VEXILAR FL-18, Owner'S Manual

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8
SEEING YOUR LURE
The key to ice fishing success when using a Vexilar
ice fishing system is the ability to see your fishing
lure and its relationship to the bottom, structure,
and fish. Ice fishing with a Vexilar allows you to
present your lure to the fish. You see the fish on
the display, and you raise your lure so it is right
above the fish on the display. If the fish is hungry,
it will bite. If not, it will react in some way to your
presentation, such as with disinterest or fear. You
can see this reaction on the flasher display and
adjust your tactics accordingly.
Setting the gain level correctly is important to be
able to understand what’s going on below you.
Use the lure’s appearance as your reference for
adjusting the Gain Control. Set it so your lure
appears as a green signal. Because the fish are
much larger than your bait, they will appear as
stronger signals. Be prepared to readjust the Gain
Control up and down often, as small position
changes and the condition of any bait attached
will effect the strength of your lure’s signal.
Typical Ice Fishing View
This illustrates a typical panfish
fishing view. As you lower your lure,
you see it going down on the display
while the curious fish rise to see what
it is. When the two signal lines meet,
it is time to be ready for a strike.
Bottom
Fish
Several fish are holding near the
bottom. The thin green line right on the
bottom may be a fish just up off the
bottom, as the others are, but some
distance to the side.
Fish
A pair of fish are rising to your lure as it is
lowered. This is a good sign, as competition
can make fish more aggressive.
Lure
With the Gain Control set properly,
your lure will appear as a weak
signal. You want it to appear small
next to the fish which are much
larger.