Brandon, seeing guys that have been absolute hammers for nearly 20 years consistently missing cuts the past two years has been really jarring, for me anyways. Hank Cherry, G Man for example. That's a two time Classic winner and two time AOY winner with 20 Classic qualifications. These dudes didn't all of sudden get amnesia and forget how to fish. My main concern is that the younger generation that learned to fish on FFS and not how to properly pattern bass, read water, casting proficiency (skipping docks for example) are being stunted in their fishing growth. Yes I know it takes lots of skill to get the most out of FFS. I agree with lots of your points, and enjoyed hearing you articulate them so well. I look forward to seeing you at Murray this year, I'm planning on coming to the weigh in. Its nice to have a younger voice speak up about placing limits on the tech versus chalking it up to "shut up boomer, the future is now old man."
FFS has opened up a dimension that IS hurting the resource plain and simple. The fish that are being caught are the ones that should be safe to help keep the fisheries healthy and those fish are being exploited. Argue what you will but the facts are what they are. Most people are concerned that the tournament anglers should be banned from using them but it’s the recreational anglers usingFFS that are hurting the fisheries. We MUST take the steps to ensure our natural resources are being maintained at the highest levels possible.
I did not know you had a channel. I subscribed and look forward to your videos. I agree with you, this technology has shortened the learning curve and made tournaments very one dimensional. Best wishes for the season.
Well, I'm glad you found it and are here! I appreciate the comment and I definitely agree that the diversity of styles is dwindling in these tournaments.
I like your perspective on it. I don't mind FFS really, but as a fan I definitely don't want to watch everyone throw the same 3 baits every tournament. Takes a lot of the creativity and diversity out of it, like you said. Also it kind of defeats the purpose of fishing, part of the fun of fishing is figuring out what the fish are doing and underwater x-ray vision that shows every fish swimming under the water kind of takes the mystery and surprise away. Its like if they let guys use robot suits in the NBA or AI goggles in nascar or special bats in the MLB. Other sports limit technology to measure what the competitors are capable of without making it too easy for them. There have to be limits on technology to keep it a competitive sport, they have rules and regulations for a reason and I think they need to crack down on FFS sooner rather than later.
Well said BC! I have ffs and like how much more efficient I can be with limited time on the water, and I have learned a ton about fish behavior and reactions to baits. Right or wrong, good or bad, we have gone from “fishing the lake” to “fishing the fish”.
FFS crosses the line! It’s the live interaction with the fish that’s unprofessional! It’ll continue to dominate. Even during the spawn not all fish spawn at once. On a 4 day derb it will dominate during the spawn! Live will be the same ol sh#t each and every tournament. Diversity in the sport will continue fade and get BORING in the professional ranks. It needs to be banned during the events PERIOD! Pre fishing is one thing, but this is way outa hand!
With FFS, you've taken the skill level out of it. You are 100% correct, everyone is catching fish with FFS, it's boiling down to who is catching bigger bass but everyone is catching their fair share using it. I'm convinced that BASS has to take a stand and maybe have a split schedule maybe every other tournament it's not allowed. That would be eye opening 😮
I appreciate you actually being straight up i wish more of the pros would do this. I love using it and i enjoy fishing without it, but i definitely agree that it's become to dominate
Brandon, I am another fellow Palmetto State angler, and therefore a huge fan of yours. I have listened to so many voices in this FFS debate and read so many comments, but honestly, this video is the most balanced I have seen yet. You are exactly right, this debate is not and should not be a generational debate. I am 50 and have been following competitive fishing for 30+ years, and even though I am not an FFS fan, it is not because I am older. I am not a fan for exactly the same reasons you mentioned, a) it forces tournament anglers to use it or become irrelevant, b) it forces a number of techniques and baits to the sidelines of competitive fishing, and c) it hinders the instinctual element of bass fishing. I have an 11 year old who wants to be the next Brandon Cobb, so we are fishing Jr Bassmaster events in SC. However, we are not using FFS for 2 reasons: 1) we can't afford it, 2) I want my son to learn how to be a versatile angler. And so far, we have had a great season without ever staring at a screen. But I can assure that there are 2nd-8th graders in our division using FFS already. Long story short, - if BASS refuses to limit FFS now, there will be entire generation of anglers who never throw a spinnerbait or a Zoom Uni toads. It is truly concerning as FFS is NOT, "just another tool." Last, 2 quick questions: 1) Of the 100+ elite series anglers, what percentage would share you view of FFS? (And by the way, the half season option your mentioned is creative, but I am in the "use only in practice" camp.) 2) Is there real pressure from FFS manufacturers playing a role in this debate in terms of professional anglers opinions of it?
Thats awesome and I appreciate the support. I don't really have an answer to your questions though... The first one is a good number that I think would agree with me. number 2 I am really not really sure on the pushback question.
Moore's Law states that technology will exponentially grow. Right now FFS shows fish as blobs, in 3-5 years the technology will become more advanced and more affordable. I would assume eventually it will look close to ultra sound, where you could eventually see details on the fish, and if AI and machine learning is added it could assess the scans and even tell you species, size, weight and even probability of strike. People complain about this technology but these advancements were inevitable. Ever since sonar was used in fishing it opened the door for this. I'm sure eventually in the not so distant future you will be able to put glasses on that connect to your sonar on your boat and allow you to have augmented reality (a good example of this is how the F35 pilot can see through the airplane) Technology is made to make everything in our lives easier. FFS is no different, whether you hate it or love it there is one truth, fighting against technological progress is pointless.
The best policy for a pro is to avoid the conversation. At this point it's like taking a public political position. You're guaranteed to alienate half your audience... If you're fishing competitively you use the techniques that can win- not the techniques you want to catch them with. I personally could care less if you're catching them with a frog or catching them scoping, I like the catching
I have mentioned my idea to help please everyone to a few elite guys and I may need to send BASS an email 🤣. But if B.A.S.S. doesn’t want to make no FFS tournaments then allow the fans to choose.. they can have their audience interact easily , post 4 lakes and let us vote on which lake we would like to see a tournament on with no FFS. If they don’t have the funding or investors to provide the typically payouts on other elites tournaments then set a number of anglers they will allow to fish and let the fans vote once again on which anglers they would like to see fish this no FFS tournament. Not only does this help with audience interaction it allows the anglers with a fan base use this as a tool when negotiating sponsor contracts.. if you’re not voted for the tournament then this shows the angler where they can improve. Some anglers don’t care much about building their brand which that is fine but some do and those anglers would have the ability to break out those flipping sticks and give everyone a show.. this could easily be a no entry fee tournament and make it only a few days long and let it pay out whatever their investors are willing to fork out.. 50k-100k. This is just my initial thought and this can easily be changed up to help build BASS, find new companies to sponsor their tournaments, help anglers build their brand etc…
I got it for Christmas a year ago. I thought it would help me learn to fish. It has absolutely helped me catch fish now and then. But I still can’t fish and struggle with even where to start on a lake. I fish Hartwell and am lucky if I catch a single fish with my son. I’d rather know how to read my lakemaster mapping more than I’d like to have ffs. 95% of my fish there come in summer when they’re busting on top. So no electronics needed. If I knew how to actually fish, I could find them without seeing them. Or maybe I should just pick another sport lol.
Go watch some of the other videos on my channel! I've got one where we went fishing on Hartwell this past winter. I also try to be as in depth as possible on all my bait videos on howe to fish them and what to look for! I think you will find that it isn't to crazy just get out there and keep practicing!
