbers to fasten equipment in the ice floor of the mountains. Only in the 30s and 40s of the last century, the tool began to be used for drilling holes in reservoirs. Initially, the device was called a rotator (the name appeared as a result of the principle of its operation).

Equipment value

An ice screw is recognized as one of the indispensable tools for winter fishing. It is intended for easy drilling of holes in the ice deck. Without it, winter fishing instead of pleasure can bring a lot of unpleasant moments associated with the difficulty of punching a hole in hard winter ice.

Some fishermen still use a pick to punch holes. But, taking into account the thick ice that formed during the harsh winter, this procedure becomes difficult and almost impossible. This, accordingly, negates the pleasure of winter fishing. If the equipment of a winter fishing lover has an ice drill, which makes it possible to quickly make holes, regardless of the thickness of the ice, fishing becomes effective.

The main advantages of this tool for winter fishing are:

• Drilling a hole regardless of the thickness of the ice;
• The correct cylindrical shape of the holes;
• Saving precious time;
• Silent operation of the tool that does not scare away the fish.

Variety selection

The functionality of the tools matters a lot. One of the main ones is directly the psychological attitude to the process of fishing. If the device itself turns out to be of poor quality, it can fail at the most crucial moment.This will not only lead to a lack of catch, but also completely discourage the very desire to fish.

On the modern market, both domestic and foreign models from leading companies - manufacturers of fishing tackle are presented. Most fishermen are happy even with the simplest models. It's no secret that they can greatly facilitate the process. As for professionals, they prefer to use exclusively gear with high-quality performance characteristics.

Among the many models that differ in design and technical characteristics, it is customary to distinguish three main groups:

• manual;
• motorized;
• Equipped with electric drive.

Manual models

There are various models of handicrafts of domestic and foreign production. Imported equipment is distinguished by a better sharpening of knives and an almost perfect fit of angles. However, the popularity of such seemingly optimal modifications is somewhat reduced due to the rather high cost of equipment and the direction of screwing in a clockwise direction. Thus, gear produced by companies from St. Petersburg and Barnaul are considered serious competitors of Scandinavian equipment.

Motorized gear

In conditions of significant ice thickness, it is best to use motorized products. This is especially important when fishermen need to make several holes at once for successful fishing.

Motorized equipment that runs on regular gasoline reduces the level of physical stress on the fisherman. The force is applied exclusively at the moment of starting the mechanism, then it remains only to press the gas.

Equipped with an electric drive

Recently, electric ice screws have become more and more popular. In such designs, it is provided to mount a cordless screwdriver directly to the auger. A special adapter (adapter) is used for fastening. The main rule for using such gear is to keep the battery warm. Otherwise, it may show a significant reduction in power.

Which product to choose is the personal preference of each fisherman. Often the main selection criterion is the expected intensity of its use.

Advantages of modern products

Basically, winter fishing was common in countries where climatic conditions contribute to the rapid freezing of water bodies and the formation of a thick ice crust. Thus, getting fish out of the water becomes a very difficult task. As a result, manufacturers began to supply the market with improved models of ice screws that meet all the requirements of the most fastidious professional fishermen. The leading countries in the production of this equipment are considered to be Sweden, Russia and the Netherlands. Products made in these countries are distinguished by their quality characteristics and quite reasonable cost.

All modern modifications are made of high-quality steel that is not susceptible to corrosion processes. As a result, the equipment is provided with a small weight. At the same time, high, maximum possible strength indicators are maintained.

Some of the lightest models include modifications made of titanium or an aluminum alloy used by modern aircraft designers.The prices for such products are an order of magnitude higher, but this is fully justified by the productivity and reliability of the equipment.

Differences among models

The main differences between different models are the shape of the handles and the principles of drilling. Almost all ice drills of domestic production involve drilling holes in a counterclockwise direction.

As for the Finnish and Swedish equipment, their principle of operation is based on clockwise movement. Thus, the choice of ice screw in the direction of travel depends on the personal preferences of the fishermen.

All modifications of drills for winter fishing have a cutting edge sharpened in the form of knives. The configuration and location differs depending on the structural features of the device, ice and its thickness. Also, companies producing ice screws offer an innovative solution, which consists in a replaceable “head” of the tool. This innovative solution is most often used by Finnish manufacturers.

The main characteristics of ice screws

The main quality characteristics of the equipment include:

• Production material;
• Knives;
• Pen shape.

materials

The cost of a good quality ice drill cannot be low. Especially when you consider the fact that every fisherman wants to use equipment for as long as possible. Few people like the regular change of tackle, it makes you get used to changing equipment again and, as they say, get your hands on. Titanium alloys or plain metal are mainly used as the material for production.

Compared to ordinary metal, titanium is lightweight. At the same time, products made from it are an order of magnitude more expensive than ice screws made from conventional metal alloys.Titanium ice screws are much lighter in weight. This, accordingly, reduces the cost of forces and energy for screwing the equipment and significantly reduces the time of drilling the hole. But, if you are going to buy a high-quality and super light titanium ice screw, you should not forget that you will have to pay a considerable amount of money for it. Its cost ranges from 5 to 6 thousand rubles.

Knives

Knives are the most critical part of every ice screw. High-quality steel makes them sharp and therefore reliable. Ice screws are installed at the end of the auger. Its diameter differs depending on the design features of the mechanism. The auger directly influences the corresponding hole diameter.

