Loaded question as each lake can be different. First thing I would be looking for is a couple hundred bucks to by some kind of flasher. I promise it will make ice fishing more enjoyable and effective especially for panfish.
That’s is the hard part I don’t have the money to put out for one so is there a depth when looking for it like a drop off or shallow spot or a deep spot to look for
You can find used flashers for under $100. Even as low as $60 if it is beat up. As long as they don’t sound like a jet engine it will work for a long time. They are well worth the investment. In my opinion having a flasher is a game changer for ice fishing. You will easy catch more fish with one and it will be more enjoyable.
Agree with both find some cash to buy a old vex 8 and you will be happier and more productive I promise. And there is no magical depth. Sometimes there suspended over basins, other times next to structure or weeds.
Sometimes early ice I sight fish them in weed pockets or on the deep side of weed lines, but I agree with the other replies having a flasher really is a game-changer.
Like I find it enjoyable to go out punch holes and to see if there is anything in it but ya I might have to find one this year
Often Earlier ice sunfish and Crappies are in the same locations as they were when the lake froze. Without a Flasher its a lot of work to locate fish but it can be done. I would start in the deeper part of shallow bays and the area’s just outside of these bays. As the season goes along it will get more difficult as the fish normally move to deeper water and are much harder to locate without electronics. Late ice is probably the easiest because both sunfish and crappies start to move back into shallow bays again and feed heavy.
Like other have said I’d try and find a way to buy a used lost $ flasher. A old FL8 will work just fine. Its a whole different world once you get a flasher.
I look for shallow basins for sunfish typically 8 to 12 ft with green weeds. Fish in the weed pockets or out side edge of weeds. Drill 15 holes and hop around.
Crappies move in to those spots often where I fish as well. My biggest winter crappie ( just under 16.5) came in 7 ft of water in January.
Crappies typically are easy targets over a deeper basin 15 to 30 ft and will be all over but I find them to normally be half way down the water column.
If your close to North branch I have a old fl 8 that’s hasn’t been used in a few years. Trade some chores around my place for it. I’ll make it very fair for u
If I didn’t have electronics just find a lake that is known for panfish. You can stop at bait shops and they will help with that part. Once you know a lake look for the crowds. If you walk around with no fancy electronics and talk to the fisherman most will be more then happy to lend you advice.
The absolute best way I’ve found to locate fish under the ice is using a fishfinder such as this $89 unit from Walmart. Even if it doesn’t find some hogs, images of baitfish, weeds and depth changes are just as important. I mount the transducer on a piece of wood to dip it into holes in the ice to see what’s what. A small Might Max 12V battery is small (4″ tall) and light. A cart or sled is the way to go to tote ice auger and other stuff.
Drill a bunch of holes in an area and then use the finder to check what’s down there. One winter I fished with a buddy that helped me drill a large circle of holes and we found a bunch of crappie – over 60 in one area in 6′ about 40 yards from the shore. Sonar found baitfish and the rest history. Wouldn’t leave home without it.
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That is a hell of a fish grabber for that sunfish lol
That is a hell of a fish grabber for that sunfish lol
LOL sure is
It was part of a joke for another forum post a few years ago. You should see what I use for larger fish!
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