To even go a littler further with it, it takes absolutely no skill to go out and guess where the fish are and flip some sort of cover all day. 99% percent of all the thumb warriors against FFS fall in this group. They afraid that the 1 time a year where dumb luck might get them paid is now ruined. There’s no dumb luck in actual sports, just those who work harder and making themselves better everyday.
@@brandoncobbfishing this industry has always embraced technology for the purpose of tournament bass fishing. For 50 years, articles have been written, shows filmed, and seminars given speaking on how to use technology to narrow down the search for these green/brown fish. Now that the technology has gotten to the point of doing exactly what we asked it to, everyone looses their minds. I hear your peers on BASS Live Mix talking how "they didn't want to fish that way" which sound terrible to a fan like me. I heard "I don't want to learn how to win or be competitive anymore." As things change, some people will get ran over because of their unwillingness to do so. It happens in every sport and every business on earth.
The biggest concern I’d have is how to keep the cost down, the technology already exists to outperform the current units, if someone would be willing to pay for it. I could see a unit costing 10’s of thousands of dollars in the near future .
I think it could increase, but everyone was paying thousands of dollars for a flat screen TV ten years ago too. They can't price out the everyday consumer.
@@brandoncobbfishing hey I wish everyone luck but just stating facts he couldn't even win a club tourney b4 ffs, he is doing what he has to but I'm also not dumb Def a product of ffs
Rick Clunn made the perfect comment on ffs. If your great with ffs and traditional fishing, you should be the best fisherman. Everyone has it and only a select few has taken advantage of it. Can't blame the fisherman who are catching the biggest bags.
I think we will start to see it being banned at the state level. I know around me, lakes that use to be good crappie lakes are being decimated by ffs users. Guys are getting their limits almost every time out and they are big crappies too. I know this probably won’t happen to the bass across the country because most people catch and release them. Everyone compares ffs to spot lighting deer but I think it more comparable to using a drone to deer hunt. Which is illegal now in 46 states. I think this will happen with ffs as well.
Is the Alabama rig still banned and this isn't??- Why don't they just let everyone fish with livebait??- The next thing Will be someone using an underwater drone to spot fish and mark the depth and structure they are holding at - Drop a jig down on them and start pulling it away and see if they follow- You can get a decent one for 900 - You could win a tournament with it - People might bitch - but hey its not illegal right??
The guys winning tournaments are not doing anything else. Chasing around fish that you found in the first place on FFS, then throwing 5 baits at them until they react on the FFS screen? This is what we're supposed to accept as todays "fishing"? It's not sporting. It doesn't align with ethical fair chase in any way. It's pretty pathetic that bought and paid for shill pros try to defend it because it's as dispicable as fishing with gill nets or long lines with 50 hooks or whatever else.
@brandoncobbfishing This video shows that you're a stand-up individual. Like you said, until this year, it's been hard to really decide how to feel about this subject. I feel like it's pretty obvious now that this isn't ethical or even really sustainable, and it's refreshing to see a relevant pro with some critical things to say about FFS.
Thank you for speaking up! I believe Livescope is a great tool for practice...that should be its place. It can be used to study fish behavior and how the fish are responding to different baits/presentations in practice, meaning you don't even need to catch as many in practice and can save them for the event itself. You can mark those areas, come back to them in the event, and use the intel gathered in practice to make adjustments and decisions on the fly without it. One tool shouldn't completely dominate the sport and steal away/devalue fish finding ability, versatility, and instinct. Livescope kills the wonder of the sport in competition, but has the potential to be a great learning and preparation tool if limited to practice only.
Great video. I would love to see the Pro's stick to the heritage of the sport. Intuition and using charts. If FFS banned in tournaments I think B.A.S.S. takes a big step foreard. And ain't like Shaded Contour maps / 2D / Downscan / Side Scan banned. That's 500% more intel than grandpa had and he filled stingers.
I dont think it is not being tech savy. I think that my favorites like cobb and swindle is they just dont want to use it. This is the elites right? Why cant we see the best of the best use there knowledge and skills to get them instead of the screen giving you so much of a leg up. Cant watch now. Just google the leaderboard and keep it moving. Still pulling for ya cobb. Keep grinding
Just like it is not a young vs old thing, it is not who uses FFS or not, or even who uses it the best or wins the most tournaments. It is whether it is fair to the fish! No more, no less! People who use FFS are taking advantage others and our shared natural resources. FFS has only one use, self serving gratification. Pro anglers no longer have anything in common with average Joe.
This is the best, clearest, and honest view on FFS I’ve heard anywhere. You state the issue along with solutions to deal with it. Maybe others will get this message out. Thanks.
It’s disgusting to see all these pros back this crap. It’s all a jip. They’re all just saying this because BASS is collecting checks. This whole damn thing was watching and learning from experts. FFS is the opposite of professional.
It used to be a good ol boy sport. That’s why I loved to watch. Now it’s turning into Esports video gaming. The knowledge isn't in the physical sport itself anymore, it’s in the screen between the fisherman and the water. That’s where the knowledge matters now.
I am 100% for FFS sonar and I can get behind an idea like this where it’s used every other tournament. A limit of 2 on your boat wouldn’t be a bad idea either. I say 2 for the guys that don’t use 360…. Thank you for not talking like Randy blowkit Cheers! Good luck the rest of the season.
Excellent job sir. Having seen this I believe you need to share your views with the higher ups in BASS. That's if you already haven't and I think I know your real thoughts on it but you can't say without hurting your sponsorship and some fans. Anyway don't back down my man keep this going because more people like me are depending on you and some others to preserve fishing as we were taught and worked hard to learn. Told you I had your back sometime ago and I meant it. Stay after this and be blessed going forward sir!
Very good points! My concern is both the sport and the conservation. I think fish need to be able to go out in the middle of no man's land and recover from pressure and feed without us bothering them. Also, in the crappie world, I think there's about to be a huge negative impact on fish numbers. I live near 3 incredible world famous crappie lakes and limit after limit is being caught day in and day out by masses of anglers. It will hurt the conservation of the sport in the long run!
I will not watch a FFS tournament. I’m also considering not doing any more Co-Angler tournaments because of it. It’s so boring sitting in the back of a boat in 30ft.
I agree 100% for half the tournaments take all the sonar units off and limit trolling motors to a 80lb thrust no spot lock or GPS. And leave the power poles at home also. Agree 100% put on the limits. And make sure the northern tournaments are with the restrictions.
What's the problem? This is what my boat was till April last spring. I had no problem staying in the top ten. And u could only fish 6 hours per tournament in a 8hr Derby. The last boat out and the first boat in at noon.
When I go to the circus to see a magic show; I want the magician to do multiple tricks not just one same trick. So neither we banned or kept; we can’t just half-ass trying to please everyone, because we’ll end up please no one
I agree 100% with what you are saying. Use FFS in half the tournaments and don’t use it in the others. I think it would make it more interesting for the traditional fisherman to watch. I also think it would even the playing field for all the fisherman.
It takes away what fishing is. It’s like shining a flashlight around and seeing fish in live action. Fishing is supposed to be a game of wit. Using what’s between your ears to figure them out. You shouldn’t be able to see a fishes response to your bait. Maybe bed fishing and I don’t do that either.
When everyone every bass boat has em ,every recreational bass fisherman has it on their boats do u think this is not going to hurt the fisheries even for the PROS
It's not hard to see it's wrecking the smallies, look how far ppl have to go in the lake now to catch 25 never had to go that far soon guys will be running to the Niagara River 180 miles to catch 25 pds, the dmallies are dieing literally by the thousands every yr
So here in Texas i would have to say that it has truly helped our lakes. Since FFS came out more and more 13 pounders have been caught and sent to the SHAREALUNKER program. All those fry go into Texas lakes and the 13+ goes back to the lake where it was caught. Due to this program we have tons of lakes here in Texas that are producing really big fish now. As far as tournament fishing goes, they'll just have to figure out what will keep the fans happy and watching.
