Want big Walleyes? Ditch that Marcum

[Chad Holst]

Yes, James is sponsored by Marcum.

I would point out that he is also sponsored by 98 other companies. Although it doesnt prove anything it leads to the conclusion that he is well respected in the fish world. I dont think he would say something that isnt true, just to fend for sponsors, perhaps, but in my experience you dont get 98 hard to get sponsors by not having a certain level of credibility attached to your name.

Also, we share the last name, but are no relation. So i dont say these things with any type of family affiliation tied to it.

Full disclosure, my non-profit is also sponsored by Ice force, so in a way, marcum. And you can clearly see that i LOVED my old vex and now use a bird for personal use. (for no other reason that it was on close out, and i was time to get a new unit sooner than later) My opinion for my personal use is not for sale and i think most people, even companies, respect that. Marcum makes a great product. they opt to use a stronger flasher signal. I dont think they do this because it DOESNT add value. I dont believe they do this because it SCARES fish away. That would be silly. Vexlar also makes a great product and it works for the right type of ice angler also.

Some like fords and some like chevys. Both are good vehicles, depending on who the individual is, they both are better for someone.

In all honesty, if i were to buy a new flasher, i wouldnt get any of the formentioned units, i would get a sonarphone (made by Vex). If i was going to buy a new unit and had to get a "standard" flasher i would buy a Marcum because of the genourosity of their parent company to my non-profit and if i had to pick any 15 year old unit it would be a vex-8 because of the nestalgia of my first flasher.

I think its unfair to suggest someone would sell out because of a sponsor and that his opinion is no longer valid even when he is extremely respected in the industry.

[FISHINGURU]

I'll catch big eyes with any flasher....FACT

[DTro]

Ok, just a little sidebar since you brought IDO up. I was watching the most recent show, and the entire show they were reminding us how cold and frigid it was it yet they refused to put a coat and/or gloves on.

The logo hoodie was more important I guess.

Sorry, back to flasher wars.

[JeffB]

Sounds like a perfectly good explanation for why I sometimes get out fished. The other times my fishing skill over comes the handicap of a high power unit.

[Chad Holst]

Quote:

Sounds like a perfectly good explanation for why I sometimes get out fished. The other times my fishing skill over comes the handicap of a high power unit.

I like where this guy is going with this!

I am able to overcome Power augers and straight line reels and tungsten jigs and propane heaters and fish scaring flashers and STILL catch fish. I'm pretty amazing, where do i sign the line up of proffessional sponsors that want me to fish for them! Yep. thanks Jeff, you da man. thanks bud.

[Gunflint Guy]

me and my 2 sonars regularly get outfished by buddies with no sonar at all...now I know why. If low power is good, no power must be awesome.

[hamms-scooter]

I have read this before also and it is a joke. Watch Ido on the trips to Canada no problem pulling hogs.

[Aaron_Stevens]

You guys are all funny!!! All flashers mechanical or digital work in the sense to find fish period..... Watts, power whatever, It's a unit to help you mark fish and hopefully catch them. Whatever the unit it is it's still up too the fisherman to catch the fish what lure to use wait bait to go with it. I personally own yes a Marcum vx-1, Showdown and a Humminbird ice 55. I catch fish with all units just the same as the other. Franchise wars "GOOD LORD" I hope another company comes out with some kind of flasher so there will be more idiotic discussions about wasted terminologies and theories!

[Hawg]

Do you guys have a clue on how to rate power? No way 2000 watts come from a 12 volt battery, it's all marketing.

[pushbutton]

[FISHINGURU]

LMAO, man that video is hilarious.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

That's funny!

I don't consider myself brand loyal to Marcum, but I do think they are the best value, currently. If Vexilar or the Bird came out with something that I felt was a better value, I'd switch in a second.

All this said, I just went through my fishing pictures since 2009. I have pics of 37 walleyes over 26" caught under either an LX5 or VX1.

My guess is that he just plain wasn't as good at fishing as his partner. I know of plenty of people who can out fish me without any electronics!

[Horseshoe_Don]

Why would I want to downgrade? Enough said!

