vexilar flashers, what am I missing?

[farley]

OK, so I don't get out much, esp ice fishing and I want that to change this year but last year the one time I got out I took my Zercom lpg 2000 and made up a box to make it portable and it seemed to work very well. I didn't use the so called flasher feature but used it as a graph and I was able to watch my jig go up and down and it sure looked real time to me. Now, I did pick a lake that pretty sparce when it comes to fish (hadn't fished there in years and found it has gone from bad to worse) didn't see the tipup fishermen there get a flag all day and didn't see any fish on the Zercom LPG or on an Aqua-vu,...not even a baitfish. So it wasn't a great test with fish since I don't think one ever came around. So, what is the big advantage with the Vexilar flahers? I've come to respect the information here and it seems like you guys are really sold on them,..but I still wonder how it would get any better? I mean,since I can see this jig intil it almost hits bottom, wouldn't I see a fish as well as the Vexilar flashers?

[BGunn]

I ice fish allot, and use a Vex. What you are seeing on a graph is not really "Real Time", although it is close enough for 99.9% of any ice fishing you would be doing. Some of the graphs are affected by the cold, and some seem to do alright.
I myself would never even go ice fishing, if my Vex. was broken (That may be why I have a spare!), as it adds allot of excitement to know that there are fish down there, and waiting for a hit. One of my best buddy's uses an old graph, and he is a VERY good fisherman, and almost always does as good, if not better than 90% of the guys out there. I think it shows that if you learn to read, and react to what you are seeing, a graph can be just as effective as any other fish/depth finder. It's just that the Vex. is usually easier to learn to set up, and read than most graphs, and is less affected by the cold.

[Tom Franjesh]

I'm embarassed to ask because I don't know how to use a Vex. and I'm not sure what is it does. I believe it is a sonar device that shows your lure and the fish that you are trying to catch in real time. I've seen guys using them but don't understand how they read them. I know I've been out jigging with vibees in Feb. and have seen my lure on the fish finder but there seems to be a few second delay. If somebody could give me a brief overview on this product I would appreciate it.

tom

[tj1n]

Tom,
Click on this article... www.iceteam.com/articles/transducer.html I think it will help to clarify a little more about the technology of an ice fishing fish finder or sonar.

Most often for Ice fishing and applications in which someone is attempting to lock on bottom or different depths in the water column, they will utilize a "flasher" style finder such as a Vexilar.

I may have been way of base as to the context of your question, so if i missed the basis feel free to email me and I'll do my best to answer your questions.

Travis J.

[BGunn]

Tom,
Check this out;

http://www.vexilar.com/help/tips/tip013.html

[chickenboss]

Tom:
I have ice fished for years - now I consider those years spent blind and missing alot of fish. So oft I would fish within that 18" of bottom that I had always considered 'prime' and actually still do. However, since picking up my first FL-8 last fall I had the best ice fishing season of my life (four over 9lbs three of which were 11+ and found that there are a ton of fish missed though the entire water column. In most occasions it was a matter of seeing the fish and putting it in front of them. Most importantly you learn so much about your presentation and the fish's reaction to it. Several times I have sonared a hole and saw nothing. Upon dropping a lure down suddenly seemingly out of nowhere a fish will rise to the lure and drop off. This is when school starts and you begin to fine tune your presentation until you ring their lunch bell. I cannot say enough about the experience of the FL-8 and also have another 8 and 11.5 from this summer to show for it.
Get one and get at 'er!!! When you do - I recommend a pro pak, the sun cone, and the s-cable if you fish a variety of shallow depths.
chickenboss

[Wallye Fred]

Not only is the vexilar a great tool for ice-fishing but the zercom flasher is also as good. The only difference in the older Zercoms is you have to learn to read the thickness of the line which does not change color like the vex but once you have learned this it is great. I live in some great walleye and crappie area and I would have to say it has increased by catch by at least 50% on the walleye and 100% on the crappie you can just plain see suspended fish. Buy either one and learn to use them it is well worth it. Walley Fred

[Koldfront Kraig]

Winter fishing to me is a whole new ball game. It's more precision fishing than summer.

Using a flasher you get real time, yes, but what you realy gain is bottom seperation. An FL-18 has the power to seperate fish that are very close to the bottom, 1-2 inches.

You also get to see first hand how a fish reacts to your presentation. Jig faster, slower, use different jigs, it's cool watching the fish react to what your doing. It can also be very frustrating when they aren't interested in anything you do.

I use a Zercom Clearwater Classic. It doesnt have colors, but shades of grey. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but if I didnt have a flasher I would get an FL-18.

A graph will work fine, its better than nothing, but a flasher will definetly help you catch more fish.