I was just wondering how many use fish flashers for deep water lake trout fishing? I have always had the "old school" mentality when it comes to fishing, and have done it all these years without the use of any high tech gadgets. I primarily ice fish for lake trout, and more often fish anywhere from 110' up to 180'. I have always done alright catching my fair share, but seems that almost everyone I talk to these days thinks you'll do much better with the electronic fish flashers. I have looked at a couple different ones and was leaning toward the vexilar fl-18. It says it will mark down to 200' of water.

Just wondering if any of you have used them, and if so do you feel like it has helped you catch more fish??

Thanks for any info!

N.B.

Never fished for Lakers, but the flasher allows you to catch fish that you would otherwise never know were there. When fish come through above or below your bait you can quickly adjust your depth to match. If you are sitting in a fish less area you will know it.

I don't know much about Lakers or fishing that deep but I can't imagine ice fishing without a vexilar. You will be able to see your lure and the fish approaching it, or fish passing by at a depth that your not fishing

If you can afford the extra money, buy the FLX 28 or at least the FLX 20. The 18 is a fine unit but the X models are digital. The digital units don't have brushes in them to wear out and interference from other units fishing nearby won't be an issue. Both units go to 300 feet.

I fish lakers with Vexilars, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way.

I own a lot of fishing gear and I mean a lot. By far a Vexilar is the best fishing investment I ever made in my life. I would equate it to a Down Speed and temperature sensor I use for trolling. I could not imagine fishing without it.

you wont be sorry
i have a hummingbird
built in gps and lakemaster chip

I can't imagine ice fishing without one. I've caught some lakers over the past couple days that were suspended, I never would have known they were there without it

Blind without it. I have a vexilar and an aquaview camera. I'd leave the camera home before the vex. Not only do you know if your in a dead sea or where the fish are. By watching the sonar, you can tell the fishes mood and change your presentation to get it to bite. You'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

Get the best you can afford. In Depth Outdoors has some good videos on how to use a flasher as far how to present the bait when you have a fish interested.

I’ll never ice fish without one again

If you have not already visited there, go to iceshanty.com. You can read for days regarding all types of flashers and anything else ice fishing related. Short answer: you want one.

I was on the fence about getting one for the last several years. I finally bought one last year after a friend said “I bought one because my friends that fish with them seem to have more fun”. He was right it is more fun fishing with the flasher. And yes it has got me a few more fish.

Bought a Vexilar FL-8 back in the late 1990's.
Increased my Ice-fishing success 200%.

I fished Bay O Quinte' for walleyed
and out-fished the locals 10 to 1 on
a regular basis.

Especially helpful for triggering
suspended walleye into biting

Caught literally hundreds of 10LB+
walleye which generally are most
aggressive when feeding suspended
versus on the bottom.

Could imagine fishing without one.

walleyed

We don't ice fish because the ice rarely gets thick enough here. I have no idea what a flasher is. I looked at the Vexilar website and I still don't know. It seems that it tells you how deep the fish are. How is it different than a regular sonar fish finder? My fish finder goes down to 1200 ' - although I have never needed it past about 50'.

Thanks for all the information everyone, I think ya'll convinced me to crack the wallet and purchase one. I have always tried to keep things simple in the hunting and fishing world, I guess you could almost compare fishing without a flasher like deer hunting without trail cameras?? I always liked the element of suprise of not really knowing what's out there, but I guess the fact that if you are fishing in 140' of water on the bottom and you see fish suspended 50' up, it would definitely help.

Thanks again everyone for your input!

N.B.

You will not regret the purchase. I have owned both Vexilar and Marcum flashers. I like the Vexilar the best. Feel naked on the ice without it!

Chris