If 50 or 60% of the Bass live offshore chasing Bait around as stated by the Texas Fish Commission, why would you not use FFS? That seems kind of silly to me.
Within the context of fishing. LiveScope isn't teaching anything. It gives you the answers. If you're a marine biologist studying fish. Sure, have at it. It's nothing but cope to say otherwise when it comes to the sport of fishing. The standards have been lowered by allowing this tech in competition & in recreation. Change is not always progress. No matter, this tech is here to stay. You can eventually bend the knee and go along with the flock. Or raise your standards & live by your own principles instead of waiting for it to be safe to tell the truth. Or waiting for your favorite old school or new school "Pro" to tell you their opinion before you choose. Not judging people and not choosing a side is the problem. People's minds are rotted with this "BOTH SIDES - TOO EXTREME!" nonsense. The "Don't hurt me I'm middle ground!" statements. In every facet of life. F that. Judge. And judge harshly. You can always apologize later to anyone you actually care about if you're proven wrong.
2 fish on FFS if you’re weighing 5. No swapping, once you put ‘em in the well they gotta get weighed. But tbf, if we’re already trying to figure out how we can restrict it. It should probably just go. It’s like saying oh, a new PED comes out and we have no way of testing for it. 2 years later after everyone and their mother got the stamina of a goat and fukn gorilla arms. We figure out how to test for it.. well you know, these guys shortened their lifespan by 10 years so let’s just keep it in the sport. All the talk trying to figure out how to compromise is a bunch of crap. It should be weekend warrior tech for the guys who don’t have the time and just wanna get some fish in the boat. Sooner or later, this tech could just get banned by the states who’s fisheries are getting crushed and they’re losing tourism money to friggin Iowa or something (not banned, yet maybe). Because they played a deal w the devil for a short term buck, now they got 20 years of conservation ahead of them that lands on the tax payer.
It’s proven, fishermen that use knowledge and skill can’t compete against FFS. Not to mention big brood stock are declining. DNR tournament big bass weight stats on my local lake after FFS increased from 8lbs to 12lbs. Now the stats have gone back down to 8lbs. My conclusion is most of the 10,11,12lb bass are gone because of FFS.
Meeting in the middle is a good start but that still leaves the products sportsmanship con's visible and active? Let's drop this issue into the lap of who owns it. It's pretty apparent that the fishing industry is head strong into digitally enhancing this sport for the almighty buck it will return. It's impossible to believe they didn't see the ethical and sportsmanship issues with this product? So before anyone starts calling each other's opinion "wrong", think about who started the argument? Neither of you. The Pro Sport Fishing circuit is doing itself a large injustice allowing FFS in competition. It's no longer a competition of know how and skill with FFS. It's a competition of who can afford the best Artificial Intelligence. If you're going to do that just put robots on the boats? Because FFS removes the human element and makes you a "Catcherman", not a "Fisherman". Hank Parker hit this topic with the right view. They don't allow technologically advanced golf balls or baseballs that can go 30 to 35% farther in those sports. It would ruin the base line of the sport's history. Fishing is an art of human skill, knowledge, & sportsmanship. Always has been and always will be if you want the title of "Fisherman". And to maintain any continuity or respect for past established sport fishing records, you can't introduce technology that voids the established records of human excellence and still call it the same sporting name. We enjoy a sport that notes and records equal advantage sportsmanship. Let's protect that ethical stand? This technology is taking away the last advantage fish had and we didn't. So if you want to be a "Catcherman" you need FFS.
FFS,, is the same as spotlighting deer. Rude down the road, shine the light, and shoot at the deer. Same thing. All other sonar types, is like spot and stalk. Ride fown the road, see a buck across a prarie, park, get the wind right, and make your stalk. He may have ran off, but you won't know till you make the stalk. That what side imaging is. One way of hunting is legal, one is not. FFS is not fair chase. Back in the 80s, Alabama allowed spotlighting, as long as there was no gun. You could scout an area at night. If tournaments, only allow FFS during practice, it would be fine.
I enjoy different baits, different techniques. Using patterns and past knowledge to fish. At the end of the day, i want to say " i figured them out today". Its me against the lake and the bass. Not how good i am with a sonar. I think your on the right track with FFS. Something has to change. Or 5 years from now, a jig won't be made anymore. No more spinnerbait. No more Carolina rigging. That's what I love. Some of these "pros" can't even flip a dock, or punch a mat. I hate it.
Technology is a wonderful thing . Medical , airplanes , drones, going to mars,war machines,vehicles, etc . But all sports have rules you have to go by. This doesn’t, seem so in pro bass . Who wants to watch a pro using. Computers to catch fish. What happened to skill , where did Going by normal fishing go. The pro bass boat with six computers looks like cheating. I feel very sad for the bass. The bait companies will loose a lot of money. Pro bass and cabalas. Will loose big time. I do not watch pro bass as I did . I could kill many large deer ,if I could hunt after dark. But states have rules that do not allow this. I think pro bass people should install new rules . Examples. Two computers. No forward looking system.only than would the bass be treated with respect. Experience, skill would dominate. As it was a few years back. You have an out of control system that needs attention asap.Good luck!
I witnessed the past 2 days at a local lake,that the crappie don't even have a chance to get to the spawning flats,8 boats in the mouth of the creek,all with live scope catching them as fast as they can,the crappie population is gone
With FFS in play, unless its a video on how to use FFS. There's coming a day to where everything our dads taught us, the variety of baits we have confidence in or anything we've learned from any instructional video on UA-cam will be completely irrelevant. FFS, Spinning rods, swimbaits and neck braces is all that us older guys will need if we plan on staying competitive.
One thing you said is true with out FFS some guys are going to find and catch them. And to me that’s the sport I grew up competing in. I actually think with FFS guys are going to be winning and never really understand what Bass Fishing is. I’m getting beat on small weekend tournaments from guys 2 years ago couldn’t bring 5 fish to weigh in! I’ve got one on the boat now but I feel like I’m cheating when I use it!
I think the biggest problem with FFS is right now we don’t see a stopping point. The companies aren’t gonna stop making more advancement cause they’re making money. TAA can make a solid run with what they just did a no FFS tournament. But I feel like FFS is gonna end up ruining the sport. Ive ended up using it and it's pretty cool to see fish behavior but i cant sit over there and just stare at it constantly.
The effects of FFS are being minimized by pro anglers daily and every night on some pod cast by someone whos best interests are that it stays just how it is. Its effects are being normalized every day and this is the danger of it. It makes bass fishing hands down easier for everyone that uses it. It cannot be compared to other previous technologies or called just another "tool" When you are watching in real time how fish react to every presentation that is the problem and its the most least talked about problem. From Florida to Canada itll dominate just about every single event and when 30+ year tour level veterans are getting beat like a drum by a 19 yr old that ONLY fishes with FFS that is bad for the sport. It absolutely needs to be limited to practice only. Bottom line is after 7 days of using it you can put a damiki rigged minnow in the face of any mark on the screen. How is that ok?
The money will not allow FFS to go away completely, but I love your suggestion of a split season. IMO, this would make the competion and competitors more rounded.
I am not sure, the companies that make FFS wouldn't see a drop in sales if they banned it I don't think because the technology is incredible. I don't think that consumers will stop buying it just because its banned or limited at the professional level.
