Support Iceshanty... Get some great gear and forum goodies... Join The Iceshanty Hardwater Militia
Neither option will "get you on more fish" than the other. You have to do that yourself!
Neither option will "get you on more fish" than the other. You have to do that yourself! Flashers are built for fishing vertically (but are worthless for seeing fish when underway). Fishfinders are built more for moving over the fish, but can also be used for fishing vertically. Generally though, the flashers have more sensitivity to pick up tiny jigs, and accurate interpretations can be made slightly more quickly. The zoom functions are also very nice on flashers. Essentially, you will need to make your own decision, and everybody has their own opinion on which is better. With that said, most flashers are built for ice fishing. Not only are they built to fish vertically, but they can handle the cold, are durable, and easily portable. My old Zercom Colorpoint isn't as fancy as some of the new models, but has lasted 8-9 years and is still going strong (with a couple of battery replacements, of course!). When I decide to upgrade to a new model, I will go for a flasher.
I guess all those fish i find on my flasher when moveing with my trolling motor don,t count. In MHO they work great when underway.
I bought the humminbird 385 ci this summer for the best of both worlds. Its a nice fishfinder, navionics compatable, and ALSO HAS A FLASHER! The screen is a little small which as I get older may be an issue. But for now that unit provides everything I need. I'm chomping to get it out on the ice.
I bought the humminbird 385 ci this summer for the best of both worlds. Its a nice fishfinder, navionics compatable, and ALSO HAS A FLASHER! The screen is a little small which as I get older may be an issue. But for now that unit provides everything I need. I'm chomping to get it out on the ice.http://store.humminbird.com/products/307016/385ci_Combo?alt=3
In my opinion the idea that flashers are useless while moving is (Image removed from quote.)
I never said that they were completely useless while moving...just worthless for marking fish if you are moving with any real speed. When I'm searching for fish during open water, I like to mark (and interpret) more than just the bottom while I'm at cruising speeds. The new LCD displays can show me a lake trout on the bottom in 80+ feet of water, at 20mph AND allow me to have time to interpret that mark! A flasher would show that fish just fine while sitting over that fish, but that fish would be a half-second blip while motoring at 20+mph and using a flasher. With the scrolling screen, the mark is on the screen for a longer period of time, and you can pick out patterns (i.e. there was a good pocket of fish right back there, after a few miles of nothing!). Both flashers and fishfinders have their own advantages to a certain style of fishing. Otherwise, they would make only one type of fish location device, and life would be boring!
How complex is it to learn how to use one of these tools? Is there any maintenance involved with them? How long does the battery last before it needs to be recharged? Any other important items I should be aware of before I make a purchase?
I have been studying the info out there on flashers.... Still undecided. Curious to know how well they work in extremely cold weather? (like sub zero temps). Any issues with transducers collecting ice? If so, does it impact performace? Do most of you who own a flasher get a full day out of a battery before you need to recharge? Even in very cold temps?
Based on the newer flashers on the market, what would you recommend for a decent flasher at a good price? Thanks