IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: bigfoot86 on Nov 24, 2022, 07:35 PM
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Don’t know if there’s anyone out there that may agree with me but I like watching YouTube videos and see that’s it’s almost impossible to find recent videos where livescope, livesight, etc. are not being used. I personally have no problem affording one or even a couple units for that matter. Has nothing to do with money. The problem is I’ve had the chance to use them on the boat and hardwater and it killed the excitement for me. I like to hunt, be surprised and use my own intuition to figure fish out even if it’s a matter of patience. What happened to fishing with an old school flasher or fishing blind. Can’t even watch videos anymore where FF tech is being used. I know this will be a sore subject for a lot of people and if it offends you I really don’t need your feedback. Most will try to justify their purchase and that’s fine but I want to know how many out there can’t stand it?
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I don't use any electronics on the ice. I do my homework during open water... makes for less gear to lug and no batteries to mess with in the winter.
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I am really old school and like setting out tip ups and waiting for a flag, I have the shack to sit in and jig with different electronics it just seems to get boring and love hanging with the wife and kids playing games and such. Maybe in my older years will get a permanent shack like a ice castle and just take the wife out so she can jig whole hanging out. I have not seen very many out here with the livescope yet, a buddy has one so we will see how that changes the game, but so far if I spent more money on ice fishing most likely would be a permanent shack.
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All about preference. If you’re willing to spend the money on electronics and use them to your advantage nothing against it. Also isn’t an elitist thing where those who use them are “better” fishermen. Always gonna be guys who can catch just as many if not more with no sonar and plain knowledge of the lake/species etc. with or without em ice fishing is fun… I think we can all agree on that!
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I dont need all that much tech to pull a fish thru a hole in the ice.i will fish with a flasher the rest of my life.
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I enjoy watching videos with guys using live sonars. However, I don't own a live unit, and no plans of buying one any time soon, as I'm happy with my base level humminbird and marcum units.
Just got a tripod for ice season, hope to shoot some Youtube footage for fun. Still need to figure out how to get proper visibility of what the flasher is actually showing to show show up on video, I believe it may have something to do with changing the shutter speed. I don't have a direct control on the camera, but hoping that changing to night mode or something similar will do the trick. Planning to test my theories on first ice, hoping next week if weather holds up and all goes as planned.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again...and I'll keep saying it. These things are just plain bad for fishing.
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I use my flasher and once in a while the camera...more to see the actual bottom structure though. Knowing the area, using the right bait, attracting them in, and then getting the hit...all that is the enjoyment of the sport for me, plus just being outside and away from people and noise. It's kinda like in the movie "A Christmas story"... the dropping hints, laying out the bait, (the magazine ads), working them in, and then the yank and tug on Christmas morning...and the great surprise...Wow! “The official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time!!!!" :woot:
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I use my flasher and once in a while the camera...more to see the actual bottom structure though. Knowing the area, using the right bait, attracting them in, and then getting the hit...all that is the enjoyment of the sport for me, plus just being outside and away from people. It's kinda like in the movie "A Christmas story"... the dropping hints, laying out the bait, (the magazine ads), working them in, and then the yank and tug on Christmas morning...and the great surprise...Wow! “The official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time!!!!" :woot:
X2
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One thing they have ruined is fishing tournaments. I used to like them and did pretty good sometimes. Now I don’t even bother. I have friends that ask all the time, wanna do this or that tournament? The answer is no. I’d rather just go fishing.
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Whenever something new comes along, many will say it is not sporting or it ruins the fishing and like most tools, it can be abused... I have no doubt that when flashers came out the same things were said (just not online, as it was before its time). I don't own a unit yet, but I will get one in the next few years, primarily for my boat on the salt. It will be one more tool that will save me time and if you have never done any sight fishing, you should try it sometime, it is lots of fun. But even seeing a fish and casting too it is no guarantee that you will get it to bite. I can and have caught lots of fish through the ice without sounders, electric augers, GoreTex, and all the other innovations that many anglers find helpful. If you are like a primitive bow hunter that likes to make his own bow and arrows and knapping his own flint arrowheads more power to you, I enjoy my deer hunting just fine with a nice compound bow or better yet a rifle with a nice scope... Luddites always seem to like to attack the latest thing to come along, that is your right, as is mine to use any legal tech to make my fishing more fun and exciting... I love sight fishing a big flat, whether it's a big striper, trout, or tarpon, casting to the fish, is a thrill and that is what this new tool can do for you, or at least it will for me.