I doubt the state is gonna do anything about it. Then take guns away and just use bows. It's too effective in killing animals. The argument is moot, people are just butt hurt some people are more effective at using technology.
It's killing your good ol boy tournaments😢 some can't afford this which is gonna kill those Tuesday and Wednesday evening dogfights. Soon nobody is going to show up and it will eventually kill the sport.
Catching deep fish is nearly a death wish for bass,I watched last week a foreign pro,used a needle on most of his fish,throwing a tailless minnow,which does nothing but show up on the screen,really not actual fishing.
Real simple. Ban it in tournament fishing! You guys that rely upon this sport for your living are canabalizing yourselves. No one wants to watch video game competitions.
Best take so far..but..if the sport is a sport for the fans..then allow practice with it and none during the tournament...There is a reason NFL teams have been busted for filming competitors practices...
Fact , I have watched bass fishing for over 50 years and do not watch it at all now . Pros can defend and justify it all they want . That doesn't change what I do and think . If i don't watch tournaments on tv I don't see the other sponsors in the sport . They are the ones suffering . Don't put the cart before the horse .
I think the majority of the people, spectators, rather see them, not use it at all during tournaments. Use them during practice go fishing, the best fisherman computer graphic guy.
Just because you have one does not mean you’re going to catch more fish. It’s not as easy as it looks. One thing for sure it’s become boring to watch the sport.
Everybody needs to quit the jibber jabber and get rid of it once and for all obviously a point of contention, it needs to go let’s get back to traditional fishing
Very good take on this deal Man. I agree with you 100%. I don’t use it and honestly at the level I fish tournaments can’t justify spending that money on the equipment needed for it. Not to say I won’t ever have it. But right now…. I can’t justify it. But I’m not a pro trying to make a living off tournament fishing. Great ideas. Good luck to you the rest of the season!👊🏼
I don't blame the pros, or even the new guys. They are doing what they have to do to be competitive. But as an angler and a fan, that is not fishing, it is like watching someone play a video game, watching someone stare at a screen for endless hours is not entertaining. I heard some guys complaining because their neck gets sore/stiff from staring down at a screen all day. I guarantee you some of these new guys would struggle to catch a single fish without FFS.
The sport of fishing is Angler vs Fish...when you replace the word Angler with Technology vs Fish, it's no longer fishing. It's exactly what it is....Scoping...Tournament results pretty much give the proof on what FFS truly is...If it wasn't a huge money maker, it would be banned.....2 groups support FFS.. very young anglers that can't comprehend what the sport really is & anglers with little skills/talent to catch fish....Pros MUST use it or they'll go broke
Heck, Brandon if you’re going to get rid of FFS why not just get rid of all your technology that has advanced over the last 20 years heck why don’t y’all just fish from the dang bank I’d like to see all the Elite series fishing Lake Fork from a dock or the bank. That would be very interesting to watch.
The thing I see more than anything is the negativity that’s come along with the two differing viewpoints. Some pro’s even feed the negativity so they can profit from it. On posts or videos from several UA-cam personalities/ Elite Series Pro’s, the comments are full of insults and personal attacks. On some social media platforms those same pro’s even join in with the personal attacks and name calling to drive up the controversy clicks and comments. It’s sad that’s what is being done to make more money and puts an even darker cloud over professional fishing beyond just the issue of FFS.
Ffs is not fishing. When you’re not looking at the water to catch fish that’s not fishing. It’s literally become a game of ffs you have to figure out the new game. This is why older anglers are struggling they are not tech savvy. It will destroy the sport of fishing. These pros gets biased because of sponsorship or they are good with it. But fishing was about the unknown and the mystery and that’s been taken away. This is all coming from a guy who Owns one.
Yeah, I would have to agree, I don't know if the tech savvy thing is really the issue, I think it is more, that they just don't want to let go of the years devoted to learning fish and how to catch them.
It’s not your idea of fishing. But that doesn’t mean it’s not someone else’s . Most pros have been using electronics for a long time. I doubt they are not tech savvy . They just spent their entire life honing their skills without out it. So it’s hard to abandon what they have felt confident with all these years.
Hey Brandon, just subbed. Personally I would like to see FFS banned from the tournaments. As a spectator, watching a guy standing with rod in hand and not making a cast till he sees a fish is kinda boring. Hunting and tracking fish in real time just takes away from the true meaning of fishing to me. Technology is great but I think it needs to be limited not only in tournaments but in general to protect the fish. Keep up the good work. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.
The old anglers like me 56 year old better get good real quick or will get replaced by the next 9 coming up from the opens,just my opinion. Good luck 864 hammer.
Why do some still think its the be all end all? Ive had it since 2021, it is a tool. Early in the year its a valuable tool, later on not so much. And sorry, pros get things early before some, and now theres a level playing field, go fish you are a pro, go fish and stop making up excuses. And the window into the ffs on live gives a great understanding of whats happening opposed to you trying to tell me what youre doing.
the entire premise of the video is that it always works and it's only going to get better. I can understand the live with it could be entertaining though.
Brandon, seeing guys that have been absolute hammers for nearly 20 years consistently missing cuts the past two years has been really jarring, for me anyways. Hank Cherry, G Man for example. That's a two time Classic winner and two time AOY winner with 20 Classic qualifications. These dudes didn't all of sudden get amnesia and forget how to fish. My main concern is that the younger generation that learned to fish on FFS and not how to properly pattern bass, read water, casting proficiency (skipping docks for example) are being stunted in their fishing growth. Yes I know it takes lots of skill to get the most out of FFS. I agree with lots of your points, and enjoyed hearing you articulate them so well. I look forward to seeing you at Murray this year, I'm planning on coming to the weigh in. Its nice to have a younger voice speak up about placing limits on the tech versus chalking it up to "shut up boomer, the future is now old man."
FFS has opened up a dimension that IS hurting the resource plain and simple. The fish that are being caught are the ones that should be safe to help keep the fisheries healthy and those fish are being exploited. Argue what you will but the facts are what they are. Most people are concerned that the tournament anglers should be banned from using them but it’s the recreational anglers usingFFS that are hurting the fisheries. We MUST take the steps to ensure our natural resources are being maintained at the highest levels possible.
I am not a biologist, so I don't know, but your logic makes sense to me.
I did not know you had a channel. I subscribed and look forward to your videos. I agree with you, this technology has shortened the learning curve and made tournaments very one dimensional. Best wishes for the season.
Well, I'm glad you found it and are here! I appreciate the comment and I definitely agree that the diversity of styles is dwindling in these tournaments.
I like your perspective on it. I don't mind FFS really, but as a fan I definitely don't want to watch everyone throw the same 3 baits every tournament. Takes a lot of the creativity and diversity out of it, like you said. Also it kind of defeats the purpose of fishing, part of the fun of fishing is figuring out what the fish are doing and underwater x-ray vision that shows every fish swimming under the water kind of takes the mystery and surprise away. Its like if they let guys use robot suits in the NBA or AI goggles in nascar or special bats in the MLB. Other sports limit technology to measure what the competitors are capable of without making it too easy for them. There have to be limits on technology to keep it a competitive sport, they have rules and regulations for a reason and I think they need to crack down on FFS sooner rather than later.
Yeah, I don't want to throw the same three baits for the rest of my career lol!
Well said BC! I have ffs and like how much more efficient I can be with limited time on the water, and I have learned a ton about fish behavior and reactions to baits. Right or wrong, good or bad, we have gone from “fishing the lake” to “fishing the fish”.
