Ice Fishing / Fish Finders

Scott N · #1 12-02-2013, 03:21 PM

I'm just curious how many of you use fish finders for ice fishing? What are you using, and did it break your piggy bank? I've been debating on picking one up for the winter for use at Spray Lakes Res.

huntsfurfish · #2 12-02-2013, 03:43 PM

Lowrance HDS-5. Lowrance LMS332 and 337. Humminbird 718. They all work well on the ice. Least expensive was the 718 for $220.00ish. HDS-5 was $750ish ($650.00 now). Also have Marcum LX-9 now to try out.

Edit: HDS-5 was top of line Lowrance, also has internal GPS, awesome on the ice or in the boat.

ak-71 · #3 12-02-2013, 03:45 PM

I use Humminbird 385ci, pretty basic for summer/winter unit with GPS.
I would actually consider turning back for it if I was half way to Spray and left it home

. I hate sitting without a bite for an hour and wondering if fish is there at all and not biting, or it's time to relocate. On Spray you can also sometimes catch an odd fish in the mid of the water column when you see it.

Richmuiz · #4 12-02-2013, 04:27 PM

I've used top lowrance and humming birds to the 140 portable humming bird and I've stuck with the cheap 140 humming bird 120$ I think. Really I don't need to know more then the depth and if there's fish there. When it comes to ice fishing I think those are the most important things

drhook · #5 12-02-2013, 05:17 PM

I use a LX-7. First weekend out this year I landed 17 Pike, almost double of my nearest buddy. This past weekend I went without and only landed 7, pretty well the same as everyone else. Being able to "see" when they are hanging around your hook is priceless, I won't go out without it again.

Mike_W · #6 12-02-2013, 05:53 PM

Lx-5!!!

mayuan · #7 12-02-2013, 06:10 PM

Lowrance HDS gen-2 on a genz box.

joe70 · #8 12-02-2013, 06:29 PM

Fishing buddy // shows down and sideways

EZM · #9 12-02-2013, 07:11 PM

In water deeper than say, 20-25 feet, they are a must in my opinion. You gotta put your bait where the fish are.

If you are fishing deep, for Lakers as an example, in 100 FOW and they are suspended at 50, they are spectacular.

Shallower water might be less critical - but they certainly give you an advantage.

old dog · #10 12-02-2013, 08:08 PM

When I got back into ice fishing, I bought a marcum LX5 and a LX3 for my son. Not only are they a must they, they make ice fishing a lot more fun and interesting

Mudslide · #11 12-02-2013, 08:18 PM

Once you learn how to use sonar for ice fishing you will never want to go fishing without it again. Your catch rate will easily quadruple using sonar vs none. The only exception being sight fishing in shallow water, but even then, it's easier to watch the sonar than stare down a hole. Any sonar is better than no sonar. If you only ice fish then get a flasher but if you want to use it on open water then get an LCD like a Lowrance elite-4 or a Humminbird 385ci. Both have GPS which is essential unless you are on an absolute limited budget.

niwrek · #12 12-04-2013, 07:33 AM

I have a Marcum show down, I like it. Gonna get one of those Lx9s though. camera finder all in one I think is a good idea

Rockjockey · #13 12-04-2013, 12:46 PM

I use my garmin 230, works awesome and never leave shore without it. Only downfall is battery life if it is cold, extra battery in the truck solves the problem. Picked the extra battery up at Battery World. I'm looking at an Elite 4 Ice Machine next week for ice fishing and leave the Garmin on my boat. Dual batteries, carrying case and ice transducer. Had to Macgyver a transducer for my Garmin.
I'd look at The Fishin Hole there are some good deals right now, unless you wait until Crazy Day (Boxing Day) and hope for a sale.

For Lake Trout it is a necessity.

BootScoot · #14 12-04-2013, 12:53 PM

After using a sonar you almost can't ice fish without one...I use the Humminbird Ice 345c...Great ice fishing unit for around $350...a colour unit is worth the extra money IMO

aulrich · #15 12-04-2013, 01:01 PM

I have a showdown troller (1.0) nice little unit, nice improvments with the 2.0.

