Flasher question

[IndyEFI500]

I know I have old technology so please save those comments. I was out today and using my FL6 for only the second time since I got it. I have added a new 19 degree ice ducer to it. I was in 20 feet of water with my lure down at about 18-19. Every once in a while and more after dusk, I would see a flash start at the bottom and slowly come right to the top. I watched the hole for an air bubble but never saw one. Is that what it was? I am new to flashers and am in the process of upgrading to something better. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Corey Bechtold]

Turn your gain down a bit.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[marine_man]

It could've been an air bubble that came up, interference from another flasher near by... a battery getting low, gain up too high...

marine_man

[dieguy]

It is strange that you would ask this question as this happened to me for the first time yesterday. I have a Marcum LX-3 so I dont think your problem is technology. I also had my gain down below 2, just enough to keep my jig solid yellow. It also happened to me after dark, a red line generating from the bottom, I tried to follow it for a while with my jig then I just watch it rise until it approached 5 ft. then it disappeared. This happened at least 3 times. I was wondering if there was a curious perch trying to figure out where the light was coming from as I had my propane lantern lit. Indy, did you have a lantern on when this was happening to you? I don't know, Im stumped

[IndyEFI500]

Corie and Marine_Man:

Yes the gain was high, about 6-7 in order to see my jig so that could maybe it. But, I had not seen this on the first time I used the unit. The other time was a lake I know, today was not.

Dieguy:

I was in my portable. No gas lantern but I do have some small LED lights laying on the ice about 6 inches from the hole. There was about 6-8 inches of ice so I would imagine there would be light shining through.

All:

Before I left the ice at about 6:30 pm, this was happening about once every one to two minutes. Could not have been interference. There wasn't anyone within about 300 yards. I should have been closer, then maybe the bite would have been better. Can you say "Twilight Zone"?

[icehousebob]

This would happen to me when I got my first flasher and I was confused until an air bubble popped up my hole. The rest of the bubbles were caught under the ice. I'd say they are methane bubbles that form from the organic material in the bottom mud. The reason they disapear after rising a ways is they come straight up and leave the area of the transducer cone.

[IndyEFI500]

IcehouseBob:

Kind of what I thought and laughed about while on the ice, fish farts???

[walleyeiceguy]

I agree with everyone, it is most likley just bubbles coming up from the bottom. I get the same issue when I bounce my jig on the bottom. you could also adjust your settings on your unit.( gain, etc...)

I know I am not saying anything new but I just wanted to support what everyone else is saying.

have a great fishing season.

[Ray Esboldt]

Air bubble.

I do like the fact that you're fishing with an FL-6. That's the first flasher I owned for ice fishing back in the '80s. I wish I still had it for historical purposes.

[Northlander]

"Fish Farts". LOL!

[fishfart]

Alright the jokes are on me. I Can take it

[Captain Ken]

I have had this happen and when it increases towards dusk I have been told that it is critters coming up from the bottom. Dragon fly larvae and other crazy stuff like that. So, I will put my money on a combination of bubbles and critters. The critter thing is not too fetched, though I have not seen them on a video, since you can see a little ice jig - why not a little critter.

Capt

PS FL 6 - Wow I saw one of them in the antique store by me the other day! Sorry - couldn't resist the bait there.

[eyeshole]

I agree on the air bubble. Have seen this phenomenom many times. I would assume not all air bubbles come thru hole and most float to bottom of ice near your hole.

[IndyEFI500]

Yes the FL6 is old. However I am upgrading. Found a LX3 demo with TC upgrade for $300. I may be posting the oldy here soon to pay for the new toy.

Sorry about the fish fart thing but with my sick sense of humor it was one of the first things that popped into my head. Even though I didn't catch a fish yesterday, I may have to take the LX to that same spot just to see what this would look like on there.

[pikerliker]

I have a Marcum LX 1 and have had the exact thing happen to me. My unit is only a little over 2 years old and has a new transducer. I wouldn't say it has anything to do with the age of your unit.

~piker