I’m 71, and I have always loved bass fishing. I still fish and catch bass. I still use mono only. I just love being outdoors in nature. No batteries required. Always catch & release. It amuses me how people complicate simple things. 🎣
Hey Randy, I’m 68 yrs young and have been fishing hard for the past 35 yrs. I fished on the local Bassmasters Club and Bass Fishing League. I watched Denny Brauer, you, Skeet, Dean Rojas, KVD, the Hortons and the whole gang. I went to tournaments collecting autographs and photos of everyone I could. I tried to learn everything possible and settled on what I thought was the best for me; frogs jigs and spinnerbaits. Along the way I learned many lessons. I once threw a Lew’s 1oz lipless crank bait, must have been 100 mph, hit the crank switching the rod to my left hand and watched the whole setup fly and sink into 17 ft of water. Lesson learned. I switched all my reels to left hand cranks and have found that to be the quickest way to set a hook. I run 185VX Comanche Ranger w/150 hp. I wanted to be a pro in the worst way. I could hit my spots anywhere. Two hip surgeries later and life changes. Even with the learning curves, the torrential rains, the blazing heat, missing family time, the frustrations and the occassional victories, I would have it no other way. An angler needs to put in the time to be a recognized angler otherwise they are a video game player. I agree with you, down with forward facing sonar.
I find it odd that Skeets victory has not even been talked about in the fishing Media. I would have thought his win would have been a major talking point. I’m starting to think that they do want the old guys out
I spoke with an artist friend. I described FFS to her and the controversy behind it. She gave a great analogy. She enters art shows for her art. However, there are machines that can paint/ draw paintings that look like hand painted art. A lot are mass produced art for decor stores etc. Imagine these programmers decided to enter art shows with drawings claiming they are real artist. Furthermore, imagine the manufacturers of these machines funded these art shows. Then these programmers claim that it takes talent to program these machines, and it’s more efficient; unlike real artist that have to use their innate talent and imagination. This is exactly where we are at with FFS. Guys are good at FFS and claim that it’s more efficient, but that’s not fishing. A programmer can produce 20 paintings to the one painting painted by hand, but which one is a real artist?
As someone who owns FFS and has to use it to compete, I can say this is about the best analogy I’ve seen on the matter. You’re friend pretty much nailed it
Woodworking also. Computerized equipment can now allow a home woodworker to mass produce some things. Great- computer skills and emulating a factory! That’s OK, but it’s something far different than using your hands to work wood.
I think bass fishing is doomed anyway. The old guys are being pushed out and there is not many young guts coming up or behind us. I think its doomed. Just my opinion. Im still gonna fish.
@@Michdave700this is SO true. I hate that CAD and CAM designs typically out produce hand-made items. It’s not about the skill of the artist anymore but the efficiency of the machine.
Spot on!!!! I have an idea for you Randy - why don't you start a public petition to ban ffs - make it accessible online. See how many signatures you get and send it to bass and mlf? I think it would be a great idea.
Cold stone dead on. Between FFS and pulling the female bass out of deep water in the dead on summer, common sense should and will prevail. Wake up each morning with a grateful heart…… and tell the world to bring it. Keep the good fight going
It's easier to use technology than to learn how to fish. It's gone too far. When commercial technology like FFS and LS are allowed into sport fishing, the fisheries have had it.
I mean FFS has only been out since 2018 all these guys had to learn how to fish without before that. So you’re basically talking about none of the guys at the top level of tournament fishing.
@@AsianAmerican113 Trouble is, the ones that quickly moved to FFS and LS might have been around earlier, but they weren't very good fishermen. That's why they made the switch so quickly - to make up for skills they never perfected.
When they integrate AI in to our graphs, game over! You'll know species, gender, etc. I can only say that the sonar we use in the Navy can literally see a soda can on the bottom of the ocean. When that tech makes it in to fishing, you'll see every knot, every branch, every rock, ... Pros are pros because they have time on the water and have the ability to read the water/environment and adjust on the fly. Their varied experience (lakes, tidal, rivers) should outweigh and dominate a rookie who is predominantly tech savvy looking a screen and "spot-lights" fish.
It’s actually gotten to the point now where if I tell people I caught a bunch or show a picture of a big fish, they’ll ask if I was out deep or shallow. And if I wasn’t out on the ledges scoping it’s like I was just beating the banks and got lucky
Right! And remember it was never about just catching, it was the intricacy and unknowns of the chase. Otherwise nets, spears or the fish market would be better.
Its not logical, cybernetics and bionics would theoretically augment someone movements, increase their muscle twitch whatever. FFS is just information. And all BASS pros can afford to have the information on their boat. Clearly not all of them can use the information efficiently as others. Its not the same thing at all. The range finder example does fit though.
@@JasonBrown-es5yw then why can't these old pros just do it and place in the money? Thats because its not quite as easy as they say. Theyre just mad they have to learn a new skill to compete. I dont disagree it should be limited. But at the end of the day the thousands and thousands of tournaments that happen every year on every lake is hurting the fishing more than anything.
I hear you as clear as day. What happened to this fishing combined with some recent posts I've seen of people indiscriminate catching and killing excessive amounts of game fish really leaves me searching for words to describe what's happening.
You're right, but we have to figure out a way to determine the level of electronics that can be used for tournament fishing, without exception. Just like all other competitive sports. No one should have an advantage because they have better technology. Period! FFS is cheating, no matter how anyone tries to justify it.
