I have had my vex fl8 for a few years now & ive found out that I dont realy need a fl 18 because I compsate
that I see for my bottem is red then there mite be a yellow line just on it then a time or 2 it flickers & now now I know there is a fish under me hugging the bottem so I put my jig all the way to the bottem & then I jig it like mad & then I raze it off the bottem & set my rod on my bucket & then if I see it flicker again in a few minn... I go like mad with my jig & I usally get a reponce of the pot bellys hugging the bottem
also I used to use a depth sounder & when it hit the bottem I used to bring it up a little & then put my rubber band on & then go from there !!!
also with a vex fl 18 you got a zoom straight to the bottem & up from there to 6 feet so you know where your jig is 100% and you also know if there is fish hogging the bottem to 6 feet up
hope I helped somebody
Steve
hope to see some of you on the ice
over & out