FFS crosses the line! It’s the live interaction with the fish that’s unprofessional! It’ll continue to dominate. Even during the spawn not all fish spawn at once. On a 4 day derb it will dominate during the spawn! Live will be the same ol sh#t each and every tournament. Diversity in the sport will continue fade and get BORING in the professional ranks. It needs to be banned during the events PERIOD! Pre fishing is one thing, but this is way outa hand!
This is a possibility for sure.
With FFS, you've taken the skill level out of it. You are 100% correct, everyone is catching fish with FFS, it's boiling down to who is catching bigger bass but everyone is catching their fair share using it. I'm convinced that BASS has to take a stand and maybe have a split schedule maybe every other tournament it's not allowed. That would be eye opening 😮
I appreciate you actually being straight up i wish more of the pros would do this. I love using it and i enjoy fishing without it, but i definitely agree that it's become to dominate
Brandon, I am another fellow Palmetto State angler, and therefore a huge fan of yours. I have listened to so many voices in this FFS debate and read so many comments, but honestly, this video is the most balanced I have seen yet. You are exactly right, this debate is not and should not be a generational debate. I am 50 and have been following competitive fishing for 30+ years, and even though I am not an FFS fan, it is not because I am older. I am not a fan for exactly the same reasons you mentioned, a) it forces tournament anglers to use it or become irrelevant, b) it forces a number of techniques and baits to the sidelines of competitive fishing, and c) it hinders the instinctual element of bass fishing.
I have an 11 year old who wants to be the next Brandon Cobb, so we are fishing Jr Bassmaster events in SC. However, we are not using FFS for 2 reasons: 1) we can't afford it, 2) I want my son to learn how to be a versatile angler. And so far, we have had a great season without ever staring at a screen. But I can assure that there are 2nd-8th graders in our division using FFS already. Long story short, - if BASS refuses to limit FFS now, there will be entire generation of anglers who never throw a spinnerbait or a Zoom Uni toads. It is truly concerning as FFS is NOT, "just another tool."
Last, 2 quick questions:
1) Of the 100+ elite series anglers, what percentage would share you view of FFS? (And by the way, the half season option your mentioned is creative, but I am in the "use only in practice" camp.)
2) Is there real pressure from FFS manufacturers playing a role in this debate in terms of professional anglers opinions of it?
Thats awesome and I appreciate the support.
I don't really have an answer to your questions though... The first one is a good number that I think would agree with me.
number 2 I am really not really sure on the pushback question.
Moore's Law states that technology will exponentially grow. Right now FFS shows fish as blobs, in 3-5 years the technology will become more advanced and more affordable. I would assume eventually it will look close to ultra sound, where you could eventually see details on the fish, and if AI and machine learning is added it could assess the scans and even tell you species, size, weight and even probability of strike.
People complain about this technology but these advancements were inevitable. Ever since sonar was used in fishing it opened the door for this. I'm sure eventually in the not so distant future you will be able to put glasses on that connect to your sonar on your boat and allow you to have augmented reality (a good example of this is how the F35 pilot can see through the airplane)
Technology is made to make everything in our lives easier. FFS is no different, whether you hate it or love it there is one truth, fighting against technological progress is pointless.
Very good points and pretty much the way I see it. I wish it was regulated a bit more and fish 50% tournaments with it and 50% without it.
I think it is okay on practice days but not on tournament days.
The best policy for a pro is to avoid the conversation. At this point it's like taking a public political position. You're guaranteed to alienate half your audience... If you're fishing competitively you use the techniques that can win- not the techniques you want to catch them with. I personally could care less if you're catching them with a frog or catching them scoping, I like the catching
I have mentioned my idea to help please everyone to a few elite guys and I may need to send BASS an email 🤣. But if B.A.S.S. doesn’t want to make no FFS tournaments then allow the fans to choose.. they can have their audience interact easily , post 4 lakes and let us vote on which lake we would like to see a tournament on with no FFS. If they don’t have the funding or investors to provide the typically payouts on other elites tournaments then set a number of anglers they will allow to fish and let the fans vote once again on which anglers they would like to see fish this no FFS tournament. Not only does this help with audience interaction it allows the anglers with a fan base use this as a tool when negotiating sponsor contracts.. if you’re not voted for the tournament then this shows the angler where they can improve. Some anglers don’t care much about building their brand which that is fine but some do and those anglers would have the ability to break out those flipping sticks and give everyone a show.. this could easily be a no entry fee tournament and make it only a few days long and let it pay out whatever their investors are willing to fork out.. 50k-100k. This is just my initial thought and this can easily be changed up to help build BASS, find new companies to sponsor their tournaments, help anglers build their brand etc…
That is an interesting idea.
Funny thing, many State records came before the fancy electronics . You can keep the fancy crap.
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I got it for Christmas a year ago. I thought it would help me learn to fish. It has absolutely helped me catch fish now and then. But I still can’t fish and struggle with even where to start on a lake. I fish Hartwell and am lucky if I catch a single fish with my son. I’d rather know how to read my lakemaster mapping more than I’d like to have ffs. 95% of my fish there come in summer when they’re busting on top. So no electronics needed. If I knew how to actually fish, I could find them without seeing them. Or maybe I should just pick another sport lol.
Go watch some of the other videos on my channel! I've got one where we went fishing on Hartwell this past winter.
I also try to be as in depth as possible on all my bait videos on howe to fish them and what to look for! I think you will find that it isn't to crazy just get out there and keep practicing!
To even go a littler further with it, it takes absolutely no skill to go out and guess where the fish are and flip some sort of cover all day. 99% percent of all the thumb warriors against FFS fall in this group. They afraid that the 1 time a year where dumb luck might get them paid is now ruined. There’s no dumb luck in actual sports, just those who work harder and making themselves better everyday.
I disagree but your entitled to your opinion.
@@brandoncobbfishing this industry has always embraced technology for the purpose of tournament bass fishing. For 50 years, articles have been written, shows filmed, and seminars given speaking on how to use technology to narrow down the search for these green/brown fish. Now that the technology has gotten to the point of doing exactly what we asked it to, everyone looses their minds. I hear your peers on BASS Live Mix talking how "they didn't want to fish that way" which sound terrible to a fan like me. I heard "I don't want to learn how to win or be competitive anymore." As things change, some people will get ran over because of their unwillingness to do so. It happens in every sport and every business on earth.
The biggest concern I’d have is how to keep the cost down, the technology already exists to outperform the current units, if someone would be willing to pay for it. I could see a unit costing 10’s of thousands of dollars in the near future .
I think it could increase, but everyone was paying thousands of dollars for a flat screen TV ten years ago too.
They can't price out the everyday consumer.
Them rookies are dog crap kyle patrick couldnt catch a fish or win a club toirney in ny before ffs now hes a pro lol
I won't talk down on anyone's success. If they make it to the pros, they worked hard and made it for a reason.
@@brandoncobbfishing hey I wish everyone luck but just stating facts he couldn't even win a club tourney b4 ffs, he is doing what he has to but I'm also not dumb Def a product of ffs
Personally I think it's bad for the fisheries and the sport.
Rick Clunn made the perfect comment on ffs. If your great with ffs and traditional fishing, you should be the best fisherman. Everyone has it and only a select few has taken advantage of it. Can't blame the fisherman who are catching the biggest bags.
I don't disagree! They are doing great and deserve to be at the top. I don't blame anyone for using it and being the best with it.
I think we will start to see it being banned at the state level. I know around me, lakes that use to be good crappie lakes are being decimated by ffs users. Guys are getting their limits almost every time out and they are big crappies too. I know this probably won’t happen to the bass across the country because most people catch and release them. Everyone compares ffs to spot lighting deer but I think it more comparable to using a drone to deer hunt. Which is illegal now in 46 states. I think this will happen with ffs as well.
