For those who want to ban FFS I have some rule changes I want to see. 1. No electronics period. No mapping, FFS, 2D, 360, etc. 2. No powerpoles 3. All lakes limited to on the e tournament per month regardless if it is local or pro. 4. All events will be maxed at 100 anglers. 5. On 5 fish limit events any angler brings in a dead fish is disqualified for that event. 6. Any event organizer who release dead fish back into the lake will incur a fine.
I agree 100% no electronics. You cant be half way. You either shun technology completely or leave it be. I think going without tech is a fantastic idea and it will truly showcase talent.
"Once you take the unknown from fishing, you lose everything that fishing is about" is probably one of the greatest quotes about fishing that I have ever heard
Huh? It’s technology, ain’t gonna stop it. Randy is stuck in the Stone Age. That’s why the comments about him. It’s okay if you like shallow fishing. And it’s okay if you like live sonar. I love fishing with livescope it’s exciting to me. You can only go 4mph with livescope. You still have to know where to look and know fish behavior. It doesn’t put fish in the boat for ya. Randy don’t tell me how to fish and I won’t tell ya how to fish. And don’t tell us what’s best for us. I think Swidle and myself have a lot of respect for you. You have a lot of knowledge and appreciate you sharing your experience. Where you are losing the younger crowd is telling us how to fish. We have to fish like you and not use live sonar? That rubs the wrong way and why you are losing ppl. But uh yeah buddy keep up the good fight (the good fight is only in YOUR OWN MIND).
@@casey10614 What If I started a company that sold 1 million dollar submarine sonar units that were 100x more accurate than livescope? I’d make it available to the open market but sell for 2 million a piece. Only the wealthiest people would be able to afford it and they would win every tournament in history. To you that would be fair. Because it’s just “technology.” We already have technology that is more powerful than livescope. Every year it will get more advanced and more expensive with upgraded components. It’s eventually going to be too much and the tournament organizations will have to draw the line.
If all you think Randy is talking about is forward facing sonar you are clearly not paying attention. The issue he is talking about is the bigger picture. He has lived long enough to see the unbelievable advances in technology in a single lifetime. He is expressing a concern more than a complaint. He sees a day when technology has advanced to a point where even the proponents of forward facing technology will say we’ve gone too far. If you don’t believe technology can get to a point where a person with no understanding of bass behavior, seasonal patterns, weather and all the other factors can go win tournaments then you have not lived long enough to see unbelievable technological advancements in your lifetime. In addition to sonar technology you might want to consider what artificial intelligence could do for complete novices. The big question and concern is where do draw the lines?
This is not aimed towards Randy. But this is my take on the whole situation of Forward facing sonar. It is a bunch of mess, all of the back and forth about forward facing sonar. In truth the reason everyone's panties are all twisted in a bunch is because it leveled the playing field. How you say! Let me answer any would be questions. What Forward facing sonar did was cut the learning curve for anglers on unfamiliar bodies of water. Forward facing sonar changed the game by leveling the playing field for those who didn't have the sponsors to pay for them to go out and get practice for a week on a lake or river. It leveled out that type of disadvantaged competition. Anglers Understand I'm not one of these young guys giving out the hooray for forward facing sonar. But I am one of the guys that was not fortunate enough to get sponsor money not because I wasn't good enough but because I didn't fit the build of what a company may have wanted you to look like. I assure you it wasn't about how many fish i could catch. Utilizing the technology of Forward facing sonar should have been treated no differently then when down imaging or side imaging came out. Everyone cried about the cost then too. Was it not a disadvantage to try and locate fish with 2d compared to side imaging. If you guys really want to talk about something, talk about changing these entries fees. Talk about a guy getting a top 10 finish with over 150 boats and getting less than $800 in payout. I respect everyone's take on forward facing sonar. But if people are going to protest then protest the good fight for true change for the anglers. Come Randy this is where your voice needs to be heard.
Let's get an organization started that won't allow it, even in practice. It time to make it happen, it's killing our fisheries and opportunities for our children and grand children. WE should ALL be concerned.
I totally agree. The young pros today have not proved that they belong in the elites because of live scope. As you said, they proved they can play a video game. Take it away and let’s see how good they really are.
Kyle Welcher covered the topic as well. You should do a live round table discussion with you, Gerald, Kyle, KVD, and Jacob Wheeler to discuss the topic.
