Best Ice Fishing Flashers of 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Ask any angler what the most essential piece of equipment is on their boat. I would be willing to bet most would agree that it is their fish finder. If you are into ice fishing, you better be thinking the same. Being able to “see” what is going on in the water beneath you is crucial.Instead of ice fish finders though, a more specialized piece of equipment is called an ice fishing flasher. An essential component of ice fishing, this gives fishermen better odds at catching fish by being able to be precise with their presentation. Ice flashers also give the ability to locate fish for vertical jigging applications.In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best ice fishing flashers currently on the market and explain what makes them so special.

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Comparison of the Best Ice Fishing Flashers

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How Does an Ice Fishing Flasher Work?

Flashers work by utilizing sonar technology, which helps them in finding solid objects like fish in the depths of the lake. In other words, sound waves are employed in order to measure the distance under the water. A flasher consists of three main components that include a power pack, screen, and transducer.

First, a burst of electrical energy is emitted by the power pack to the transducer. The transducer, in turn, converts this energy into sound waves. This is followed by sending these sound waves in a cone shape to the water just beneath the ice fishing hole. After the emission of sound waves, the transducer acts as a microphone and becomes responsible for picking the echo that is generated as a result of a collision between sound waves and a solid object.

The echo acts as a signal that is transmitted to the flasher’s screen in the form of a colored blip.

Source

What is an Ice Fishing Flasher?  

An ice fishing flasher is a different variation to the more well-known fishfinder. While a fishfinder displays a variety of shapes below you, a flasher has a clock-like circle. This circle represents increasing depths in a clockwise manner. Shapes appear around this circle to indicate what is below.

Like a fish finder, different materials have different color representations. When an object is present in the field below, a color appears according to the object’s “hardness”. Generally, green is a soft reading such as plants or fish. Red is a hard reading such as a rocky bottom.

Flashers are designed for vertical jigging applications, and a key component to a flasher is the ability to detect even small jigs. This allows you to fish with your lure at the exact depth necessary. The flasher also allows you to detect the holding depth of fish. You are also able to see a fish move in to check out your lure or jig and anticipate a potential strike.

Vexilar Ice Flasher (Source)

How Do You Choose an Ice Fishing Flasher?

Ice fishing flashers come with a wide variety of features. Before you buy one, you must ask yourself what kind of features you are looking. There are both traditional stand-alone ice flasher units, along with units that incorporate fish-finder and GPS functions as well. You also need to take into consideration the size and portability of your unit.

Traditional Stand-Alone Ice Fishing Flashers

On the market, there exist a large variety of ice fishing flashers, some of which resemble traditional fishfinders and others with that iconic ice flasher circular dial. If you are a fisherman who already had a GPS and fish finder, but is looking to get more into ice-fishing, these might be the type of units for you.

For units that function as a stand-alone ice fishing flasher, you can expect optimal performance at that task. You may sacrifice performance when you begin to combine features such as GPS, fishfinder, and ice flasher. So, if you already have some of this equipment, a stand-alone ice flasher unit might be the best option for you.

Portability

Another important factor to consider is portability and size. For a unit that will spend much of its time in an ice house or ice shack, a large full-featured unit may be a fitting match. However, if you plan on hiking to your ice fishing hole, or packing into a snowmobile/ATV, then size should come into consideration.

There are a large variety of sizes available, from small boat console-sized fish finders to larger suitcase-sized ice-flashers. The type of fishing you will be doing will also help in making this decision.

Do I Need GPS and Fish Finder Features in my Ice Flasher?

Maybe you are still relatively new to fishing. Or maybe you just don’t have a lot of equipment built up yet. If this is the case, buying an all-in-one unit may be a better option for you.

There are several ice flasher units in production that also retain capabilities as both a GPS and fishfinder. These are generally LCD screen units with the ability cycle through the different modes of your unit.

Ice Fishing (Source)

Key Terms to Know

To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.

  • Dimensions: The length, width, height of the unit.

  • Display Size and Resolution: Display size refers to the diagonal measurement of the screen and resolution is the quality of the image represented by the number of pixels it can display.

  • Weight: The actual weight of the flasher.

  • Depth Range: The minimum and maximum depth the unit can effectively scan. 

  • Includes GPS? Whether the unit provides GPS tracking. 

  • Cone Size/Angle: This indicates the angle and/or size of the sound wave or beam emitted from the transducer.

