Anybody use their ice graph during open water?

[IamZombie]

Anyone use their ice graph during open water?

I'm not talking about mounting it in the boat.

Just using it as is, dropping the ducer over the side and jigging.

[pikestabber]

I used my Vex once in November. We fished a small lake with no public access and brought a canoe in through the woods. We had to break ice out the whole way to the middle of the lake. We then fished right over the side of the boat and nailed the crappies. It worked great--kind of like ice fishing in a canoe. There's no reason it wouldn't work in the summer for similar vertical jigging applications.

[PerchJerker]

It works fine as long as you do not put too much stress on the transducer by dragging it around or banging it off the side of the boat, etc. If you're going to be moving around with it in the water (other than just slow drifting) then I'd go with an open water skimmer style transducer, even if you use it on a portable mount.

[Stick in Mud]

I've used it to vertical jig below the boat while others in the boat bobber fished for walleyes....it worked fine. Now that we got a new depthfinder, though, I haven't tried it much because I can do the same thing without the hassle of carrying around the vex.

[IamZombie]

It works fine as long as you do not put too much stress on the transducer by dragging it around or banging it off the side of the boat, etc. If you're going to be moving around with it in the water (other than just slow drifting) then I'd go with an open water skimmer style transducer, even if you use it on a portable mount.

That was the idea, just for vertical jigging below the boat when sitting still.

[Eric_Kruger]

yep, Ive used mine many times over the side of the boat, works like a charm but your gonna wanna use either a 4-5ft rod or a wide beam, I always noticed with my long rods it was kind of a pain to keep the jig inside the cone.

[Brad B]

Anyone use their ice graph during open water?

I'm not talking about mounting it in the boat.

Just using it as is, dropping the ducer over the side and jigging.

never dropped it over the side. I will how ever be mounting my marcum LX7 in the boat for the open water season.

[OnAFly]

I use it in the canoe all the time. It's great. I use it in the boat sometimes, but it's not as convenient. I want to get a mount for it so I can just run it off the bow for when I'm trolling.

[Bullwinkled]

I tried the vexilar this fall, took a 24 inch racheting clamp replaced the endstop with a 1/4 inch eye bolt that I opened up enough to allow the transducer cord through and can use the stop. clamp it to the boat gunwale in seconds. 24 inch allows use of your normal rods to stay on cone. Used it on panfish for fun. Had to use bottomlock on Vexilar but it did work and I will use it in future. I will show a picture next time I use it (soon I hope).

[Neises]

I have been using my FL-20 on my boat for a couple of years. Before that an Fl-18, and even longer ago I had a FL-8 on the trolling motor. It has worked great. I use the Minnkota w/ the universal transducer built in and it works great. Whoever I fish with usually uses the FL-10 on the dash as the transducer is mounted on the back. A couple of years ago I even used an ice rod on Owasso for walleyes. It probably looked a little ridiculous, but it was easier to keep the jig in the cone, and we seemed to put more walleyes in the boat than anyone around us.

[Matt C]

Anyone use their ice graph during open water?

I'm not talking about mounting it in the boat.

Just using it as is, dropping the ducer over the side and jigging.

Spring crappies! Ohhh yes!

[toughguy]

I like using them on rivers - especially smaller rivers. The real time depth helps you find those holes.

[bee]

Mounted mine in the boat yesterday. i have a transducer on my trolling motor. Its the the best. They can,t hide.

[fishwacker1]

I've used mine in my Aluminum Lund Boats since owned. I just dump a Bottle of water back by the plug and lay my transducer next to it. The sound travels through the aluminum and gives me accurate depths. Use it for depth more than for fish location. Although I did notice a school and sure enough stopped boat and nailed crappies.

[hanson]

Honestly, I'd rather have a nice graph/GPS combo on the bow than a flasher.

[bee]

From Today.

[toughguy]

Nice marks. That'll bring a smile to your face.

[UKCM]

I regularly used my ice fishing rod to vertical jig panfish when they are in 8 feet or over. I have a rod with an extremely sensitive tip and it no doubt helps in catching the larger pannies who just suck in the bait.

While it is not common I have certainly seen others do it as well. Usually seems to be us guys with gray hair though.