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I personally don’t care who uses what. Long as they stay within the law
What I’ve found knowing your prey is your biggest asset, I fish several lakes during the winter , all said and done you still have to put a lure down a hole to catch them no matter what’s in your arsenal
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Like almost anything else, I'll ask myself three questions...1) Can I afford it? 2) Is it legal? 3) Do I find it ethical? If I can answer yes to all three questions, then I have no issues with it. It just boils down to a want or need at this point.
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To each his own on the optics, but is it necessary to drill 100+ holes to use em ?
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Those videos you're watching are those guys trying to make money off of people watching them fish. That's a big difference between you and I fishing for the joy of fishing and being out to enjoy the day.
They won't make money if people don't watch their channel. And we have no idea of how much they might be being "helped" by the various manufacturers to advertise the tech. To many of them, I bet it's very much about the benjamins in the final analysis.
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Muggy your right , pro staffers are there to promote products, and of course it’s about $$$, I pay more attention to regular joes on here with hands on experiences
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Yep, I upgraded my depthfinder this year- Am using a metric sparkplug on the ol' alligator clip instead of the old English one....
Seriously, I live pretty far soiuth of the "Ice line" and am lucky to get a couple of weeks of hard water fishing each year. I also
have a limited number of places to fish but have fished them for many years. Experience has taught me where to, and where not to,
fish so I don't need all of the elecronics. My hand auger, a bucket to carry stuff in, and a boat cushion to kneel on and I'm good.
For the sake of transparency, I do have a low end depthfinder on my boat which I use to find structural changes in bottom contours.
Seldom does a fish on the screen translate to a fish in the boat.
As long as one fishes ethically and respects limits on size and numbers I bear no grudge against those who use electronics.
fish on, for 71 years and counting, fish off
By my fingers on this keyboard I remain,
rivereddy
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Muggy your right , pro staffers are there to promote products, and of course it’s about $$$, I pay more attention to regular joes on here with hands on experiences
Yep. I learned long ago the "pro" in "pro staff" is for promotional not professional...
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Those videos you're watching are those guys trying to make money off of people watching them fish. That's a big difference between you and I fishing for the joy of fishing and being out to enjoy the day.
They won't make money if people don't watch their channel. And we have no idea of how much they might be being "helped" by the various manufacturers to advertise the tech. To many of them, I bet it's very much about the benjamins in the final analysis.
Your absolutely right, it’s all about the $$ and I totally get it. I’m an avid fisherman that spends quite a bit of time fishing tournaments on the soft water. Normally fish with a coangler a lot times (not in a team format) but that’s how a lot of tournaments are set up if your the owner. Had quite a few ask me about why I don’t have that technology seeing is I have no problem affording it. Even my brother which fishes with me from time to time keeps twisting my arm to get one and I refuse. Now albeit, whether I have a horseshoe up my butt or something else, I still have placed high or won a couple handfuls of tournaments over the recent years and a lot (not all) of the competition does embrace this newer tech. Our club has discussed and heard about a possible circuit of tournaments in the future that FF tech will not be allowed. I find this very interesting and am all about it.
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To each his own on the optics, but is it necessary to drill 100+ holes to use em ?
X2 Another good point. Swiss-cheesing the friggin' ice on a pristine lake with tons of holes is totally unnecessary.
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To each his own on the optics, but is it necessary to drill 100+ holes to use em ?
Holeheads and litterbugs are my two biggest pet peeves on the ice, and around here the two seem to go hand in hand a lot.
If you need to drill a couple hundred holes in a 2 acre pond to find fish... ::)
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I have the home made Red Lantern Box with a double mantel Coleman Lantern I pull around. Have a converted Lowrance Green Box flasher which I never use. Just something more to drag out on ice. I did convert my 5" inch auger to battery operated. I don't have a shanty. I use 5' very sensitive fiberglass rods, Schooley Reels, 3# Stren Ice line, (discontinued.)
A few years back, was fishing Willow Slough with Jared, Panfishpopper (Who I met here on site, from Lafayette) A true bluegill guru!!
We were catching those Slough Gills ( 8"-10",) not killing them but steady.