A lot of Pros are saying; They are catching lots of Largemouth, but there Trolling Motor is on high covering water, than use Live Scope as they they caught the only Bass of the day
As a Viewer and an intermediate bass angler hoping one day to enter the bass circuit tourns, I started bass fishing as most did without sonars so that’s where my opinion is coming from. I believe compromise will be the answer here, years of fishing without the aid of technology brings about set”s” of skills that are nullified with the use of forward facing sonar, the tech does what it’s supposed to and that’s to make it easier to find and put more fish in the boat. The problem is when it comes to tournaments which is supposed to filter out the best of anglers, FFS not only evens the playing field but it also take from those anglers that have spent years acquiring skills that one can only acquire from experience the well deserved title of being one of the best . Now anyone who’s financially capable of having the technology without putting in much time on the water can become an “Elite” therefor it really takes away from the main goal of the tournament which is filtering out the best of the best. I believe the best solution is throughout the circuit… the first couple tournaments (qualifiers) should allow FFS to narrow down the competition then as it gets to the top tournaments it should then start to back away from FFS and solely rely on intuition and experience “raw skills only” your senses to determine the Elite amongst the competitors. Not only would this make Bass Master Elite so prestigious but it would give a great importance and respect to the game in which will be the “talk of the town” more than it does now with the anglers and viewers but it would also encourage challengers to really practice engaging with their environment more from mapping where the forage are, where the herrings are hunting, where the wind and currents are hitting, and creating activities in the water (food chain), to feeling out bottom composition and so forth etc. These are important skill sets that become insignificant with FFS. So In summary forward facing sonar should be use to thin out the competition then as it moves to the “Super Bowl” BMElite/classics; FFS should be banned and require only traditional raw angling skills. Really filler out the best of us.
his poll wasn't about liking livescope, it was do they not like watching tournaments where the angler uses livescope. I dont like watching it on TV, but really like livescope its a awesome tool.
I just started fishing again as a 50 year old. I loved fishing as a kid. I love catching fish. I love being out in nature and I love the surprise of hooking a fish. I did not even know of this trend or equipment. This is not fishing.
I agree brother I been bass fishing for 50yrs always love watching bass fishing tournaments now only watch early season once they go north and start livescope I quit watching thanks again
I like Swindle..but I have to agree with you on this one…people need to stop bad mouthing others just because they have a different point of view..we must not hate each other because we disagree on stuff..that’s crazy!!!Go Dawgs!!
I think it should be allowed in practice but not in competition. BASS should take notes from Big Sportfishing tournaments like the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament where there is a separate division for boats running half million dollar sonar.
I use FFS literally every single day; however, it never used to be that way. I now use it to stay competitive, and I would not care if it was banned tomorrow. BUT, and this is a big BUTTTTT... on the same note, I personally know at least 3 anglers with 35k in electronics and they do not even know how to read side scan. So to say that reading electronics it does not take skill is a bit of a stretch. It certainly takes different kinds of skill. These guys fish WORSE when they are staring at their electronics, they are limited in skill ceiling because of this. I grew up shallow water sight fishing most of the time, shallow grass etc, this was new to me, and I put in 2823 hours on my first graph just learning how to utilize it as a tool. I am with you Randy, FFS can go away tomorrow, but it does take a different level of dedication, and its worth acknowledging. Good video! Tight lines, brothers!
Just implement a 1 pound penalty per fish caught on ffs to level the playing field and let them fish. It happens in other sports such as drag racing for people that choose to run different induction systems. Happens in golf with a handicap or an age bracket
Here is an interesting fact. FFS is already banned completely (owning and use) in various communes and districts in Switzerland and Germany. Not talking about tournament. I’m talking completely… even recreational use. Pike, pearch and zander breeding stock populations stating declining and the local communes stepped in and banned it immediately.
Well, I am all for not using ffs during tournaments but would allow it to practice. As far as my Garmin....you would have to peel it from my cold, dead hands. I think it is a blast to use and what I have learned about fish behavior is priceless to me.
And to think of all the new lures year after year, colors beyond anything natural but every year something new to “try”. Equipment is the same way it’s always something a little snazzier. Then comes fish locators and depth finders. It’s funny because they too are without escape of ever changing technology. Always something a little better or can do more than last year’s model. Boats that cost as much as some people’s homes. Crazy that technology it’s always changing.
It is now up to all 70% against FFS to contact B.A.S.S. and MLF and tell them how we feel about FFS !B.A.S.S. is coming to Lake Harris Florida in October ill be there to voice my concerns about FFS and tournaments during bass nesting tournaments!
Dude it is nice when men can talk like men! Randy did not get butthurt over G talking G stuff.. It is what it is and so moving on......We need more men in this sport!
Not just for viewership, I've quit fishing the local MLF as a co-angler after getting stuck in the middle of the lake while my boater was fishing for suspended fish in 50ft of water...so they will have to double the entry fee or draw boat on boat to make up for the co-angler's not fishing..
It's funny you guys are all fighting against Forward facing sonar. But won't open your mouth up at all against the cost of the tournament compared to the payouts.
