Ice chisel (spud bar) can be well counted as one of the most ancient tools for winter fishing. Archeologists have found spuds at excavations of centuries-old settlements. There are numerous citations about chisels in ancient written sources.
Half a century ago all fishers used spud as main tool to cut ice, but with the appearance of compact augers fishermen started forgetting about them and ice chisels had faded into significance. But practice has shown that ice augers are far from being universal and it often happens that it’s impossible to do without ice chisels. Preparations to winter fishing start well before season opens, anglers buy all necessary accessories including ice chisels. Ice chisel – is a striking tool meant for cutting and breaking the ice. Before the ice auger was invented a spud was a basic tool for winter fishing.
Spud Bar is used during winter fishing to:
- Make new holes on relatively thin ice (25-30 cm).
- Enlarge already made holes when big fish is coming to surface if it cannot go through the existing hole.
- Clean holes (when ice fishing tip-ups are set up).
- Measure safe thickness of the first and the last ice.
- Fix an ice shelter in some cases.
A chisel or Spud Bar is a enough important ice fishing accessory. You can get by without it, but you’re much better off with a spud in your gear.
Design
A spud bar (ice chisel) is a piece of steel, as a rule about 19-60 inch in length with a tapered point at the edge. There are 1-piece and 2-piece chisels at the market. Generally, 1-piece chisels can be small (19-30Inch) or full size (50-60Inch). Every manufacturer has a specific chiseled teeth design which is more or less convenient for use. THAT’S IT!
The Best Ice Chisel at a Glance
- Trophy Strike – Editors Choice, best overall 2-piece chisel. The best ratio of price and quality.
- Eskimo CH11 – Top selling product and great one-piece chisel.
- Nim’s Spud Bar – Affordable alternative to Eskimo.
Best Mini Ice Chisels
- Jiffy Mini Mille Lacs – Best mini chisel (30-Inch).
- Rapala hammer chisel – Best hammer Chisel (19-Inch).
- Eskimo Bucket Chisel – Best bucket chisel and affordable alternative to Rapala (19.5-Inch).
Best Offer of This Season (2019)
The discovery of this season is Paradise Sports. This manufacturer offers two unique models:
All of them have distinct design which makes winter fishing convenient and pleasant.
10 Best Ice Chisels Compared
So, people who spend time winter fishing should give a closer look to the following chisels.
| Preview | Product | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jiffy Deluxe Mille LacsWell made and works great. Unique cutting edge. Two-piece, two position. It has a stepped blade, hollow tube handle and easy to use. One of the most expensive. Review Buy from Amazon | $$$$$$$$$ | Adjustable lengths: 63.5" (when connected) or 69.5" (when extended) Weight: 11.4 pounds 2 Piece |
| Eskimo CH1159.5-inch Multi-Faceted Triple-Action Chipper Head Design Top Selling Spud Bar Really sturdy Long-Lasting Durable Comfortable Chisel is well made and strong enough to knock ice Review Buy from Amazon | $$$$$$ | Dimensions: 59.5 x 2.8 x 2 inches Weight: 7 pounds 1 Piece |
| Nim's SpudSteel - With Teeth The best ice chisel for money 1 Piece Review Buy from Amazon | $$$$$ | Length: 54 inch Weight: 9 pounds Painted Black Perfect, sharp ice chipping rod Made in USA |
| Eskimo CH752.5-inch Single-Action Head Design 1 Piece Economy Chisel Review Check Price | $$ | Dimensions: 52.5 x 1 x 2 inches Weight: 4.4 pounds Fully-welded steel. Proper balance of weight-to-length ratio. Good value for the price. Allows you to chip more with fewer strokes. |
| Trophy Strike 106713Editors Choice Two Piece Review Check Price | $$$$$ | Dimensions: 64 x 2 x 2.3 inches Weight: 11 pounds Top piece 37.5 inches long Bottom piece 30.25 inches long It functions very well and makes holes efficiently It packs away good so it's easy to stow and carry Good quality product |