During the whole video I was pondering how people just don't want to think "Critically" about anything. You said this at the very end, nail on the head! Folks want surface level brain work with self gratification. These same people don't think about electing proper leaders either, it's all about personality or anger. This laziness affects everything, work, relationships, what an effing mess. Thanks for keeping up the fight and being a Thought Leader!
The dice lures are JDM innovation! Have you seen them in the water! They come alive in a way similar to the best skirted jigs. It would not surprise me if megabass didn’t roll out some version. Raid and OSP make good stuff!
BOOM!!!! Randy is incredibly PRIVILEDGED to be able to do this for a living and he has the stones to sit and here and cry and have us feel bad for him.
I was listening to a recent Mercer podcast. I try to listen to all rambling talk and chatter to pick up on various fishing tips and points. Recently I heard everyone was dreading the “Alabama Swing” of tournaments because of all the intense June temperatures. Tournament guys were complaining that their electronics were shutting off due to intense sunlight heat on the FFS screens. Also during the Smith Lake tournament, When Trey was disqualified for receiving a cell phone call during tournament hours, Trey mentioned in the Mercer Podcast, he had no official “ BASS Marshal” riding with him that day. I didn’t realize BASS was having a shortage of Marshals to follow and monitor the Elite pros. This scenario is like not having enough Co-Anglers to fish with the Pros in the Opens. Five years ago, if a Co-angler wanted to compete in any events, the Co angler had to commit to all three tournaments in his division. If there is a shortage of paying Marshals in Elite events and a shortage of Co-anglers in the Opens, that must affect the financial income balance sheet of BASS.
Keep it up Randy!!!!!!! We’ve got to do something to preserve the real sport!! Thank you for taking the criticism and keeping up the fight!! I love your insight and all your videos. I’m excited when a new one comes out. Thank you for putting FFS on the radar of so many conversations!! FFS also stands for “For F😢🥹ks Sake” that’s what I think when a tournament is won by it!!
Here is the link to Let's Talk Fish (Matt Arey and Brian Thrift), I know you know them from your FLW days. Anyway Matt is not a fan of FFS either, comments around the 25 minute mark. You and I can, and do disagree, on many topics, but I do agree with your FFS stance and admire your passion for it. ua-cam.com/video/N0Ild45xyjc/v-deo.html
bass fishing is not a sport. It is a sporting activity. It becomes more like a sport when competition comes into play but, it is just a fun gambling activity in general. This is the reason why the Olympics wont adopt bass fishing as a sport. imo
Good lord when I saw the price . I think that’s just as dumb as the bait . Dumb bait dumb price seems right for dumb organization . Love the sport of bass fishing I love it just got back from fishing this morning caught a 4 pounder . But b.a.s.s. And mlf suck bring back flw no ffs
@@palerider3800 OSP Dice Rubber, $19.99 for 4. I have several packs and have caught over 30+ bass on just one dice so far. I fish it from the bank and it does great. It's a slow fall bug bait, fish eat em up.
Randy, I'm 73 and i remember back in the day when you were really fishing at the top of your game. I have an aluminum Bass tracker boat with the cheap depth finder that came with the boat on the front and a small Garmin on the back. I wouldn't walk across the street for these new picture things. However, having said that, I remember when my parents railed against new things. I remember when we went from hymns to praise music in churches. Things change and life is hard and then you die. Live and let them live.
A simple experiment:: split all tournaments into two separate categories... The first category you can use the cheater box and all the electronics that money can buy.... The second category is traditional bass fishing with just basic (old school) electronics. Then track the tv viewer numbers for each category throughout that season and sees which category has the most viewers. When the tournament originations see the viewer numbers maybe it will open their eyes to how much this new trend is hurting their bottom line in the long run.
Hey Randy, I completely agree with you. Small voices carry big impact when the collective continues to voice their opinions. We appreciate you carrying the message. Keep up the good work by the way I’ve got old technology that’s been around for a while and wondering if I can make it legal it’s called dynamite.
I get trying to use a theoretical example of other sports using whatever to improve performance, BUT...IF it did come to pass, there would still be fans. Some may walk away, but there would also be some who would be drawn. I didn't like to see the new rules in MLB...but after watching it I believe it improved the game. Fishing is the same...the fan base is and always has evolved with the industry. The only thing that turns me off about fishing is all the drama...not the electronics or any other topic behind the drama (besides cheating). I just get out there with my loved ones and have a blast creating memories of a lifetime...WITH and WITHOUT a 'cheater box'.
I don’t agree. As long as I watched and fished tournaments it was always about the angler showing his or her skills. Electronics were always second and maybe even third when thinking of lures.
Randy, keep pushing this hard! Completely unacceptable that a bass fisherman as clueless as I am with my limited experience can win due to technology. Any way that a petition or something of the sort could influence the tournament organizations? Just a thought
Question: if ffs is the only reason the young guys are successful, then why aren't the older guys with decades of knowledge and experience, in addition to ffs, not dominating?
