reading your flasher

[PmDavis300]

ok so ive searched google quite a bit, and im having trouble finding a HSOforum with a tutorial on how to read a flasher. Im poor, so i bought an old lowrance unit yesterday, and i have a general idea how to read the flasher, but i could really use some help. anyone know of a good site to teach me?

[ameyers41]

Try vexilar's HSOforum. They have a video and a couple good pages of info.

[metrojoe]

You didn't find anything at Lowrance's web site? You should be able to find a copy of the owner's manual.

[PmDavis300]

this thing is from the 70's i believe. i doubt ill be able to find anything

[eyebjim]

I think he is referring to the old green box flasher. I don't think lowrance will have anything on that anymore.

[PmDavis300]

 Originally Posted By: eyebjim

I think he is referring to the old green box flasher. I don't think lowrance will have anything on that anymore.

no its not the green box one, but its pretty darn old. its actually in a yellow box.

[PmDavis300]

its a Lowrance fish locator lfp-200

[fishcast]

My dad has had that unit for a long time, and until last year when I got an upgrade I used it too. The lfp-200 was really a pretty good unit.

Not sure how your transducer is set up, but you will need to make sure it is pointed straight down, which may take some creative rigging and/or practice.

Once you have your transducer in the water check for a bottom signal (you might have to turn up the sensitivity some to see the bottom signal), to make sure it has some sort of reading.

Also make sure your suppressor knob is all the way down (not sure what it is, maybe a sort of interference rejection but it ruins the reading if on with mine).

Lower your jig into the water. You will probably want to start with a jig that shows up well on electronics (good wide surface for signal to bounce off of) like a genz worm if fishing panfish maybe. When you know your jig is down in the water column turn up your sensitivity until you see your jig. You want to have the sensitivity as low as possible while still being able to see your bait.

There is also a range switch. I don't remember what it is for but when I checked the unit in my basement it was on 60 rather than 120.

There are only a few knobs on the unit so it shouldn't take to long to figure out.

If it doesn't seem like it is working, ask more questions, cause the unit worked well for me (I could see a size 10 or 12 genz worm to almost 25 FOW if I remember right).

You should really like using the flasher when you get things figured out. You will catch more fish and have a lot of fun watching the fish react to your presentations.

[hooknhawgs]

I am looking to get something like this as well. Any ideas where to find them. Maybe not exactly like it, but I'd really like a flasher and don't have a whole lot of money to spend on it. Thanks for any advice.

[I_Got_One]

One thing that you can always try is the pawn shops they have some good deals. My buddy just picked you an lx-5 for $239 before the season started. Especially with people running short on money these days the shop have gotten some nice units in.

[jakemcarroll]

I use a flasher that was purchased off hsolist for $20 plus shipping, and there are almost always deals like this on old flasher style fishfinders. I know its not as fancy as the new ones and I usually lose my lure after about 20-25 ft (no matter how high the sensitivity is), but it gives me the depth and shows me if there is anything underneath me and that in itself is a huge advantage. Now I just need to save up to get a Vexilar after I graduate from college!

[hooknhawgs]

I'm just afraid that I'm going to buy one that is totally useless. I've seen some really cheap ones on HSOList but i dont' know anything about flashers so i'm sort of wary of buying them. I guess I'll just have to take the chance.

[Quickstrike]

You can find the old zercom clearwater classics very cheap. They were a good unit although they are not color. I used one for 10 years before going MarCum 4 years ago.

If you want a cheaper new unit both Marcum and Vexilar make into units under 300$.

[zamboni]

The old Soviet Vexs are always on there pretty cheap.

[PmDavis300]

ok guys i have 2 more questions.... first off here is a picture of the flasher in action

is that a fish there on the bottom? i think when i took it there where a bunch of perch under me, maybe just one i dont remember.

also, the transducer that is on there now is the kind that is used on your boat, not the kind for ice fishing, do i need to find a puck style transducer for it to work properly? i havnt used a large jig yet, but it could not see my small crappie jig.

[bigbucks]

Sure looks like a fish to me, right about where he should be if he's going to bite. Put a line down there or move over...

[PmDavis300]

i had my aqua view with me too, i caught him.