| Paradise Sports Spud-1 PieceDiscovery of this season 1 Piece Review Check Price | $$$$ | Specifications: 60 inch length (1.52 m) Weight: 11 pounds (5.9 kg) |
| Paradise Sports Spud-2 PieceDiscovery of this season 2 Piece Review Check Price | $$$$$$ | Lengths: 60" (when connected) or 32" Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg) Safety rope (0.91 m) |
| Jiffy Mini Mille LacsMini (30-inch) One Piece Review Check Price | $$$$$$ | Length: 30-Inch Weight: 3 pounds |
| Rapala Hammer ChiselMini (19-inch) One Piece Review Check Price | $$$$ | Length: 19-Inch Weight: 4.05 pounds |
| Eskimo CH9 Bucket ChiselMini (19-inch) Multi-Faceted, Dual-Action Chipper Head Design Hammer-Style One Piece Review Check Price | $$ | Specifications: 19.5-Inch length Weight: 3.4 pounds Great tool especially for strong winter anglers. Features a hammer-style chisel on one end. Convenient tether rope Short length (19 inch) |
Ice Chisel Reviews
Jiffy Mille Lacs Deluxe Chisel Review
Jiffy Deluxe Mille Lacs Ice Chizzle
Introducing our Editor’s Choice option – Jiffy Deluxe Mille Lacs chisel. This one is a great chipper to do the job! A well-balanced and well-made tool to become your best chisel choice while building your ice fishing equipment. With this you will never feel like beaten up by ice. Performs just perfectly and equips you greatly to check the first ice, keep the holes clean or re-open holes.
PROS:
- Cost-effective and no doubt is worth of the money asked!
- Featuring a unique cutting edge configuration to perform just greatly
- Well-balanced and well-made for your better comfort
- A really firm-grip option for those preferring ultimate control
- Modern design item
- Compact and handy due to its two-piece construction
- Easy-adjustable double-positioned (two lengths to choose from) tool
- Whole-metal reliable and extra-durable construction for toughest weather application
- Strong yet ultra-lightweight (thanks to the hollow tube of the handle)
- Best value for your every dollar spent on it
- Pinches trough ice easily with ultimate force
CONS:
- No soft-grip option
- Relatively expensive option
Eskimo CH11 Ice Chisle Review
Eskimo CH11 Multi-Faceted, Triple-Action Chipper Head Design Ice Chisle
The Eskimo CH11 is a top-selling spud (chisel) reported to be one of the most popular with both novice and expert anglers. This model features a one-piece solution which drastically increases the overall performance of the thing. Moreover, the specially designed foam coating for the handle here provides for a reliable and firm grip while cutting through, the tool literally eats ice thanks to its ultra-sturdy construction.
PROS:
- Welded stainless steel construction
- Tripled action chipper head to cut through ice like a beast
- A spud to work extremely efficient right on the spot
- Pretty inexpensive solution for all those seeking a powerful and budget option
- Featuring a heavy-duty tool to perform greatly
- Comparatively heavy compared with rivals, durable, strong and ultimately efficient
- Featuring a strap to make sure you don’t lose it in action
- No need to keep it extra sharp due to its specially designed blade
- Safe and strong while checking ice
- Easy-pack and easy-go item, packs away in no time, easy to carry
- Featuring a comfortable foam handle with rope from leather to feel on the safe side
- Perfectly balanced and ensuring less vibration
- Performs with maximum impact
CONS:
- Pin-locking screws should be checked thoroughly when unpacking the new item, these are to secure the spud bar in action, some buyers complaint of their pins been lost when shipped
- Some anglers prefer longer spuds
Nim’s Ice Spud Review
Nim's Ice Spud for WinterFishing - Steel - With Teeth - #NRS
This is a pretty nice chisel for the right price! Perfect while breaking the ice, making new holes or keeping the old ones clear. Forget your fear to break one: the thing is pretty strong and jabs ice with maximum impact.