  • Battery Life: The battery life refers to the length of time you can use the flasher on a single battery or charge. 

  • Frequency(s): The number and kHz of included frequencies. Higher frequencies are generally more detailed and for shallower depths while low frequencies scan a larger, deeper area but tend to provide less detail. 

Review of the Best Ice Fishing Flashers

Now it is time to review some of the best ice fishing flashers on the market. Getting familiar with the breadth and scope of what is on the market may help you determine what kind of features you are looking for.

Best Overall: Vexilar FL-8se Genz Pack with 19 Degree Ice Flasher

PROS

  • Comes with three different lights
  • Attractive design
  • Features pre-drilled holes to attach accessories
  • Manufactured from quality materials to enhance durability
  • Weatherproof model that can easily endure harsh conditions
  • Made with tough, durable materials
  • Great battery power and fast recharging

CONS

  • A bit expensive
  • No digital depth display
  • Lacks any temperature sensor
  • No zooming capabilities
  • Some interference issues
  • Screen is difficult to read in snowy conditions

What Recent Buyers Report 

This ice fishing flasher is highly popular among its users for providing superior performance. Users report that it is extremely durable and capable of withstanding tough weather conditions like a pro. Moreover, it comes with a 2-year warranty, which makes it highly attractive for some customers.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

One of the finest ice fishing flashers on the market, this model from Vexilar is known for its durable design. The features include three-color flasher targets and multiple depth ranges of 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 120 feet. Moreover, it is incorporated with an LED technology that lets you read the readings at direct sunlight.

A favorite among many anglers, the Vexilar ice flasher is described as “the world’s most popular three-color flasher/fish finder.” The design is created to be portable and comes with the “Dave Genz Blue Box,” a battery storage and transducer holding system.

Its three color display depicts weak targets in green, medium strength targets in orange, and the bottom/strong fish targets in red. It offers six depth ranges to choose from, ranging from 20 feet to 120 feet. The device also features adjustable sensitivity control, interference rejection technology to reduce interference from other fish flashers, and a bright LED display.

Who Will Use This Most 

This model is a professional at measuring the depth underwater, making it a popular choice for ice fishing adventures. It comes with side drilled holes that help you store multiple fishing accessories. Plus, it is ready to use out of the box, making it suitable for beginners.

Bottom Line

An extraordinary product with tons of features, this ice fishing flasher enhances your ice fishing experience. It is equally loved by professionals and occasional users due to its top-notch features and functionality. With this on board, you don’t have to worry about detecting a fish under a frozen lake.

Vexilar’s ice fishing flasher is simple and effective. It may not have the same fancy features as other fish flashers on the market, but it holds the gold standard for tri-colored display flashers. It is mega portable and the battery and transducer system come in a well put together pack that doesn’t allow for frustration in set up.

Product Specs

Dimensions:

8.75 x 11 x 9.5″

Display Size and Resolution:

N/A; 525 segments

Weight:

1 lb

Depth Range:

20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 120 ft

Includes GPS?

No

Frequency(s):

200 kHz

Runner-up: Eyoyo Portable 7 inch LCD Monitor Fish Finder

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PROS

  • Comes with a great Lithium battery
  • Water-proof design to avoid any damage
  • Colored screen displays clear readings
  • Package includes a carrying bag for increasing portability
  • Established from high-grade materials to ensure durability
  • Good value
  • Great picture clarity
  • Very compact and easy to pack

CONS

  • Cable is too small
  • Poor customer service
  • Camera does not work well in muddy conditions
  • Not as effective in high currents
  • Users complain instruction booklet is difficult to understand

What Recent Buyers Report 

This model has satisfied users with its reliable functionality. The most admired feature is its colored screen that is large enough to provide a clear view of readings. Moreover, it comes with a carrying bag that is completely waterproof to ensure damage resistance in all tough fishing environments. Lastly, the battery life is great.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

The Eyoyo ice fishing flasher makes its way to our list due to its enhanced portability and remarkable design. It is equipped with a large colored screen that displays HD images in bright environments. Similarly, the camera offers HD results, and the lithium battery ensures long-lasting performance.

