11-08-2014, 03:01 AM
First, my opinion on size.
While I agree that for most people an 8 inch hole is plenty big enough (dependent upon target species), now that I'm used to fishing through a 10 inch hole it drives me crazy to fish through an 8. The 10 inch give me more room for my line and my flasher in the same hole without the interference between the line and flasher cable. The only drawback I see to a 10 inch hole is that you can step in it and get pretty wet. The extra weight of the 10 doesn't bother me at all and I can drill hole after hole with my SM without getting tired. Once upon a time I did hook a fish that wouldn't fit through a 7 inch hole, but most should fit through an 8.
Now for my opinion about the Eskimo brand.
I've been around a few Eskimos and IMHO, they don't hold a candle to a Strike Master. I can cut 10's with my SM faster than my friends can cut 8's with their Eskies. And doing it doesn't make me tired. SM runs great, is relatively quiet, and has plenty of power. Well worth the extra money IMO. If I was getting the Esky, then I'd get the bigger motor with the 8 inch blades, unless you want to go after Lakers or Tigermuskies, in which case I'd get the 10 inch blades.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.
[signature]
While I agree that for most people an 8 inch hole is plenty big enough (dependent upon target species), now that I'm used to fishing through a 10 inch hole it drives me crazy to fish through an 8. The 10 inch give me more room for my line and my flasher in the same hole without the interference between the line and flasher cable. The only drawback I see to a 10 inch hole is that you can step in it and get pretty wet. The extra weight of the 10 doesn't bother me at all and I can drill hole after hole with my SM without getting tired. Once upon a time I did hook a fish that wouldn't fit through a 7 inch hole, but most should fit through an 8.
Now for my opinion about the Eskimo brand.
I've been around a few Eskimos and IMHO, they don't hold a candle to a Strike Master. I can cut 10's with my SM faster than my friends can cut 8's with their Eskies. And doing it doesn't make me tired. SM runs great, is relatively quiet, and has plenty of power. Well worth the extra money IMO. If I was getting the Esky, then I'd get the bigger motor with the 8 inch blades, unless you want to go after Lakers or Tigermuskies, in which case I'd get the 10 inch blades.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.
[signature]