A young Buck comes steaming up with all the goodies and sets up shop right next to me. There were dozens of holes all around us. He had a fancy Flasher, fancy rods and reels and a shanty behind. Was about 30 degrees. We continued to catch a few. Young guy can't buy a bite. He finally asked me what I was using. I swung my homemade blood worm jig with a red wedgee over in front of his face. That's how close he was sitting next to me. He asked what kind of bait I was using? I responded, "That's it!" He said, "No, I mean what kind of bait are you putting on it?" I said, "That's it!!!!" "You mean your not using bait?" Again I said, "That's it!!!" Jared was smiling!
Jared and I continued to catch a few. Young guy couldn't stand it, drug up and moved on.
Felt sorta sorry for him. All he had to do was try a couple different holes and would probably have caught them.
I have no problem with all the new electronics if that's what blows your skirt. If they enable guys to catch those big male gills to the point it hurts the population then I'm against it.
I fish for "The Love Of The Game", being out in God's great outdoors, the comradery and the challenge !
Teach
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All about preference. If you’re willing to spend the money on electronics and use them to your advantage nothing against it. Also isn’t an elitist thing where those who use them are “better” fishermen. Always gonna be guys who can catch just as many if not more with no sonar and plain knowledge of the lake/species etc. with or without em ice fishing is fun… I think we can all agree on that!
I agree - it's all about personal preference.
I don't in any way take a moral or ethical stance on ice fishing electronics - I have nothing principally against the use of them at all. But for me, I don't wish to see a fish hitting my jig before it actually hits it. I find the anticipation and the element of surprise to be the keys to the excitement ice fishing brings me.
Now, I can see obvious advantages with flashers/sonars in finding the right depth and so on, and as such, I may catch fewer fish on some days without electronics. I'd be surprised if I didn't. But as I work in front of a screen all day long, and spend more time than I'd like on my iphone, I personally like it the oldskool way. To contradict myself a little bit, I have found Navionics really helpful on my phone, but I mainly use that when I get to a new area - it's not something I look at constantly.
Also, I am a big believer in hyper-mobile ice jigging, as I target schooling fish and carry my gear, often covering a lot of ground (ice). The less stuff to carry the better for me. Could I change my mind in the future? Quite possibly, but at least for now, I don't feel like I need to change my approach: I can't see how ice fishing could possibly get any more exciting than it already is :)
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On open water I use the mapping the most, I think that has put more fish in my boat than anything, along with the tracks so I can go right back over the spot I caught fish on. But I also use it on the ice as well so I get the mapping side of things. That right depth and all, but good ol getting out there and fishing is the only way to catch fish.
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I could bearly afford a flasher when I bought mine a few years ago, no way I'm spending this kind of $$ on this.
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Staring into a screen all day is the complete opposite of why I go fishing. I am fine with electronics to find structure or schools of fish but using live imaging to follow individual fish seems pretty lame to me. Not knowing exactly what’s out there and what will bite is part of the excitement of fishing.
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I find it funny that guys are perfectly fine using it on the boat, but suddenly it becomes a boogeyman on the ice??? Lol.
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So for those who like to go old school and not use technology.... Do you still drill your holes by hand auger? Do you use a flipover or popup shelter (tech) or do you still sit on a bucket in the open wind..... Just saying.... kinda of contradicting... each to their own. In the past couple years, I have embraced the sonars, I actually find it useful in understanding the fish behavior throughout the day (part of researching my target species). Other options are the lay of a lake (even ones I have been fishing on since I was 10). I now find myself exploring more of the lakes than the common places (easily accessible) that everyone else does (trying to stay away from public so I can enjoy the view). Individual says it's cheating.... Last I check it doesn't have some majestical whistle that calls in fish, it doesn't emit an odor to draw fish in, it doesn't tell you which lure, jig, or bait to stick down the hole, it doesn't make the jig twitch a certain way that's better, it doesn't set the hook, it doesn't reel in the line or fight the fish, it doesn't cuss when the fish breaks the line, it doesn't cuss when the fish is half way out of the hole and it shake the hook. All those things are upto the fisherman with or without tech....
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Don’t know if there’s anyone out there that may agree with me but I like watching YouTube videos and see that’s it’s almost impossible to find recent videos where livescope, livesight, etc. are not being used. I personally have no problem affording one or even a couple units for that matter. Has nothing to do with money. The problem is I’ve had the chance to use them on the boat and hardwater and it killed the excitement for me. I like to hunt, be surprised and use my own intuition to figure fish out even if it’s a matter of patience. What happened to fishing with an old school flasher or fishing blind. Can’t even watch videos anymore where FF tech is being used. I know this will be a sore subject for a lot of people and if it offends you I really don’t need your feedback. Most will try to justify their purchase and that’s fine but I want to know how many out there can’t stand it?
