My last tournament, an angler asked me if i had FFS. And if not, why? I said, "I enjoy fishing and competing. I refuse to loose the skills i have developed. The education about fish Ive acquired over the years. When I was deer hunting, my friends were buying long range rifles. Harvesting deer at 6-700 yards. I was bow hunting, harvesting deer at 30 yards. I guided elk hunters for years. I never ever got lost. The days i started useing a GPS, my skill fell away. Now i can't walk miles in dense forest without one." Technology destroys our god given gift of human skill and self satisfaction of earned success from hard work.
I know what you mean, my days of Triangulating a spot are not needed anymore. Ive had anglers offer to buy my waypoint coordinates instead of hiring for a day of fishing.
Not sure I understand this ... I got FFS 2 years ago and it's done nothing but make me a better fisherman by learning new skills but I haven't lost any of my other skills. I haven't unlearned how to find fish and fish behavior and seasonal patterns just because I have FFS. If anything I've learned a ton about fish behavior directly BECAUSE of FFS since it lets me see how fish react to baits and retrieves ... talk about an education!
@@Imjodaddy357 exactly. The big problem with this is most of the people who complain about it have never used it, don't own one, have never even been on a boa where it is being use and really don't understand how the tech actually works. They get their facts from YT, not a rigorous analysis of the objective reality surrounding this ... I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since this is how these same people get their news an understanding of the world around them, it's pretty scary actually ...
Well, at this moment I am in Canada fishing Wolfe Lake out of a 13 ft aluminum boat with a 9.9 on it. I left my bass boat home in Syracuse and I am having more fun than I've had in 45 years.
You're spot on with this one man. I was a marshal at smith lake. My angler (who is a complete hammer) straight up told me if something isn't done soon himself and a lot of others won't be there much longer. Smith was pitiful man.
It kinda slow rolled into dominance. It wasn’t immediately apparent because those guys weren’t able to dominate with the first panoptix units like the new ones. BASS freaked over the A-Rig partly because after that one event on G’ville… it seemed like an unstoppable storm. And I think guy’s catching multiple doubles and on one lure was deemed a bad look for competition. I got 2nd in a BFL myself because I doubled with two 6+ smallies on it. I had another double the very next cast too but I culled the smaller one anyway. Lol whatever, I had almost 19lbs in two casts… I still think it was a terrible decision banning it. I’m with you on the FFS though. I don’t even care what side you’re on, that both major pro organizations let it become so controversial before making some kind of move is ridiculous. I’m not sure it isn’t too late now anyway. If it doesn’t kill professional bass tournaments, the implications for species like trophy striped bass and crappie aren’t good. Guys using live bait with it is a deadly thing.
@kennethrowling-cz1vl they haven't because a change in creel limits is how that would be regulated if the fish population were being affected. In crappie limits will be changed
❤❤Randy, the crazy thing is the fact that several of my buddies went out and got forward facing sonar after hearing you say how much easier it is to catch fish. While you may be helping to stop the use of FFS in tournaments, you are convincing the weekend angler to rush out and buy the units so they can catch more bass.
I have zero issue with the weekend angler who gets one day a week to catch fish having FFS. If it’s not a competitive tournament, use it to have a fun day
Randy, I keep saying it. There is an opportunity to start a new tournament trail that prohibits the forward facing live sonars. Call it the Real Fisherman's tournament trail. No more video game players. Just guys like yourself, like me for that matter. As you said, guys who have honed their skills through their understanding of seasonal patterns and fish movements. Understanding of "match the hatch". Ive fished with a few greats in my day. And I learned so much about fishing from them. Peter "T" taught me a lesson on Carolina rigging in 1992 that I was able to apply to my Federation tournaments and win several with what he taught me. These video game guys would be lost without their crutches. And with what I know, I could probably beat most of them on any lake without their TV's in their boats. Im so sick of it, I actually called BASS and told them to stop sending me magazines even though Im a life member from the early 90's. The way to win this battle is hit them in the wallet. If people stop watching, then the sponsors will stop paying. Its as simple as that. And if enough people would stop watching, suddenly payouts would start dropping. No more 100K bass rigs. Ray Scott must be rolling over in his grave at what this sport has become. Get the cameras out of the boats. And just let the guys fish. It used to be fun. Its not any more.
Nobody wants it, go look at that no ffs tournament that happened in April they only had 47 boats signed up. Hell even Randy didnt even show up. They even had a lot of signatures before the tournament saying they would show up... but hardly any of them did.
@@nauseous001 I never even herd about it. And there's the problem. If it is promoted good enough, people will sign up and fish it. But if nobody knows about it, then they wont sign up.
The St James BPT was a decent watch this weekend! Pretty awesome to see Reese get his first BPT win power FISHING! Yes, there were some scopeadoping, but the dominant players were actually fishing! A refreshing watch for sure!
