Camera or flasher?

[Live for the ice]

Ok so I have been looking to purchase my own flasher or camera this upcoming season, I am getting sick of borrowing or asking to use someone elses stuff.

I have looked at getting a flasher from vexilar (fl-8), Marcum (VX-1) and hummingbird (ice35) or getting a underwater camera. I have heard good things from all 3 brands of flashers I have looked into mostly getting go for the vexilar but I have also heard that a camera is better because you physically can see the fish sucking the hooks in.

I just want to hear what other more experienced ice fishers have to say and what your recommendations are.

Thank you for your responses in advance

[PerchJerker]

I'd vote for the flasher, it's more versatile and useful. You can check depths, check for fish, watch your bait, watch fish, hole hop, use it day or night regardless of light levels, etc. Cameras are a lot more limited in when you can use them and what you can do with them --- they're great in some situations, useless in others.

[FISHINGURU]

without a doubt a flasher

[JeffB]

Flasher by far. The camera is an ok toy, but a flasher is an essential tool for succesful fishing.

[jtk15]

Dont make the mistake on a camera. They are limited when you can use them-limited vision with low light and stained water, ect not to mention they limited your fishable water column. They are bulky, drain (heavy)batteries like crazy, and until your set up with a perm house, and have a top notch flasher-dont make the mistake I made.

I got lucky, as mine leaked-traded it and put it towards a FL20. Have a Lowrance X67 Ice Machine-could not fish funcationally with other Vex anywhere around me. Not too familiar with the other units your talking about, but rule out the camera-PLEASE spare yourself. I could get another camera if I desired, but to be honest, if I was given one-it would stay home for the 10% of the time I may spend in perm house. Mobility is always noted on this site, and camera impacts that negatively. They have a time and place-but limited and not a necessity...a quality sonar is.

I guarentee-you will have buyers remorse if you go with a camera.

jtk15

[deadeye]

Definitly get the flasher. Of those three brand choices you will be happy with any of them.

There are way too many circumstances where the camera is completly worthless but yet the flasher works perfect. Low light, cloudy water ect.

One of my problems with cameras is that IMO they are kind of pain to deal with. I bet I spend more time fussing with getting the depth right, the angle right ect than I do fishing. If you do happen to get a bigger fish hooked, it always seems like the get tangled in the cord.

Another problem with them is that you are somewhat limited to where you can see in the water column. If the fish move, are suspended or if your fishing for predator fish, you may never see them on the camera, but could easily spot them on the sonar.

The main reason I got my ccamera was to check bottom content and look for things like weedlines, transistions and species of schooled fish. It also has been helpful when fishing light biting fish, like perch on mille lacs. So they are helpfull, but not necessary like a flasher is.

My flasher goes ice fishing with me 100% of the time and the camera goes with maybe 25% of the time. If you get the chance to use a camera it is fun, but it is very limited to when they work.

[Ed Carlson]

I mirror the majority opinion here, if the fish are there a Vexilar will show you fish day or night 24/7/365, and is not limited by water color or light penetration.

That said, a camera is a very handy tool when it is usable. Down the line, consider a camera, and start off with a Vexilar and go find some fish to catch.

[bigbad401]

I vote also for the flasher. And for the same reasons. I have fished many lakes where the camera would be useless. Get the flasher.

[Sifty]

I would start out with a flasher and then when you can get the camera.

IMO the flasher is a tool that will work for you in any condition you put it up against a camera will be limited to what it will do (or what you can do with it).

Sifty

[fiskyknut]

No doubt a flasher first.

[mnguy152]

get the flasher and then when you buy it look around lots of used models out there.

[fishuhalik]

flasher

[FishGUY]

If you are only getting one, get a flasher.

[dan z]

FLASHER! I dont go ice fishing w/o one

[Esox_Magnum]

Get the VX first then save for a camera, I use both and somedays one will outfish the other, but like stated a flasher works 24/7

[Fred_Bear]

Get a flasher first! Do a search on flasher comparisons through the old threads as there is a ton of debates and information on the 3 flashers you listed.

[Far-I]

Get the vexilar fl-8 instead of the other flashers, and definately not the camera....but if your addiction to ice fishing keeps growing as mine did, you'll get a camera in the next couple of seasons .

If you have a little extra dough to dish out, I think the Hummingbird 55 is the cream of the crop. For the lower end models though, i know plenty of people who have used (and abused) the FL-8 and love it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

as many have already stated.. the flasher is far more important.. It just is. Get it first, and then save for a camera later.

[NCLaker]

Definitely Flasher first - if you are targeting any fish laying on the bottom (especially walleye/perch), I strongly recommend a flasher with bottom zoom capability. Non-zoom still works in this situation, but it is just harder to see them bottom huggers, especially if you are in 20+ FOW.

Next and DEFINITLY before buying a camera, but after the flasher, I would put my money on a portable GPS unit (e.g. Lowrance H2O, etc) with a Lake chip (i.e. Lakemaster/Navionics). Critical tool IMO if you want to explore new fishing spots, get away from the pack, and pinpoint yourself back on hot spots you were previously. They take the frustrating guess work of finding structure, depths, breaklines, etc. May not always put you on the exact spot, but it will put you close enought that you will only need to drill a few holes to pinpoint the spot/fish.

[hibanks1]

Get at least an FL18....i can spot a fish on the VX as fast as a camera....camera helps you see if it is a Willard or not?

[toughguy]

Flasher. I leave my camera at home about half the time on the ice. I would never leave my flasher at home.

[Far-I]

I'll add this as another option tho...for your flasher choice, take a look at the Showdown. I have ranted about it on here before i think, but I use it and have absolutly no complaints for the price. Great target seperation, no intereference i have ever seen, its an all around great buy!

edit: not to mention great zoom features for bottom, or various other points in the water column!

[PerchJerker]

I'll add this as another option tho...for your flasher choice, take a look at the Showdown. I have ranted about it on here before i think, but I use it and have absolutly no complaints for the price. Great target seperation, no intereference i have ever seen, its an all around great buy!

edit: not to mention great zoom features for bottom, or various other points in the water column!

Excellent point, the Showdown is a great unit for ice fishing and has some advantages to the so-called entry level flashers.

[tip_upclyma]

You will have the worst case of "BUYER REMORSE" if you buy a camera before a flasher!

[jwhjr]

I will also throw in another vote for a flasher. You can "see" the fish with it whether the water is clear or murky etc.