Amen Randy I absolutely agree 💯... What has bass fishing came to. It totally sucks ass now. I will not support it I have completely stopped watching it because of FFS.. Ban it all. I stand behind ya buddy
You’re talking like there is some kind of seniority a person earns while fishing. That’s crazy talk. These kids as you call them didn’t start fishing yesterday, they’ve been fishing for years and they’re legit period… If livescope had been introduced when you were in the prime of your fishing career you would have used it too
The bad thing about all of this is that nothing is going to change. At least I don’t see it happening. I’m 52 years old. The 80s were the greatest decade ever according to me and bass fishing along with everything else in life has changed to a point where it’s not really fun anymore people want to do it the easy way. While everything else around us go sky high just like pick up trucks need a new track if I want now because it never going to be any cheaper same way with bass boats all ridiculous
I'm older than most (60's) and have seen the sport change throughout the years. My question to Randy is how much technology do you use in any tournament? Are you using the latest baits? Do you run a boat updated from the 1970"s? You use sonar according to this video, so you have enjoyed the technology that has been to your liking for many years, except for this one, throughout your fishing experiences. Hmmm....kinda seems wrong to condemn new technology when you have kept up, and use it, daily.
Every jon boat on the stretch of river i fish has at least a basic depth finder/sonar unit. Everyone i know uses them to find the scour holes, and most of those have mid level downscan/sidscan units with gps.
Completely agree! It takes the hunt, fun, and mystery out of the sport. Not to mention it does minimize years of experience pro anglers have. Younger gen would never have it without putting in the hrs/yrs.
I used to record all bass fishing shows to learn all techniques . Now I need only one thing .Was there not a rule about underwater cameras ? Difference ?
I’m nobody but PLEASE B.A.S.S. do half season ffs legal, half no ffs!! Randomize which events get ffs and which don’t. Then some of reasonable limit of transducers and maybe screens too. One of the Johnston bros mentioned the half and half idea on the new Mercer ep. 😊
It's been the same way with hunting with dogs whether it be quail, pheasant, hogs, mountain lion, etc. Dogs act as your so called cheater box and have been going on at least a 100 years and still going on. Maybe we should try and outlaw that too! Lol
what evidence is there that electronic companies are involved with dirty dealing with tournament trails to not ban FFS? You're telling me theres not a clothing company, or boat company or bait company that is waiting in line to throw money at bassmaster to have their name plastered everywhere?
@@hankdausman8653 I don’t think anyone is “dirty dealing”. The sponsorship companies are just looking out for themselves, which it is their job to do. It wouldn’t make any sense for an electronics company to provide sponsorship money for an event in which their product is banned.
@@mooseshartley well what im saying that in this multibillion dollar industry, BASS is not keeping FFS sonar legal because theyre worried about sponsorship money.
Exactly. All Randy and others have to do is convince General Tire, Mercury, Strike King, Berkely, and any other corporation that they can invest their advertising dollars into a league with no FFS and make more money than they can with FFS, then that will happen.
@@hankdausman8653 What other reason could be anywhere near as compelling as sponsorship money for the organizers of these tournaments? There is no other reason. Sponsorship money is everything.
It's not as bad as you make it out to be! Fish the way you want to fish! Quit trying to get more views with drama! Most of what you say is all opinions and the few people that believe you still look at you in a negative light because you fish tournaments! I'm still winning and catching fish without livescope!
Randy…..let’s be honest. The FFS is not going away. You need to gather your rich and influential buddies to start a new league that focuses on all that you love and cherish. You have to create what you have done here on UA-cam. If the market wants a new league…..the money will follow. I have watched you grow from 4000 followers to now over 127000……. START a NON FFS league……let’s gooooooooooooo
“As of April 2024, Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota, and North Dakota were all considering bans on forward-facing sonar, also known as live scopes, in state waters.”
I don't like it but you very well could be right. People need to prepare themselves for much tighter limits,strict handling rules for many species, and open/closed fishing seasons to protect spawing rates.
@@touger9759 How can you get any stricter in limits than bass fishermen who practice catch and release? And in Texas one can only keep five at best anyway.
@@jaym8257 I was thinking of all species limitsnot just bass(ya I know it's a bass channel). I think it's like 70% of the livewell bass released after weigh ins die, that format could easily go away since those are generally a lot of the big girls. There's lakes up north that are already lowering limits on panfish cause they are getting slaughtered.
So a guy who's almost 40 who began tournament fishing a dozen years before livescope was even released wins a tournament at Smith Lake using innovative new baits and now the sport's no longer great? C'mon man.
The love of money is the root of all evil the good book says. How true that is. Im just not going to watch it anymore. Just boycott watching it if thier ratings keep going down the sponsors will go and so will thier tv time. Hate to say this but true
Unfortunately that's the world we live in, change or get left behind. Like it or not it's here to stay, technology continues to move forward. Aren't you glad you don't have to row your boat, or fish with a cane pole?
Totally get it. Randy if you take Bofins or Snakeheads and throw them in to a great Bass fishing lake and over time, they eat all the bass, everyone would be up in arms about it. This FF Sonar is going to do the same thing, but huge companies are going to make money off it so they can justify it.
If it wasn’t about money nobody would be fishing tournaments. What about the average 50 hour a week worker that likes to fish when he can that goes to the lake to enjoy a day of fishing just to find the lake over run with tournament boats that destroyed the fishing in the lake.
My area lakes the last 4 5 yrs are very hard to catch anymore to catch fish as before this technology, i spoke to another gentlemen that feels the same way and agrees something is going on with the fishing.
Kvd did the same thing 19 yr old kid came on the scene and wrecked em. Kids in other sports are doung the same thing. 13 yr olds are now doing in game 360 windmill dunks. They are jumping higher. Running faster, getting stronger quicker.
At the same time the sport is changing the rules for athletes to jump higher, run faster, ect. Proof...take the NBA for example , the league does not call traveling, carrying, palming anymore. Athletes then can excel more & look more physically dominant then times past in the sport....that's a fact becuase that's how the NBA prefers basketball to be played.
