Anyone still fish blind?

[Icemanjim]

If I forgot my flasher I probably wouldn't fish that day, If I forgot my poles I would probably just sit on the ice and watch my flasher.

[gemcityslayer]

Interesting replies... sounds like the verdict is... ice fishing without a flasher?  Is that even ice-fishing?

For me it comes down to fun... I know you can still catch a mess of fish without one like the old timers did... but I highly doubt they had as much fun as we do watching our screens light up!  I'm of the "video-game" generation so maybe that is why I find it fun... I couldn't tell you why exactly it is more fun, maybe more interactive is the word.

[bearnoob]

I have never fished with electronics on the ice or open water. For myself, I fish and hunt to get away from the screens that invade my everyday life. Even if I'm not "connecting" with fish, I feel far more connected to the outdoors and to the fish below when I am straining to see that tip bend or to feel that little extra weight on the other end when they are biting light.

[WyoMinFisher]

I was fishing Saratoga Tourny this last weekend and a guy came over to me as I was catching sucker after sucker and asked what I was using to catch so many fish.  I showed him my Vexilar and had a trout shoot off the bottom and smash my jig.  He was probably 40 and had never even heard of using a flasher. Didnt think that was even possible these days!

[MountainGunner007]

There are a few of us left, it sounds like!  I haven't ever used one.  I've only been out a few times though -- I'm still new and just getting into it.  That having been said, I found a pretty good deal on an older Marcum VX-1 Pro unit, and jumped on it.  I just haven't been able to try it out yet. 

[Jimbok]

I've held off for many years, but finally ordered an LX6 this week. Can wait to try it out! Sure will make fishing unfamiliar ice a lot more fun and productive.

[gemcityslayer]

Have fun Jimbok, you'll wonder how you ever fished without one!  Let us know if you have any questions on using it.

[Chris338378]

When I didn't have it I didn't know what I was missing but now that I have it I don't want to be without it.

[Wyo Outdoorsman]

I started years ago with a fishing buddy fish finder.  It had a side shooter, and helped locate fish sorta ok.  My next one was a Showdown, what a game changer.  I then bought a VX-1Pro after season sale to try a flasher, it has been my favorite so far (wish it had a dig depth, and battery meter), and the showdown became the loaner.  To my surprise, I am getting a tax refund this year, and I pulled the trigger and ordered a LX-7 Friday. Electronics are the cat's meow to see if there are fish there, and how they react to your presentation.   

[DBit]

I've never been lucky enough to use one. I wish I had one for the deeper lakes but I still manage to catch some nice fish

[bearnoob]

At the risk of sounding like a hypocrit, I have started considering a flasher purchase. Check out this thread, it really swayed me:

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=327500.0

[Jimbok]

I've been fishing blind for years, but after sharing a hole with a buddy and his flasher, I finally pulled the trigger on an LX-6. Just arrived today! Can't wait to try it out tomorrow. By all accounts (it seems), flashers are game changers.

[WYOphisher]

how far of a range do these "flashers have"? Apparently Ive been blind w/out knowing it.

[prospector]

how far of a range do these "flashers have"? Apparently Ive been blind w/out knowing it.

What part of the state do you live in? Plenty of guys would be willing to let you take a test drive. As far as range, do you mean depth?

[WesternAngler]

I don't see the need for one.  Fishing for me is about getting away from all of the electronic technology that inundates our daily lives.  I still manage to catch plenty of fish too.  I feel a better connection with what I'm doing if I have to feel it out the old fashioned way.

[groganslayer]

Fished for the first time this last weekend with my brothers... Wow.  I loved it.  Had a ton of fun and caught more fish than I think we would have without it.

[Dunn13]

I'm just getting back into ice fishing after a long hiatus. I have a cheap fish finder that tells me depth and will do a decent job at least showing me a few fish but I am definitely fishing blind when fishing by someone with a flasher. Some day I'll pick one up but for now it's semi-old school for me.

[sickchopperaltitude]

Im fishing old school this year.  It is my first year back on the ice from my days with grandfather.  I dropped plenty of cash getting back into it.  I am definitely sold on getting a marcum something or other.  Next year....next year

[fishall30]

If I am dead stickin Okay but I ussually put out dead sticks then jig with one. I wouldn't jig without my finder. NO NO NO Won't do it. When I fish for Lakers its a must to see how they are reacting to my offering. Fish On