X-85 for ice fishing?

[RiverRat]

I've got a Lowrance X-85 that is sitting on the shelf waiting for the spring. Has anyone used there X-85 for icefishing? If so what's your set up?

[steve(IL)]

Don't use mine for that, but it can be done. Probably the easiest way is (not least expensive) to buy 1) Davie Genz ice box 2)puck type transducer 3)leveling float for x-ducer 4)motorcycle battery. I think the ice box comes with the arm to attach the x-ducer to.

I suspect you can get all this stuff from Reeds, Capra's or any well stocked ice fishing store. I'm told they work well. You need to learn proper adjustment on X-85. Keep it warm before you go. Once outside, leave it turned on. Keep it in the shack on cold days.

[Ed]

I use my 350A and my buddy uses his x-85. They work great. I agree with what Steve says. I made my own box and bought an ice fishing battery which is much the same as a motor cycle battery. I got mine at Gander Mountain. Also, I use the puck style transducer as well, but I just taped a piece of solid pipe on top of the transducer, and when lowered in the hole, seems to keep the transducer fairly level. Maybe not perfect, but it has been working great for me. Caught some white bass in 8 ft of water and could watch the fish come up to the rapala. It was great. Good luck....

[REW]

Good advice all.
If you get the puck style transducer, obtain a 1 inch diameter round bubble level.
Set the level on a surface and verify that it is level.
Then set the transducer on the same surface.
Place the level inside the top of the transducer. If required, grind down the outside diameter of the level, until it nicely nests inside the top of the puck style transducer.

Verify that the level can be tilted as required to indicate a level surface. Mix up enough 5-minute epoxy to securely bond the level to the top of the transducer. Place the epoxy in the transducer top, and bed the level in the epoxy. While keeping the transducer level on the level table - tilt the level as required to indicate a level reading -- while the epoxy dries.

This process then guarentees that if you have the transducer hanging off a stick or dowl or other hanging aparatus - a glance at the level will indicate if the transducer is perfectly level.

If the transducer is perfectly level, it wll be pointing straight down your hole, and will allow to see your jig and bait that is also hanging straight down the hole.

Attach the transducer - either use tape or plastic ties - to a piece of pipe, or dowel to suspend from a clamp or other attachment, that is connected to either your depth finder box, or a clamp, that can be clamped to something that is resting on the ice.

Turn off all of the digital information on your X-85, and only have the line - where your jig is hanging from the hole displayed on your graph. By turning off all of the digital information on the x-85 display - your screen update rate is much faster. The x-85 has to time share processing time between doing screen paints, and displaying the digital information. By turning off the digital display, setting the scroll speed to the highest available - the screen paint -- update speed of the x-85 is quite acceptable for ice fishing.

You will find, that if you hold the jig stationary, that the x-85 will paint a solid gray line across the screen. Now, with all of the digital information turned off - you will be able to work your jig and watch the screen paint a sawtooth pattern, which represents the action of the jig at the bottom of the hole.

Then, again holding the jig steady, you will see a solid black line. Now, if fish near the jig, you will see a line moving toward the stationary black line. If it is fish, you will be able to work the jig, see the jig line assume its sawtooth shape, and if the jigging is successful, will be able to watch the moving line (fish) close and attack the sawtooth line (jig). Just like playing video games.

Be assured, that when ice fishing with the x-85 -- you will not see arches. You sill see solid, broken and moving lines. This is because the transducer is stationary - the jig is stationary much of the time, and the only thing moving most of the time, is fish moving into and out of the transducer cone.

Basically, you can be fairly assured, that if you hold your bait stationary, and see a solid line, which represents your bait - and any other solid lines which represent any additional split shot or weights that you might have on your line above your bait; that any moving lines that you see - between you and the bottom -- if everything is set right -- will represent fish.

If everything is stable and solid, and you see a line start to move -- it is very likely that it is some sort of underwater creature.

Good luck and enjoy.

REW

[Ed]

Great reply REW. I actually printed your reply off and am going to put your ideas to use this weekend. thanks again....