The Eyoyo fish finder is an underwater camera that allows anglers to view the underwater settings they’re fishing in. It features a HD 1000TVL camera, which provides a clear picture of what’s going on below the surface. For dark conditions, the camera features 12pc Infared LEDs, which can be turned on and off depending on your fishing conditions. The camera projects to a seven-inch LCD color monitor with a removable sun monitor for bright conditions.

All the equipment comes in a compact carrying case that is waterproof and easy to transport to and from fishing spots. The included lithium battery offers up to eight hours of working time for an all-day fishing trip.

Who Will Use This Most 

Ideally designed for almost every fishing environment, this model is a suitable companion for your fishing trips. It is equipped with exceptional specifications and comes with a carrying bag, making it an ideal choice for professionals as well as beginners. Moreover, the infrared LED lights guarantee clear images, even in a dark environment.

Bottom Line

The most versatile ice fishing flasher on the market, this model from Eyoyo ensures a quality experience. It is meant to last a long time and provides remarkable performance thanks to its wide range of features. Overall, this model comes with a large display and high-definition camera to provide some stunning views in the depths of water.

This is another great option for ice fishers looking to make their experience a little simpler. The Eyoyo fish finder provides real time video of what’s going on below the surface of the ice, and with the help of the Infared LEDs, the pictures are clear and bright. If you’re planning on using this device in high currents, you may need to bring something to stabilize the camera, as it tends to spin a bit.

Product Specs

Dimensions:

8.27 x 5.91 x 4.53

Display Size and Resolution:

7-inch; 800 x 480 px

Weight:

4.14 lbs

Depth Range:

49, 98, and 164 ft

Includes GPS?

No

Battery Life:

8 hours

Best Ice Fishing Flasher for the Money: Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar DP1H10S10

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PROS

  • Compact and tangle-free design
  • Built-in GPS for dependable results
  • Dual Transducer for quick and speedy sonar pickup
  • Half-inch target specification allows for accurate pinpointing
  • Less than four ounces in weight, which allows for superior portability
  • Narrow and wide frequency ranges for different degrees of sonar pickup

CONS

  • Consumes a lot of battery on your smartphone
  • Can pick up waves from other sonars in the proximity 

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers are quite content with the Deeper Pro+, and many report that their fishing game has improved since it makes fishing so much easier. Some professional users rank it as great as some expensive fish finders. Users love the different frequencies, sensitivity, options to adjust display complexity, and color palette.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Deeper has taken the screen away from this flasher, which is a welcoming thing. The connection to a phone makes this one of the best ice fishing flashers on the market. The Deeper Pro+ can last four to five hours with ease and is durable enough to last some time. 

Moreover, Deeper also offers a two-year limited warranty on the product. It is reported to be very accurate, and the dual transducer system makes it a great buy. 

Bottom Line

Deeper Pro+ is definitely one of the best, if not the best ice fishing flasher out there. The GPS, Dual-Transducers, and smartphone connectivity make it stand out. Deeper has packed features of a professional bulky fish finder into a small orb-shaped device that will definitely improve your fishing game.

Product Specs

Dimensions:

5.9 x 5.32 x 2.95″

Weight:

3.5 oz

Depth Range:

260 ft

Includes GPS?

Yes

Cone Size/Angle:

15° or 55°

Battery Life:

6 hours

Frequency(s):

Dual: 90kHz / 290kHz

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Best Garmin Ice Fishing Flasher: Garmin Striker Plus 4Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam Transducer

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PROS

  • Interface can be read under direct sunlight
  • Built-in mapping software to ace perfection
  • Built from durable materials to ensure reliability
  • Design is user-friendly and resistant to harsh elements
  • Comes with a great transducer for distinguishing target
  • High clarity CHIRP technology
  • Versatile; can be used as fishfinder, GPS, or ice fishing flasher

CONS

  • Seems a little flimsy
  • Relatively slow performance
  • Connectors at the back are not waterproof
  • Being an all-in-one unit, this sacrifices performance in comparison to stand-alone alternatives

What Recent Buyers Report 

Users like this product for its handy design and flawless construction. The most appreciated thing is its easy-handling that saves the user from any confusion in the hour of need. Moreover, you can easily read the precise readings on the display even in direct sunlight. Plus, the built-in GPS assists in easy targeting.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

If you are looking for an inexpensive yet reliable ice fishing flasher, then you must get your hands on this device from Garmin. It is equipped with multiple high-end features, including a dual-beam transducer for providing quality pictures, built-in GPS for marking locations, and a great display to ease visualization for you.

The Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual Transducer offers next level target precision. This unit is more geared towards use as a boat-mounted fish finder and GPS, yet it still retains the capability of being an effective ice fishing flasher as well. The LED display screen is able to display varying options and also has a split-screen mode.

Who Will Use This Most 

This device is a very budget-friendly option, ideal for fishermen who desire a slight upgrade in quality and precision. For all these features, this product sits at an excellent price point and is surely a suitable choice to take with you on an ice fishing trip. The rugged design proves to be ideal for every fishing environment and that too without compromising on the performance. Plus, GPS ensures a perfect target location whenever you want.

Bottom Line

Equipped with a great set of exceptional features, this model from Garmin is manufactured from high-grade materials to mark durability. Moreover, features like dual-bema transducer, built-in GPS, and mapping software make it the go-to choice of many professional fishermen. In short, you won’t find such a great deal on the market no matter how much you look.

For a practical angler who doesn’t want tons of different equipment, this is a great multi-purpose tool. The increased precision and clarity make this a step up from the standard Garmin Striker 4.

Product Specs

Dimensions:

3.9 x 1.8 x 6.9″

Display Size and Resolution:

4.3-inch; 272 X 480 px

Weight:

11.2 oz

Depth Range:

1,600 ft freshwater, 750 ft saltwater

Includes GPS?

Yes

Cone Size/Angle:

15° or 45°

Battery Life:

Yes

Includes GPS?

3 days

Frequency(s):

50 / 77 / 83 / 200 kHz

Best Humminbird Ice Fishing Flasher: Humminbird ICE-35 Three Color Flasher

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PROS

  • Can read up to 200 feet depths
  • Convenient and easy to use design
  • Surely one of the most affordable models on our list
  • Design is completely water-proof to resist damage
  • Manufactured from heavy-duty materials
  • Great battery life
  • Large display screen
  • Small enough to be easily portable

CONS

  • Noisy in operation
  • Does not include any carrying bag
  • Includes multiple cords that might cause a little inconvenience
  • Not as great at picking up small jigs
  • Bulky and awkward transducer system

What Recent Buyers Report 

Users have found this product very attractive due to its reasonable price tag. They report that it features some quality specifications at a very affordable price when compared to other models on this list. Moreover, it is user-friendly and waterproof, which can save the user from the expenditures of repairing.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This Humminbird ice fishing flasher stands out from its rivals due to its fair price. Talking about the design first, this model is equipped with an easy-to-handle design that is capable of enduring harsh conditions, thanks to its waterproof capabilities. Moreover, it can easily reach 200 feet of underwater depth and also features zoom-in functionality.

This Humminbird ice flasher features several aspects that make locating a fish easier. It features dual beam sonar, from which you can choose wide or narrow. A wide range provides a larger layout of the underwater surroundings, while a narrow range allows for great detail.It has a depth capability of up to 200 feet, and features adjustable depth ranges, allowing you to pick from 1x, 2x, 4x, and 10x. There is also zooming capabilities, allowing magnification of a specific depth range. The tri-color fiber optic display indicates depth scales and depicts your lure, the bottom of the body of water, and fish in real time.

Who Will Use This Most 

This model comes at a great price, making it suitable for those on a tight budget. Moreover, the assembly is quite easy; therefore, it can be easily used by beginners. Moreover, the top-notch depth range makes it equally suitable for professional fishermen to add fun to their fishing experience.

Bottom Line

Packed to the brim with tons of features, this ice fishing flasher incorporates a great battery and a very clean interface to visualize readings easily. It can be used both indoors and outdoors to ace your fishing adventure. The most striking aspect is that you get to have all these stunning features at a very reasonable price.

This ice fishing flasher covers all the bases. It does a great job at locating fish and has several features that make it hard to beat. It’s not super bulky, making it easy to transport from location to location, and the battery is made to last for all-day excursions. The biggest complaint among users was the sensitivity issues that may come about for smaller jigs and the amount of cords associated with the device.  

Product Specs

Dimensions:

13.5 x 12.3 x 8.1″

Display Size and Resolution:

N/A; 526 segments

Weight:

2.6 lbs

Depth Range:

200 ft

Includes GPS?

