Marcum VX1Pro

[Icyfish007]

So I got this flasher for Christmas and I am yet to use it. I read instructions and saw some videos on YouTube how to fish with a flasher. I guess since this is a new toy for me I wanted to get some input on how to fish with it. This is going to sound crazy and stupid but bear with me and pardon my ignorance. I go drill a hole in the ice drop a transducer into the hole adjust gain to find bottom and what?  If I don't see any marks (fish) in the water column the hole is dead and move/drill another hole near by (how many feet apart?) until I make a Swiss cheese out of the lake?  Sounds like a big waste of time drilling and sounding holes if you ask me.  Anyhow, is there some science on how to fish with a flasher?  Being new to it and ice fishing in general a feedback is appreciated. I know I made you laugh today.

Cheers.

[Trooper Bri]

Did you try jigging with it?

If not, start there.

[buck 1]

no drill your hole put the transducer just below the ice turn it on set it to the depth you are fishing. drop your lure to the bottom lift it up a little bit turn your gain up a little while moving your lure until you see your mark.  then jig for awhile if nothing happens move on. that simple........  if you dont want it i will buy it for a back up .wont leave home with out mine.

[That Guy]

Exactly what he said you will start getting a feel for it pretty quickly sometimes you will simply set up somewhere you know there is fish usually and wait to start marking and believe me being able to see how they react to your jigging alone will catch you more fish and knowing a fish is present puts you more
On the ready instead of just blindly jigging. Also yes sometimes on certain body's of water after you have fished it and know that you can move to find schools of fish you will drill a bunch of holes and bounce around until you find them trust me you won't be disappointed with it

[schaffman]

Sometimes you won't mark fish right away but if you jig, you can call them in and then you'll see them.   I fished for 25 years without one, saying I didn't need one or it was a waste of money.   Now, It's always with me.     I have to admit, it is pretty cool when you start to drop your jig and you can "see" the fish come up to take the bait.

[michael czapor]

I fish blind(no fish finder)
What does something like that cost ?

[dmach83]

I fished for years without one and now would never go without one.  There great for finding structure,dropoffs etc.  For suspended crappie and trout I think it's a must.  I also use it to set my flags over tops of weeds where otherwise my bait would be way to hidden.

[eiderz]

I fish blind(no fish finder)
What does something like that cost ?

Click on the Marcum banner at the top of the page.

[NorthEastFisherman]

I have a lowrance elite 4x ice machine, coated $280+shipping. Great purchase and after ice I'm putting it on the kayak.

[Trooper Bri]

I fish blind(no fish finder)
What does something like that cost ?

Flashers come in all varieties and price ranges. The traditional revolving LED flashers (tend to be cheaper), to LCD units that are closer to true fishfinders than flashers.

Poke around on craigslist, and/or put up a want ad. Probably find a lower end flasher for as low as $100 if you're lucky. $175 and up more realistically.
Bought my first flasher from site member Spanker when he upgraded a few years ago or so. A Marcum LX-1 for $100. Sold it to a friend for the same price last year and picked up my current Vexilar FL-8 off another friend for, yep, $100. 

I'm not much of a jigger at all, and still find it to be a great tool. dmach83 hit on some great points. We were fishing a private pond this past week and I was picking up trout going through the cone @ 5ft under the ice as I was hole hopping. Stopped and changed the height on 2 tipups. Flag!
 

[Icyfish007]

Thank you to all who responded to my inquiry. I appreciate all the input I have received. I will give this flasher a try hopefully next weekend with all the pointers from you.  Being somewhat new to ice fishing I am sure it will serve me well for years to come. I will keep you posted on my catches using it.

Cheers everyone and see you on ice!!!!

[fish on ron]

I have the same flasher!! if you don't want to drill alot of holes, take some water with you. Find some ice that is fairly clean of snow etc. Throw some water on the ice and set your transducer right on the ice in the wet spot. Now watch your flasher!! The vx-1 may be the only entry level flasher with enough power to read through the ice, this will save you alot of time. You may not mark fish but will be able to see the bottom moving!! Also whenever you move the unit rub the bottom of the tranducer on your bibs just before it goes in the hole, small ice crystals will form in transit interfering with your signal. Good luck, I went for 30 years without one and caught more fish in the last 2 than the other 28. It only comes second to my Strikemaster.

[Icyfish007]

Thank you Fish on Ron. I hope this will improve my catch greatly and I will try your suggestion.

Cheers,