I've used this analogy as well. I think it might take some time on the state stuff but I think it's a possibility.
Bass banned the Alabama rig because it was unethical. Watching fish in real time reacting to your lure is that unethical????
Yeah, it's a good question!
That’s been my argument all along.
It’s a money thing
Is the Alabama rig still banned and this isn't??- Why don't they just let everyone fish with livebait??- The next thing
Will be someone using an underwater drone to spot fish and mark the depth and structure they are holding at - Drop
a jig down on them and start pulling it away and see if they follow- You can get a decent one for 900 - You could win a tournament with it - People might bitch - but hey its not illegal right??
The guys winning tournaments are not doing anything else. Chasing around fish that you found in the first place on FFS, then throwing 5 baits at them until they react on the FFS screen? This is what we're supposed to accept as todays "fishing"? It's not sporting. It doesn't align with ethical fair chase in any way. It's pretty pathetic that bought and paid for shill pros try to defend it because it's as dispicable as fishing with gill nets or long lines with 50 hooks or whatever else.
I like the fair chase analogy!
@brandoncobbfishing This video shows that you're a stand-up individual. Like you said, until this year, it's been hard to really decide how to feel about this subject. I feel like it's pretty obvious now that this isn't ethical or even really sustainable, and it's refreshing to see a relevant pro with some critical things to say about FFS.
Not fair chase
I agree
Thank you for speaking up! I believe Livescope is a great tool for practice...that should be its place. It can be used to study fish behavior and how the fish are responding to different baits/presentations in practice, meaning you don't even need to catch as many in practice and can save them for the event itself. You can mark those areas, come back to them in the event, and use the intel gathered in practice to make adjustments and decisions on the fly without it. One tool shouldn't completely dominate the sport and steal away/devalue fish finding ability, versatility, and instinct. Livescope kills the wonder of the sport in competition, but has the potential to be a great learning and preparation tool if limited to practice only.
I agree! thanks for watching!
Great video. I would love to see the Pro's stick to the heritage of the sport. Intuition and using charts. If FFS banned in tournaments I think B.A.S.S. takes a big step foreard. And ain't like Shaded Contour maps / 2D / Downscan / Side Scan banned. That's 500% more intel than grandpa had and he filled stingers.
It is way more than back in the day.
I dont think it is not being tech savy. I think that my favorites like cobb and swindle is they just dont want to use it. This is the elites right? Why cant we see the best of the best use there knowledge and skills to get them instead of the screen giving you so much of a leg up. Cant watch now. Just google the leaderboard and keep it moving. Still pulling for ya cobb. Keep grinding
Thank you, man, I appreciate it.
Just like it is not a young vs old thing, it is not who uses FFS or not, or even who uses it the best or wins the most tournaments. It is whether it is fair to the fish! No more, no less! People who use FFS are taking advantage others and our shared natural resources. FFS has only one use, self serving gratification.
Pro anglers no longer have anything in common with average Joe.
This is the best, clearest, and honest view on FFS I’ve heard anywhere. You state the issue along with solutions to deal with it. Maybe others will get this message out. Thanks.
I appreciate that!
It’s disgusting to see all these pros back this crap. It’s all a jip. They’re all just saying this because BASS is collecting checks. This whole damn thing was watching and learning from experts. FFS is the opposite of professional.
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It used to be a good ol boy sport. That’s why I loved to watch. Now it’s turning into Esports video gaming. The knowledge isn't in the physical sport itself anymore, it’s in the screen between the fisherman and the water. That’s where the knowledge matters now.
Very level headed viewpoint. Thanks for your honesty. Good luck at Grand!!!
Thanks for watching!
I am 100% for FFS sonar and I can get behind an idea like this where it’s used every other tournament. A limit of 2 on your boat wouldn’t be a bad idea either. I say 2 for the guys that don’t use 360…. Thank you for not talking like Randy blowkit Cheers! Good luck the rest of the season.
There needs to be some limitations for sure.
Shitcan it!
Excellent job sir. Having seen this I believe you need to share your views with the higher ups in BASS. That's if you already haven't and I think I know your real thoughts on it but you can't say without hurting your sponsorship and some fans. Anyway don't back down my man keep this going because more people like me are depending on you and some others to preserve fishing as we were taught and worked hard to learn. Told you I had your back sometime ago and I meant it. Stay after this and be blessed going forward sir!
Yes sir! Thanks so much!
Very good points! My concern is both the sport and the conservation. I think fish need to be able to go out in the middle of no man's land and recover from pressure and feed without us bothering them. Also, in the crappie world, I think there's about to be a huge negative impact on fish numbers. I live near 3 incredible world famous crappie lakes and limit after limit is being caught day in and day out by masses of anglers. It will hurt the conservation of the sport in the long run!
I will not watch a FFS tournament. I’m also considering not doing any more Co-Angler tournaments because of it. It’s so boring sitting in the back of a boat in 30ft.
Yeah, that can't be fun.
Yea don't do co hurt their pocket books
I agree 100% for half the tournaments take all the sonar units off and limit trolling motors to a 80lb thrust no spot lock or GPS. And leave the power poles at home also. Agree 100% put on the limits. And make sure the northern tournaments are with the restrictions.
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Really ? Why don’t you just make them fish off the bank ? Get real man !
What's the problem? This is what my boat was till April last spring. I had no problem staying in the top ten. And u could only fish 6 hours per tournament in a 8hr Derby. The last boat out and the first boat in at noon.
It's no different than spot lighting dear. Arig was ban because it was to easy to catch them this is no different. It needs to be ban
Yeah, that's a good comparison.
When I go to the circus to see a magic show; I want the magician to do multiple tricks not just one same trick. So neither we banned or kept; we can’t just half-ass trying to please everyone, because we’ll end up please no one
You hit in on the head! It definitely takes the different styles out of fishing. I love watching guy’s work with different tactics.
I appreciate that!
I agree 100% with what you are saying. Use FFS in half the tournaments and don’t use it in the others. I think it would make it more interesting for the traditional fisherman to watch. I also think it would even the playing field for all the fisherman.
I think it's the best of both worlds option for sure!
It takes away what fishing is. It’s like shining a flashlight around and seeing fish in live action. Fishing is supposed to be a game of wit. Using what’s between your ears to figure them out. You shouldn’t be able to see a fishes response to your bait. Maybe bed fishing and I don’t do that either.
I love sight fishing so I can't say much there.
When everyone every bass boat has em ,every recreational bass fisherman has it on their boats do u think this is not going to hurt the fisheries even for the PROS
I do think that it could potentially harm fisheries in the next couple of years. but I'm not a biologist so I guess we will just have to wait and see.
It's not hard to see it's wrecking the smallies, look how far ppl have to go in the lake now to catch 25 never had to go that far soon guys will be running to the Niagara River 180 miles to catch 25 pds, the dmallies are dieing literally by the thousands every yr
@@brandoncobbfishing thanks
So here in Texas i would have to say that it has truly helped our lakes. Since FFS came out more and more 13 pounders have been caught and sent to the SHAREALUNKER program. All those fry go into Texas lakes and the 13+ goes back to the lake where it was caught. Due to this program we have tons of lakes here in Texas that are producing really big fish now. As far as tournament fishing goes, they'll just have to figure out what will keep the fans happy and watching.
I can see that being the case with a program like this set up. I guess we will find out in a few years.