PROS:
- Stainless steel to do the hard job
- Firm-grip handle for better control and ultimate comfort
- Proudly manufactured in the US
- Perfectly looking and greatly performing ice chipping rod for the money
- Reasonable pricing
- Maximal comfort and actual design
- Heavy-duty item well-made with active anglers in mind
- Time-consuming and cost-effective due to simple yet efficient solutions applied here
- Performs greatly on hard-packed snow
- Can be used around the household in heavy winters
- Featuring a special teeth-integrated configuration of the head for the maximal efficiency
CONS:
- Some anglers would like to have it longer
- Needs a strap/cord to be fixed through the hole on the handle for safety
Eskimo CH7 Ice Chissel Review
Eskimo Ice Spud Bar CH7 - Economy Chisel
The Eskimo CH7, like all Eskimo chippers, has been reported by anglers as a most popular action tool to use in winter, and perfect for the price asked. Although this exact model features another version of previously reviewed items available on the market, a two-piece modification. This brings new comfort and provides for a compact item. It goes with the strap attached which makes the thing smart and keeps it from being lost.
PROS:
PROS:
- Welded stainless steel construction; more holes per shorter periods
- Featuring a heavy-duty tool to perform greatly
- Ultimately strong and durable, performs with great efficiency
- No need to keep it extra sharp due to its specially designed blade
- Safe and strong while checking ice
- Easy-pack and easy-to-carry/store/transport item breaks into two parts to pack it away nearly in no time
- Featuring a comfortable foam handle with rope from leather to feel on the safe side
- Perfectly balanced and ensuring less vibration
- Performs with maximum impact
Trophy Strike Ice Chizel Review
Trophy Strike - 2 Piece - 106713 Ice Chizel
Well, and this one really strikes! Here it goes – a perfect and ultimately compact tool to do all the hard job while you are going on ice-fishing and hunt for the trophies. Featured is a whole-metal two-piece advanced construction with actual cutting head of special configuration to cut through ice with maximal efficiency and stronger impact.
PROS:
PROS:
- Compact and lightweight, yet strong and durable
- Perfect overall quality
- Easy-to-use and easy-to-handle option
- Featuring a powerful and efficient tool to cut new holes, break ice, etc.
- Multi-purpose professional or household application item
- Reasonable price and positive feedback from an army of anglers
- Simple yet smart design solutions applied for easy usage and longer service
Paradise Sports Spud-1 Piece Ice Chisels Review
Paradise Sports Ice Chisels 1 Piece
In most cases anglers do need their ice being broken into chips, such a situation occurs when it is necessary to stay away from breaking into the massive ice but to clean the area around the hole. When it comes to ice chips, this one will be extremely handy and now you need to learn more about the Paradise Sports spud. These go in two versions: a one-piece model along the two-piece one. The list of really peculiar sophisticated features of this chisel to learn will add to your knowledge.
PROS:
PROS:
- Modern progressive design
- Perfect quality and great performance
- Ultimate efficiency due to the unique teeth design of the chisel head
- Chisel never sticks in the ice due to its peculiar configuration
- All spuds have been CNC machined to meet the specifications
- Featuring a solid steel handle for firm grip and stability
- Unique: powder-coated item to ensure the extended service life and extreme durability
Paradise Sports Spud-2 Piece Ice Fishing Chisel Review
Paradise Sports Ice Chizzle - 2 Piece
Another popular version of the well-established chisel anglers usually use in situations when it is necessary to stay away from breaking into the massive ice but to clean the area around the hole, and break the ice in chips instead. When it comes to ice chips, this one will be extremely handy, just like the one-piece version reviewed by us. These two go in a one-piece model along the two-piece one. The list of really peculiar sophisticated features of this two-piece chisel to learn will add to your knowledge of the Paradise Sports spud series.
PROS:
PROS:
- Modern progressive design
- Perfect quality and great performance
- Ultimate efficiency due to the unique teeth design of the chisel head
- Easy breaks apart into two pieces for transportation/carrying/storage
- Chisel never sticks in the ice due to its peculiar configuration
- All spuds have been CNC machined to meet the specifications
- Featuring a solid steel handle for firm grip and stability
- Unique: powder-coated item to ensure the extended service life and extreme durability
Jiffy Mini Mille Lacs Review
Jiffy 3541 Mini Mille Lacs 30-Inch Ice Chisle (1-Piece)
This one is actually a bestselling tool since it features a one-piece mini version of a super-efficient chisel to rip through the ice. on the shaft for optional insulation if you carry it in the long or short mode! This one will be a great choice for camping or speedy maneuver around the hole to clear and keep it clean or cut a new one in seconds. Definitely one of the most popular models out there.
