What electronics do you use for ice fishing? What would you recommend for a beginner? Flasher, camera, or both.
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What electronics do you use for ice fishing? What would you recommend for a beginner? Flasher, camera, or both.
Vexilar! with out a doubt buy that first if you have the money get the camera as well but, by all means get the Vex first!
I have been fishing with them for the last 7 years or so and have had a great time with them.
If you have questions let me know.
Regards,
I agree, a Vexilar is all you need. A camera is just a luxury that is only good in clear water. Once you learn your vex you won't leave home without it
Tim
Check out the FACTORY RE-CONDITIONED UNITS at www.vexilar.com if you are in need of your first Vexilar. You will not be disappointed. I do not go ice fishing without mine!!!!
A flasher! Dont look at just Vexilar either. Take a look at the Marcum products also. I will be getting the Marcum VX-1.
www.marcumtech.com
Both Vexilar and Marcum make a great product.
You get a better go for your$$ with Marcum.
I have 2 Vexilars and the Marcum LX3 is on it's way.
Cameras only shows you what's in front of the lens.Since I'll work the whole water column a camera would do me no good.
When working a jig though the water column a loop knot will enable a jig to dance more naturally without the line impeding it's action.
All line will create a certain amount of resistance if secured to the eyelet.therefor to get more action from your lure a loop knot works great.
It's actually part of a system. The bigger picture
is that I'll use a flasher to read the whole water column.
The sonar will read a fish as it swims into the sonar cone.
I'll lower or raise my offering to where it is coming in at.Once it is dead center of the cone or directly below me I'll lift my bait trying to trigger it's strike sense.
Depending on the mood of the fish it will raise up 1-5 foot after my bait and swallow it.
I have a spring bobber mounted to my rod which will read even the lightest hit and then I'm rearing.
The flasher will not only show me the depth ,but are there fish under me and how aggressive they are.
For instance on Fri. with the barometer over 30 they were very negative. They came through at the bottom and would only lift 2-3 feet before they would stop and go no higher.
That's what I call the ceiling.Once I determined their ceiling I would slowly lift them to the ceiling and wait for them to hit my jig.
Sat. on the other hand was much different.
The fish were stacked up to 6 feet from the bottom.
They gave chase much faster and hit quicker.
Checking the barometer I saw it was still high ,but it was dropping which triggered a better bite.
As a general rule I'll up size when they are aggressive and downsize when the mood is neutral to negative.
I hope this helps.
CK
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...h_HPIM1802.jpg
A basic Vexliar FL-8 works wonders, more expensive models add a few things that are not really needed for crappie fishing like extended Depth and Bottom Zoom features (bottom zoom is nice but not a necessity)
When working the water column you'll be fishing out of the camera's view most of the time.
Don't forget the Aqua-Vu VPG(Showdown). I got one last year and just love how well it worked. I used to use an old Lowrance FLP-150. The VPG is way better than my old flasher.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappiekid24
He bought a Marcum.
I just bought a Marcum LX-2. Looks like a sweet unit and am just waiting to give her a try. Cabalas had it on sale for $229. Now all i need is fishable ice.
I have used my Vexilar w/dual cone for last 6-7 yrs. Still using the same 7 yr old battery, which it still holds charge for 10 or more hrs. Make sure in the summer you run it down completely dead every 3 mths, then recharge. That is the secret to making the battery last long. They are great. As for the Marcum model, I have no idea.
As for do you need a flasher?????
Put it this way. Go out and get in your car, close your eyes and try to drive. I forgot my Vexilar only one time in the last 6-7 yrs and that is how I would compare fishing without one. Like driving with your eyes closed.
This yr I am wanting to add a camera. So I have no experience on camera use. For column jigging, I have read you may not be using your camera to its fullest. When column fishing you need to have your camera pointed down instead of vertical. That way I would think you could see your jig moving up and down.
Anyway, a good reason for a camera is when you're bobber fishing, you can see that sneaky gill or eye suck in your bait and spit out. I have read at the iceshanty.com forum about those bits we never see on the bobber end. With a camera, you know when to jerk before he spits it out.
I have a Marcum VX1 going on its second year and I love it. I have several friends that have Vexliars and I don't see much difference. Both work similar and do a great job.
I have a Marcum VX-1 I have used two years now and I love it. Its Marcum's entry level flasher and its all I need.