No

Cone Size/Angle:

Dual

Battery Life:

7 hour

Frequency(s):

455/240 kHz

6. Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fishfinder

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PROS

  • Great depth range of 328 feet
  • Backed by a reliable 2-year warranty
  • Clear display for easy visualization
  • Multiple features to enhance the performance
  • Features a popping yellow-colored design that is appealing to look at
  • Able to detect fish and structures over 300 feet below the surface

CONS

  • Some concerns over quality
  • Customer service is not impressive
  • Might not work well at greater depths
  • Lacks much of the performance and capabilities offered in higher priced alternatives

What Recent Buyers Report 

This product has gained many positive reviews from its customers. According to users, this ice fishing flasher comes with reliable construction and provides accurate readings whenever you want. Additionally, it comes with a great 2-year warranty to save the user from the tension of repair and replacement, which is really impressive.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

The Venterior ice fishing flasher is a well-known model due to its clear display. It is equipped with a round transducer that can easily detect any solid object up to a 328 feet depth of water. Moreover, it offers multiple settings like battery save mode, backlight mode, and fish alarm to aid the user. Last but not least, manufacturers offer a great warranty of 2 years to ace perfection. 

The Venterior Portable Fish finder is a hand-sized, simple functioning fishfinder, good for beginners on the tightest of budgets and still looking for features. At a super budget price, it is quick to sell, though be aware that it may lack the quality of some higher end alternatives.

This device is able to detect rocks, weeds, and fish down to a depth of over 300 feet. The sensitivity of this unit only allows detection of fish within four inches. This may not work for many ice-fishing scenarios when you need to be able to detect small lures and jigs. It also lacks an ice flasher feature best used in ice fishing and jigging scenarios.

Who Will Use This Most 

With so many customizable features, this unit seems to be an ideal choice for a number of fishing adventures, including boat fishing, lake fishing, ice fishing, offshore fishing, and much more. The design is durable enough to withstand almost every fishing environment, be it lake, river, or sea.

Bottom Line

In case you want an ice fishing flasher to use for multiple fishing experiences, you should definitely consider this model. Manufactured from high-grade materials and equipped with superior features, it won’t do you wrong in the hour of need. In short, it is a steal considering the price it is available at.

This portable unit lacks many of the features and precision of other units on the market. However, for the price, this device functions as intended for a fish finder. If you desire a dedicated ice-fishing setup though, there are better options.

Product Specs

Weight:

1.17 lbs

Depth Range:

3 to 328 ft

Includes GPS?

No

Cone Size/Angle:

45°

Best Marcum Ice Fishing Flasher: Marcum LX-7 Ice Fishing Sonar System/Fishfinder

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PROS

  • Comes with great depth and range
  • Offers precise results in no time
  • Provides exceptional customization
  • Incorporated with precise temperature sensor
  • Large, clear screen for easy visualization
  • Easy to use
  • Large LED screen is easy to read
  • Allows for a lot of customization

CONS

  • Screen is not visible under sunlight
  • Not suitable for budget-conscious people
  • Does not offer any official information regarding the maximum depth
  • Somewhat expensive
  • Doesn’t work as well in shallow water
  • Battery drains quicker than other flashers on the market

What Recent Buyers Report 

The LX-7 has certainly succeeded in winning the confidence of its users with its top-notch functionality. According to users, the handling is quite easy, and the assembly does not require any struggle. Moreover, the depth range is great, and the 4-colored palette helps them in quick identification.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This ice fishing flasher mainly stands out to us for its high-quality manufacturing that is built to serve the user in the long run. Similarly, the machine offers great power, and the transducer is quite effective in helping you reach the depth of water. Moreover, the sonar system is quick and generates results in less than a second.

This high-tech Marcum fish finder is on a whole other level. It’s got an 8-inch LED display that features a user-oriented “dashboard” that displays digital depth, battery voltage, range, gain, interference rejection and target adjust.

It has zooming capabilities and uses sonar footprint technology to give the user a greater awareness of fishing targets, while also reducing interference from nearby fish flashers. The display has night and daytime screen settings, made to increase visibility in a variety of conditions. The compact device comes with a padded soft case, a rechargeable 12-volt 9-amp battery and a charger.

Who Will Use This Most 

With a rapid system, this ice fishing flasher is a suitable choice for your ice fishing experiences. It has a durable construction; therefore, it is quite an ideal choice for those who do not want to spend tons of money on frequent replacements. It has an excellent resolution and helps in distinguishing a moving fish.