Bigfoot86,
I am in the same boat as you. I watch alot of You Tube videos for ice fishing. I try to keep an eye on how they are jigging, what baits they are using, and how they have their shacks setup. I agree, its hard to watch a video of their video screen, and then they show the fish topside. If I can find a channel where they don't rely on the live sonars, they can look for me to subscribe. There are still alot of channels out there that just use the regular flashers, just need to weed them out.
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I can send ya a pic of me fishing sans FF gear, cameras, cozy insulated shack, all bundled up at a windy -5°, so says the pic, from 17 years ago, if that will help ya out. :roflmao:
I caught 3 nice rainbows that day...🐟~~~~~~
(https://i.postimg.cc/VdGdSJ8V/DSC06075.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VdGdSJ8V)
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Last Monday... it wasn't -5 though :roflmao: Generally 20-ish° is about my limit for sitting out in the open.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vgB6zY4S/IMG-20221121-075500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgB6zY4S)
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Wussy. :roflmao:
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So for those who like to go old school and not use technology.... Do you still drill your holes by hand auger? Do you use a flipover or popup shelter (tech) or do you still sit on a bucket in the open wind..... Just saying.... kinda of contradicting... each to their own. In the past couple years, I have embraced the sonars, I actually find it useful in understanding the fish behavior throughout the day (part of researching my target species). Other options are the lay of a lake (even ones I have been fishing on since I was 10). I now find myself exploring more of the lakes than the common places (easily accessible) that everyone else does (trying to stay away from public so I can enjoy the view). Individual says it's cheating.... Last I check it doesn't have some majestical whistle that calls in fish, it doesn't emit an odor to draw fish in, it doesn't tell you which lure, jig, or bait to stick down the hole, it doesn't make the jig twitch a certain way that's better, it doesn't set the hook, it doesn't reel in the line or fight the fish, it doesn't cuss when the fish breaks the line, it doesn't cuss when the fish is half way out of the hole and it shake the hook. All those things are upto the fisherman with or without tech....
Hi Fishing Cowboy,
You're absolutely right in what you say about sonars: they won't do the fishing for you.
I'm not sure your question above was rhetorical or not, but as a self-professed old-schooler, I pass no judgment on the use of technology (as I said on my previous post). None, zero. It's entirely about preference, which is personal, of course. In fact, I love the Navionics app and have greatly benefited from this technology. However, I still enjoy my ice fishing without a sonar or camera. That said, I'm not opposed to either.
But back to your question, yes, I still use a hand auger. In fact, I just bought myself a new NILS. I do not use a shelter and I kind of still sit on a bucket, or rather a light weight gear box that I carry on my shoulder. The reason I don't use a shelter is not based on some luddite, tech-related principle; it's just that I like to be ultra light and mobile when I'm on the ice. If the day comes when I conclude that ice fishing would be a lot more fun with said electronics, I'll be sure to acquire some. Not saying it can't happen, but I'm good for now.
Tight lines and be safe!
FF
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the purpose of fishing is different for every single person. Success or failure is also totally different. I think its reasonable to question the eventuality of electronics in the fishing world but i think it will be ok.
I also understand after a decade of ice fishing that i'm not like most fisherman. We visit wisc,mn often to ice fish often and what I witness is that 90% of people out there, find a spot, drill a hole, and fish. whether in a canvas shack or a hard camper type shack. very little movement. sometimes they are biting and sometimes they are not. FF tech seems like a ridiculous thing for them. why would they need it. again, success, failure, purpose is totally different than me perhaps.
But I will also say that its often funny people with $30k+ boats telling ice fisherman they are ridiculous spending 2000 bucks on fishing electronics (obviously not accusing people here of doing this but it happens often). I once took a buddy who fished the FLW bass tournaments when that was around ice fishing and he was like this is ridiculous...doesn't seem fair. I was like your boat cost more than my first house and you have 4 giant screens to stare at the entire time! his answer "touche".
I will say one thing. If i never got my first fl8, i'd of never continued ice fishing. its such a night and day difference. if you are set up over a local spot you have fished for 30 years and know there are fish and have fished forever, sure, there are times where it wouldn't be necessary, but if you fish a lot of new water which we enjoy doing, electronics will obviously increase your odds.