In shallow water I also use it to set tip-up depths.

Currently rigging my Hummingbird 345c for portable.

A sounder is more useful, but a camera is funner

binnzer32 · #16 12-04-2013, 01:39 PM

I got the lx 9. Bought last year. .. so far been great. Wish they put a button on main screen to record though.

Mudslide · #17 12-04-2013, 07:35 PM

Off Topic, but there is supposed to be a new software release from Marcum for the LX7/9 any day now.

huntsfurfish · #18 12-04-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudslide

Off Topic, but there is supposed to be a new software release from Marcum for the LX7/9 any day now.

Yup.

v1.41.

Bubba2u · #19 12-04-2013, 11:29 PM

I own Gen 2 HDS 10 and I was wondering if it would be possible to set it up for ice fishing in the winter or if the power draw is too high.

fish gunner · #20 12-05-2013, 12:01 AM

Humminbird 353 . Kicks 350 five years ago complete.vertical flasher with conventional readings also. Grey scale is greyt for bottom composition. Finds 2"perch In 35' and shows the tiny lure.. works just as good in summer.

Mudslide · #21 12-05-2013, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba2u

I own Gen 2 HDS 10 and I was wondering if it would be possible to set it up for ice fishing in the winter or if the power draw is too high.

It will draw a lot of power but you can use a larger amp/hr battery and turn the display brightness down. The Marcum LX9 has an 8 inch screen and lasts for hours with the supplied 9 amp/hr battery. You probably should get an ice-ducer for it. I'm going to try my HDS-9 touch out on the ice this season.

HunterDave · #22 12-05-2013, 12:21 AM

I've got a Marcum showdown. Not fancy but It's easy to read and it shows where the fish are and where your jig is. Reasonably priced new but I picked mine up off of kijiji for $100 (lightly used). What a bargain!

Bubba2u · #23 12-05-2013, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudslide

It will draw a lot of power but you can use a larger amp/hr battery and turn the display brightness down. The Marcum LX9 has an 8 inch screen and lasts for hours with the supplied 9 amp/hr battery. You probably should get an ice-ducer for it. I'm going to try my HDS-9 touch out on the ice this season.

Where would I get one of these batteries?

Rafter1 · #24 12-05-2013, 12:25 AM

Dont see anybody mentioning Vexilar I was thinking of theFL12 or FL28 any thoughts.

Mudslide · #25 12-05-2013, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba2u

Where would I get one of these batteries?

I know interstate sells 9ah batteries and they even sell larger format 12ah batteries. Other than that there are specialty battery stores that can get them for you. I'm not sure if the Fish'n Hole sells 9ah batteries or not.

Mudslide · #26 12-05-2013, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafter1

Dont see anybody mentioning Vexilar I was thinking of theFL12 or FL28 any thoughts.

Never had the pleasure of using one but if you're stuck on getting a flasher I would have a serious look at the Marcum LX-5

Chisholm77 · #27 12-05-2013, 06:39 AM

CT has the Elite 4x ice machine for $100 off. Anybody have any experience with this one?

tightlines83 · #28 12-05-2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chisholm77

CT has the Elite 4x ice machine for $100 off. Anybody have any experience with this one?

I have a lowrance elite 4x ice machine it's great. It doubles as a flasher comes with a carrying case gel battery and ice ducer. Lowrance has a rebate offer to as long as the sale is from canadian tire not lowrance there's another 50 bucks off

Chisholm77 · #29 12-05-2013, 08:55 AM

Wow another $50 off makes it pretty attractive. Looks like it would work well on my inflatable in the summer too! Thanks for the heads up.

fishermansfriend · #30 12-05-2013, 09:57 AM

I use the vexilar fl-20superpak it works awesome has a 6ft zoom and 12ft zoom while still displaying the full water column on half the display and the zoomed in half on the other side.. has 2 inch target separation.