i agree with all the responses. i typically look for something similar to what the crowd is sitting on and try it. it almost always produces just as well. i think a lot of times guys set up in a crowd just because theres a crowd there and don’t want to try to find the fish. just know what youre looking for as far as structures and depths!

i got a video today on my recon 5+ of a northern looking to eat my camera! ill try to get it up. really cool and fun unit

stabilicers all the way. you can fit them over pretty much any boot(i wear ice kings), and the studs are replaceable if you ever wear them out.

thanks for all the input guys. and I’m right with icenutz on this one even with minimal gear in an otter lodge(the portable i have) the thing is brutal to pull out with some moderate snow cover. going to build a smitty sled though with the sounds of it!

i was out saturday in the metro, and the lake i fished had about 5 inches, but heard ice was only 2.5-3 inches on lakes further north west. sounds like ice conditions are really all over the place. if it was me id be dragging the house out

munchy wrote:

I don’t break the reels down in my frabill. I found I can get eight combos nicely in one if you cut an opening big enough for the reels to fit. They come with a second layer of foam beneath to do this very thing.

the heavy duty frabill case can even fit inline reels with out the need to take the handles off. fit 8 in mine pretty easily

unit is still in production it is called a fl-22HD now

clam meat stick is a really nice mass produced rod. quick action tip with lots of backbone can get them in pretty long length too. that would be my recommendation in that price range!

pretty sure ice line has a coating on it to prevent water from sticking on it, and in ice braids case a coating to help with water absorption.

i wouldn’t let any specific flasher intimidate you as a novice. most have really good instructions and even videos.after a couple days playing with one on the ice you will be able to work any flasher like a pro. if you’re looking at them from a dollar stand point, i did a ton of research before buying my first flasher and found you really get of features for your money with a marcum. i would recommend a vx1 or a lx 3tci.

thanks for all the tips guys. great info!

thanks for the input Carter!

i have the lx5i. great unit. i have been told the only difference between the 5 and 5i is the updated screen design, but that could be wrong. sharp detail on the display over some of the vexilars. super user friendly. doesn’t take long at all to figure out. super fine line is a really cool feature as well, it essentially puts the entire water column in “zoom” mode. and for what its worth it doesn’t sound like a rock tumbler when its running, as some other units do.

have the frabill case. great case do not need to fold down reel handles, even on inline reels. can fit quite a few rods in it too