Flasher

[Utahman22]

So thinking about getting a FLASHER! Is it worth the money?  ???Do you really catch double or triple the amount? What brand of flasher is the best? To me they look confusing to read? Thanks for the help guys!

[love em and leave em II]

I love my showdown cant fish without it . we catch more fish with it ,no more guessing if there is a fish there or not ?

[Fishrmn]

Depending on the circumstances the catch rate improves by a factor of 50 or more to 1.  At a lake that has both Lake trout and Splake where I fish, the Splake hang out at 42 feet.  If you don't have sonar, you don't know that.  If you don't have sonar, you're fishing too deep, or too shallow, or where they aren't.  I've watched lots of people get frustrated, then mad, then leave, when they can't dial 'em in without sonar.

You'll notice that I didn't say flasher.  Sonar is sonar.  Some guys like a flasher, some like a graph.  I choose graph.

[tonebea]

I started fishing with a flasher 3 years ago. My catch rate didn't double or triple. 10 times more fish is much more accurate. They're very easy to read once you know what you're looking at. Takes about 5 minutes to know what you're doing and what you're seeing. I don't get on the ice without it now.

[bpiatt]

They may look confusing but do not be intimidated. They are very easy to use and understand. There will be a thick red line where bottom is, anything between that line and 0 will be your lure and fish. You will master your flasher after just a few outings, it really is a night and day difference going from nothing to having a flasher. My favorite brand is MarCum, its just personal preferance. Buy the most expensive model you can afford. Even if you can only afford a base unit it will still be worth every penny.

[Drifter_016]

1/ Yes
2/ Yes, at least that
3/ Any, I have a Marcum and love it but having any type is better than none.
4/ Not hard at all to read
5/ You're welcome!!!   

[jchunter]

Agreed, flashers are easy to read and fun to use. Sure beats fishing a spot that has no fish. You can tell pretty quick how they like your bait and if the way you are jigging it is working. I also use them to set my tip ups so that I'm just above the weeds and not in them.

[Fishin Friesz]

Totally changes the way you fish I wouldn't go anymore without one!!!

[Reel_Force]

Here's a lil video to watch ,,, you will hear a great debate on which flasher is the best - a vex ,marcum, hummingbird .... but the video will help to understand how easy one is to use ... this just happens to be from the vex site...

http://vexilar.com/info/crappie-caper/

[Kevin23]

Go to cabelas, bass pro, reeds sporting goods, any website like that and pull up the ice flashers. Check out each one and see what each unit does. Then go to youtube.com and search each unit and listen to personal reviews or product demos of each unit you are looking at. Then make a list of each one you are seriously interested in. Take that list to your local sporting goods shop and ask them if they have any of the ones on your list in stock, then ask if the will show you how each one works and what the features are.

Don't just take someone's word that ___ is the best, do your own research and see which one YOU like better.

If you have any question regarding features or any specifics on any sonar, dont be afraid to ask it here in the electronic section. You have a heck of a resource here, literally thousands and thousands of flasher owners that can answer your questions on each unit. Just don't ask "which one is the best" because what is the best for some might not be the best for you.

But for the way I fish (which is just basic fishing for bluegill and crappie in around 10 feet of water) I highly suggest you take a look at the Marcum VX-1 Pro.

[Utahman22]

Thanks for all the feed back guys! It has helped a lot and i have done a lot more research, From what i am seeing the marcum is a nice brand and you pay for that. So i think i will try a hummingbird out they seem to be a little more in my price range. I am excited to get on the deck to try it out!! Again thanks for all of your comments on here, helps a lot!!! Happy Fishing!!! 

[jethro]

This will be my first year with a flasher and if I can figure it out, anyone should be able to. They may look complicated to read, but they really aren't, and a flasher is great in my opinion because you barely have to look at it to get the info you need.