KVD learned how to fish by studying bass, very little if any electronics. The basketball players you speak of don’t have electronics strapped to their backs, it is natural, learned talent.. far from anything like ffs.
@@ralphbenner3174 FFS got popular 3 yrs ago. Most of these kids are 19-22 or 23 that are doing well. You really think when they werrfishing with their dads they didnt learn all kinds of other techniques? Ive watched alot of live this yr and yes there has been the jighead minnow but ive also watched them throw chatterbaits, jigs, topwater etc. Jordan lee won back to back classics without FFS and now he uses it some to give him more of an edge. But qccording to randy he doesnt know how to bass fish because he uses it. Most of these kids if not all ifi had to guess were out fishing with their dad, uncle, friend whoever since they were young so they probably have 10 yrs of fishing experrience prior to ffs. Also KVD took advantage of side and down scan and once again wrecked the field and ppl were mad about that.
The electronics take the adventure and exploratory nature out of fishing. I'm a bank angler, I enjoy it because I like exploring new locations, walking trails and parks. There's always something new to explore and see. You don't know what you're going to get. I enjoy going to a spot and trying to figure out what to use and trying to figure out where the fish might be. Then being rewarded when I catch something. Electronics take the fun out of it.
This is way I have fished my last tournament. There are too many tournaments on the lakes and most anglers are using live scope. I've been fishing tournaments for 30+ years and my skills mean nothing in today's fishing. It has taken the fun out of fishing! I'm done! Lakes are getting destroyed by tournament fishing. Back to playing golf. Thanks Randy for fighting the fight.
I agree with you Randy. Bass fishing is a viewers sport and they are losing viewers because of ffs. A line in the sand has to be drawn for pro anglers. I have ffs and it is fun and definitely helps get more bites. Which is nice only being able to fish a few times a month. I will say it is more difficult than most people think but if you are a pro and can spend 50 hours a week perfecting it, then it becomes a dominant technique.
Many of you have not used ffs. It is NOT. As easy as Randy makes out to be. And please go and listen to the biologist on tylersreel fishing on conservation. Some very valid points are made.
“Believe science unless it doesn’t support my argument”. This is what happens when you make unsupported emotional arguments because you don’t agree with something. I watched that interview and found it very educational. Much more so that Randy’s opinions.
FFS is going to go down in the same class as the buffalo hunting in the late 1800s. Millions of animals dwindled down to a handful from the new rifle technology..
I’m 71, and I have always loved bass fishing. I still fish and catch bass. I still use mono only. I just love being outdoors in nature. No batteries required. Always catch & release. It amuses me how people complicate simple things. 🎣
So true. Of course, I love to try and catch fish, but that is not the only measure of my pleasure.
Because $$$ is involved.
You like hooking animals, playing with them, then putting them back… catch and release is so weird and unethical
@@Tea4Texasoh yeah, forgot to say "F U"
Here we go☝️
People like Ray Scott were what made bass fishing so great. I miss those days
Hey Randy,
I’m 68 yrs young and have been fishing hard for the past 35 yrs. I fished on the local Bassmasters Club and Bass Fishing League. I watched Denny Brauer, you, Skeet, Dean Rojas, KVD, the Hortons and the whole gang. I went to tournaments collecting autographs and photos of everyone I could. I tried to learn everything possible and settled on what I thought was the best for me; frogs jigs and spinnerbaits. Along the way I learned many lessons. I once threw a Lew’s 1oz lipless crank bait, must have been 100 mph, hit the crank switching the rod to my left hand and watched the whole setup fly and sink into 17 ft of water. Lesson learned. I switched all my reels to left hand cranks and have found that to be the quickest way to set a hook. I run 185VX Comanche Ranger w/150 hp. I wanted to be a pro in the worst way. I could hit my spots anywhere. Two hip surgeries later and life changes. Even with the learning curves, the torrential rains, the blazing heat, missing family time, the frustrations and the occassional victories, I would have it no other way. An angler needs to put in the time to be a recognized angler otherwise they are a video game player. I agree with you, down with forward facing sonar.
I find it odd that Skeets victory has not even been talked about in the fishing Media. I would have thought his win would have been a major talking point. I’m starting to think that they do want the old guys out
Yeah, one of the icons of bass fishing and none of the major media companies are promoting his sucess!
I spoke with an artist friend. I described FFS to her and the controversy behind it. She gave a great analogy. She enters art shows for her art. However, there are machines that can paint/ draw paintings that look like hand painted art. A lot are mass produced art for decor stores etc. Imagine these programmers decided to enter art shows with drawings claiming they are real artist. Furthermore, imagine the manufacturers of these machines funded these art shows. Then these programmers claim that it takes talent to program these machines, and it’s more efficient; unlike real artist that have to use their innate talent and imagination. This is exactly where we are at with FFS. Guys are good at FFS and claim that it’s more efficient, but that’s not fishing. A programmer can produce 20 paintings to the one painting painted by hand, but which one is a real artist?
As someone who owns FFS and has to use it to compete, I can say this is about the best analogy I’ve seen on the matter. You’re friend pretty much nailed it
Woodworking also. Computerized equipment can now allow a home woodworker to mass produce some things. Great- computer skills and emulating a factory! That’s OK, but it’s something far different than using your hands to work wood.
I think bass fishing is doomed anyway. The old guys are being pushed out and there is not many young guts coming up or behind us. I think its doomed. Just my opinion. Im still gonna fish.
