I remember ice-fishing for the first time.

The trip’s first stop was to an automotive shop, so my friend could get the mechanic to look at the friend's ice augur.

The gas augur ran a
little rough, and even leaked a little.

But the augur was essential – absolutely necessary – on the trip.

Drilling all the holes by hand was unthinkable.

Ice-fishing’s undergone surprising technology in recent years.

That includes everything from in-line reels to underwater cameras to locate fish.

If the technology now includes augurs – an essential part of the trip – that is welcome indeed.

The StrikeMaster Lithium Laser Augur takes advantage of the most modern technology available, says StrikeMaster, one of the tackle company Rapala’s brands.

Powered by an electric motor that runs on a rechargeable 50-volt lithium-ion battery, the augur is lighter than ever, StrikeMaster says.

Gas augurs were a miracle in their day, but all the metal in a gas engine was hefty.

The Lithium Laser’s polymer gear casing, a plastic, contributes to the light weight.

But weight isn’t the only advantage.

This augur can drill 56 holes, sometimes more, through 24 inches of ice on one charge, compared with 40 holes for other lithium-ion augurs, StrikeMaster says.

That sounds like a workhorse.

The augur provides consistent speed and torque from hole to hole, and doesn’t slow down from a waning battery, the company says.

The drill is 8 inches wide and features twin stainless steel Mora Lazer Blades.

Features also include steel gears in the transmission, a quick-check battery status indicator on board, and quick, 2-hour charging with a 2-amp battery charger.

Plus there’s no exhaust.

No leaking gas.

No need to buy fuel and drag it onto the ice.

And so on.

Ice fishing’s come a long way, baby.

This latest innovation could be welcome indeed.

For more info, visit the Lithium Laser Augur’s Web page.