I have a family which demands a ton of time. so when i get an opportunity to fish, i want to find fish as soon as possible. i also fish river systems and reservoir systems which move the fish around pretty good and require some searching before fishing. the FF tech has allowed me to limit the search time and increase the fish time and thats important to me and has been worth the cost.
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I just think everyone needs to sit down and have a discussion with themselves and ask what you want to get out of fishing.
Then go do what makes you happy and if you don't like what others are doing or saying, stop watching and listening. Pay them no attention.
Go do your thing and let them do theirs.
This FF technology is only taking baby steps, just wait until it matures, I have a feeling you haven't seen anything yet.
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So for those who like to go old school and not use technology.... Do you still drill your holes by hand auger? Do you use a flipover or popup shelter (tech) or do you still sit on a bucket in the open wind..... Just saying.... kinda of contradicting... each to their own. In the past couple years, I have embraced the sonars, I actually find it useful in understanding the fish behavior throughout the day (part of researching my target species). Other options are the lay of a lake (even ones I have been fishing on since I was 10). I now find myself exploring more of the lakes than the common places (easily accessible) that everyone else does (trying to stay away from public so I can enjoy the view). Individual says it's cheating.... Last I check it doesn't have some majestical whistle that calls in fish, it doesn't emit an odor to draw fish in, it doesn't tell you which lure, jig, or bait to stick down the hole, it doesn't make the jig twitch a certain way that's better, it doesn't set the hook, it doesn't reel in the line or fight the fish, it doesn't cuss when the fish breaks the line, it doesn't cuss when the fish is half way out of the hole and it shake the hook. All those things are upto the fisherman with or without tech....
But it does tell you where the fish are much easier. I know there’s lot of push back on this topic to justify your purchase. No more hunting or element of surprise. Hardly a contradiction here but if that’s what you want to believe, then like you said, to each their own.
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I think it's ironic that in one breath someone has no problem with a flasher, but also hate side and down imaging, and now live scope. It's all the same thing, just technology moving forward. While it's true flashers have been around a while, they were pretty useless before Vexilar came on the scene with the FL-8 in the 90's. I used to fish with a Lawrence green box, and it could kind of see a bait, and the bottom sometimes flickered a little sometimes but not always, if a fish was there. For the most part it offered nothing. As far as I'm concerned the FL-8 was a monumental leap in technology. Down imaging is just a different version of the same thing. Side imaging is a definite change, but is it really that big a deal?
To be fair, I own most except live scope. My Humminbird Helix 8 on the boat has both side and down imaging, as well as the normal sonar. While it's cool, I have to admit I'm underwhelmed for the $1000 it cost me. It's a little easier to stay by weedlines with the side imaging is about all it has offered me. It has the potential to save a few drilled holes on the ice. It might even give a better picture of schools of fish. I like down imaging for seeing into weeds, but that's mostly a non-issue in the winter. Livescope looks cool, but it just looks like a more real time version of down imaging to me. You know what is already real time down imaging? Flashers. ;D
I fished with an FL-8 for a long time. I finally got myself an FLX-20 last year. I love the thing, but it doesn't let me find fish any better. It is just easier to see, easier to use, better settings, interference rejection, etc.
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Livescope and DI/SI are in no comparison. Only way to use di/di is to be in boat moving, does nothing in stationary mode.
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Both down imaging and side imaging work just fine on the ice, or stationary boat. Down imaging stationary is no different than any of the LCD display units that were a big fad in ice fishing maybe 5-10 years ago. I actually prefer it to normal sonar when jigging. I still think both are worthless compared to an instant feedback flasher. Side imaging works too, but you need the special 360 transducer for it.
Livescope is nothing but sonar with a much better display. I'm not seeing anything magic about it. I think you should try it before you write it off as unethical. It doesn't tell you where the fish are any easier than a Vexilar with a 19 degree transducer. If that is your reasoning, then you should hate side imaging, which has a side angle of something like 85 degrees., plus the resolution to actually tell a branch from a weed from a rock.
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If a flasher is considered "old school", my rebellion against technology may not have been a complete failure!
(https://i.imgur.com/jJCsG85l.jpg)
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You get makeup points for the spoon and lantern box ;D
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You get makeup points for the spoon and lantern box ;D
Lol , I give credit for the lantern box , ditch the spoon and get out the spud 😃
Nice pic Bart
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Both down imaging and side imaging work just fine on the ice, or stationary boat. Side imaging works too, but you need the special 360 transducer for it.
