Detroit Lakes Fishing Report: Extended Black Friday Edition

Garmin's LiveScope forward facing sonar in action.

Welcome to this week’s Black Friday edition of the Detroit Lakes Fishing Report! 

As I write this, snow is covering the ground.  It’s like a shock to the system for anglers–signaling it’s time to get ice fishing gear in working order!  That means taking stock of what you have and what you need, and want you really want! Many of you want or have forward facing sonar (FFS) transducers—a game-changer that lets you see fish move in real time beneath the ice.  The only drawback is the price.  That is why I want to focus on a few great Black Friday deals and a suggestion that are worth considering

Scheels

1. Save $400 on Garmin LiveScope LVS34-IF* transducer (now $1399). Garmin is notorious for obnoxious model names. The LVS34-"IF" is their ice fishing model. The cord housing all of the wires is has greater flexibility in cold conditions.

   
   

2. Save $800 on Garmin Livescope ice bundles (starting at $2199). 

   
   

3. The best deal of all is the new Lowrance Eagle Eye 9, which includes a 9” HD screen and FFS, on sale for $799.  While you get a slightly smaller viewing area, it is nearly ⅓ of the price of any other unit! 

Cabellas and Bass Pro Shop

1. I own Humminbird's Mega Live imaging sonar (Gen 1), and it has worked wonderfully on the ice. For all of you Humminbird die hards, the Gen 1 Mega Live is currently the most compatible FFS on the market. It works with multiple generations of Helix and Solix units, plus ALL new 'Birds on the market. There is a good chance it is compatible with what you already have. And, it is only $899 at Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops right now. Normal price, no deal, just older tech. My only advice is to continuously assess the cabling. It can come out of the harder plastic nodules--I always just used electrical tape to fix this issue, and it worked well. Honestly, if you treat it well, you shouldn't have much of a problem.

Email me any time if you have any questions about this topic. I'd be happy to help you.  Happy shopping to all of you deal hunters! I predict we will have safe ice by next week...

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Let's Go Ice Fishing!

Nice crappie caught in Baxstar's classic 8' x 16' wooden day house.

Baxstar's ice house rentals and guided trip calendar is online and ready to book! Reservations are starting to come in for our four 17' and 21' Ice Castles, plus our two day house rental units. It's time to get excited! Click "View" on any of the options below to see prices and availability. I hope to see you on the ice this winter!

It pays to read the Detroit Lakes Fishing Report.

OUR FIRST BLACK FRIDAY SALE BEGINS NOW. Use the code SAVE10 to get 10% off any rental or guided ice fishing trip. Sale ends Cyber Monday at 10 pm.