I understand what you mean BUT, lowrance. Garmin and humminbird are probably the biggest sponsors of bassmaster, mlf etc. They wont hurt their pocketbooks by eliminating them.
It's great to hear that tournament anglers are now starting to step and say what you have been saying all along about ffs. I still find it a shame that the driving factor to that is a monetary reason and not an issue of the sustainability and well being of bass and fisheries. I would love to see national and state wildlife departments get more involved in this ban for the sake of sustainable quality fisheries.
I watched St. Lawrence for about five minutes and turned it off. You knew as the broadcast switched from angler to angler that it was going to be just more offshore footage of someone bouncing up and down on the front deck staring at their screens. I’d rather watch Blaukat or Swindle throw a jig into gnarly cover with muddy water. It’ll be interesting if there’s a showdown between the broadcast companies (ex Fox Sports), the fishing leagues (ex Bassmaster, MLF), the series sponsors (ex Garmin) and the TV advertisers (commercials) if ratings go down. The broadcasters pay the leagues for the rights to the broadcast and the broadcasters make money by selling commercial slots to the TV advertisers. The broadcasters many times guarantee their advertisers a minimum TV rating or viewership…if not the advertisers could be owed “make-good” money from the broadcast company if the ratings are poor. It’ll be interesting if a tug of war breaks out because a company like Garmin has a vested interest and so does a company who advertises their products during the broadcast. The TV advertisers could actually be the ones who make a push for leagues to drop FFS if ratings suffer. In fact, TV advertisers dictate more than we know, right down to dictating the product on the field of play itself. If Bassmaster and MLF aren’t careful, a rival league free of FFS or electronics altogether will rise up.
Randy I will stand behind you on this ffs bullshit til I'm not breathing any longer. I don't think it sucks I absolutely know it sucks and it has ruined bass fishing. Keep up the the great work friend
I say we dig more lakes, and dam more rivers. There are three lakes around me, if they had Florida strain in them, would be world-class fisheries! Right now they are drainage, ditches and gar holes! There IS more than one way to bake this cake. Maybe if we would realize we own these national parks and public lakes we can work the problem from the other end as well. We are very creative people. And I just don’t like banning things! Because again, we are very creative people…
Randy, as I have from the beginning, I STAND BEHIND YOU, I know you’re getting hammered and I have huge respect for you standing up for the truth. You will go down as the most legendary conservationist in bass fishing history. No matter how it shakes out, no one can take that away from you, thanks.
Ok I’m super old school. There should be zero electronics on the boat during tournaments. Maybe only gps for navigation only. I want to see who can fish.
Let's look at the big picture; professional baseball is about the popular players, professional, football is about the popular players, professional golf is about the popular players, professional bass fishing is NOT about the popular anglers it's about teaching people to catch fish better. Tournament fishing has so many uncontrollable variables, and is totally gambling of participants' entry fees. Even then most hard core fishing fans don't recognize professional anglers in the same light as professionals in real sports because they realize the element of luck that is involved (despite what many pros claim about luck). The names in fishing don't mean the same as the names in other sports because of the sheer amount of uncontrollable variables involved. We saw that when 90% of the biggest named pros went to BPT and the Elites, that were filled with second tier FLW pros, second tier Elite fishermen, and no-names that came up through the BASS Opens, drew the majority of fishing fans (despite the claims of Boyd Duckett). IF the NFL was abolished tomorrow there would be no professional football for years. If all the BASS Elite fishermen quit tomorrow by the next day the field would be full and the organization would continue. Money is going to determine the outcome of this whole forward facing sonar debate. If the electronic companies pony up their contributions, and come up with the technology to show viewers what anglers are seeing and teach them how to use this technology to capitalize on fishing opportunities and make it interesting...Gerald Swindle and Randy Blaukat will be sent packing! If Strike King, Pure Fishing, and Normark come to the conclusion that they want to take the focus off FFS in favor of their products...and pony up with their advertising dollars, Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird will have their FFS products put in check and we may see a ban. It's just like the Alabama rig, they banned it because it took focus off specific lures and tackle manufacturers that were spending tens of thousand of advertising dollars to promote their products. The Alabama rig was generic in that everyone had one and regardless of who's rig you bought or who's swimbaits you used you were going to catch fish. Major sponsors of these organizations will not stand for that.
Mike Iaconellis Classic winning fish is why I love watching the Bassmasters. I love the unknown and using the skills they have to find and catch fish. Its many other situations like that, that make me love watching. Live scope is not competition fishing.
I cut the cord and I could care less about tournament fishing. As far as I am concerned, all tournaments need to be catch and release and livescope free.
I watched a video the other day of KVD on one of the Great Lakes fishing a deep diving crank bait in moderate waves catching smallmouth without spotting the individual fish he was casting to.