PROS:
PROS:
- Ultra-compact tool to do the hard job
- Sturdy and durable 1-piece perfectly balanced and well-made thing
- Featuring a well-known brand to be proudly added to your ice fishing tackle
- Reasonable price
- Professional quality
Rapala Hammer Chisel Review
Rapala Hammer Ice Chizel (1 Piece)
Suppose you feel uncertain about some heavy task for your regular chisel to complete, it comes for the Rapala Hammer chisel to enter the scene! Its specially designed dual-purpose hammerhead will occur especially handy to break through the frozen debris to the water.
PROS:
PROS:
- Durable materials for extended opportunities
- Featuring a blade cover to keep your chisel sharp and undamaged for the action
- Featuring a new option: a lanyard to go with for safety and heavy duties
- Featuring new options to ensure more accurate nearly precise operation
- Easy-to-use and ultimately efficient
- Make your holes art objects and get your ultimate control of situations
- Reasonable pricing
- Maximum power granted!
Eskimo CH9 Bucket Chisel Review
Eskimo Bucket Ice Chissel CH9
This chisel features a heavy-duty two-pieces high-quality ice fishing item to make you cut the ice like a pro. Its shaft easily breaks into two pieces for easy and safe transportation or storage.
PROS:
PROS:
- A heavy-duty item to fit your needs out there
- Featuring a compact yet strong, two-piece chipper for heavy usage
- Extreme durability and extended opportunities
- Featuring a special strap to hold it in place
- Sharp and accurate for perfect performance: more holes per fewer actions
- Hammer-style chisel to perform as a hammer while breaking through
- Featuring a special rubber protective cover on the active end for your safety and trauma-free operation
- Permanently sharp and specially configured head to rip the ice
- Featuring a foam grip handle for your better comfort and control
Homemade Ice Fishing Chisel
Some fishers choose more complicated way and make spud themselves. We recommend to choose a spud from the rating we suggest.
There are some pictures of the homemade chisel for winter fishing. It’s made from a solid steel rod. The handle is wooden and its weight is pretty insignificant.
Application
The spud makes a rather loud noise when used to break the ice, so it’s better to make 2-4 holes within 1-2 meters from each other. Hole diameter depends on the kind of the spud used and ice thickness.
To make holes with spud quickly and efficiently and adjust them for comfort fishing you should:
- Clean the spot from snow downwind side where you want to make a hole. It will help you to put your chair evenly with your back to the wind.
- Be sure to wind safety rope around your hand, otherwise, when the hole is made, ice chisel can easily slip from your hands and jump into the water.
- General rule for ice chisel hole-making is to remove ice evenly from all the surface. Do your best not to cut the ice through because the water coming from the hole will make your work really difficult.
- First thing you should do is to outline the hole contour then cut the ice with rapid vertical strokes slightly turning the chisel from the longitudinal axis. If necessary and depending on the chisel edge type, ice pieces should be cut off from the center to the walls or vice versa. You should constantly remove small pieces of ice from the hole using your ice skimmer.
Wedge-shaped tips should be inserted at the angle of 60-70 degrees. When ice is practically cut through, break the remaining obstacle with several sharp strong blows, so that water rushing from the ice-hole could push crushed ice out. Sharp hole edges can be made even if necessary.
Tips for Using Spud
- Choose the best spud with handle you can easily grasp even wearing warm gloves. Usually, 4 cm is enough.
- Break is an ice hole in the opposite sunlight direction. Natural mirror created this way should prevent fish from noticing you.
- You should definitely get rid off sharp edges inside an ice hole to prevent fishing line cutting.
- Make sure to wind a safety rope of the spud around your hand in case you fall through the ice, so you can always use your spud as a support to pull yourself out of the water.
- You can also stretch your coat between two spuds to hide from the wind.