On average, holes are drilled with an ice drill, the diameter of which will vary between 90 - 200 mm. The diameter is chosen directly by the fisherman, depending on the size of the fish that he is going to catch in a particular reservoir. If large-scale production is expected, a hole with a diameter of 200 mm is chosen.

A pen

In various modifications of gear, various designs of handles are used. In the work of older models, one handle is involved. In modern versions, drilling holes is performed using two handles at once. Of course, using two handles and hands, respectively, is much more convenient. However, to perform such work, you need to learn a little, since it is not easy to perform actions synchronously with both hands at the same time. But, nevertheless, ice screws of this modification are able to cope even with a meter layer of ice. If the ice is thick, manufacturers provide specialized extension cords.

In order to make it easier for fishermen to choose the modification that suits them, it is worth considering popular models from three categories of equipment.

Top Hand Models

To date, the most popular tools designed for manual screwing are:

• Titanium TLR-130D;
• Nero-110-1.

Titanium TLR-130D

A titanium modification of an ice drill equipped with three blades is produced in Barnaul. Differs in small weight that is reached by use of a titanic alloy. The manufacturer provides for an extension of the auger. CJSC "Tonar" offers consumers durable, strong and resistant to corrosion processes products. The handle of the ice screw and the auger are located on the same axis. It is extremely convenient for domestic fishermen. Confused by the cost. The ice drill will cost 10,000 rubles.

This type of ice screws is used for making holes with a diameter of 130 mm. The equipment drills through ice 1.4 m thick.

• Light weight;
• Long service life;
• Extendable screw.

• Available backlashes;
• High price.

Nero-110-1

An inexpensive (about one and a half thousand rubles) tool optimally combines a sharp cutting head and knife sharpening angles. Differs in productivity both in a friable and firm ice flooring.

Torques are facilitated by the presence of polypropylene bushings located on the handle of the tool. The length of the auger is 62 mm, drilling is carried out in a diameter of 110 mm. Low weight of the model (only 2.2 kg). In working condition, the tool has a length of 160 cm, in the assembled state - 88 cm. During transportation, the handle and auger of the product are located in the same plane.

• Low cost;
• Compactness;
• Performance.

• Knives cannot penetrate deep into the ice;
• The presence of a cover for knives (convenient for transportation).

The best all-round ice screws

Models can be safely attributed to universal ice screws:

• Mora Ice Expert-Pro 200mm;
• Mora Ice Arctic 130 mm.
• Mora Ice Expert Pro 200 mm

Mora Ice Expert Pro 200 mm

Among the imported modifications of ice screws, the Swedish Mora Ice Expert-Pro is deservedly considered the best-selling. The line from Scandinavia represents fishing tools with a diameter of 110 to 200 mm. The ice drill is resistant to corrosion processes, equipped with sharp knives and a wide auger.

The small weight of the tool does it convenient in operation and transportation. Carefully thought-out design allows for auger extension (when drilling holes in thick ice). In difficult cases, a screwdriver is attached to the auger. In the presence of spherical knives with straight blades.

• Light weight;
• Hole drilling speed;
• Modernization.

• The model is expensive (the average cost is 10,500 rubles).

Mora Ice Arctic 130mm

The model is equipped with a number of useful properties for ice screws. Hole diameter of 130 mm is suitable for "hunting" roach, perch and pike. The tool is ideal for use on any ice surface:

• wet;
• Solid;
• Loose;
• Dry.

If necessary, the tool can be connected to a screwdriver. All you need is an 18mm adapter.

The presence of an extension allows you to drill holes even in very thick ice sheets. The length of the tool in the working (assembled) state is from 1740 to 2130 mm. The tool weighs 3.7 kg.

• Versatile in use;
• Sharp knives;
• Quality build

• Not detected.

Motorized ice screws

Considering ice drills operating on gasoline, one cannot but stop at such a model of a motor drill as Ada Grounddrill-2 + Drill 150.

Motodrill Ada Grounddrill-2 + Drill 150

Despite the high cost of the tool (about 15,000 rubles), it is very popular among anglers. The 2.45 horsepower gasoline engine is trouble-free in thick ice. Tank capacity 1.2 liters, engine capacity - 52 cubic meters. see this model weighs about 11 kg.

The augers are suitable for drilling holes with a diameter of 110 - 200 mm. The kit comes with a meter screw with a diameter of 150 mm. If it is necessary to drill holes in a particularly hard ice sheet, special extension rods are provided. The package also includes a canister for connecting oil and gasoline, a funnel for filling and a set of tools. Comfortable use is ensured by rubberized handles.

• Frame of increased strength;
• rubberized handles;
• Compactness;
• Profitability.

• Mandatory skills in handling equipment running on a gasoline engine.

Summing up

Choosing a suitable model, first of all, take into account the expected intensity of use and the climatic conditions of the region. For beginners, budget models are suitable.

Older anglers are better off buying sharpened tools. This allows you to save energy. The presence of a screwdriver or the use of models on gasoline is also indispensable.

If it is necessary to drill a large number of holes, they stop on electric tools or gasoline-powered units. Working at temperatures of -10 ° C, choose a battery-powered tool. Lower temperatures require the use of petrol-powered tools.

Sport fishing involves augers with a diameter of 90 to 110 mm. For those who like to catch on mormyshka and zherlichnik, an auger with a diameter of 110 to 150 mm is suitable. If the main goal of the fisherman is the extraction of a trophy, an auger with a diameter of 180 to 250 mm is needed.

Only a clear understanding of the conditions of future fishing will allow you to choose the right ice screw.