Both devices operate on the same principle, but there are significant differences between them, and anglers should take the time to carefully compare and contrast them if they want to make an informed purchasing decision. Detailed information about how both gadgets work, the main differences between them, and how they can assist you in catching more fish can be found here.
Table of Contents
What exactly is a fish finder?
Fishermen use a fish finder to locate fish in bodies of water, and it is a type of electronic device. SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) technology is used to accomplish this. When fishing on the ice, where it is not always easy to find the best fishing spot on the ice, it is an absolutely essential tool in today’s fishing process.
The information gathered by the fish finder from beneath the surface of the water is displayed on a digital screen, which can be either CRT or LCD in design.. Added features like GPS, radar, electronic compasses, and other technologies have been incorporated into today’s models in order to make them even more useful and dependable.
There are also some advanced models on the market that make use of an upgraded SONAR system known as CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse), which is even more effective at identifying fish in the water column than previous models.
If you’re looking to find fish in deep water quickly, a fish finder is the perfect gadget for you. In contrast, when ice fishing, a fish finder may be able to provide more power than is actually required. This is due to the fact that the features of this product are more suited to open water use.
However, if you purchase a model that includes GPS, you’ll be able to use it to locate and mark structures or snow-covered holes, which can be extremely useful when ice fishing on frozen bodies of water.
What exactly is a fish flasher?
Fish flashers have a similar appearance to a fish finder, but they have a round, mechanical LED display with moving multicolored lights, rather than a rectangular display. These lights are used to indicate the location of a jig strike, the presence of fish, and the depth of water beneath the transducer’s transducer.
With the help of SONAR technology, the device achieves this by sending short pulses that are reflected back from the lake bed and other objects on its surroundings. The signals that are received are then converted into visual cues on the display. The process is the same as that used by fish finders, but the interface is different from that used by those devices.
It may take some time for an angler who is accustomed to using a fish finder to become familiar with the interface of an average fish flasher, but once the angler becomes comfortable with the interface, the device becomes extremely effective at spotting fish.
Fish flashers are the preferred accessory for ice fishermen because they are specifically designed to withstand the harsh conditions of winter fishing. The battery in a fish flasher is designed from the ground up to perform well in cold temperatures, allowing it to maintain its charge for a longer period of time..
Flashers vs. fish finders: which is better?
At first glance, the two devices appear to be very similar, and that is not a bad conclusion to reach because they perform nearly the same functions and have the same goal, which is to make it easier for anglers to locate fish. They both provide real-time SONAR, allowing you to see what’s going on beneath the ice right away. You can see the depth of the water as well as how the fish reacts to your lure.
You’ll notice that there are a few minor differences between the two devices if you look closely enough. Understanding these distinctions and determining how important they are to you can assist you in making a decision between the two. The main differences between these two devices will be discussed in greater detail below, without further ado.
Display
The most significant distinction between the two products is the display. Using a basic interface of multicolored lights, flashers can represent all of the objects that are detected by sonar, including the bottom of the water, movement of the lure, and the presence of fish in the water, according to the manufacturer.
If necessary, the display of a fish flasher can be customized to display every detail. Although it does not take as much practice as looking at a fish finder graph, interpreting a flasher dial does take some getting used to. Having said that, once you get used to it, you’ll be able to read details that are simply not possible with a finder, such as the size of the fish or how it reacts to the lure when it strikes it.
Fish flashers also have a zoom feature, which allows the display to show everything that is happening in the water, even if it is only a few inches away from the bottom of the water. As a result, experienced anglers will find the flasher to be an excellent tool.
For the average angler, reading a fish finder graph is much simpler than it used to be. In addition, more recent models are equipped with an RTS window that allows you to view a history of what the device has previously scanned. You can use this function even if you take your eyes off the screen and miss a fish because you will still be able to scroll through the history of fish you caught.
In contrast, for models that do not have an RTS window, tracking and detecting fish movement can be a bit more difficult because there is a significant time lag between when something occurs under the water and when the event is recorded on the sonar graph.
It is true that information displayed on an LCD screen of a fish finder is easier to comprehend; however, it is also more difficult to see in bright light when compared to the multicolored LED display of a flasher.
Consequently, in terms of display, the fish flasher has a distinct advantage because it provides real-time information while also displaying significantly more information. It does, however, necessitate additional practice.
Despite this, fish finders are getting better with each generation, and high-end models are now capable of competing with the incredible detail and separation that flashers can provide.
Battery Life
Battery life is always preferable when fishing, especially when ice fishing, and this is an area where the fish finder has a distinct disadvantage over a fish flasher due to its lower battery life when compared to the flasher’s battery life. The primary reason for this is the large LCD screen, which requires a significant amount of power to remain illuminated.
While you can extend the battery life by lowering the screen brightness, this can make it even more difficult to read the information on the screen unless you’re fishing in low-light conditions.
Most fish finders on the market provide between 4 and 12 hours of use on a single charge, depending on the model, price, and battery size. However, if the temperature is low and the GPS is turned on, the battery life can be even worse than the above figures.
Fish flashers, on the other hand, do not require a lot of power because the simple LED display consumes little energy, allowing most units to operate for an average of 18 hours or longer on a single charge.
You shouldn’t, however, spend too much time comparing which gadget produces the best results. The most important thing to look for is a device with a battery that will last as long as you intend to fish. If you choose your equipment with that consideration in mind and understand its limitations, you will not be disappointed.
GPS
The key to successful ice fishing is locating the most productive areas where the fish concentration is at its highest. The use of fish finders with built-in mapping and GPS makes this process significantly easier. Newer fish finders may even include base maps for lakes as well as detailed contour maps, which can be extremely useful.
It is possible to use the built-in GPS sensor and the maps to find the optimal location for your holes in this fashion. Finding the ideal location with a flasher may necessitate more advance planning and the use of a handheld GPS or your smartphone to navigate.
Multi-Season Use
Fisherman’s flashers are intended for use on ice, and as such, they are only intended for use during a specific season. That is not the case with fish finders, as there are numerous manufacturers who produce high-quality multi-season fish finders that are equipped with two transducers, one for use on ice and the other for use in open water, among other features.
It is possible to use a flasher in open water, but the results will be less than satisfactory due to the sensor’s limited range of operation. While fish finders can be used while moving, they are better suited for stationary and vertical fishing than they are for horizontal or vertical fishing.
Which one do you think is the best?
It is entirely up to you to choose which one to purchase. If catching more fish is your primary concern, neither of these devices will provide you with more fish than the other, as the amount of fish you catch will still be dependent on how you use the device. You should choose the one that appears to be the most appropriate for your fishing style.
Flashers are, objectively speaking, the better choice for ice fishing because they are designed to be fished vertically rather than horizontally. They are more sensitive, and accurate interpretations can be made in a short period of time. For those looking for a product that can be used on any and all of their fishing expeditions, a fish finder may be the better option.