I have said this before don't just ban the electronics , ban the tournaments too , because they kill a lot of fish, rather see the fish eaten then to die just so someone can make some money.
I tuned in to watch the tournament this last weekend on the St Lawrence River and it was all footage of guys that looked like they were staring at their shoes and playing the carnival game where you try to lift up a beer bottle with a ring on string! No real content at all. I get the same thrill watching people stare at their cell phone!
Thank you, Randy. It is time to get back to the talents and instincts of the angler and not the electronics. It is time more of us speak up and let MLF and Bassmasters know how we feel. Please keep up up your fight.
Can I apply missile tech for archery sports? If yes, then FFS is ok. To any sport, you can not change rules, if the rule is by numbers, the KVD is nothing. It is a sport, not tech.
Hell I saw that finder is experimenting with some live transducer that can see 400 feet.i know he would rather flip grass buthes just like everyone else looking for en edge.where does it end?
I see some help being needed here aside from anti live scopers speaking up to the tournments and tv networks, stop watching stop attending tournaments to watch weigh ins, people need to contact there state fish and game depts to ban its use on their lakes and rivers. IMO
I think a happy middle ground, is saying pros can practice with live but come game day it’s off the boat or at least bare minimum only one live scope allowed on a boat, some dudes out there with 360 live scope, drifting around till they find fish, that’s not fishing in my opinion
I agree with you on ban. Due to I have stopped watching a lot less. I would love to see the old ways come back with minimal sonar use.. because it really does show the ability of the anglers experience to fish the lake.. I’ve recently added Garmin just to keep up with my tournament club.. trust me I love it it’s helped me I’ve been able to win with it this year.. I’d like to see few tournaments without it on professional side..belive this would be interesting to see..
i m frensh and my opinion one live scope on TV is: for me it is not a problem to see BASS OR MLF with live scope, me i hate to see when it is smallies fisheries ! I hate look competition in ST lawrence river or north big lake when all PRO fish on drop shoot or vertical... When i see on Fork lake a fisher man fish with Jerkbait and with live scope, i like see that. But i prefer when it is with frog or power fishing. So for me it is not livescope the big problem for a good watch but how Pro fish, what tecnic they use. Some technic are boring to see on TV. (sorry for my english)
For those who want to ban FFS I have some rule changes I want to see.
1. No electronics period. No mapping, FFS, 2D, 360, etc.
2. No powerpoles
3. All lakes limited to on the e tournament per month regardless if it is local or pro.
4. All events will be maxed at 100 anglers.
5. On 5 fish limit events any angler brings in a dead fish is disqualified for that event.
6. Any event organizer who release dead fish back into the lake will incur a fine.
I agree 100% no electronics. You cant be half way. You either shun technology completely or leave it be. I think going without tech is a fantastic idea and it will truly showcase talent.
Thanks!
Thx Paul!
I’m with you 100%
Good!
Well done tired of livescope refuse to use it well spoken
"Once you take the unknown from fishing, you lose everything that fishing is about" is probably one of the greatest quotes about fishing that I have ever heard
Slowly getting closer to fishing out of a barrel..
Huh? It’s technology, ain’t gonna stop it. Randy is stuck in the Stone Age. That’s why the comments about him.
It’s okay if you like shallow fishing. And it’s okay if you like live sonar. I love fishing with livescope it’s exciting to me.
You can only go 4mph with livescope. You still have to know where to look and know fish behavior. It doesn’t put fish in the boat for ya.
Randy don’t tell me how to fish and I won’t tell ya how to fish. And don’t tell us what’s best for us. I think Swidle and myself have a lot of respect for you. You have a lot of knowledge and appreciate you sharing your experience.
Where you are losing the younger crowd is telling us how to fish. We have to fish like you and not use live sonar? That rubs the wrong way and why you are losing ppl. But uh yeah buddy keep up the good fight (the good fight is only in YOUR OWN MIND).
@@casey10614 What If I started a company that sold 1 million dollar submarine sonar units that were 100x more accurate than livescope? I’d make it available to the open market but sell for 2 million a piece. Only the wealthiest people would be able to afford it and they would win every tournament in history. To you that would be fair. Because it’s just “technology.” We already have technology that is more powerful than livescope. Every year it will get more advanced and more expensive with upgraded components. It’s eventually going to be too much and the tournament organizations will have to draw the line.
Its not talent to by a 20k unit and drive around looking for fish, thats not fishing at least at a professional level.