Bottom Line

A powerhouse of features, this flasher comes with superior resolution and zoom-in features. It is user-friendly and provides accurate readings on a large screen to assist the user. The great power output complemented by a replaceable battery adds value to your bucks. In short, this versatile ice fishing flasher has got everything you need.

This ice fishing flasher is a great option for those of you looking for something that is a little more technologically advanced. The 8 inch LED screen with customizable user dashboard makes it super easy to read and use. Because this device is more high-tech, it tends to cost a little more than others on the market. Some users did complain about its capabilities in shallow water; so, if you’re planning to consistently fish in shallow settings, you probably want to skip this one.

Product Specs

Dimensions:

‎11 x 11 x 11.5″

Display Size and Resolution:

8-inch; 800 x 600 px

Weight:

11 lbs

Depth Range:

300 ft

Includes GPS?

No

Cone Size/Angle:

8° or 20°

Battery Life:

12-15 hours

Frequency(s):

50 kHz/200 kHz

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What to Look For When Buying an Ice Fishing Flasher

When you’re in the market for a good ice fishing flasher, there are a ton of options to choose from. But, here are a few things that you should keep in mind before making a purchase.

Display

The display on your flasher can be a make-or-break point. But, there are some great options on the market that can connect to your smartphone and display data. If an external display is not your thing, you might want some flashers that have a built-in backlit display. The bigger it is, the easier it will be to use.

Depth Range

Of course, the flasher should be able to spot fish where you are going to fish. If the fish is in deep waters where you are fishing, then you might want to go for a flasher that can detect fish at deeper depths.

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Battery Capacity

The flasher should at least last a session of fishing. If it can’t even outlast a fishing session, then what good is it? Most flashers on the market can last for four to five hours. If your fishing session is longer than that, you might want to go for a flasher with an extended battery. 

Low-Temperature Workability

Ice fishing and low temperature are synonymous with each other. Your gadget has to have a low-temperature working range. Not every flasher is capable of working at low temperatures, so you definitely need to keep an eye out for this. 

Types of Ice Fishing Flashers

There are many different types of ice fishing flashers out there. The best ones include:

Simple Ice Fishing Flashers

If you already have a GPS and fish-finder, then a simple ice fishing flasher will be the best option for you. They are just ice fishing flashers and will depend on other gadgets that you may have to complete the whole fishing experience.

All-in-one Units

These have a screen that displays data and can help catch fish in the harshest conditions. They have everything inside them, including GPS, fish-finder, LCDs, and may even have several different transducers to help you fish effortlessly. These units are pricey because of their added functionality but are accurate and can make finding fish a simple task.

Smartphone-Enabled Ice Fishing Flashers

These relatively new options lack a screen but depend on your smartphone to provide the data on its display. This can improve the portability but can eat into your smartphone battery. The plus point with this kind of flashers is the application on the phone can be updated to include more information or to improve the user experience. There can be some disconnections or connectivity issues as reported by some users, but the overall experience is great. You can use a tablet if you want a bigger screen to display the data; hence this form allows you flexibility.

Comparison Overview 

Not all fish detecting equipment is the same. You’ll find different equipment that will help you with fishing, but they all serve slightly different purposes and have different working mechanisms. Here is a comparison between some of the most popular gadgets available on the market.

Ice Fishing Fish Finder vs Flasher

Both ice fish finders and flashers are designed to assist anglers in finding fish. Flashers are more effective at finding fish vertically. They have greater sensitivity in picking up fish. Moreover, they can offer a quick interpretation of fish data.

Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fishfinder

On the other hand, fish finders may have built-in sonar and flashers., which makes them better at picking fish. They can effectively detect fish when mounted on fast-moving objects like speedboats. Moreover, they can detect fish in deeper waters too.

Ice Fishing Flasher vs Underwater Camera

A flasher has a more versatile use and can help identify the presence of fish all the way to the bottom. An underwater camera, on the other hand, will only help to see the species below you. 

A camera has its own uses. It allows you to see if the fish aren’t biting properly, which a flasher can’t tell. While a well-adjusted flasher can provide information about the underwater floor and the species around it, a camera will allow you to actually see it. Some fishermen use both for a fun fishing adventure.

