How to properly search for fish with a flasher

[Squirtis]

Ok, I have an old FL-8 that I got used last year and love how it works and know how to see the fish, the bottom and adjust it properly, but I would like people's input on how they search for fish with it. Any good techniques on how they approach a new lake. After looking at the topo map and understanding the features, such as points, drop-off's, etc. When you drill multiple holes, do you run parallel to a point, across a point, search in certain depth intervals? I want to become a better fisherman this year and would like some help. My fish of choice are Crappies and Northern.

Thanks,

Curtis

[Deitz Dittrich]

I could give a 2 hour seminar on the subject... especially on fishing a new lake...

Understanding seasonal patterns is top... You have to know what areas the fish will normally be. From there I think its important to drill your holes in a zig zag pattern down the structure you are fishing so that you are covering many different depths.. Once you have located fish you can then shrink your zig zag drilling pattern along parrellel to the structure... Then as the day goes on you will again have to follow the fish shallower.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

I believe i picked this up in a video with dave genz and brian brosdahl, They say you should find the structure you think the fish will be on whether it is a dropoff or mainlandpoint, sunkin island whatever it is. then drill holes along the contour in triangles. for example if you were on a spot where you are targeting crappies and it drops off from 10 to 30ft you would start at the 10 feet and just drill holes in triangles all the way down to the base of the dropoff where it is 30ft. Its kind of hard to explain this without a picture if you have any questions please ask... Hope this is what you were looking for.

Ryan

[palisade1kid]

Finding crappies is pretty easy really.

Look at the topo map.Identify the holes of 20 feet or deeper,normally. Then drill a bunch of holes.

If there is structure like a sand bar .....start at the base of it and work out or follow it.

Get your locator and read as you go.Once you mark fish a foot or so from the bottom or suspend fish set up.

Catch one & you'll know what your marking.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

the lake i fish most often is a very structure filled lake with many holes the deepest being 75ft... has anyone ever caught crappies over 75 feet of water? i did locate some schools in another basin which is about 35ft and they are suspended in 30 but there are very few there. Any tips?

Ryan

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have caught crappies over 75 feet of water before... even caught fish suspended over 90 feet... But shallow water is not overly far away.

[Squirtis]

Thanks Dietz and all. I have a local lake where I catch a fair amount of crappies in very shallow water (<5 ft), but I want to venture out to other lakes that I have not tried before. Thanks for the structure tips. I do not know about the daily habits of the fish other than I catch them typically from 3:30 to dusk. I'd like to know more about them traveling shallower as the day progresses.

Regards,

Curtis

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

If the area you fish is close to deeper water you might want to try fishin out a little deeper, usually mid-day the fish will move out deeper because they do not feel as secure in the shallow water during the bright periods of the day. I would consider the <5ft areas in the morning as well if you can get out there before the sun rises they may still be in there feeding. Crappies like to feed in low light hours like all other fish so they move in shallow to corral their food easier. Hope this helps!

Ryan

[Bob Horn]

Remember that you don't have to drill holes all the time. If the ice is clear just put some water on the ice and put the transducer on that and shout throught it. That would save time. This works better early season and late.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

very true bob i do this all the time with my marcum. I have found the marcums can do this a lot better than a vexilar because they have more power. Just remember to carry a bottle of water around because if there is any air in between the ice and your transducer it will not read correctly!

Ryan

[broman]

Saltwater works the best. That way you don't freeze your transducer to the ice on really cold days.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

thats a good thought broman i never thought of that i have had that problem on those days when it is below zero...

[BoxMN]

Hey, good idea broman! My bottle kept freezing on me last year, and had to keep it in my bibs But saltwater is good idea! Will try this year! Thanks!

[CNY Tim]

I used to use the flasher exclusively for checking depths but that MarCum LXi Performance Pack is so portable and accurate plus it has a built in fish alarm with an easy viewing LED display, I keep it hooked to my web belt when not in use.

[CrappieAttitude]

Regardless of the season, early ice or anytime during the year. My suggestion is to keep moving. Especially when chasing panfish, drill a bunch of holes and keep hole hopping. If you are marking fish drop a generous sized bait and see what happens. Your most aggressive fish will hit the bait within the first few seconds. With a larger presentation, you are more than likely going to trigger the bigger fish.

Don't spend too much time working individual fish you see on your flasher. You can drive yourself crazy trying to get fish to cooporate if they aren't in the mood. Don't feel bad leaving a hole that has not been producing even though you are marking fish. Bounce from hole to hole and get the aggressive ones out of the way first, and then return to your holes and start finnessing.

You will be surprised on how a dead hole can become a honey hole by just giving it a little break.

Good Luck

CA

[fishinJohn]

When you use a vex and you see green or orange lines deeper than the bottom can you assume anything? I would guess they represent signal bounced back from outside the viewable column but would that mean fish or just sound waves bouncing around?

[charliepete2]

Lots of times I see guys out there drilling holes, dropping their flasher, drilling another hole, dropping their flasher etc. You get a lot better idea of whats down there if you drill all your holes in sucession (I like to rip off 15-20 at a time) and then go back and check after you've done all your drilling and they've had a chance to settle down a little. Lots of ice experts suggest drilling a zig zag pattern. It seems dumb to me, you do less walking in a strait line so I go up one side and back the other staggering the distance between the holes. You end up back where you started where you left the scoop and flasher anyway.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

makes sense hubercita,

I like to drill mine in either a zig zag or in triangle fashion either way seems to work well for me. then once you locate the fish and what depth range they are in drill holes along the edge of the break and work that deoth range.

[kwiggy]

Quote:

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then drill holes along the contour in triangles....Its kind of hard to explain this without a picture if you have any questions please ask...

Ryan

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I think I actually know what you mean! I have wandered all over the lake drilling holes and measuring. I like the idea of the triangle pattern. I have a question... what would the distance be between the holes? Or do the contour lines dictate the distance. ie: tight lines equal closer holes, wide lines equal further holes?

Great post Squirtus. This stuff is a big help to me.

Anybody know what happened to the rest of the internet... it just seems to have disappeared? The only pages I see are fishingminnesota.com

[Shack]

VEx. is great!

I ment what I said!

[DARTER]

I'm glad I have knee pads on my bibs. When you get done "punching" all those holes and checking with the vex, They sure come in handy.

[Shack]

I gave a little life back to the knee's on my bib's. I adjusted my post.

Kwiggy, you are right one! The only web site I look at is FM.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

Kwiggy,

You are right about drilling it along contour lines. i dont base it on feet apart really i base it more on just depth. If you punch one hole and it is 20 feet you will probably want to try another in about 22 feet and in 18 feet...Get it, so it really depends on how fast it drops off. I normally drill every 2 feet of depth change. If you dont know how fast it changes you just have to make an estimate on what seems reasonable.

Ryan