@@Michdave700this is SO true. I hate that CAD and CAM designs typically out produce hand-made items. It’s not about the skill of the artist anymore but the efficiency of the machine.
It sounds like tournament fishing has turned into professional Easter egg hunting.
Great analogy!
12 month bed fishing if you ask me. You see the fish and cast directly to the fish. Prove me wrong.
Spot on!!!! I have an idea for you Randy - why don't you start a public petition to ban ffs - make it accessible online. See how many signatures you get and send it to bass and mlf? I think it would be a great idea.
We could have all the signatures in the world without money behind it like the sales of ffs we won’t make a difference unfortunately!
@@Dirty_Danglerno we should still do this. Quitting before even trying is not what real men do. Step aside and hold my beer
It is up to us to get it off our water.
@@DennisMorgan-ls8scno. I’ll never accept it as valid
@@DennisMorgan-ls8sc And look at the decline of the sport sine
Randy, you nailed it here. It's insanity.
I don't watch bass fishing on tv anymore. All you see is back of head looking down.
💯
Thats all we saw before. The back of their head looking up lol.
I always get a kick out of when he tries to compare fishing to NFL football
Absolutely
Agreed. I no longer watch tournaments. Strategy is non-existent.
Cold stone dead on. Between FFS and pulling the female bass out of deep water in the dead on summer, common sense should and will prevail. Wake up each morning with a grateful heart…… and tell the world to bring it. Keep the good fight going
It's easier to use technology than to learn how to fish. It's gone too far. When commercial technology like FFS and LS are allowed into sport fishing, the fisheries have had it.
I mean FFS has only been out since 2018 all these guys had to learn how to fish without before that. So you’re basically talking about none of the guys at the top level of tournament fishing.
@@AsianAmerican113 Trouble is, the ones that quickly moved to FFS and LS might have been around earlier, but they weren't very good fishermen. That's why they made the switch so quickly - to make up for skills they never perfected.
Stay the course Randy don't give up the fight😂
Keep preaching Randy on FFS and not having tournaments during the spawn
When they integrate AI in to our graphs, game over! You'll know species, gender, etc. I can only say that the sonar we use in the Navy can literally see a soda can on the bottom of the ocean. When that tech makes it in to fishing, you'll see every knot, every branch, every rock, ...
Pros are pros because they have time on the water and have the ability to read the water/environment and adjust on the fly. Their varied experience (lakes, tidal, rivers) should outweigh and dominate a rookie who is predominantly tech savvy looking a screen and "spot-lights" fish.
It's not just FFS it's overuse, bad lake management, indifference from our DNR. My lakes around here are a burnt-out shell compared to 10-15 years ago
You are right on.Dont shut up.
You are correct Randy!
FFS isn’t fishing period
It’s actually gotten to the point now where if I tell people I caught a bunch or show a picture of a big fish, they’ll ask if I was out deep or shallow. And if I wasn’t out on the ledges scoping it’s like I was just beating the banks and got lucky
Come to the coast and fish the flats. Redfish, drum, flounder, trout, and no electronics. We fish in 1-2 ft of water, your eyes are the electronics.
Doing the right thing! That is a thing of the past. Complacency permeates society today. Make it easy and no one will have to work for it.
Exactly 💯💯💯💯💯
NOTHING Lasts Forever . Check your History . Tournament Fishing will also be a thing of the past . F F S is the beginning of the end 🎣 FACT !!
I go fishing. The only screen fishing I watch is vids from you& some other pros' who know their stuff to help me fish better.
I totally agree with you! Bass fishing is ridiculously scary now!
Logical analogies.i refuse to put the cheater box on my boat.might just as well throw 30 years of knowledge under the bus.
Right! And remember it was never about just catching, it was the intricacy and unknowns of the chase. Otherwise nets, spears or the fish market would be better.
Its not logical, cybernetics and bionics would theoretically augment someone movements, increase their muscle twitch whatever. FFS is just information. And all BASS pros can afford to have the information on their boat. Clearly not all of them can use the information efficiently as others. Its not the same thing at all. The range finder example does fit though.
@@hankdausman8653it's hunting from a helicopter with thermal imaging. It's trash
@@JasonBrown-es5yw then why can't these old pros just do it and place in the money? Thats because its not quite as easy as they say. Theyre just mad they have to learn a new skill to compete. I dont disagree it should be limited. But at the end of the day the thousands and thousands of tournaments that happen every year on every lake is hurting the fishing more than anything.
I hear you as clear as day. What happened to this fishing combined with some recent posts I've seen of people indiscriminate catching and killing excessive amounts of game fish really leaves me searching for words to describe what's happening.
You're right, but we have to figure out a way to determine the level of electronics that can be used for tournament fishing, without exception. Just like all other competitive sports. No one should have an advantage because they have better technology. Period!
FFS is cheating, no matter how anyone tries to justify it.
During the whole video I was pondering how people just don't want to think "Critically" about anything. You said this at the very end, nail on the head! Folks want surface level brain work with self gratification. These same people don't think about electing proper leaders either, it's all about personality or anger. This laziness affects everything, work, relationships, what an effing mess. Thanks for keeping up the fight and being a Thought Leader!
My GOD!I 'm sorry to hear again again and again... it's been a year now please get to something else again
100% All about the money
But you can always go fishing. You may have to get a real job and contribute to society but…. both are blessings to be grateful for.
The dice lures are JDM innovation! Have you seen them in the water! They come alive in a way similar to the best skirted jigs. It would not surprise me if megabass didn’t roll out some version. Raid and OSP make good stuff!
