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ThanksI just go to relax and have fun. Have never been to serious about it. I have never even seen a flasher being used. That is why I'm curious.Also I got my niece and nephew hooked so they are coming up to see me more in the winter to ice fish, I would like them to catch a few more big ones. Then they'll really be hooked.
Flashers are necessary. People fished without them forever and caught fish.BUT, would I fish without one? Never, ever again! I went to grad school in Wisconsin and I saved my pennies while there and bought a fishtrap guide shanty and a Vex fl18. Those were expensive purchases, but you know what, I have never for one second regretted buying them and I will always be really happy that I have um.Nobody out here really has flashers. I fish every single weekend and I have yet to see another one all year In Wisconsin about 40-50% of fishermen have um and certainly most every 'hardcore' ice angler has one. Do they help? Abso-friggin-lutely! I fish Ririe Res N. or Idaho Falls. It gets fished pretty hard. Most guys use the max number or rods on tip-downs. I use one rod and my flasher and I catch more fish than pretty much all the others around me on most days.Here is the reason they are so effective:1. not only does it tell you if there are fish beneith you, it tells you if they AREN'T there. Typically, I move to find fish. It takes a lot less guessing to know when you're on fish and when you aren't.2. It allows you to discern the mood of the fish on any given day. I have been able to fine-tune my techniques based up on the mood of the fish. For instance, often times I start out fishing with a hali rig for perch. Sometimes the fish will sit and stare that the rig, but will not bite. You would have no idea there were even fish there without the flasher. So, I then put on a smaller ice-fly or jig (tiny) and try that, BAM! fish-on. Sometimes that hali works, but sometimes it doesn't. You'd have no idea if it was your lure, or the lack of fish and most likely you'd sit there all day waiting for fish to bite, not knowing that there were fish down there but that they want a smaller, more specific offering on that day!3. Allows you to spot supspended fish (trout or kokanee salmon, crappie, ect). When I'm fishing perch on the bottom I'm constanly watching my screen for suspended fish. This has allowed me to immediately bring my rig to the level of the suspended fish and get bent. Without the vex you would have no idea that there were fish suspended 10 feet down in 30 fow.4. Makes ice fishing more fun. No longer is it a exercise in futility on many days. If I"m not seeing fish I move and I find fish and if they are tight lipped I change presentations until I am able to consistantly target those fish. Gives me something to look at too while ice fishing, keeps it fun and action-packed.People who haven't fished with flashers often think they are a glorified fishfinder. Well, yeah, but they are so much more than that. Fish finders are the stoneage as compared to flashers on ice. yes you can mark fish with fish finders, but flashers give you that real-time info that is critical on the ice with finicky fish.Marcum, vex, both great! Everyone's got an opinion on which is better but the fact is they are both great. Do some research, try and see each one in action and make a decision. Get the best you can afford, you won't regret it. They will last forever, have great customer service and are indispensable on the ice.If you are ever near IF, let me know and we will fish and I will show you how to use the vex and then you'll go home and buy one
with flasher
Which one did you get?Was looking at the lx-5. Do you think that it is that much better than the others?
My buddy got a vex ($400 or higher), pretty darn nice but wow expensive for a depth finder. Too many lines to figure out what's a fish and whats whatever. For that price I could get scuba gear and figure it out myself.