If 50 or 60% of the Bass live offshore chasing Bait around as stated by the Texas Fish Commission, why would you not use FFS? That seems kind of silly to me.
Within the context of fishing. LiveScope isn't teaching anything. It gives you the answers. If you're a marine biologist studying fish. Sure, have at it. It's nothing but cope to say otherwise when it comes to the sport of fishing. The standards have been lowered by allowing this tech in competition & in recreation. Change is not always progress. No matter, this tech is here to stay. You can eventually bend the knee and go along with the flock. Or raise your standards & live by your own principles instead of waiting for it to be safe to tell the truth. Or waiting for your favorite old school or new school "Pro" to tell you their opinion before you choose. Not judging people and not choosing a side is the problem. People's minds are rotted with this "BOTH SIDES - TOO EXTREME!" nonsense. The "Don't hurt me I'm middle ground!" statements. In every facet of life. F that. Judge. And judge harshly. You can always apologize later to anyone you actually care about if you're proven wrong.
2 fish on FFS if you’re weighing 5. No swapping, once you put ‘em in the well they gotta get weighed.
But tbf, if we’re already trying to figure out how we can restrict it. It should probably just go. It’s like saying oh, a new PED comes out and we have no way of testing for it. 2 years later after everyone and their mother got the stamina of a goat and fukn gorilla arms. We figure out how to test for it.. well you know, these guys shortened their lifespan by 10 years so let’s just keep it in the sport.
All the talk trying to figure out how to compromise is a bunch of crap. It should be weekend warrior tech for the guys who don’t have the time and just wanna get some fish in the boat. Sooner or later, this tech could just get banned by the states who’s fisheries are getting crushed and they’re losing tourism money to friggin Iowa or something (not banned, yet maybe). Because they played a deal w the devil for a short term buck, now they got 20 years of conservation ahead of them that lands on the tax payer.
It’s proven, fishermen that use knowledge and skill can’t compete against FFS. Not to mention big brood stock are declining. DNR tournament big bass weight stats on my local lake after FFS increased from 8lbs to 12lbs. Now the stats have gone back down to 8lbs. My conclusion is most of the 10,11,12lb bass are gone because of FFS.
Meeting in the middle is a good start but that still leaves the products sportsmanship con's visible and active?
Let's drop this issue into the lap of who owns it. It's pretty apparent that the fishing industry is head strong into digitally enhancing this sport for the almighty buck it will return. It's impossible to believe they didn't see the ethical and sportsmanship issues with this product? So before anyone starts calling each other's opinion "wrong", think about who started the argument? Neither of you.
The Pro Sport Fishing circuit is doing itself a large injustice allowing FFS in competition. It's no longer a competition of know how and skill with FFS. It's a competition of who can afford the best Artificial Intelligence. If you're going to do that just put robots on the boats? Because FFS removes the human element and makes you a "Catcherman", not a "Fisherman".
Hank Parker hit this topic with the right view. They don't allow technologically advanced golf balls or baseballs that can go 30 to 35% farther in those sports. It would ruin the base line of the sport's history.
Fishing is an art of human skill, knowledge, & sportsmanship. Always has been and always will be if you want the title of "Fisherman". And to maintain any continuity or respect for past established sport fishing records, you can't introduce technology that voids the established records of human excellence and still call it the same sporting name. We enjoy a sport that notes and records equal advantage sportsmanship. Let's protect that ethical stand?
This technology is taking away the last advantage fish had and we didn't. So if you want to be a "Catcherman" you need FFS.
FFS,, is the same as spotlighting deer. Rude down the road, shine the light, and shoot at the deer. Same thing. All other sonar types, is like spot and stalk. Ride fown the road, see a buck across a prarie, park, get the wind right, and make your stalk. He may have ran off, but you won't know till you make the stalk. That what side imaging is. One way of hunting is legal, one is not. FFS is not fair chase.
Back in the 80s, Alabama allowed spotlighting, as long as there was no gun. You could scout an area at night. If tournaments, only allow FFS during practice, it would be fine.
I enjoy different baits, different techniques. Using patterns and past knowledge to fish. At the end of the day, i want to say " i figured them out today". Its me against the lake and the bass. Not how good i am with a sonar. I think your on the right track with FFS. Something has to change. Or 5 years from now, a jig won't be made anymore. No more spinnerbait. No more Carolina rigging. That's what I love. Some of these "pros" can't even flip a dock, or punch a mat. I hate it.
Technology is a wonderful thing . Medical , airplanes , drones, going to mars,war machines,vehicles, etc . But all sports have rules you have to go by. This doesn’t, seem so in pro bass . Who wants to watch a pro using. Computers to catch fish. What happened to skill , where did Going by normal fishing go. The pro bass boat with six computers looks like cheating. I feel very sad for the bass. The bait companies will loose a lot of money. Pro bass and cabalas. Will loose big time. I do not watch pro bass as I did . I could kill many large deer ,if I could hunt after dark. But states have rules that do not allow this. I think pro bass people should install new rules . Examples. Two computers. No forward looking system.only than would the bass be treated with respect. Experience, skill would dominate. As it was a few years back. You have an out of control system that needs attention asap.Good luck!
I witnessed the past 2 days at a local lake,that the crappie don't even have a chance to get to the spawning flats,8 boats in the mouth of the creek,all with live scope catching them as fast as they can,the crappie population is gone
I can see it putting a dent in them
@@brandoncobbfishing every creek mouth had boats stacked
@brandoncobbfishing I only fish from the bank and have no clue how to use FFS or live scope . But I think your idea is much better than a ban.
With FFS in play, unless its a video on how to use FFS. There's coming a day to where everything our dads taught us, the variety of baits we have confidence in or anything we've learned from any instructional video on UA-cam will be completely irrelevant. FFS, Spinning rods, swimbaits and neck braces is all that us older guys will need if we plan on staying competitive.
One thing you said is true with out FFS some guys are going to find and catch them. And to me that’s the sport I grew up competing in. I actually think with FFS guys are going to be winning and never really understand what Bass Fishing is. I’m getting beat on small weekend tournaments from guys 2 years ago couldn’t bring 5 fish to weigh in! I’ve got one on the boat now but I feel like I’m cheating when I use it!
One of the best videos I've seen on FFS. Thank you for being a true fisherman and great advice. Good luck and God bless. LEGEND!!!
I think the biggest problem with FFS is right now we don’t see a stopping point. The companies aren’t gonna stop making more advancement cause they’re making money. TAA can make a solid run with what they just did a no FFS tournament. But I feel like FFS is gonna end up ruining the sport. Ive ended up using it and it's pretty cool to see fish behavior but i cant sit over there and just stare at it constantly.
The effects of FFS are being minimized by pro anglers daily and every night on some pod cast by someone whos best interests are that it stays just how it is. Its effects are being normalized every day and this is the danger of it. It makes bass fishing hands down easier for everyone that uses it. It cannot be compared to other previous technologies or called just another "tool" When you are watching in real time how fish react to every presentation that is the problem and its the most least talked about problem. From Florida to Canada itll dominate just about every single event and when 30+ year tour level veterans are getting beat like a drum by a 19 yr old that ONLY fishes with FFS that is bad for the sport. It absolutely needs to be limited to practice only. Bottom line is after 7 days of using it you can put a damiki rigged minnow in the face of any mark on the screen. How is that ok?
The money will not allow FFS to go away completely, but I love your suggestion of a split season. IMO, this would make the competion and competitors more rounded.
I am not sure, the companies that make FFS wouldn't see a drop in sales if they banned it I don't think because the technology is incredible. I don't think that consumers will stop buying it just because its banned or limited at the professional level.