Randy is THE Best. 👍 always has the time to pass on the wisdom & knowledge. Great video 🎣🇺🇸👍
What about electronic division and nonelectronic...including GPS which probably changed the game way more than FFS...IMO
I hate tournament bass fishing these days. It simply sucks. That's all I can say.
Baas fishing isn’t a sport is a hobby. Those are not athletes sorry just the truth.
BOOM!!!! Randy is incredibly PRIVILEDGED to be able to do this for a living and he has the stones to sit and here and cry and have us feel bad for him.
I was listening to a recent Mercer podcast. I try to listen to all rambling talk and chatter to pick up on various fishing tips and points. Recently I heard everyone was dreading the “Alabama Swing” of tournaments because of all the intense June temperatures. Tournament guys were complaining that their electronics were shutting off due to intense sunlight heat on the FFS screens.
Also during the Smith Lake tournament, When Trey was disqualified for receiving a cell phone call during tournament hours, Trey mentioned in the Mercer Podcast, he had no official “ BASS Marshal” riding with him that day. I didn’t realize BASS was having a shortage of Marshals to follow and monitor the Elite pros. This scenario is like not having enough Co-Anglers to fish with the Pros in the Opens. Five years ago, if a Co-angler wanted to compete in any events, the Co angler had to commit to all three tournaments in his division.
If there is a shortage of paying Marshals in Elite events and a shortage of Co-anglers in the Opens, that must affect the financial income balance sheet of BASS.
Those marshals dont get paid ! The mlf ones do < peace
@@johnm2617 back when I was a marshal at BASS you had to preregister and pay in advance at least $100 to participate.
Keep it up Randy!!!!!!! We’ve got to do something to preserve the real sport!! Thank you for taking the criticism and keeping up the fight!! I love your insight and all your videos. I’m excited when a new one comes out. Thank you for putting FFS on the radar of so many conversations!! FFS also stands for “For F😢🥹ks Sake” that’s what I think when a tournament is won by it!!
Here is the link to Let's Talk Fish (Matt Arey and Brian Thrift), I know you know them from your FLW days. Anyway Matt is not a fan of FFS either, comments around the 25 minute mark. You and I can, and do disagree, on many topics, but I do agree with your FFS stance and admire your passion for it. ua-cam.com/video/N0Ild45xyjc/v-deo.html
bass fishing is not a sport. It is a sporting activity. It becomes more like a sport when competition comes into play but, it is just a fun gambling activity in general. This is the reason why the Olympics wont adopt bass fishing as a sport. imo
Instant gratification generation
That is exactly what it is.
Great point !!
Don’t look up was hilarious and sad because it was pretty much dead on… It does seem to have some parallels to pro fishing currently lol
Randy, love the videos! Keep them coming!!
You forgot to mention, a ridiculously expensive fuzzy dice!
Good lord when I saw the price . I think that’s just as dumb as the bait . Dumb bait dumb price seems right for dumb organization . Love the sport of bass fishing I love it just got back from fishing this morning caught a 4 pounder . But b.a.s.s. And mlf suck bring back flw no ffs
Have you seen the price of the lures this guy pushes?
Whats the name of it? Guess I missed that one! lol
The bait companies have to try to make money. Now all they will sell is sonar baits.
@@palerider3800 OSP Dice Rubber, $19.99 for 4. I have several packs and have caught over 30+ bass on just one dice so far. I fish it from the bank and it does great. It's a slow fall bug bait, fish eat em up.
Video game screens create low fishing IQ. Take away that screen I could out fish these guys!
Does Tackle Warehouse have fuzzy dice, intriguing
Yeah and I’m not sure there’s a way back Randy
Randy, I'm 73 and i remember back in the day when you were really fishing at the top of your game. I have an aluminum Bass tracker boat with the cheap depth finder that came with the boat on the front and a small Garmin on the back. I wouldn't walk across the street for these new picture things. However, having said that, I remember when my parents railed against new things. I remember when we went from hymns to praise music in churches. Things change and life is hard and then you die. Live and let them live.
A simple experiment:: split all tournaments into two separate categories... The first category you can use the cheater box and all the electronics that money can buy.... The second category is traditional bass fishing with just basic (old school) electronics. Then track the tv viewer numbers for each category throughout that season and sees which category has the most viewers. When the tournament originations see the viewer numbers maybe it will open their eyes to how much this new trend is hurting their bottom line in the long run.
Sounds like Randy doesn't want to learn or worried he cant.
Hey Randy, I completely agree with you. Small voices carry big impact when the collective continues to voice their opinions. We appreciate you carrying the message. Keep up the good work by the way I’ve got old technology that’s been around for a while and wondering if I can make it legal it’s called dynamite.
Thx man
I get trying to use a theoretical example of other sports using whatever to improve performance, BUT...IF it did come to pass, there would still be fans. Some may walk away, but there would also be some who would be drawn. I didn't like to see the new rules in MLB...but after watching it I believe it improved the game. Fishing is the same...the fan base is and always has evolved with the industry. The only thing that turns me off about fishing is all the drama...not the electronics or any other topic behind the drama (besides cheating). I just get out there with my loved ones and have a blast creating memories of a lifetime...WITH and WITHOUT a 'cheater box'.
I don’t agree. As long as I watched and fished tournaments it was always about the angler showing his or her skills. Electronics were always second and maybe even third when thinking of lures.