Livescope is nothing but sonar with a much better display. I'm not seeing anything magic about it. I think you should try it before you write it off as unethical. It doesn't tell you where the fish are any easier than a Vexilar with a 19 degree transducer. If that is your reasoning, then you should hate side imaging, which has a side angle of something like 85 degrees., plus the resolution to actually tell a branch from a weed from a rock.
Not even close, 360 and SI are kinda similar in theory but not. SI you have to be in motion even if it’s 0.2 mph. Yea you’ll get something to come up on the screen because it’s always trying to read but won’t have any clarity to what you are seeing. Saying LS is just a much better display and that’s it is not even a comparison. Your actually seeing live feed back WITH live movement from much great greater distance. It’s like comparing apple and oranges. Comparing a vex to a LS is almost laughable. You should do some research on sonar angles and capabilities before you post. If livescope was basically the same as SI/DI then why does almost every professional tournament boat angler have them on their boat? It’s because if they didn’t, they would be left in the dust. None other other sonars are in the same ballpark as LS. The fact you say you can’t find fish any easier is just unbelievable, that’s the whole idea behind it.
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Lol , I give credit for the lantern box , ditch the spoon and get out the spud 😃
Nice pic Bart
Those stoopid spoons.....they went thru the ice from all the heat generated from spinning them! ;D
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Lol , I give credit for the lantern box , ditch the spoon and get out the spud 😃
Nice pic Bart
X2. And ditch the flasher and grab a sounder. Takes you from "old school" back to "primitive". ;D
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Those stoopid spoons.....they went thru the ice from all the heat generated from spinning them! ;D
Omg lmao, , mine hangs on the wall
X2. And ditch the flasher and grab a sounder. Takes you from "old school" back to "primitive". ;D
I still have sounders in a draw , and how did we manage without all the cool toys we have now
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I still have nightmares about spoon augers ;D
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Omg lmao, , mine hangs on the wall
I still have sounders in a draw , and how did we manage without all the cool toys we have now
I still carry one on the zipper of my coat. Use it in setting tipups once in awhile. Nostalgia is a beautiful thing. :'(
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I still have nightmares about spoon augers ;D
:roflmao:
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I still have nightmares about spoon augers ;D
:roflmao:
They work great when they're sharp, but they don't stay sharp very long and sharpening them without goobering them up is essentially a magical art. :wacko: There was an old timer a couple miles from us who used to sharpen the spoon my Dad had a while when I was a kid. Thing cut like a hot knife after that.... for a trip or two.
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They didn't hold an edge because they were made outta plain crap metal, becuz ya wouldn't make the entire "spoon" out of high grade steel. I found they worked good for doing small postholes in dirt, though. ;D
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Those stoopid spoons.....they went thru the ice from all the heat generated from spinning them! ;D
When my Dad first took me icefishing (~40 yrs ago)...that's all we had....that stupid blue spoon auger. I remember working up quite a sweat getting that thing to cut thru the ice. ::)
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Not going to lie, if those livescope units were $300 instead of $3000 (plus Li battery, mounts, tripod, etc, etc), I'd definitely try it - even if it is cheating. ;D I can think of a few places that seem like large aquatic desserts....miles of just nothing....and then you hit a magical zone.... I know those fish are down there following schools of bait b/c I've caught them in open water....sometimes suspended w/ bait. So, esp. for those places, I can see the value of being able to scan in a full 360 circle, really dial in location & keep up w/ moving fish....but that's still not worth $3000 to me. Maybe if I had a youtube channel w/ a sponsor, lol. But, I know that I can get a fully rigged used tin boat for $3000 or a brand new fancy fishing kayak for $3000. :o
For small ponds, I can just move around and find fish w/ a map & old school sonar. I see no point in flashers, plus they give me a headache. I have no interest in spending a day outside in nature looking at red/green lights swirling rapidly around. Just not for me. I understand other ppl like them.
I have to say that I have really enjoy my underwater camera....watching how fish react underwater, etc. Super cool to see what's down there & very helpful, too. My last 1 stopped taking a charge...so I've got a new one for X-mas....but I did miss it when it finally died. Well worth the $ for those units (for me).
For yrs + yrs, I fished w/o any electronics at all & did just fine. I still think I fish better by feel than by looking at sonar....the camera maybe the exception, tho. I can see things on camera that I might miss by feel.