If all you think Randy is talking about is forward facing sonar you are clearly not paying attention. The issue he is talking about is the bigger picture. He has lived long enough to see the unbelievable advances in technology in a single lifetime. He is expressing a concern more than a complaint. He sees a day when technology has advanced to a point where even the proponents of forward facing technology will say we’ve gone too far. If you don’t believe technology can get to a point where a person with no understanding of bass behavior, seasonal patterns, weather and all the other factors can go win tournaments then you have not lived long enough to see unbelievable technological advancements in your lifetime. In addition to sonar technology you might want to consider what artificial intelligence could do for complete novices. The big question and concern is where do draw the lines?
That’s right Randy. As an LEO I can reciprocate what you’re talking about. It ain’t always easy doing the right thing, but what’s right is right.
This is not aimed towards Randy. But this is my take on the whole situation of Forward facing sonar. It is a bunch of mess, all of the back and forth about forward facing sonar. In truth the reason everyone's panties are all twisted in a bunch is because it leveled the playing field. How you say! Let me answer any would be questions. What Forward facing sonar did was cut the learning curve for anglers on unfamiliar bodies of water.
Forward facing sonar changed the game by leveling the playing field for those who didn't have the sponsors to pay for them to go out and get practice for a week on a lake or river. It leveled out that type of disadvantaged competition. Anglers Understand I'm not one of these young guys giving out the hooray for forward facing sonar. But I am one of the guys that was not fortunate enough to get sponsor money not because I wasn't good enough but because I didn't fit the build of what a company may have wanted you to look like. I assure you it wasn't about how many fish i could catch. Utilizing the technology of Forward facing sonar should have been treated no differently then when down imaging or side imaging came out. Everyone cried about the cost then too. Was it not a disadvantage to try and locate fish with 2d compared to side imaging. If you guys really want to talk about something, talk about changing these entries fees. Talk about a guy getting a top 10 finish with over 150 boats and getting less than $800 in payout. I respect everyone's take on forward facing sonar. But if people are going to protest then protest the good fight for true change for the anglers. Come Randy this is where your voice needs to be heard.
Totally agree!! Get rid of it! As soon as I turn on a televised tournament and it's ffs driven...I'm out
Bring Tournaments to Kentucky Lake, Lake Chickamauga, Huntersville Alabama instead of up North catching only Smallmouth Smallmouth 9:25
It’s not fishing anymore it’s called catching
Agreed , agreed , agreed 👍🏻
Very proud you for standing up, need more men like you
Yes, you're right. I do not watch bass tournaments anymore, it's not a sport anymore, it's a commercial fishing venture....
Go back to 18' boats, 150hp max, and 2d sonar. Then we'll see who can actually still find fish on a regular basis.
We can only wish .
I’d be ok with 19ft and a 200
Exactly then we will see the real fisherman shine like clunn and Nixon
With the forward sonar, why do they need a 100,000 dollar boat? Why not a flat bottom with a 25 tiller in it?
@@patrickd6450. simple because you have the money to spend and in bassmaster most boats cant pass the bassmasters inspection
Let's get an organization started that won't allow it, even in practice.
It time to make it happen, it's killing our fisheries and opportunities for our children and grand children.
WE should ALL be concerned.
Watching the Smith Lake event I actually saw some real fishing here and there.
It takes the mystery out of it. You know the saying "leave something to be desired"
Number one!!
Yep. I figure there will eventually be tournaments that don't allow livescope/FFS. Just depthfinder only or old school flasher!!
"Spotlighting" bass is the best definition of the technique.
I totally agree. The young pros today have not proved that they belong in the elites because of live scope. As you said, they proved they can play a video game. Take it away and let’s see how good they really are.
Pretty soon reaching into a bucket of fish will be called "bass fishing".
Kyle Welcher covered the topic as well. You should do a live round table discussion with you, Gerald, Kyle, KVD, and Jacob Wheeler to discuss the topic.
A lot of Pros are saying; They are catching lots of Largemouth, but there Trolling Motor is on high covering water, than use Live Scope as they they caught the only Bass of the day
Randy you’re absolutely right there is nothing like using natural instinct to catch bass!!
Need more dudes like this out there!!!! The mystery of bass fishing is gone
As a Viewer and an intermediate bass angler hoping one day to enter the bass circuit tourns, I started bass fishing as most did without sonars so that’s where my opinion is coming from. I believe compromise will be the answer here, years of fishing without the aid of technology brings about set”s” of skills that are nullified with the use of forward facing sonar, the tech does what it’s supposed to and that’s to make it easier to find and put more fish in the boat. The problem is when it comes to tournaments which is supposed to filter out the best of anglers, FFS not only evens the playing field but it also take from those anglers that have spent years acquiring skills that one can only acquire from experience the well deserved title of being one of the best . Now anyone who’s financially capable of having the technology without putting in much time on the water can become an “Elite” therefor it really takes away from the main goal of the tournament which is filtering out the best of the best. I believe the best solution is throughout the circuit… the first couple tournaments (qualifiers) should allow FFS to narrow down the competition then as it gets to the top tournaments it should then start to back away from FFS and solely rely on intuition and experience “raw skills only” your senses to determine the Elite amongst the competitors. Not only would this make Bass Master Elite so prestigious but it would give a great importance and respect to the game in which will be the “talk of the town” more than it does now with the anglers and viewers but it would also encourage challengers to really practice engaging with their environment more from mapping where the forage are, where the herrings are hunting, where the wind and currents are hitting, and creating activities in the water (food chain), to feeling out bottom composition and so forth etc. These are important skill sets that become insignificant with FFS. So In summary forward facing sonar should be use to thin out the competition then as it moves to the “Super Bowl” BMElite/classics; FFS should be banned and require only traditional raw angling skills. Really filler out the best of us.
