Camera or Flasher? What does everyone use?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Just wanting to know what most people prefer? I Used a vex and an aqua view camera last year. Loved the camera, but really didn't care for the flasher. Maybe I need to get use to the flashers more. Can't argue with the flashers due to the benifits they have in stained and deep water.

[deepportage01]

flasher hands down...

Vex-18

[charliepete2]

I use them both...the flasher is a tool, the camera is for giggles. The best use I've had for the camera is for fishing northerns. You can really entice them to strike. It's almost like hunting instead of fishing.

[love to hunt]

Flasher

[luv2fish]

Flasher, hands down. I use them both too. Ran into too many cases where camera would not do the job.

[Deitz Dittrich]

If one has the extra capital, then the answer is hands down.. BOTH... I use both. But I use the flasher 100% of the time and the camera only for setting up usually.

[Reynolds]

I would go with a flasher hands down. A lot of the times when I go out I don't even end up setting the camera up. If you are moving from hole to hole all day long, it is more of a hassle than anything. You pretty much need to have a separate hole next to the one you are fishing just for the camera, otherwise I have found that your line is going to get tangled around the camera cable. Also reeling the cable up every time you move can get to be a real pain. I wish that camera's had a some sort of recoil much like that of the reel-style extension cords. Another thing about cameras vs flashers is that I feel you are basically limited to using them during the daylight. With a flasher you can use it day or night, and instantly you can find out what depth the fish are holding.

[MN]

Usa and luv both. The camera in the house when the clarity and lighting is good. The flasher for bouncing holes and when the light is bad.

MN

[Matt Johnson]

Flasher should come first if you have to choose. A camera is a great learning tool and can help in certain situations, but a flasher is going to make you a better ice angler, especially if you're running and gunning for fish...

[jigging-matt]

Flasher, Hand down.

[MASON38]

Since you have both, and you are not trying to decide which to get first, then that part of the equation is already settled. Both have their time and place, as DD and Matt have said, but if you go out and fish without one of the two, it wont take long before you wish you had both out on the ice with you. After fishing for years with flashers that didnt have the zoom feature, it can get only better when I get to break in the new LX-5 this year, coupled with the extra advantages the cameras will give you.

Just in scouting a new lake alone or trying new spots on a lake you already know, you will find the benefits of having both tools with you. What the flasher gives you is an instant readout of the depth, and if you are fishing a flat void of weeds, or if the weeds are present. Coupled with your rod and reel, during the first five minutes of fishing a hole you will know if you have fish present or not. What the camera gives you is a better understanding of the terrain below; are you near a ledge/drop-off, are the weeds you are seeing with the flasher standing or falling down, and find out what fish (species) are you are seeing with the flasher. Allows you to rapidly change your tactics and presentation.

While you are fishing, the flasher will give you the best overall chance to catch fish. Under just about any condition you can think of, the flasher will give you a good understanding of what is going on below the ice. Works well in stained, deep and cloudy water. Doesnt spook fish away due to the lights some of the cameras use to increase visiblility during the night bite.

What the camera gives you is the sight fishing advantage. Sight fishing is the best way to fish, probably bar none. In normal water clarity, and some low light conditions, normally down to 15 ft, you can see your jig by looking down the hole while you are inside your coop, ie icehouse. You dont have to worry about what degree of separation there is when fishing with a flasher. What the camera gives you is an added advantage to do this in less than ideal situations. Put your camera in a down veiwing postion and extend it below the ice. Two foot gives you the ability to see 20' straight down. Added bonus for fishing suspended fish like crappie during the winter. Not only do you see your jig and the fish, but you can see how the fish are reacting to your jig, and the motion you give it. The flasher will do this too, but not near to the degree that you get from using the camera.

Bottom line is if you incorporate both tools into your fishing experience, you will have more productive outings just about everytime out.

Good luck,

[farvak123]

i have used a vexilar FL-8 for 3 years and now i wouldnt go ice fishing without it. the unit has increased the amount of fish that i catch dramatically since i can see if a fish is suspended, for example, and can adjust accordingly. i wouldnt mind having a camera however since it would be pretty neat to "see" what one is catching before actually catching it.

[Bob Horn]

Flashers a must have. Can do more with it. I use mine in open water to. Camera is a pain at times if moving a lot but glad I own one. Good learing tool.

[augernaut]

Wow, all you guys with your hands down - LOL!

Another vote for the flasher first. Camera shows you a very small picture of what is happening. The flasher shows you the entire water column. I disagree that the camera is a toy, it is a very powerfull tool for finding specific spots, identifying species, bottom content transistions, types of weeds, etc. Ideally, you have both. If you can only have one - flasher, hands up!

[hanson]

Flasher!

I just sold my underwater camera because I rarely used it.

[LIGHTLINE]

THE BEST RECIPE THAT I HAVE FOUND IS TO DRILL A HOLE IN FRONT OF YOUR FISH HOUSE APROX 6 FEET, INSERT YOUR AQUA VIEW AND RUN THE CORD INTO YOUR HOUSE USING A MOPOD. THEN USE YOUR ELECTRONICS TO SEE HOW THE FISH REACT TO YOUR PRESENTATION AND NOTE WHAT YOUR FLASHER LOOKS LIKE IN THE PROCESS. THE INFO IS AMAZING WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO TOGETHER. IF THERE ARE NO HITS, YOUR PRESENTATION OR YOUR BAIT MIGHT BE WRONG. TIME TO TRY A NEW COLOR ,SIZE,AND PRESENTATION. (HAVE AT IT )

[Flaco651]

I used both last winter, and they are both great tools for ice fishing. Like Deitz said using the camera during setting up comes in handy. It makes it easier to fish around structure and see the bottom contents. It was really nice to have a camera on Devils Lake ND when we were trying to find a spot to set up the house among the flooded timber. It's not hands down for me, its more of a toss up but I think the flasher is more important overall.

[LIGHTLINE]

FLACO, COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE,FLASHER IS THE BEST,AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO FOR LEARNING IT'S FANTASTIC

[Northlander]

Flasher for me too. I sold my Camera when I found I was waisting valuable fishing time with it. The one thing that was nice with a camera was seeing what type bottom fish were staying in. A flasher can give ya a good idea but the camera lets ya know for sure.

[hamms-scooter]

flashers a tool needed for fishing camera is a toy both are sweet though!

[jigginjim]

flasher, you need to find fish before you can see them.

[deadeye]

I got both and I use the flasher 90% of the time. I only use the camera to see what species of fish im sitting on and what the bottom is made out of. Occasionally if im getting light bites it comes out to help with the hookset, otherwise it doesnt get much use.

[BigGrassBass]

I like to use the camera for scouting and looking for weeds, rocks, transition zones, etc. Once I find something I put the camera away and concentrate on the flasher.

[52#FLATHEAD]

Both.

[Sandmannd]

I'll go with both. Flasher the magority of time, but the camera is fun too.