Ice Fishing Flasher

BSS TRKR · 09-03-2008, 09:21 PM

Hello all,

I am strongly considering purchasing a flasher for the upcoming ice fishing season. I would like to hear everyone's opinions on Zercom, Vexilar, and Marcum. If two people are fishing in an ice house, will you be able to see the water column underneath both holes? If two people in an icehouse each have a flasher, or if one has an underwater camera and the other has a flasher will interference result? Also, what is the typical battery life out on the ice? Thanks for any advice or knowledge you are willing to share!!

Dave

Jump n Fish · 09-03-2008, 10:39 PM

Well, I have used a vexilar fl-8 and I own an fl-18. I'm sure the others operate fairly similar. I do know that I've never got any interference from a camera in the same shack. You will get a little interference from another flasher, but most have interference settings, where you can operate on a slightly different frequency to avoid interference. I think the fl-8 only has two settings, where the fl-18 has I think 9 different interference settings. I frequently fish side by side in the same shack with two flashers without any problems. If the two holes are drilled very close together, you should be able to see both jigs on the same flasher if the gain is set properly. How far apart you can put the holes and still see the other persons jig probably depends on the type of transducer you have.
However the transducer shoots down in a cone and will display the most shallow point of the cone as the bottom. If you are on a steep drop off where part of the cone is in 15' and the other half in 20', it will only read to 15' and there will be a blind spot. As far as your last item, my fl-18 I believe says it can go 16 hours without recharging, and even after the second year, I've gone as long as 20 hours on the ice without recharging.

As far as deciding on which one you want, here's a recent thread about the different ones
Flasher question...

Hope I helped a little.

Pike Hunter · 09-03-2008, 11:37 PM

I just started ice fishing last year and mid way through I purchased the Vex FL8. I mainly fish farm ponds so it does just fine for me. I wanted to purchase the FL20, but decided I didn't want to spend that kind of money starting out.

Either way, once you ice fish with a flasher, you wont ever go on the ice without one. They are amazing tools.

hankthecrank · 09-04-2008, 08:31 AM

One thing that a person needs if your flasher doesn't have adjustable power settings is a S-cable, it cuts your power approximately in half therefore making your flasher easier to read, by taking away some of the clutter.

Sandbilly · 09-04-2008, 10:02 AM

BSS TRKR, you won't be sorry! Fishing with a flasher is an eye opening experience.

Which unit to buy is like the Ford vs Chevy thing. It boils down to your preference.

A couple of things to keep in mind, more power doesn't mean a flasher will utilize all of it, plus the battery won't last as long. Transducer reception is the key to a good flasher.

"Target separation" is a coined term in the industry with a lot of merit, however without a way to reduce power outage, (like Hank said Vexilar's S-cable), fishing weeds or brush is a nightmare.

We use vexilars. The batteries go about 24 hours of use before needing a charge. Good maintenance extends battery life a lot.

Vexilar - Tips and Articles

dc

DoubleH · 09-04-2008, 09:47 PM

Hey you douche, why don't you skip the flasher and buy the SRT-4!!

Sorny · 09-04-2008, 10:58 PM

I bought a FL8 genz pac last year and love it. I can't imagine going ice fishing with out it.

BSS TRKR · 09-07-2008, 12:15 PM

I am currently the winning bidder on an FL-18 pro pack II. Right now, the price is under $300 and I hope it stays that way.

BSS TRKR · 09-07-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleH

Hey you douche, why don't you skip the flasher and buy the SRT-4!!

Nice try internet tough-guy!!!! I don't think a SRT-4 will help me catch any fish.

waleygator · 09-07-2008, 01:36 PM

Anyone used that Aqua-View vertical column digital model? I've seen them but no known anyone that bought one since they came out couple years ago. Pricewise running about $230.

papaw t · 09-07-2008, 05:29 PM

I love my fl-8. Had it for 2 years and wouldn't trade it.

bobblacketer · 09-07-2008, 06:44 PM

I have used a vexilar for several years now and wouldn't fish with out it. I bought mine from the vexilar web site. They have reconditioned units with the same warranty as new but at cheaper price.

