Getting into ice fishing "fish finder"

Ok so i have narrowed down for me getting into ice fishing that im gonna be getting a hand auger, and using a 20 volt brushless drill as a auger setup, gonna look around craigslist for a cheap popup shelter, but now comes the most important part(at least from what im told) of getting into ice fishing effectively, and thats a fish finder. I was wondering if anyone here could help me. Im thinking of getting this fish finder, and a battery, however i dont know if that would be very effective. I dont plan on getting a boat, may get a kayak but thats it. So i dont know if getting something like that for dual purposes would work. I was also thinking of getting this flasher, however, thats a little more than i really want to spend, as i dont go out a whole lot. I also looked at the humminbird helix 5 and getting the ice ducer, however thats almost as much as the ice 35. Im not really sure what i should look at getting thats worth my money. I plan on getting into ice fishing a lot more next year, but still not sure which is better. If anyone has any suggestions, opinions, or other help, please send it my way. I got out for the first time this year last night and caught 3 little bluegill out of 4 hours of fishing, would be nice to know if somethings down their or not.

*links in case the ones above dont work*
Garmin striker 4 plus: https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Striker-Dual-Beam-transducer-010-01870-00/dp/B076WBHD2T/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1545666423&sr=8-5&keywords=garmin+striker+4

Humminbird ice 35: https://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-ICE-35-Three-Color-Flasher/dp/B001AXT962/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545666522&sr=8-3&keywords=humminbird+ice+35

You have to know getting into the sport is addicting but the cool part is its a good addiction. Build memories and can put meals on the table and nothing beats being outside and for the most part the fishing community is full of amazing people. My first flasher/sonar was a Vexilar Fl8se. I picked it up used for $150. I would imagine you could still find a used one on FB or craigslist for the same price. That is just my opinion the 8 will be a great starting unit. Having a unit with zoom is a neat bell
And whistle but not necessary in my opinion. Ive caught plenty of suspended fish without the marcum adjustable zoom. Vex marcum and birds are all great and im sure that garmin is nice as well but when it comes to service and reliability in my eyes Vex wins.

If you want to be able to use it on the kayak, I would suggest finding the best deal on the helix 5 that works for you.

My dad has been using a Ice 35 for three years and it’s been bulletproof. I got the fabric case for him. I’ll recommend adding it. It’s a great entry level unit. You’ll love the size of the screen and how easy it is to see in the sun. Small transducer that doesn’t easily get tangled up by a fish circling the hole. Looks into adding a transducer arm modification like a Marcum has.

My vote would be the ice 35. Pretty solid basic machine.

If you are near the St Paul Minneapolis area I would cut you a deal on a ICE 45, used little as I have 4 of them. I bought flashers for my boys and one is not the biggest fan of ice fishing so it sits around collecting dust.

You will appreciate the digital depth and other features the 45 offers. I also added 2 rod holders to the side of the case.

wormdunker wrote:

If you are near the St Paul Minneapolis area I would cut you a deal on a ICE 45, used little as I have 4 of them. I bought flashers for my boys and one is not the biggest fan of ice fishing so it sits around collecting dust.

You will appreciate the digital depth and other features the 45 offers. I also added 2 rod holders to the side of the case.

Id love to take you up on that offer, however, I live near central wisconsin,and dont make it that way more than once a year. I appreciate the offer though. Tight lines

I went with the marcum vx-1p(now the m-1) a couple years ago because I found them on clearance. Pretty basic but did a great job. I still have two that I use as backups and if I have a group of guests. I like that it has the zoom opinion in a base model.