MarCum/Vexilar or not... That is the question...

[JigginIsLife]

So im contemplating on getting one and i want to know if it is almost a necessity these days to have one. I was brought up not useing the high-tech stuff but now they are everywhere and you rarley see a fisherman without one. My father says they are a waste of money but i want to have some input by fishermen on what you really think of it. IS it worth the money?? does it pay for itself in thelong run. and where would be the best place to get one if i do decide to get one?? does any outfitter give better prices or are they pretty much the same through out?

let me know what you think

-Fisherman in turmoil

[gspman]

A flasher is definitely not a waste of money. There is no question that you will catch more fish when using one properly.

[TNFL]

I used my buddies Vex last year for the first time and decided that day that I could never ice fish as productively without one. If your worried about money Marcum has some great deals right now. Cabela's has the LX-1 for $240 which is comparable to the FL-8 (most on this site say marcum is better)

and there is a web store that is selling the lx-1 for $225 and the lx-3 for $300 with free shipping.

[Yellow Dog]

For me, it's a matter of fishing blind--not really knowing where the fish are hovering or catching.

Short story - I was catching crappies suspended about 7 feet off the bottom. 20 feet away in a shack were two guys who only caught a few...they were fishing 1 foot off the bottom--way under the fish. I told them to move their jigs up and they started catching too.

So yes, I think sonar of some type is a great way to go. I use it every time out.

[Nordern]

I too did not want to bend to the "high tech gear" but man am I glad I did. I bought the FL-18 a few years back and have fished more because of it. I do not have a lot of time to hit the ice so every time I go I need something to improve the odds and the Vex did it for me. I also remember when graphite rods were considered "high tech" so don't feel bad about improving your chances on the ice.

[burl]

Its also a matter of how you want to spend your time.Catching fish or starring at a hole.I like to make my time on the ice as productive as i can seeing that my fishing time can be limited at times.Burl.

[ChuckN]

No doubt, these flashers are worth every penny. When my dad bought his first Hondex FL-8 16+ years ago (which mysteriously disappeared BTW, lol) I was hooked. On the ice or in the boat these flashers are key. I've owned all sorts of brands, went up to the LX-3 and hopefully the LX-5 when it is released.

I can't answer if they literally "pay for itself in the long run" but you will not regret the money spent. I'd pretty much guarantee that!

Visit one of the threads that are posted on the top to decide which flasher you prefer. There is a lot of reading. I do prefer the Marcum for the sensitivity, zoom features, display, power and the overall LX-3 ice system case is the best in my opinion. I still own the FL-8, but it doesn't get used hardly at all anymore.

[Dennis Steele]

Is a flasher worth the money?

THat all depends on what you want out of a day out on the ice.

Do you want to be a fisherman, or a fish catcher!

You'll get a few fish here and there with out one, but your odds are dramatically increased if your using a flasher.

They can help you figure out if there is even fish in the area, what depth the fish are at and what techniques are triggering them to bite.

With out a flasher, you just won't know these things.

[icehousebob]

I'm on my fourth generation of flashers. My first time out last year, I forgot my vex and made an hour round trip to get it rather than fish without it. The down side of flashers is when you positively know the fish are below you and you can't make them bite. I almost said a bad word once because of that.

[JigginIsLife]

Alright so i have visited cabelas.com and i have found some of the popular flashers. all im seeing online is the

Cabelas VXR, MarCum LX-3, LX-5, AND THE Vexilar FL-8 and FL-18. is there anything out there... cheaper or is this all that is out on themarket??

[Bigbartguy]

I think that sums up what models you should look at. Last years LX-3 is on clearance for $300. The LX-1 is on clearance for $225. You wont find a new flasher any cheaper than that.

I bought my first flasher from them a few weeks ago and am anxiously awaiting 1st ice!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Lowrance makes a unit designed for ice fishing too.. however the units you mentioned I think are the cream of the crop.. the VXR seems to be a great unit for the money. I can only assume after using a few of the marcum units that they are all well worth the money... If all you can afford is the Lx-1, its a fine unit.. the LX-3 just has a few more bells and whistles... Get what you can afford, the only thing you will ever regret is not being able to afford the next unit up from what you bought.. I myself, cant wait till Marcum LX-5 hits the shelves.. I will have one!

[CrappieJohn]

The flashers for both Cabelas VXR and Ganders Pro Series are sweet units and are as good if not better than any fl18.

[JigginIsLife]

Wow thanks for the input guys i think over thanksgiving i will probably be getting the VXR just becuase as a college student my funds lack greatly. Anyone out there have one that could tell me what they personally think of the product, Good or bad comments welcome

[coldmark]

What if I rented one for my trip to LOTW? Between 7 of us, it wouldn't be that pricey. That way I could decide if I want one or not. Do the resorts (or anyone else) rent them out? I'd ask the good folks at Zippel Bay Resort but I've decided not to bug them for a while. I don't want them to be sick of me before I get there.

[Captain B.R.K]

Don't think you are being a pain for calling up to the resort all the time....it's their job to inform you

Fisherman in turmoil, I guarantee that you will be 100% happy buying a flasher. Lots of options on the market now that Marcum has upgraded their line of flashers. Vexilar or Marcum....both are a good option. Actually a GREAT option over what you currently have

Perfect story to make you go out and buy one:

"Before, I would sit (without a flasher) and bother my buddy (using his flasher) everytime he was catching fish. He'd have to tell me the depth and it would be of no use because I'd have to throw a depth charger down to change the depth of my lure everytime the fish changed it's depth,very frustrating. Plus he'd outfish me 2-1, 3-1, 4-1 with his flasher!"

Needless to say I bought one that spring and have been happy ever since. No regrets here!!