09-03-2008, 09:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
BSS TRKR Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lavista Posts: 104 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ice Fishing Flasher Hello all, I am strongly considering purchasing a flasher for the upcoming ice fishing season. I would like to hear everyone's opinions on Zercom, Vexilar, and Marcum. If two people are fishing in an ice house, will you be able to see the water column underneath both holes? If two people in an icehouse each have a flasher, or if one has an underwater camera and the other has a flasher will interference result? Also, what is the typical battery life out on the ice? Thanks for any advice or knowledge you are willing to share!! Dave __________________ Every mistake is a learning opportunity!

09-03-2008, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jump n Fish Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Laurel, MS Posts: 434 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 11 Posts	Well, I have used a vexilar fl-8 and I own an fl-18. I'm sure the others operate fairly similar. I do know that I've never got any interference from a camera in the same shack. You will get a little interference from another flasher, but most have interference settings, where you can operate on a slightly different frequency to avoid interference. I think the fl-8 only has two settings, where the fl-18 has I think 9 different interference settings. I frequently fish side by side in the same shack with two flashers without any problems. If the two holes are drilled very close together, you should be able to see both jigs on the same flasher if the gain is set properly. How far apart you can put the holes and still see the other persons jig probably depends on the type of transducer you have. However the transducer shoots down in a cone and will display the most shallow point of the cone as the bottom. If you are on a steep drop off where part of the cone is in 15' and the other half in 20', it will only read to 15' and there will be a blind spot. As far as your last item, my fl-18 I believe says it can go 16 hours without recharging, and even after the second year, I've gone as long as 20 hours on the ice without recharging. As far as deciding on which one you want, here's a recent thread about the different ones Flasher question... Hope I helped a little. __________________ We accidentally replaced your heart with a baked potato. You have about three seconds to live.

09-04-2008, 09:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
DoubleH Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gretna, NE Posts: 295 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hey you douche, why don't you skip the flasher and buy the SRT-4!! __________________ "A sucker and his money were lucky to get together in the first place!" ...Gordon Gecko

09-07-2008, 12:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
BSS TRKR Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lavista Posts: 104 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I am currently the winning bidder on an FL-18 pro pack II. Right now, the price is under $300 and I hope it stays that way. __________________ Every mistake is a learning opportunity!

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09-03-2008, 11:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pike Hunter Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 915 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I just started ice fishing last year and mid way through I purchased the Vex FL8. I mainly fish farm ponds so it does just fine for me. I wanted to purchase the FL20, but decided I didn't want to spend that kind of money starting out. Either way, once you ice fish with a flasher, you wont ever go on the ice without one. They are amazing tools.

09-04-2008, 08:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
hankthecrank Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Broken Bow, NE Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	One thing that a person needs if your flasher doesn't have adjustable power settings is a S-cable, it cuts your power approximately in half therefore making your flasher easier to read, by taking away some of the clutter.

09-04-2008, 10:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sandbilly Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mullen Ne Posts: 339 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 9 Posts	BSS TRKR, you won't be sorry! Fishing with a flasher is an eye opening experience. Which unit to buy is like the Ford vs Chevy thing. It boils down to your preference. A couple of things to keep in mind, more power doesn't mean a flasher will utilize all of it, plus the battery won't last as long. Transducer reception is the key to a good flasher. "Target separation" is a coined term in the industry with a lot of merit, however without a way to reduce power outage, (like Hank said Vexilar's S-cable), fishing weeds or brush is a nightmare. We use vexilars. The batteries go about 24 hours of use before needing a charge. Good maintenance extends battery life a lot. Vexilar - Tips and Articles dc

09-04-2008, 10:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sorny Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I bought a FL8 genz pac last year and love it. I can't imagine going ice fishing with out it.

09-07-2008, 01:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
waleygator Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Weeping Water, NE Posts: 878 Thanks: 14 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Anyone used that Aqua-View vertical column digital model? I've seen them but no known anyone that bought one since they came out couple years ago. Pricewise running about $230.

09-07-2008, 05:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
papaw t Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lindsay Posts: 42 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I love my fl-8. Had it for 2 years and wouldn't trade it.

09-07-2008, 06:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
bobblacketer Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wood River Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have used a vexilar for several years now and wouldn't fish with out it. I bought mine from the vexilar web site. They have reconditioned units with the same warranty as new but at cheaper price.