his poll wasn't about liking livescope, it was do they not like watching tournaments where the angler uses livescope. I dont like watching it on TV, but really like livescope its a awesome tool.
I just started fishing again as a 50 year old. I loved fishing as a kid. I love catching fish. I love being out in nature and I love the surprise of hooking a fish. I did not even know of this trend or equipment. This is not fishing.
I’m so sick of livescope I’m watch UFC FIGHTING NOW INSTEAD OF FISHING
I agree brother I been bass fishing for 50yrs always love watching bass fishing tournaments now only watch early season once they go north and start livescope I quit watching thanks again
That’s ENTERTAINING!!!
I like Swindle..but I have to agree with you on this one…people need to stop bad mouthing others just because they have a different point of view..we must not hate each other because we disagree on stuff..that’s crazy!!!Go Dawgs!!
I think it should be allowed in practice but not in competition. BASS should take notes from Big Sportfishing tournaments like the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament where there is a separate division for boats running half million dollar sonar.
I use FFS literally every single day; however, it never used to be that way. I now use it to stay competitive, and I would not care if it was banned tomorrow.
BUT, and this is a big BUTTTTT... on the same note, I personally know at least 3 anglers with 35k in electronics and they do not even know how to read side scan. So to say that reading electronics it does not take skill is a bit of a stretch. It certainly takes different kinds of skill. These guys fish WORSE when they are staring at their electronics, they are limited in skill ceiling because of this. I grew up shallow water sight fishing most of the time, shallow grass etc, this was new to me, and I put in 2823 hours on my first graph just learning how to utilize it as a tool.
I am with you Randy, FFS can go away tomorrow, but it does take a different level of dedication, and its worth acknowledging.
Good video! Tight lines, brothers!
Great job. Thanks for continuing to fight the fight! Love your videos!
Just implement a 1 pound penalty per fish caught on ffs to level the playing field and let them fish. It happens in other sports such as drag racing for people that choose to run different induction systems. Happens in golf with a handicap or an age bracket
I am listening Randy!!!!!!!! Lynwood
It's becoming an electronics competition more than a fishing one. I can't watch the summer tournaments up north.
Here is an interesting fact.
FFS is already banned completely (owning and use) in various communes and districts in Switzerland and Germany.
Not talking about tournament. I’m talking completely… even recreational use. Pike, pearch and zander breeding stock populations stating declining and the local communes stepped in and banned it immediately.
Well, I am all for not using ffs during tournaments but would allow it to practice. As far as my Garmin....you would have to peel it from my cold, dead hands. I think it is a blast to use and what I have learned about fish behavior is priceless to me.
And to think of all the new lures year after year, colors beyond anything natural but every year something new to “try”. Equipment is the same way it’s always something a little snazzier. Then comes fish locators and depth finders. It’s funny because they too are without escape of ever changing technology. Always something a little better or can do more than last year’s model. Boats that cost as much as some people’s homes. Crazy that technology it’s always changing.
It is now up to all 70% against FFS to contact B.A.S.S. and MLF and tell them how we feel about FFS !B.A.S.S. is coming to Lake Harris Florida in October ill be there to voice my concerns about FFS and tournaments during bass nesting tournaments!
Dude it is nice when men can talk like men! Randy did not get butthurt over G talking G stuff.. It is what it is and so moving on......We need more men in this sport!
Not just for viewership, I've quit fishing the local MLF as a co-angler after getting stuck in the middle of the lake while my boater was fishing for suspended fish in 50ft of water...so they will have to double the entry fee or draw boat on boat to make up for the co-angler's not fishing..
Hi Randy!
I love your videos and don't forget swindle is a young Bass Angler.
God Bless you and your family!😊
It's funny you guys are all fighting against Forward facing sonar. But won't open your mouth up at all against the cost of the tournament compared to the payouts.
100% agree sir.