Randy, keep pushing this hard! Completely unacceptable that a bass fisherman as clueless as I am with my limited experience can win due to technology. Any way that a petition or something of the sort could influence the tournament organizations? Just a thought
Great content brother randy, keep going
Question: if ffs is the only reason the young guys are successful, then why aren't the older guys with decades of knowledge and experience, in addition to ffs, not dominating?
Sir Randall it's always good keep up the good fight
By talking about ffs it makes people want to test it out, its like a new lure,rod,line,just another fishing gadget
What if it’s a Megabass fuzzy dice?
Amen Randy I absolutely agree 💯... What has bass fishing came to. It totally sucks ass now. I will not support it I have completely stopped watching it because of FFS.. Ban it all. I stand behind ya buddy
That movie makes an excellent metaphor.
Mahomes can almost reach 100yards as is, threw it out of arrowhead. I don't watch any fishing tournaments at all. All because of ffs
Fishing isnt a real sport.
Right on Randy!
You’re talking like there is some kind of seniority a person earns while fishing. That’s crazy talk. These kids as you call them didn’t start fishing yesterday, they’ve been fishing for years and they’re legit period…
If livescope had been introduced when you were in the prime of your fishing career you would have used it too
There is a "BIG" difference between a Craftsman and a technician. One is skilled, the other is not.
The best analogy ever !!
And the craftsman worked for his boat. The technician had dad buy it !!
The bad thing about all of this is that nothing is going to change. At least I don’t see it happening. I’m 52 years old. The 80s were the greatest decade ever according to me and bass fishing along with everything else in life has changed to a point where it’s not really fun anymore people want to do it the easy way. While everything else around us go sky high just like pick up trucks need a new track if I want now because it never going to be any cheaper same way with bass boats all ridiculous
Good one Randy!
Now a days I shake my head at so called Progress, everyday.
I dont use FFS and the osp dice still catches me a ton of fish, same with the osp two-way. the JDM lures just work better.
I'm older than most (60's) and have seen the sport change throughout the years. My question to Randy is how much technology do you use in any tournament? Are you using the latest baits? Do you run a boat updated from the 1970"s? You use sonar according to this video, so you have enjoyed the technology that has been to your liking for many years, except for this one, throughout your fishing experiences. Hmmm....kinda seems wrong to condemn new technology when you have kept up, and use it, daily.
Every jon boat on the stretch of river i fish has at least a basic depth finder/sonar unit. Everyone i know uses them to find the scour holes, and most of those have mid level downscan/sidscan units with gps.
Money is KING
Completely agree! It takes the hunt, fun, and mystery out of the sport. Not to mention it does minimize years of experience pro anglers have. Younger gen would never have it without putting in the hrs/yrs.
I used to record all bass fishing shows to learn all techniques . Now I need only one thing .Was there not a rule about underwater cameras ? Difference ?
There's a champion boat on market place in Ozark. Might check it out.
My question is where do you draw the line? I haven’t heard one supporter of ffs answer or address that question.
I’m nobody but PLEASE B.A.S.S. do half season ffs legal, half no ffs!! Randomize which events get ffs and which don’t. Then some of reasonable limit of transducers and maybe screens too. One of the Johnston bros mentioned the half and half idea on the new Mercer ep. 😊
You said it Randy, "IT'S ALL ABOUT $$$$$". 💔💔. I no longer watch any of it. Ray Scott is turning over in his grave.
It's been the same way with hunting with dogs whether it be quail, pheasant, hogs, mountain lion, etc. Dogs act as your so called cheater box and have been going on at least a 100 years and still going on. Maybe we should try and outlaw that too! Lol
Only way to get rid of it would be to replace the electronics manufacturers’ sponsorship money with some other sponsor’s money. Doesn’t seem likely.
what evidence is there that electronic companies are involved with dirty dealing with tournament trails to not ban FFS? You're telling me theres not a clothing company, or boat company or bait company that is waiting in line to throw money at bassmaster to have their name plastered everywhere?
@@hankdausman8653 I don’t think anyone is “dirty dealing”. The sponsorship companies are just looking out for themselves, which it is their job to do. It wouldn’t make any sense for an electronics company to provide sponsorship money for an event in which their product is banned.
@@mooseshartley well what im saying that in this multibillion dollar industry, BASS is not keeping FFS sonar legal because theyre worried about sponsorship money.
Exactly. All Randy and others have to do is convince General Tire, Mercury, Strike King, Berkely, and any other corporation that they can invest their advertising dollars into a league with no FFS and make more money than they can with FFS, then that will happen.
@@hankdausman8653 What other reason could be anywhere near as compelling as sponsorship money for the organizers of these tournaments? There is no other reason. Sponsorship money is everything.
It's not as bad as you make it out to be! Fish the way you want to fish! Quit trying to get more views with drama! Most of what you say is all opinions and the few people that believe you still look at you in a negative light because you fish tournaments! I'm still winning and catching fish without livescope!
Randy…..let’s be honest. The FFS is not going away. You need to gather your rich and influential buddies to start a new league that focuses on all that you love and cherish. You have to create what you have done here on UA-cam. If the market wants a new league…..the money will follow. I have watched you grow from 4000 followers to now over 127000……. START a NON FFS league……let’s gooooooooooooo
“As of April 2024, Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota, and North Dakota were all considering bans on forward-facing sonar, also known as live scopes, in state waters.”
I don't like it but you very well could be right. People need to prepare themselves for much tighter limits,strict handling rules for many species, and open/closed fishing seasons to protect spawing rates.
