flasher for ice fishing

[PurpleFloyd]

in the shallow pothole lakes what is the advantage of using a flasher vs something like a traditional sonar unit for locating fish? Sorry if it seems naive but I am somewhat new to this after not ice fishing for a few decades.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

flashers are more real time and with some of the recent flashers, it allows you to have a low power mode for fishing conditions in weeds or shallow water, which the pothole lakes maily offer...

[LMITOUT]

A sonar will get the job done. I think when you start using it you'll see how it differs from a flasher which would give you more of "real time" feedback, but it'll do in a pinch.

[Ed Carlson]

A graph and a on ice sonar are basically the same general sonar utility, and can provide the same basic info, but in different display formats and at different display speeds. On ice sonar systems are more specialized to handle on ice fishing tasks and challenges.

Any graph with a "Vertical Side Bar" function (As seen in the far right of this sonar display below) can show close to real time sonar, and the graph image will be running from right to left as it emerges from the Side Bar, and will show sonar history. I should note here that you will see streaks not arch's or fish symbols when using in a stationary position such as ice fishing. This appears in the history window section of the display...when you raise your jig...the resulting graph image line will fallow...this leads to a "zig-zag" look in the history window. Some ice anglers like this, and some do not.

A dial pulse based sonar, will be the closest to true Real Time as you get. Any lag is basically impossible to see with the naked eye on a modern real time pulse dial sonar system.

Both work, both may serve you well, and you can be the best judge of that.

Most sonar manufactures now offer an "Ice Pack" conversion kit for graphs. If you already own a graph this may be the most cost effective option you can go with, and it will offer you more flexibility of use in all seasons.

Pre-packaged Open water portable sonar packages may also work, yet the transducer system is not designed for easy on ice functionality. With some conversion to the transducer support system, or by upgrading to a puck ducer designed for self leveling in an ice hole, you can use them effectively on the ice.

[PurpleFloyd]

OK, so the sonar units give you a better visual image but they have a time lag between what you see and what is actually down there. So the advantage of the flasher is that when you understand reading the lines you can dial your presentation to it's target more effectively. Is that pretty much what it boils down to?

What kind of time lag are we talking about with the sonar vs. flashers? Is it a matter of tenths of seconds, a second or two or several seconds?

What about the newer underwater cameras? Do they give any advantages or disadvantages over the other 2?

Thanks for the help.

[Ed Carlson]

Lag time depends on the model you have (See the manufactures specs), and the ping speed the graph is set at while in operation.

To me at least, the lag is darn annoying, and it often results in missed fish.

Cameras are good in the waters where viewing conditions are good. Your primarily restricted in use by clarity, and light penetration.

A sonar will see fish in all conditions, dirty or dark, if properly configured.

[hcmpls1]

From a novice perspective, the thing that made the biggest difference to me is being able to see your jig on the flasher and how the fish reacts to it. For example, when you drop your line down to the fish, and see the lines turn from green to yellow to red and get bigger, it means the fish is positively reacting to your jig and your presentation. You don’t get this luxury with the sonar. Does this sound right Ed?

[Ed Carlson]

Yes, that is a large part of it.

You actually glean more useful info from a multi-color circular pulse sonar display. You can better read moods and the relationship of the fish to your offering.

[mnhunter79]

From a novice perspective, the thing that made the biggest difference to me is being able to see your jig on the flasher and how the fish reacts to it. For example, when you drop your line down to the fish, and see the lines turn from green to yellow to red and get bigger, it means the fish is positively reacting to your jig and your presentation. You don’t get this luxury with the sonar. Does this sound right Ed?