Not a Bass Master, FLW CHAMPIONSHIP has been won on Live Scope and never will be. Pros are being sponsored
I. Bass fish for 40 years fishing not fishing no more so I stop fishing tournaments so good luck. Boys
I understand what you mean BUT, lowrance. Garmin and humminbird are probably the biggest sponsors of bassmaster, mlf etc. They wont hurt their pocketbooks by eliminating them.
It's great to hear that tournament anglers are now starting to step and say what you have been saying all along about ffs. I still find it a shame that the driving factor to that is a monetary reason and not an issue of the sustainability and well being of bass and fisheries. I would love to see national and state wildlife departments get more involved in this ban for the sake of sustainable quality fisheries.
I watched St. Lawrence for about five minutes and turned it off. You knew as the broadcast switched from angler to angler that it was going to be just more offshore footage of someone bouncing up and down on the front deck staring at their screens. I’d rather watch Blaukat or Swindle throw a jig into gnarly cover with muddy water.
It’ll be interesting if there’s a showdown between the broadcast companies (ex Fox Sports), the fishing leagues (ex Bassmaster, MLF), the series sponsors (ex Garmin) and the TV advertisers (commercials) if ratings go down. The broadcasters pay the leagues for the rights to the broadcast and the broadcasters make money by selling commercial slots to the TV advertisers. The broadcasters many times guarantee their advertisers a minimum TV rating or viewership…if not the advertisers could be owed “make-good” money from the broadcast company if the ratings are poor. It’ll be interesting if a tug of war breaks out because a company like Garmin has a vested interest and so does a company who advertises their products during the broadcast. The TV advertisers could actually be the ones who make a push for leagues to drop FFS if ratings suffer. In fact, TV advertisers dictate more than we know, right down to dictating the product on the field of play itself.
If Bassmaster and MLF aren’t careful, a rival league free of FFS or electronics altogether will rise up.
Perfectly said
Randy I will stand behind you on this ffs bullshit til I'm not breathing any longer. I don't think it sucks I absolutely know it sucks and it has ruined bass fishing. Keep up the the great work friend
Gimme some Greg Hackney catching BIGS shallow!
I say we dig more lakes, and dam more rivers.
There are three lakes around me, if they had Florida strain in them, would be world-class fisheries!
Right now they are drainage, ditches and gar holes!
There IS more than one way to bake this cake.
Maybe if we would realize we own these national parks and public lakes we can work the problem from the other end as well.
We are very creative people. And I just don’t like banning things!
Because again, we are very creative people…
Miliken had a pretty good response to your ff sonar position... whats your take?
If you add RC drone/crank baits to the FFS fishing then you can say follow the science 🤪
Randy, as I have from the beginning, I STAND BEHIND YOU, I know you’re getting hammered and I have huge respect for you standing up for the truth. You will go down as the most legendary conservationist in bass fishing history. No matter how it shakes out, no one can take that away from you, thanks.
Wonder what the pros will have to say about him if it does end up banned...
I don’t generally watch Swindle, not a fan. I watch that one.
Ok I’m super old school. There should be zero electronics on the boat during tournaments. Maybe only gps for navigation only. I want to see who can fish.
I agree with you 💯!! Fishing is fishing not looking at a screen...learn the fish how to fish and figure out what the fish want. Well said Randy!👍
Yea I’ve been watching some tournaments and seems like they are all casting and looking down.
Let's look at the big picture; professional baseball is about the popular players, professional, football is about the popular players, professional golf is about the popular players, professional bass fishing is NOT about the popular anglers it's about teaching people to catch fish better. Tournament fishing has so many uncontrollable variables, and is totally gambling of participants' entry fees. Even then most hard core fishing fans don't recognize professional anglers in the same light as professionals in real sports because they realize the element of luck that is involved (despite what many pros claim about luck). The names in fishing don't mean the same as the names in other sports because of the sheer amount of uncontrollable variables involved. We saw that when 90% of the biggest named pros went to BPT and the Elites, that were filled with second tier FLW pros, second tier Elite fishermen, and no-names that came up through the BASS Opens, drew the majority of fishing fans (despite the claims of Boyd Duckett). IF the NFL was abolished tomorrow there would be no professional football for years. If all the BASS Elite fishermen quit tomorrow by the next day the field would be full and the organization would continue. Money is going to determine the outcome of this whole forward facing sonar debate. If the electronic companies pony up their contributions, and come up with the technology to show viewers what anglers are seeing and teach them how to use this technology to capitalize on fishing opportunities and make it interesting...Gerald Swindle and Randy Blaukat will be sent packing!
If Strike King, Pure Fishing, and Normark come to the conclusion that they want to take the focus off FFS in favor of their products...and pony up with their advertising dollars, Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird will have their FFS products put in check and we may see a ban. It's just like the Alabama rig, they banned it because it took focus off specific lures and tackle manufacturers that were spending tens of thousand of advertising dollars to promote their products. The Alabama rig was generic in that everyone had one and regardless of who's rig you bought or who's swimbaits you used you were going to catch fish. Major sponsors of these organizations will not stand for that.