I guess my point is that you can make icefishing as complicated or simple as you like...I've told this story before but years ago....I would run into these older gentlemen fishing...very old school. They made their own "rods" which were little more than a scrap piece of dowel or coat hangers wrapped w/ old 20 lb mono. They'd never buy bait. I think they owned exactly 1 lure - silver swedish pimple. They'd fish by watching for the kinks in that old mono to straighten out, then haul in fish hand over hand, unhook fish & right back down fast to catch the next 1. Once 1 of them got the first fish, they'd use a fish eye to tip the pimple. They had 1 ancient spud bar between them, home-made "rods", exactly 1 lure (each)...and that was it!!! When the fish were active, they'd put on a clinic w/ their gear! And they still found time to heckle me for fishing w/ a noodle rod in between them hauling in fish, lol! I miss fishing w/ those guys as they've long since passed away....
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Geeze Bigfoot86, relax. It's just fishing gear, no need to get angry at me. If you ever come to SD you are welcome to try my Helix 8. Side imaging and 360 are the same thing. The 360 transducer is nothing but a spinning side imaging transducer. They make stands so you can use these transducers through the ice. While it is true that it takes a few seconds for the 360 image to refresh, you get a picture that is much wider, and much clearer than current livescope.
There are some great things about livescope, don't get me wrong. Price sure isn't one though, just the transducer cost more than my Helix 8 plus 360 transducer. As Dtro says, we haven't even scratched the surface on this yet. It's cool to watch fish come in from the side, but it really doesn't tell you anything that a flasher already didn't when it comes to catching that fish. It isn't like you are putting these down the hole and seeing fish and structure 100'+ away like you can with side imaging/360. If you have them angled, livescope can see clearly to maybe 30' to 40' away from the hole, depending on water depth. You can do the same thing with a flasher. I think where a lot of pro fisherman like them is they can more easily tell where the big fish are. With a flasher it can be down right impossible to tell size differences until you get into huge differences like a perch vs a pike.
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Love you telling me to relax when I think your the one offended by it. But anyways, I have 2 helix 9 units on my boat, one that I convert over to ice fishing, even though i still prefer my vex and marcum. Just have it for when friends want to come along and fish. So I’m well aware of their capabilities. I even tried hooking up my SI transducer and putting through the hole on the ice before I got the dedicated ice ducer. The 360 is like SI but it can remain stationary unlike the SI. So sideimaging does not have the same effect whatsoever. I have seen and used livescope on others boats and through the ice that wasn’t mine. Not even close. The livescope is without a doubt unmatched. It’s like watching a TV screen basically. Again like comparing apples to oranges. Also, if LS was just as effective as SI and 360 then why is everyone jumping on the livescope train?? This thread was about the livescope obsession. Actually never seen ONE YouTube video of ice fishing with someone using SI or 360 (although 360 would be capable) just think about that! It’s because these people know the serious advantage and ease of livescope.
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I have no idea what happens on Youtube. Tournament fisherman have all the newest tech, not just one of them. I'm not really sure what we are arguing about anymore. If you are saying that new fishing shows are boring to watch, then I agree 100%. Half of them are just informercials to make you spend money, such as on livescope. There's very few hunting or fishing shows I can watch, most of them are nothing but 15 minutes of garbage advertisements, 10 minutes of jabbering, and 5 minutes of actually doing anything.
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Your just steering away from the topic obviously and challenge you to show me video or evidence on how SI or a flasher is in the same ballpark as livescope. Think you know it but just want to justify your purchase. I get it, you spent a lot of money knowing the advantage but want to discount it.
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I do not own livescope. I own a Helix 8 with 360 transducer. I also own a Vexilar FLX-20. They are different tools for different jobs. Livescope is just another one of those tools, it can't replace both. Maybe my opinion is a little jaded because I still remember a time when not everyone fished with electronics. Going from nothing to an FL-8 was a monumental leap. Going from a modern flasher to livescope, not that big a deal. They both see fish from about the same distance. Both can see your bait. Both are real time.
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Both can see ‘live imaging’ from a distance. Nope, not even close. Your argument is full of gaps and null and void. Hard even arguing with someone that doesn’t even know what they’re talking about. Almost embarrassing.
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Did the LiveScope hurt your feelings or what? The biggest obsession in this thread is you being obsessed with hating FF tech. Have a beer, go fishing, relax. At the very least zip up your pants and quit the measuring contest nonsense (or don't it's quite humorous)