I run a X-96 sonar on the ice. I can see fish, jig, and how the fish react on the sonar screen. Thin gray line = fish is farther away from my jig, when that gray line(fish)gets thicker = the fish is moving closer to the center of the sonar cone. I dont think it results in missed fish at all. Sure, the colors on the flasher are nice, but if ya cant swing the price of a flasher, the sonar works just fine. One thing i did do, is ordered a flasher style ducer so it hangs straight down in the water. And when ice season is over, i put the sonar back on the front of the boat for summer. As far as cmeras go, if the water im fishin is clear, i usually preffer the cam over the sonar. that will tell u what is exactly down there (type of bottom, kind and size of fish and when the fish has your hook.) i usually hang the camera at a 45 degree angle from my second hole, verticle jig with the other.

[cold one sd]

I used to use a graph type unit on the ice, but I got so worn out from drilling new holes because the fish were always moving to my left.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Heres a tip if the fish are moving to your left. Build a box-type fishfinder holder. Just use plywood and the when the fish go to your left and you have to drill a new hole you only have to do it once. Because then you can turn the fishfinder over and the fish are going to your right, or back to your first hole.

[PurpleFloyd]

Heres a tip if the fish are moving to your left. Build a box-type fishfinder holder. Just use plywood and the when the fish go to your left and you have to drill a new hole you only have to do it once. Because then you can turn the fishfinder over and the fish are going to your right, or back to your first hole.

Hey, that is exactly the idea that I had.

[Northlander]

A good flasher is about the only thing, besides a camera, that will show me fish in weeds. Dont waste you money on anything else but a good flasher. Marcum, Vexilar and Humminbird all make very good flashers these days. Get what you can afford.

[mr_jman]

A flasher will become your favorite ice fishing tool! If your not sure what brand to go with and want more info for EVERY brands models, use the search feature on here because every flasher has been talked about to death at some point. There are probably more flasher related threads on this site than any other ice fishing topic.

Use one once and you'll want to go out and buy one before your next fishing trip.

[cold one sd]

Heres a tip if the fish are moving to your left. Build a box-type fishfinder holder. Just use plywood and the when the fish go to your left and you have to drill a new hole you only have to do it once. Because then you can turn the fishfinder over and the fish are going to your right, or back to your first hole.

Thanks for the tip. I have been turning my portable around to follow the fish back to my original holes and that is a lot of work for an old guy.

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

A flasher will become your favorite ice fishing tool!

Well said could not agree more. Don't leave home without it!!!

[shizzy]

I learned more about fish, fishing, techniqe, gear and lake bottom in one season with a flasher then all others combined. the ability to focus on one spot and see whats going on under you and figure out what is going on is the key.

[FishDC]

New to the board here. I bought my Marcum LX5 the first year they were produced. For 5 years before that I would tell myself I was getting one "next year". I wish I wouldn't have wasted all that fishing time over dead holes. I can tell you as soon as my flasher dies, I will order another the same day.

[tsande00]

Here is a question for you "experts" - What used more battery life? A flasher? Or a Sonar unit?

Sonar unit has more screen to illuminate but flasher has moving parts...

[PerchJerker]

I don't know the answer on battery life, but my guess is that a sonar screen will use up the battery faster, especially as the backlight is turned up on the sonar display.

With a flashr, one can easily get a full day out of a battery even if you run the flashr all day, and by being a little bit careful it's not too hard to extend that to 1.5 to 2 days.

Or get the best of both worlds - a Marcum ShowDown, an LCD unit designed for ice fishing that is really easy on batteries.

[bee]

For those of you still fishing give you flasher a try next time out. I have been using mine for crappie for the last 3 weeks. It works great. Just like on the ice if the wind is calm so you can spot your jig. When moveing and that school of suspended fish comes along it just LITES UP. Give it a try.

[Ed Carlson]

I would feel naked without a Vexilar on my boat, been using them 12 months out of the year for many..many years.

First thing on my boat is a Vexilar, then a GPS.

You greatly increase the amount of useful and productive info with a flasher on the boat. Be it on the bow, or the stern...or even handing off the side in some cases. Extremely useful on canoes and Kayaks as well.

[bee]

i did some more crappie Hunting with the Vex today. It works so good. I landed 35 in one spot.