Gerald Swindle vs Randy Blauket boxing match!!!
Randy start a petition tir. it into your state let's go I'll sign it
Ill also add that could take a fair percentage of fisherman with livescope out on ky lake and they still could t find fish.
Mike Iaconellis Classic winning fish is why I love watching the Bassmasters. I love the unknown and using the skills they have to find and catch fish. Its many other situations like that, that make me love watching. Live scope is not competition fishing.
Exactly. FIshing isn't supposed to be easy to learn. It's experience and dedication that makes a true professional angler.
Bass life matters! 😅🤷🏻♂️
I cut the cord and I could care less about tournament fishing. As far as I am concerned, all tournaments need to be catch and release and livescope free.
Gman's poll is great, but do the ratings of BASS live agree?
Great video , we are gaining momentum, ban Live Scope
Fish has never been a spectator sport
Manufacturers cater to professional bass anglers, while forgetting the average consumer can’t afford their products.
It will never be banned. They shouldve never let it in to start with in my opinion too much money in it that speaks louder than fans sad but true
We would prefer them NOT using it during the tournament!!!😡 Practice with it,we have no problem with that !!!
I know you take a lot of shit for your opinion on this, but I respect the fact that you stand by your opinion.
I watched a video the other day of KVD on one of the Great Lakes fishing a deep diving crank bait in moderate waves catching smallmouth without spotting the individual fish he was casting to.
I have said this before don't just ban the electronics , ban the tournaments too , because they kill a lot of fish, rather see the fish eaten then to die just so someone can make some money.
I agree, 100%. My resolve would be game-day ban, BUT you can use it prefishing.
I think it should be limited to pre fishing only like you said. After that only Down Scan & Side Scan and Chirp during tourney hours.
And ban tournaments during the spawn period too
Randy, the pole wasn't about do you like or don't like it, it was about if you like watching it on television.
its funny how quickly they banned the alabama rig though
I agree with banning it.
I don't care to watch either way,
But I can honestly say I don't want to fish on a boat that's captain is using it.
I tuned in to watch the tournament this last weekend on the St Lawrence River and it was all footage of guys that looked like they were staring at their shoes and playing the carnival game where you try to lift up a beer bottle with a ring on string! No real content at all. I get the same thrill watching people stare at their cell phone!
Thank you, Randy. It is time to get back to the talents and instincts of the angler and not the electronics. It is time more of us speak up and let MLF and Bassmasters know how we feel. Please keep up up your fight.
Can I apply missile tech for archery sports? If yes, then FFS is ok. To any sport, you can not change rules, if the rule is by numbers, the KVD is nothing. It is a sport, not tech.
Hell I saw that finder is experimenting with some live transducer that can see 400 feet.i know he would rather flip grass buthes just like everyone else looking for en edge.where does it end?
I see some help being needed here aside from anti live scopers speaking up to the tournments and tv networks, stop watching stop attending tournaments to watch weigh ins, people need to contact there state fish and game depts to ban its use on their lakes and rivers. IMO
I guess I'm old school when I'm fishing, I don't think live scope is actually fishing it looks like a video game to me.
your so right there know skill with livescope
I love FFS
Sorry buddy, it’s here to stay!
The drum beat is getting louder.
I assume Swindle thought the results of his poll would be the opposite of what it turned out to be.
Naw I believe it turned out like about what he thought
It’s not real fishing and the guys that don’t get it already never will.
I think a happy middle ground, is saying pros can practice with live but come game day it’s off the boat or at least bare minimum only one live scope allowed on a boat, some dudes out there with 360 live scope, drifting around till they find fish, that’s not fishing in my opinion
I agree with you on ban. Due to I have stopped watching a lot less. I would love to see the old ways come back with minimal sonar use.. because it really does show the ability of the anglers experience to fish the lake.. I’ve recently added Garmin just to keep up with my tournament club.. trust me I love it it’s helped me I’ve been able to win with it this year.. I’d like to see few tournaments without it on professional side..belive this would be interesting to see..
i m frensh and my opinion one live scope on TV is: for me it is not a problem to see BASS OR MLF with live scope, me i hate to see when it is smallies fisheries ! I hate look competition in ST lawrence river or north big lake when all PRO fish on drop shoot or vertical... When i see on Fork lake a fisher man fish with Jerkbait and with live scope, i like see that. But i prefer when it is with frog or power fishing. So for me it is not livescope the big problem for a good watch but how Pro fish, what tecnic they use. Some technic are boring to see on TV. (sorry for my english)