Catching Lakers without Flashers/Fish finders, Fishing like a pioneer

Hello all,

New to this forum. I just moved to Simcoe county in July and have been hitting the ice every weekend since the end of January. With the exception of last weekend (when I caught some perch off 9th line launch) I've been fishing KBay for lakers without a flasher. I've used a variety of lures and baits fishing the column from the bottom and moving up in 10-15 foot intervals. Most I've gotten were the minnows stolen off my tip up and a false flag

Anybody have any luck catching lakers in Kempenfelt Bay without the use of flashers. I feel like its like winning the lottery. I've talked to guys with flashers that couldn't land one in an outing.

I got 1 in 8 years with a x67 ice machine ... good luck

You can still catch without electronics... Just your odds are greatly reduced. You are limited to the baits and lures that can be used. You might be sitting over an empty well all day and not know to move. You might be over whitefish and have bait too high. The lake trout can be cruising higher in the column and you are fishing underneath them... But still you can catch them! Done it before!

You can also not catch with all the electronics..... Lol.

Once you've used a flasher you will see the difference - like night and day. Sure, still may not catch fish with a flasher but at least you get to see what is going on at bottom (or not) and around your presentation.

You could have been fishing in the middle of lakers and white fish - ignoring your best efforts and you don't know to change technique . . .

Or fishing where zero fish . . .

Myself included, you will read posts where if forget flasher will head home instead of going on ice.

Fish with someone who has one - sitting close in deep water can see different presentations on same device.

Drawback? If walking is yet a few more pounds to drag behind you . . .

haha.. I've heard that too. I'm trying to catch one to convince myself that I don't need a flasher (even though I so desperately do). I've been perch fishing lately just to get some rod action. One last weekend for lakers so I should say a little prayer to the fish gods

Let us know how you do!

Other thought is flashers may be going end of season sale soon? Good time to pick one up for next year?

X2 especially the walking part....

Yes... I am using the ol heel toe express out there so weight right now is not too bad. I am comfortable with driving my truck on the ice in cooks bay but don't see many vehicles on KBay so I'm hesitant (at least near Bear point).

If you want to keep it simple and productive, get a Williams whitefish half n half hammered. and jig it between 1/3 and 2/3 of the way down the water column.
If you're in the right area, there's a good chance of connecting with a Laker.
If you're fishing K-bay.....leave the minnows at home.
Good luck,