augers for pocket sets

[LLLTrapper]

I was wanting to start a thread on how well people like these compared to trowels. I used Kendal O's trowel last year and I liked it but we have some real hard clay here and wonder how the augers work. Are they easier on the shoulders? Are they durable? I know Scott W. uses them and a few others. Chime in cause I want to either get one at the NTA or buy a new trowel from Kendall. No flaw to kendall but I ran the handle over on the last day of the season (Not dumb trapper proof) ,LLL

[renny1]

I use an auger for pockets and I really like it. I can't imagine using one with flights though. I have one of RK's and i think it would be hard to clean (scour). I cut the eye off a grain bin anchor and put it into an old brace. I can put it onto my hip and lean into it. don't go more than an inch before pulling it back out or it wont come out. I used to use it for dirt holes till I got RK's. I think a grain bin anchor is 3 inches with a 30 inch shaft. I didn't think I wanted to carry my 12 volt drill into the water. May not be perfect or for everyone but for me it is easier than digging with shovel. Only thing that will stop it is a rock. something to think about anyway.

[Scott W.]

I just find a sandy bottom, or a sand bar and run it in and out of the sand and it is as clean as a whistle. I don't need as long of flights as I had RK make for me, but I sure like the double flighting.

My goal for my pockets is that I don't want the coon to reach the bait. The auger achieves this a couple of ways better and in certain soils, like hard clay, faster. First the pocket is too deep for the coon to reach to the back. 24" or deeper. A 3" dia. pocket is too small for him to get his head and arm into, but most of my chunked fish will fit if that is what I'm using. In sandy type soil, I just shove a 3" length of PVC all the way into the hole for extra support. There maybe a bit of visual attraction, but that is not my main intent.

If it is too rocky for the auger, it is too rocky for the shovel, and it is time for a different set, or different location. I tend to find good digging about every 1/4 mile on the section of river I trap, which spaces me out about right, and if I can gang set, I will.

Like renny said, auger about an inch and pull it out. You don't always have to pull it all the way out, just clear the dirt.

[LLLTrapper]

How much are they for a double flight and can I use a brace I already own? If I was to get rough on it how fast to dig a hole in say a clay bank? LLL

[Scott W.]

I don't remember price exactly. Maybe $50-$60. I would not use a brace. Just get the solid shaft unit. Less stuff to fall apart. Speed all depends on the soil. I've seen guys beat themselves up with a tile spade and have a poor hole, where with a bit more time(maybe) and less effort (for sure) I can have what I consider a perfect more durable hole. One ting for sure, getting rough won't gain you anything. This really isn't a "force" tool. It will tear out roots up to an inch or so in dia. with little effort.

[riverbandit]

Thanks to Scott letting me try his, and coontrappernick making me one, I'll never dig a pocket with a spade again. This one doesn't have double flighting but works great. Much easier on the body and a heck of a lot faster. The hole seems to hold up better too. Great tool for the pocket guy.

[rockcreekshane]

Larry a friend of mine makes an auger, realy nice, every things machined. I have had my 2 augers for atleast 10 years. like scott said you want a small deep pocket and these augers can do that inless then a minute even in hard clay. unless he has raised the price they are pretty cheap 20-25 bucks and will last a lifetime. check MTP for Blue Valley Augers or check Scheels in Omaha my friend supplies them with stuff but they probably mark them up good. Otherwise I can get them no problem.

[Chris O.]

I have a Rk 3.5 inch auger and like it for the uniform and deeper holes I can make.I paid 40$ for mine. I also like that I can drill my holes above the water line and angle them up to keep my bait fresh and not water logged from riseing water.It seems that when I dig with a shovel my holes get bigger than I want and not as deep.I still use a shovel and my driver for poke sets but the auger is nice if I plan on haveing a set in an area for a long time because the holes do hold up longer.And I dont really worry about cleaning mine off that well it still digs when it is clogged with mud and when it dries I just break it off

[LLLTrapper]

Does a 1.5 fit tight in these pockets? Do you have to trim the bottom to bed the trap if you were trapping a bait stealing mink? For coon it isn't that important because I set my trap 8 inches or more from the pocket but if I get a mink stealing I want to stop him. LLL

[Scott W.]

I would bet a mink would have a hard time stealing a big chunk of carp from one of these tight pockets. If I'm using carp, I have to force it in pretty hard. If I'm using a prepared paste bait like Fatal Attraction, I smear it in as far a paint stirring stick will reach. A coon can't reach it and if a mink can get into the hole he will have to go back again to get more. I don't have many mink, but can't blame any bait stealing on what I believe was a mink. A 1.5 will not fit in one of these (3") pockets, but I set my trap right tight to the vertical face that I shaved. A mink has to stand on his hind feet to look into the pocket. I'd like to think I am targeting a front foot as the coon reaches in and out with alternating front feet. However, I still do get them by a hind foot sometimes. If the water is shallow and won't reach the shaved vertical bank, I will cut a trench to get water to the trap bed so it is at least covered by an inch or so. Thanks Dave P. for that idea.

[jkl]

Are you guys using a hand auger or a cordless drill

[Scott W.]

By hand. And I'd have to say, even if I could have a waterproof cordless drill I would do it by hand.

[~ADC~]

Being the big time pocket set man you are Larry, and with all your huge profits I'd think you'd be in the market for something like this....

www.stihlusa.com/products/augers-drills/auger-drill-products/bt45ead/

Think of how much time saved at presetting time. That alone would cover your costs.

~ADC~

[LLLTrapper]

No thanks. Too many moving parts for me. I do use pockets and yes it puts money in my pocket but isn't that the point? LOL, LLL

[~ADC~]

"you can't get nothing better then STIHL"

[264mag]

Can you post a picture or you auger set up. Thanks

[Scott W.]

Power augers are great for dry land stuff, but for creek bank work they will just get sucked in too deep too fast.

[~ADC~]

Jul 22, 2012 13:40:25 GMT -6 Scott W. said:

Power augers are great for dry land stuff, but for creek bank work they will just get sucked in too deep too fast.

It's got reverse.

[Scott W.]

Hope this helps. By the way, in a real situation the trap would be on a chain drowner.

[riverbandit]

Great vid Scott.

I know the first time I watched you use one I wasn't trapping again with out one.

I can't picture a cordless drill holding up long around water.

[LLLTrapper]

Thanks Scott. LLL

[billallenisu]

Thanks for the video, Scott. Very educational.

billallenisu

[264mag]

Thanks for the video. I can see thats easier then a trowel will be in clay banks. Thanks again