@@touger9759 How can you get any stricter in limits than bass fishermen who practice catch and release? And in Texas one can only keep five at best anyway.
Had to say offended.....
@@jaym8257 I was thinking of all species limitsnot just bass(ya I know it's a bass channel). I think it's like 70% of the livewell bass released after weigh ins die, that format could easily go away since those are generally a lot of the big girls.
There's lakes up north that are already lowering limits on panfish cause they are getting slaughtered.
I use a depth finder just because I'm curious about how deep a pond or lake is. I could care less about finding bass.i still enjoy the mystery of it!
So a guy who's almost 40 who began tournament fishing a dozen years before livescope was even released wins a tournament at Smith Lake using innovative new baits and now the sport's no longer great? C'mon man.
The love of money is the root of all evil the good book says. How true that is. Im just not going to watch it anymore. Just boycott watching it if thier ratings keep going down the sponsors will go and so will thier tv time. Hate to say this but true
It's sad that bass and mlf has turned their backs on all the anglers that had made them what they are😢
It’s the American way. Even worse now though. No one gives a shit about each other …
Unfortunately that's the world we live in, change or get left behind. Like it or not it's here to stay, technology continues to move forward. Aren't you glad you don't have to row your boat, or fish with a cane pole?
Well when AI terminators take over the world then you shouldn't complain.
Bass shows are just infomercials now. They are hocking product for companies that pay the best.
Great video content, i totally agree.
Totally get it. Randy if you take Bofins or Snakeheads and throw them in to a great Bass fishing lake and over time, they eat all the bass, everyone would be up in arms about it. This FF Sonar is going to do the same thing, but huge companies are going to make money off it so they can justify it.
If it wasn’t about money nobody would be fishing tournaments. What about the average 50 hour a week worker that likes to fish when he can that goes to the lake to enjoy a day of fishing just to find the lake over run with tournament boats that destroyed the fishing in the lake.
Stay on the podium bro- It must change 😎
Thumbs up to Matt. Guys ! Keep up the good work.
My area lakes the last 4 5 yrs are very hard to catch anymore to catch fish as before this technology, i spoke to another gentlemen that feels the same way and agrees something is going on with the fishing.
It's basically catching a cat by annoying it with a piece of yarn at this point
Kvd did the same thing 19 yr old kid came on the scene and wrecked em. Kids in other sports are doung the same thing. 13 yr olds are now doing in game 360 windmill dunks. They are jumping higher. Running faster, getting stronger quicker.
At the same time the sport is changing the rules for athletes to jump higher, run faster, ect.
Proof...take the NBA for example , the league does not call traveling, carrying, palming anymore.
Athletes then can excel more & look more physically dominant then times past in the sport....that's a fact becuase that's how the NBA prefers basketball to be played.
KVD learned how to fish by studying bass, very little if any electronics. The basketball players you speak of don’t have electronics strapped to their backs, it is natural, learned talent.. far from anything like ffs.
@@ralphbenner3174 FFS got popular 3 yrs ago. Most of these kids are 19-22 or 23 that are doing well. You really think when they werrfishing with their dads they didnt learn all kinds of other techniques? Ive watched alot of live this yr and yes there has been the jighead minnow but ive also watched them throw chatterbaits, jigs, topwater etc. Jordan lee won back to back classics without FFS and now he uses it some to give him more of an edge. But qccording to randy he doesnt know how to bass fish because he uses it. Most of these kids if not all ifi had to guess were out fishing with their dad, uncle, friend whoever since they were young so they probably have 10 yrs of fishing experrience prior to ffs. Also KVD took advantage of side and down scan and once again wrecked the field and ppl were mad about that.
The oc must be a Lefraud Shames fan. No one is faster than MJ..you work for Klutch sports too ??
Why did buggy whip makers have to find another way to make a living?
The electronics take the adventure and exploratory nature out of fishing. I'm a bank angler, I enjoy it because I like exploring new locations, walking trails and parks. There's always something new to explore and see. You don't know what you're going to get. I enjoy going to a spot and trying to figure out what to use and trying to figure out where the fish might be. Then being rewarded when I catch something. Electronics take the fun out of it.
Well said.
This is way I have fished my last tournament. There are too many tournaments on the lakes and most anglers are using live scope. I've been fishing tournaments for 30+ years and my skills mean nothing in today's fishing. It has taken the fun out of fishing! I'm done! Lakes are getting destroyed by tournament fishing. Back to playing golf. Thanks Randy for fighting the fight.
I agree with you Randy. Bass fishing is a viewers sport and they are losing viewers because of ffs. A line in the sand has to be drawn for pro anglers. I have ffs and it is fun and definitely helps get more bites. Which is nice only being able to fish a few times a month. I will say it is more difficult than most people think but if you are a pro and can spend 50 hours a week perfecting it, then it becomes a dominant technique.
Many of you have not used ffs. It is NOT. As easy as Randy makes out to be. And please go and listen to the biologist on tylersreel fishing on conservation. Some very valid points are made.
“Believe science unless it doesn’t support my argument”. This is what happens when you make unsupported emotional arguments because you don’t agree with something. I watched that interview and found it very educational. Much more so that Randy’s opinions.
FFS is going to go down in the same class as the buffalo hunting in the late 1800s. Millions of animals dwindled down to a handful from the new rifle technology..
You have an issue with fuzzy dice now?! Come on man, ok, I get the livescope conversation, but to be complaining about a new bait is ridiculous
People that bought ffs bought it because they knew they had no real bass fishing skills. We need to pull the plug on these hacks