Marcum vs Vexilar Ice Fishing Flasher

Both Marcum and Vexilar have great fishing flashers and are definitely among the best ice fishing flashers out there. Marcum is an innovation-driven company and packs a ton of features in its gadgets, and its ice fishing flashers are no different. 

Vexilar, on the other hand, is much more durable and long-lasting. People report that Vexilar stuff does not breakdown or malfunction as much as Marcum does. Moreover, flashers by the former are much easier to operate and have superior quality compared to the latter that has advanced features that definitely warrant a try.

Pros and Cons of Using an Ice Fishing Flasher 

There are some considerations you should mull over if you’re contemplating purchasing an ice fishing flasher.

Pros

  • Ice fishing flashers give anglers a better idea of where their potential catches are located in the water, increasing the chances of luring in a fish
  • Many fish flashers allow the user to see their own movements under the water, giving insight into which kind of motions work best in luring fish
  • Makes the process of ice fishing much more interesting as you can tailor your positioning and techniques to fish you know are there, rather than playing the waiting game

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Cons

  • An ice fishing flasher is an investment. These devices tend to be pricey, and may not be a great purchase if you’re not dedicated to using it on your fishing trips.
  • Eliminates some of the surprise that comes along with traditional, old-school fishing

How to Use an Ice Fishing Flasher

For those unfamiliar with ice fishing flashers, they can appear to be confusing. However, they are actually pretty simple to read. From a 1 o’clock to 12 o’clock position, depths will be displayed on the flasher. Colors correspond to readings from hard (such as rock) to soft (such as plants or fish). 

The sensitivity an ice fishing flasher allows the user to see the location of even small jigs and lures in the water column. This is essential to vertical jigging and target fishing at depths. Experts say that ice-fishing flashers can enhance your own fishing ability. Try experimenting with different jigging techniques and see how the fish respond; this way you learn which jigging techniques are most attractive to fish. This allows you to use an ice fishing flasher or fish finder as another tool for your own learning.

Many also recommend learning to fine-tune the sensitivity settings, dependent on your situation. This allows for best precision and reading. The sensitivity of your settings will depend on the size of your target species, size of your lure, and the complexity of the habitat below.

Conclusion

Now you have gained a little more knowledge on how ice fishing flashers work and the types available on the market. If you plan on doing any ice fishing, buying an ice flasher will allow you to be a much more effective angler. When purchasing one, keep in mind the features that you will actually require and will put to use. Remember that stand-alone ice flasher units are generally going to have higher performance for their intended purpose, more so than multi-purpose, all-in-one units.

Now it’s time to make your decisions and get ready to start learning your way around your new ice fishing flasher for your upcoming fishing season.

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Garmin Striker Plus 4

People Also Ask

Many people don’t fully understand the functionality a flasher can provide. Some think a flasher is only relevant for icy waters.

Here we’ll answer some of the top concerns that people have, so you can decide and buy better.

What Does Wattage Mean For Ice Fishing Flashers?

The wattage on a fish finder is directly proportional to its ability to find fish. A higher wattage would mean better sonar beams, which help in detecting the fish with ease. Lower wattage ice fishing flashers have a weaker sonar, which can’t detect fish that is a bit far away.

How to Read a Flasher in Ice Fishing

To someone who hasn’t used one, using a flasher might seem difficult. But it actually is very easy. Most flashers have three colors: green, yellow/orange, and red. If the color on the meter is green, it means large fish are around. Yellow means less density of fish in the area and red means that no fish is around.

Is a Fish Flasher Only For Ice Fishing?

No, you can use a fish flasher in about any water body, and it will point you to the fish spots with ease. It is more commonly used for ice fishing because finding fish in ice fishing excursions is much more difficult in a freshwater body.

Do I Need a Camera Or Flasher For Ice Fishing?

While a camera and a flasher do the same thing, i.e., point you where to fish, the latter is a better option. It is a bit more expensive than a camera but is much more accurate. It provides better depth information and can cover a whole water column, and makes fishing much more fun.

Can an Ice Fishing Flasher Connect to Your Cell Phone?

Yes, there are several options out there that have the ability to connect to a smartphone or tablet. These kinds of finders allow more control to the user. They can be both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible. Moreover, different companies offer different features.

What is an Ice Ducer?

An ice ducer is a self-leveling transducer that stays straight so that the sonar is not disrupted in the strongest of ice. The bigger the face of the ice ducer, the more sensitive it is to sonar and can provide accurate data.

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