[fishgutz77]

The only time I ever get concerned about the sonar signal strength is if a bunch of people come pile in on me. In the last 15 yrs or so about 2 times a year other shacks will show up and set up 25 ft way from me, maybe only one, but somtimes more. This has destroyed my fishing several times for whatever reason. I MOVE! if it's not to late.

I never fish by the pack and use a FL-12. I fished LOW on 1/3 and 1/4 and had a marcum unit right next to me for two days. Out fished him on big fish and numbers he had 2 lines I fished only one line strickly jigging. I kept track for a couple hrs and had him down 17 to 2 but most were small sauger, but I did have the big fish for the trip at 27 3/4". I don't even know if that proves anything at all, other than I got a lot of dump from these other 3 guys

We ended up with limits and had a great time out of wheeler's. The golden rule is strike out on your own if you can and have a solid plan and back up.

[fishgutz77]

Thought I would post this tank from the trip

[CaptainMusky]

Hook, line and Marcum eh dtro? Well played.

[Duffman]

They may not hinder the catching of big walleyes...........lakers on the other hand.

[CaptainMusky]

I am going to market tinfoil hats to protect everyone from cellphone use.

[gwiff100]

well my tinfoil hats come wrapped in cellophane to help protect it from the elements and aids in blocking transmissions sent by the nsa...

[brian6715]

It's on the internet, it has to be true!!! Right?

This reminds me of last year during the mid-winter walleye slowdown, I was hammering 8 pound plus 'eyes all throughout December, using my Marcum... but that slowly died down as we moved into January. Me and a buddy decided to head to Pepin to change our luck, what we found was a bit surprising. I immediately starting pounding Blue Marlin, I mean it was like as fast as you could put it down, they would just fly in on the Marcum and crush it. The midday bite was solid, but my buddy just couldn't catch any Blue's over 45". We switched holes, buckets, baits, beers, and it just wasn't working for him. Turns out, it was his tungsten jigs. Apparently they smell different than old fashioned jigs. At least, that's all we could come up with. After he switched to a Lindy Flyer, he managed to get a couple 250+ lb blues.

Throughout the evening the bite continued to slow down, you really had to work to find the school. We managed to ice enough slot fish to fill our freezers, but you had to stay mobile. Around 8 pm a small school of 'swords moved in but they weren't interested in biting.

Don't ask for GPS coordinates, we were on a steep break in 22', just look at a map and find similar structure.

Here's a pic of me and a couple of decent slot fish (sorry I know it's cheesy to take pics with your flasher brand, I am no way affiliated with Marcum):

[HardwaterHero]

I say false to this issue. I own the LX7 and in the last 2 years i've caught big walleyes and pike so to say it affects mature fish is a generalization. Sure it may have some affect but i think lure presentation is what truly matters.

[pushbutton]

Wow, guess i need a different flasher, if I only had that one, could catch marlin too. We can tell your not pro staff Brian…your outfit is not nearly flashy enough. Plus,think the pro staff training schools now teach the young wannabes to look at the fish and not the camera. Just a little more practice and you'll get there…..

[Raider4ever]

Remember to double check the measurements on fish like the one on the right side of the pic. I know Pepin has a very strict slot for Blues (and Hammerheads too). If you were a true fan you would of had the flasher face the camera and you would be pointing to it, ala Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. Other than that, well played.

[leech~~]

By Nate Zelinsky

Fish explorer.com

'08

In the end, we came to the conclusion that the 1,500 watts of power from the MarCum was affecting the lateral line of the mature fish. I used the MarCum for a short period of time after that and it never did seem to affect the crappie or perch like it had the walleye. But ever since my walleye incident, I had to stick with the Vexilar FL-18. Since that day, the Vexilar FL-18 is the only flasher I will use. The 400 watts of power is more than enough.

Ha, I knew those dam Marcums were no good!

So, do we still need to do a "Flasher Shootout"

[fish_eat_sleep]

Yes, James is sponsored by Marcum.

Some like fords and some like chevys. Both are good vehicles, depending on who the individual is, they both are better for someone.

SOOOOO your saying this is why the CHEVY guys Don't catch fish!?!? Noisy exhaust and creaky Doors scare fish!?