Flasher (less)

[spcsports]

I don't own a flasher yet. For the guys that do or don't or started without one and now have one, what recommendations can you give a guy that dont have a flasher yet. I know it would make fishing a lot easier but it's not in the budget right now. I'm trying to get lake depth maps to at least give me ideas of where to fish on a certain lake. Any words of wisdom?

Also for the guys that have one. What brands, models, options work best or you wouldn't be without? Seems like Vexilar is dominant then Marcum then Hummingbird. My choice I think is the Vexilar FL-20, Marcum LX-7, or Hummingbird ICE 385ci looks nice. Thanks.

[Kevin23]

Man, I will never fish without one again. If I forget it, I go home. My advice is to look around on craigslist, ebay, anything like that and see if you can pick up an older vex or marcum lx series in working condition. Anything is better than nothing! You should be able to find something for around $100 or so. But if you can swing a new unit, I highly suggest marcum. A marcum vx-1P would be a great starter unit, everything a fisherman needs as long as you are not fishing in 80 feet of water for sardines. I use a vx-1P and it is a great unit. I think I payed $240 for it through reeds sporting goods. I started on a zercom about 5 years ago, and that tripled my catch instantly. Then I saved some pennies and bought the marcum 2 years ago, and that doubled my catch again. I see stuff with the marcum that I could not with the zercom, and I saw stuff with the zercom that you cant see by looking at the hole. Get something, anything.. Convert an open water fish finder off your boat to work on the ice, anything is better than nothing... even if it does not mark your jig it will tell you if there is fish down there and what depth to fish.

[mud_n_fun]

[mud_n_fun]

Those are depth finders!

[Chiroguyf250]

It's honestly the best investment for the ice I've bought. I have a marcum lx5 and it is great! I have used. Vex and they are great too I just got a smoking good deal on the marcum bc me and a buddy both bought one at the same time from a small local shop an the guy gave us a great cash discount. Honestly when fishing is slow it seems to keep ur busy and when fishing is touch and go for others u will be catching more fish.  My bro ha a camera and he maybe able to see some fish but he doesn't have the depth ad the speed like my marcum. Save buy and have fun

[boscolab]

Dont overlook the lower model Vexilars like the FL-8. They do a good job without the larger price tag. This is especially true if you wont be fishing very deep waters. The showdown is also a good option as well as the Hummingbird. My buddies have those and they do just as good as I do with an FL-8.

 If you dont have one, I would start with studying a contour map of the lake and really work on finding ways to making sure you find the spot you intend to fish when you get on the lake, I.E. halfway between this point and that bay, etc. Once you get to the area you think will work, drill a grid and use one of them old school depth weights. You can figure out where you are in relation to the map if you put it all together.  I like to drill two lines of holes, with the second line offset from the first to get a better idea of depth changes. Pay close attention to drop offs, bottom composition changes, points and bay openings. If manmade structure is in the lake, work those for easier results. The other option is to start near downed trees or anything sticking out of the water. If you remember where weeds were during open water, try there also. I prefer north shores where the sun will keep the weeds ( oxygen for fish) greener longer. As the winter progresses, the shallow weeds will die but going deeper will keep you on the green weeds.

I sold my FL-8 last spring and am trying to find some cash to get another one. In the mean time, I may try some small ponds where a flasher isn't as important. You can get away without one on shallow waters too, although there are still benefits to having one, I.E cruising crappie . Shallow is less than 6 feet in my book.

Good luck and hope both of use can get our hands on a sexy vexy or of the like soon.

Stay Safe
Manny

[Gillgrabber]

Lower priced doesn't mean they're cheap pieces of junk.  It only means they don't have as many features.  I fished with a pretty basic Zercom Colorpoint for  years: it didn't have a zoom or auto depth but it marked & caught fish.  I eventually upgraded to a Showdown and then a Marcum LX-6 simply because I wanted more features....not because the Zercom didn't work.  There are plenty of guys doing the same thing so you should be able to find some good buys on used flashers on Ebay or Craigslist (probably around $100 or so).  If you would rather have new, like others have posted, you can find good entry level flashers from any of the major companies.  I've used a Humminbird 35 and liked it.  I've fished with guys who have a Marcum VX-1 and were happy. 
Whatever you find will serve you well for a long time until you can upgrade down the road.

[John_BZ]

depends on what you are fishing for and how well you know the body of water. you dont need a flasher for alot of situations. growing up i caught plenty of fish on my hand me down schooleys type spring bobber rod not knowing what a flasher was. if my flasher was to break down and i couldnt afford a new one i would fish for walleye predawn where i know they normally will be then for gills in shallow water during the day. i know i could roam around deep flats and catch whitebass jigging the bottom and catch crappies on those same flats by finding bottom and coming up a few feet at a time until i find them. You dont need a flasher to fish with traps or to do anything really. it just makes it easier. that said i wont leave home without my vexilar but if i didnt have one i wouldnt let it stop me. we all get too caught up in keeping up with the latest and greatest myself included and forget how people ever caught fish without all the cool crap we have to make it easier.