The money won't let it go away but the states will make it go away
I doubt the state is gonna do anything about it. Then take guns away and just use bows. It's too effective in killing animals. The argument is moot, people are just butt hurt some people are more effective at using technology.
It's killing your good ol boy tournaments😢 some can't afford this which is gonna kill those Tuesday and Wednesday evening dogfights. Soon nobody is going to show up and it will eventually kill the sport.
Catching deep fish is nearly a death wish for bass,I watched last week a foreign pro,used a needle on most of his fish,throwing a tailless minnow,which does nothing but show up on the screen,really not actual fishing.
Real simple. Ban it in tournament fishing! You guys that rely upon this sport for your living are canabalizing yourselves. No one wants to watch video game competitions.
Best take so far..but..if the sport is a sport for the fans..then allow practice with it and none during the tournament...There is a reason NFL teams have been busted for filming competitors practices...
Love your show and I’m a fan of yours but I think you know my opinion more than likely so I’m only going to say I do not like it
I can always count on you being in here and I really appreciate it!
@@brandoncobbfishing thanks Brandon
Instinctual fishing?.....that's out the window via 2024
Thanks for watching!
You may make top 10 with ffs but there plenty making bottom 50 with ffs...si is it really the ffs OR the skills of the angler?
I'm new to fishing and I thought it would be fun to start to watch pro fishing. Yawn... I only lasted about 10 minutes.
Fact , I have watched bass fishing for over 50 years and do not watch it at all now . Pros can defend and justify it all they want . That doesn't change what I do and think . If i don't watch tournaments on tv I don't see the other sponsors in the sport . They are the ones suffering . Don't put the cart before the horse .
I think the majority of the people, spectators, rather see them, not use it at all during tournaments. Use them during practice go fishing, the best fisherman computer graphic guy.
It’s funny that no one talked about “bed fishing “…… people yank out a bass protecting the eggs. Then the bass protecting the fry.
Just because you have one does not mean you’re going to catch more fish. It’s not as easy as it looks. One thing for sure it’s become boring to watch the sport.
Sad to see bass fishing all jacked up. Didn’t even think it was possible to ruin something so pure
It is commercial fishing technology being used now by supposed sportfishermen. Unsporting.
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Everybody needs to quit the jibber jabber and get rid of it once and for all obviously a point of contention, it needs to go let’s get back to traditional fishing
Great take on FFS. I agree something has to be done for multiple reasons. It will be interesting to see what BASS does about it
Very very BAD you don't need it.
you definitely don't need it to catch fish, but it does make it immensely better for catching fish.
One of the most fair assessments I’ve heard of the situation in my opinion. And some good possible ideas for going forward. Good video
thanks!
1st great take from a Pro! I hate FFS, but very good points and suggestions.
Help out the fisheries, stop live weigh ins, bass do die from being in the live well for many hours
Whats next..tossing throw nets. BAN FFS for the love of the game...
I agree ,it is either your version or creating two different circuits .one with FFS and one circuit without .I like watching both ways .
Thats why I think that if nothing else, this is the best option to get the best of both worlds.
Good idea
@@brandoncobbfishingthen it would really gauge what the viewers want to watch
Very good take on this deal Man. I agree with you 100%. I don’t use it and honestly at the level I fish tournaments can’t justify spending that money on the equipment needed for it. Not to say I won’t ever have it. But right now…. I can’t justify it. But I’m not a pro trying to make a living off tournament fishing. Great ideas. Good luck to you the rest of the season!👊🏼
Thanks!
Comments show who has ffs. They get even more defensive than people who dont like it.
If bass has 8 events then they should limit anglers to only be able to use it for 4 events....
i get a kick out of cruising the lake and seeing everyone staring at thier screens like zombies haha
I don't blame the pros, or even the new guys. They are doing what they have to do to be competitive. But as an angler and a fan, that is not fishing, it is like watching someone play a video game, watching someone stare at a screen for endless hours is not entertaining. I heard some guys complaining because their neck gets sore/stiff from staring down at a screen all day. I guarantee you some of these new guys would struggle to catch a single fish without FFS.
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The sport of fishing is Angler vs Fish...when you replace the word Angler with Technology vs Fish, it's no longer fishing. It's exactly what it is....Scoping...Tournament results pretty much give the proof on what FFS truly is...If it wasn't a huge money maker, it would be banned.....2 groups support FFS.. very young anglers that can't comprehend what the sport really is & anglers with little skills/talent to catch fish....Pros MUST use it or they'll go broke
yeah, it would be different if it wasn't the only viable option.
That’s exactly how I look at it Brandon! Well said
Heck, Brandon if you’re going to get rid of FFS why not just get rid of all your technology that has advanced over the last 20 years heck why don’t y’all just fish from the dang bank I’d like to see all the Elite series fishing Lake Fork from a dock or the bank. That would be very interesting to watch.
There is a huge difference in ffs and other technology.
The thing I see more than anything is the negativity that’s come along with the two differing viewpoints. Some pro’s even feed the negativity so they can profit from it. On posts or videos from several UA-cam personalities/ Elite Series Pro’s, the comments are full of insults and personal attacks. On some social media platforms those same pro’s even join in with the personal attacks and name calling to drive up the controversy clicks and comments. It’s sad that’s what is being done to make more money and puts an even darker cloud over professional fishing beyond just the issue of FFS.
very true
Ffs is not fishing. When you’re not looking at the water to catch fish that’s not fishing. It’s literally become a game of ffs you have to figure out the new game. This is why older anglers are struggling they are not tech savvy. It will destroy the sport of fishing. These pros gets biased because of sponsorship or they are good with it. But fishing was about the unknown and the mystery and that’s been taken away. This is all coming from a guy who Owns one.
Yeah, I would have to agree, I don't know if the tech savvy thing is really the issue, I think it is more, that they just don't want to let go of the years devoted to learning fish and how to catch them.
It’s not your idea of fishing. But that doesn’t mean it’s not someone else’s . Most pros have been using electronics for a long time. I doubt they are not tech savvy . They just spent their entire life honing their skills without out it. So it’s hard to abandon what they have felt confident with all these years.
Why do ppl compare ffs to other electronics ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO SIDE IMAGING OR MAPPING NOT EVEN IN THE SAME REALM
Like a pro on bass live said this is the Era of the less u know the better because u rely on ffs he is so spot on
💯 agree
Hey Brandon, just subbed. Personally I would like to see FFS banned from the tournaments. As a spectator, watching a guy standing with rod in hand and not making a cast till he sees a fish is kinda boring. Hunting and tracking fish in real time just takes away from the true meaning of fishing to me. Technology is great but I think it needs to be limited not only in tournaments but in general to protect the fish. Keep up the good work. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.
Thanks for subscribing! I think your probably correct but we will have to wait and see about fish populations.
The old anglers like me 56 year old better get good real quick or will get replaced by the next 9 coming up from the opens,just my opinion. Good luck 864 hammer.
Thanks!
Although I suck at FFS and would like to see it go, I doubt that will ever happen. I like your idea of limiting it.
we can dream
Why do some still think its the be all end all? Ive had it since 2021, it is a tool. Early in the year its a valuable tool, later on not so much. And sorry, pros get things early before some, and now theres a level playing field, go fish you are a pro, go fish and stop making up excuses. And the window into the ffs on live gives a great understanding of whats happening opposed to you trying to tell me what youre doing.
the entire premise of the video is that it always works and it's only going to get better. I can understand the live with it could be entertaining though.
I’ll just stay home and play video games
It all boils down to what is your main purpose of going fishing.