Trout and Flashers - Do they work?

[Colorado-Ice-Man]

All,

I ice fish 11 Mile pretty regularly...mostly shallows. But, since I have been having some trouble at the tried and true spots over the last two yaers, I thought I might invest in a flasher.

BUT, do they actually work for trout at a rez? It seems that they don't really school up at all, and they are always on the move. Plus, by the time you got done drilling, they would all be spooked and off to the next spot.

If they do work, at what depth do they start to become effective.

So far, all I have done is sight fish in 20 feet or less. THis one is new to me.

Thanks in advance!

[bry c]

yes, both flashers and lcd sonars, plenty of pros and cons to both styles, flashers are easier to set up because of floating transducer and it will shoot thru ice so you dont have to drill a bunch of holes to find your drop off, somewhere around $250 and up/ lcd need to rig something to hold the transducer, wont shoot thru the ice, can get slow in really cold weather, but shows history on the screen and best of all, around $100, main thing is they both will show your jig in relation to the bottom and any other underwater activity, or lack of, hope that helps some.

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

If you fish in waters of 20' or less,most of the time,a wider cone angle would be recommended by me. This will pick up more structure and fish, in the shallower areas. Vexilar also has the option of a switch you can use, to run a wide, and thinner cone transducer from the same unit. I myself, have a Marcum LX-3, that I love. I fish mostly for lakers through the ice and the occassional Walleye trip. I like the option of being able to zoom in anywhere in the water column. This also works great for suspended kokes. Good luck on your choice and good fishing.

Dan

[IceNutt]

I've been using a Vexilar for the last five years and consider it just as important as the rod and auger. They really do work. In shallow water they alert you to fish in the area but really shine in deep water. Fishing for lake trout w/o a flasher is really a pure luck deal as far as I can see. With the flasher you can see your lure and see the fish. Then its mostly just putting the lure in front of the lakers nose...Whamo! Just for fun go up to the main forum and do some reading on the Vex vs Marcum. They both work but each have their champions.

[Colorado-Ice-Man]

But, aren't trout always on the move? Sounds like lakers school up from what I am reading, but what about Rainbows?

It sounds like they are CRITICAL for catching fish in deeper water. BUT, by the time you marked them (in an attempt to FIND fish), wouldn't they get spooked by the auger and move on?

Thanks all!

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

I've fished Lake John, Wolford, Boyd etc. for Rainbows. Without my flasher I'd be lost. You have to find the structure to catch trout, just like Walleye or almost any fish. The flasher is a vital tool in my fishing equipment. I think you will agree, when and if, you get one. After you find structure with it, get the fish attracted with your jig or spoon, you will see the fish eying your lure, and actually see him hit it. When the trout are finicky, you will see how they are reacting to your presentation and adjust as nessecary. Buy one, You'll love it!

Dan

[lucky7]

Ice Man:

Ditto to what everyone has said. Started fishing with a flasher this year and have caught a ton of Bows because of the flasher.

[so haaad]

You will have more success using a locator. Look at it this way... if a trout swims under you but not at the depth you are fishing, you may not have a chance for a strike. But with a locator, you can adjust the depth that you are fishing immediately when the fish comes in, and have better chances.

[HonestDave]

Fishing without a flasher is like fishing in the dark without a light. Have had my Vex for a few years and like the way it works. I think I like it better than the LX3. Both are good.

[Sw icer]

Had a Vexilar fl8 for several years. I would rather go without my auger than my vex. It makes all the differance in my ice fishing experiance.Try going for kokane in ninety feet of water when they are suspended at forty feet with out a flasher. To futher enhance my ice fishing experence I hope to be using a Aqua view in tandem with my vex by next season.Try it you'll like it.

[Sw icer]

Colo.Iceman,I got a little excited last post and got off the subject.Most of my icefishing is for trout in shallow water.Again, I would not want to be without my Vexilar.It is great for night fishing also!

[Colorado-Ice-Man]

All,

This was GREAT feedback. When I read other posts, sometimes they don't help as much, cause....well, Colorado ice fishing can be QUITE different than that in the midwest states (the "frozen tundra"). It was great getting local perspective.

THANKS!