Flasher

[ocf1]

Ok, I hear that these things are a nescesity to ice fishing, but i have no clue what these things are used for... Im just looking for what the heck these things are used for, how to use them, and some cheap models. I am trying to get into ice fishing but teaching myself has not been going to welll

[Only Eyes]

It's a portable depth finder. It's used to find your spot(it can read right through the ice)see fish and set your lure depth. Fishind would be harder and far more boring without one. It can also boost your confidence by seeing fish even if they don't bite at least you know they are around. In my opinion the best by far are the vexilar but they are pretty spendy unless you find a used one. The marcum ones are fairly cheap I think the LX1 is 200 or less and would probably do the job. Someone else can tell you more about prices. All the units can also be used from a boat too with a different transducer. More justification! Good Luck

[ilovehardwater]

ocf, a flasher is a sonar that emits a sound and the sound bounces off anything between the transducer and the bottom of the lake,ie:fish,jigs,weeds ect. It then displays it on a colored screen, the colored screen uses usually 3 colors,red,yellow and green. Red being the strongest and green the weakest signal. It allows anglers to see the depth at where they are fishing. It also shows the bottom content,the fish in the area that they are in, and the anglers bait. If you are interested in seeing one of these in action just wait until we have good solid ice and ask a fellow fm'er to take you along fishing. I think you can watch some vids about them on u tube. I hope this helps....BT

[BobT]

When coupled with a GPS containing lake contours the Flasher or any sonar that can be used to shoot through the ice can be a wonderful tool. I use my GPS with mapping to get close to a structure I'm interested in and then use the flasher sonar (Vexilar FL-8SE) to pinpoint the structure. Most GPS units are only accurate to about 3 meters or so, so your mapping software may not be precise enough to pinpoint a structure using the GPS alone.

Once set up the flasher can alert you to the presence of fish and in some cases help you get hooksets if you pay attention to the reaction to your lure.

I've also seen panfishermen use them to check holes for fish before dropping their lines when hole jumping to increase their odds. Although I haven't mastered the technique I've seen how affective it can be.

Bob

[ameyers41]

I hope this is okay with the moderators (if not, please delete), but do a youtube search for "2008 vexilar ice fishing commercial" or "ice fishing for crappies with jason durham"

I just did a random search and found these two clips. The Durham video gives you a great 10 minute clip on how to read a flasher.

I'm not trying to pitch vexilar. I actually run a Marcum LX-3TC, but they all work generally the same. After using one, I wouldn't step on the ice without one.

If you look hard enough, including on the for sale ads here, I would look at a used LX-3 or a vexilar over a new LX-1 for the added features, and you should be able to get one for about the same as a new LX-1.

Good luck!

[looneyducer]

It is true that the flasher will tell you the depth and if there are fish below you, and, if you really get to know your flasher, it will give you some clues about the bottom composition that might be helpful.

What it really does is allow you to do one thing when there aren't any fish below you -- jig aggressively enough to bring fish toward you -- and then do another thing once they get there -- fiddle with them just a little to get them to strike. Attract and trigger.

[Scott M]

ocf, a young guy like yourself can learn a lot here, so keep asking good questions. I learned a lot about the outdoors from books and the relatively new (when I was your age) internet.

I couldn't fully appreciate a flasher until I actually witnessed one and got to fish with it. Before that I was too hard-headed to get it. I guess when I was young I knew everything but the older I get, the less I know!

See if you can check a buddy's out or just find somebody who is friendly out on the ice this winter and check out his flasher unit.

Keep asking good questions and finding good answers here on FM.

[ocf1]

Ah, now I see that video cleared up everything, thanks guys, so if you dont want to cough up a lot of cash what is the chepest you can go for one of these units?

Da chise, I think i'll check one out at gander, i dont have a lot of money not even having a job yet, but christmas is coming!

[Scott M]

Demos at gander are good, there used to be a video on Marcum's flashers on this site...

As far as cheap units try the for sale classified here, craigs list, hsolist, or newspaper classifieds. St. Paul Ice show is coming too. Can your folks borrow you the money or put some money down on your christmas gift ?

[ilovehardwater]

I think you can get a new Marcum Lx-1 for a coupple hundred bucks...they run rebates on them also. If you look in this websites "FOR SALE" you may find a good deal...there is nothing wrong with buying used....or just google in marcum/vexilar and you probably will come accross a few stores that will list prices......BT

[Fish Fry Guy]

If you haven't used a flasher before, after using on for 15 minutes especially when you have fish down there. You'll never want to fish w/out one. After you tune it up (very easy by increasing/decreasing the gain), you can see your jig bouncing up and down. You can really see the fish react to your jigging. Really, I'll never fish without my flasher.

[ocf1]

Thanks for all the replys guys, I will be looking for a used flasher, those things look sha weeeeeeeetttttt.

[tip_upclyma]

Until I got my hands on my Vexilar...i did not get ice fishing....NOW I GET IT! I am also a guy that LOVES video games.....and Vexi is without a doubt, the best video game I have ever played!!!!! FYI i saw some Vexilar FL-8's for sale for about $150 on hsolist.