Your right, a professional at there job has to adapt to newer technologies that come out. I would have lost my job a long time ago if I didn't learn the newest tools of my trade.
Can't agree more.. and it's funny that you say that I was watching the Bassmasters today on TV and that's all they were using if it was years ago like Randy saying none of these guys will be able to compete with all the others
Randy, your point is well taken and I agree 100%. With that being said, there is one word you are forgetting which is MONEY. Bassmaster and others are given incentives for allowing FFS to be used in competition. The boat manufacturers, dealers, sponsors are making more money by rigging FFS in the products they sell for those who can afford it. Fishery Biologists that I have spoke to in different states are starting to become concerned about the damage FFS is doing to the resource. It seems hypocritical to me that certain states want to limit the amount of hooks I can fish on an A-Rig but allow FFS with NO Restrictions. Go Figure....
The most well-known pro of them all put 400+ hours idle time on his motor every year for the past 25 years looking at a screen, and you never cried then. 100% no difference except the ease of interpretation of what you're looking at. Thats what these guys are crying about the fact they aren't the only one's that know how to interpret new sonar. I've made this comment a hundred times, and no one has an argument to that.
@@Imjodaddy357you may want to be careful using the word “everyone”. I disagree completely with you and I’m part of the “everyone”. Speak for yourself only. This is my opinion.
@@Imjodaddy357 actually it doesn’t. Again, you need to speak for yourself. “Everyone” isn’t extremist. Some people just don’t agree on things. That’s how it works. If you don’t like when people disagree with you, why are you even on this site???? Again this is MY opinion.
Man did u nail it on that video about FFSonar!!!! We need to leave those untapped fish alone !!! Remember when we went fishing for fun and not for money!!! We want to see anglers use brains and wits to catch fish.. not just sonar!!! Preach on buddy!!!!!
How is FFS spotlighting any different than sight fishing for bedding bass? Just cruze the shallows until you see a bedding fish and throw at it.....same thing
Jordan Lee came straight out of college and kicked butt. He he didn't use FFS to start his career. Just because someone understands the use of FFS doesn't mean they can't fish without it. I'm not for or against it to me it's just another tool . But assuming someone can't fish without it is a grave error on your part with all the information that's at your fingertips.
Yeah like Timmy Horton didn’t win AOY and Rookie of the Year in his first season. Like Skeet Reese, Hackney, Iconelli and others… my God Van Damn all didn’t excel over veterans in their first few seasons back in way before ffs day. These kids today were fishing 2&300 boat events before they could drive. Those guys didn’t even have that to hone their skills. Hell me and Timmy were skipping school to go fishing. Kids have school sponsored events and practice times… way better opportunities now to develop. I’m against live scope myself but Randy said himself on Zaldain’s podcast that youth and creativity can Trump age and experience in fishing. I think dependance on electronic is a problem but it’s not the only reason younger and younger people are able to compete. My 16 year old already has more time on the water than I did at 26… and he’s absorbed almost everything I could teach him and more.
Yep. And when they've milked it for what they can get from it they'll toss it to the side. A lot of companies go under from this way of doing business. They don't care about the long term
It's saddening when a hard-earned profession/skill is no longer marketable. I had to change mine several times ... carefully. Some say, "Specialization is for insects."; I say it's _mind-numbing,_ as most routine activities become ... for me.
@@brianward5963Unregulated is the problem. The commercial fisherman should be able to use every "legal" means of securing their livelihood. I watched part of the bass masters program this morning and they were basically shooting fish in a barrel. What's the point? I am not against tech, but what they were doing is just playing a video game, not "fishing".
It’s life and we all have to face that there is always going to be someone pushing to take our spot. I watched as much of the Smith Lake coverage as I could and enjoyed the way they linked up units and cameras so we could see what they were doing as well as the shallow water coverage . I am 71 years old and my tournament days are numbered but I can still get excited watching these young guns . Keep up the good work BASS.
Here’s the thing, completely taking out FFS from the picture, this turnover is as bound to happen at some point. It happens in every sport, hell every actual job too. If you have ever had a job and trained your replacement there are plenty of signs, most people ignore a lot of them until it’s almost time for them to be laid off
Watching the BPT guys on the James River “fishing” is refreshing. I fish the Opens & Toyota’s- I can’t tell you how many co anglers say “Thank God” when I tell them I’m not Livescoping. They are getting frustrated paying to watch a guy watch his screen all day from the back seat
@@MJ_Bass I made the state state team this year fishing with a boater that was paralleling bank. Paralleling the bank is bad unless your boater tucks you in super tight.
I fished with a friend that has ffs, it was my first time using it and I'm not a fan. It felt wrong and completely took away the fun factor. Just my 2 cents.
@@Imjodaddy357 That's the problem people like you will never really understand his comment. And sadly that's the reason FFS isn't going anywhere and Bass fishing is fked for the future.
@TFish-lu1df never said anything about learning, it's super easy to use. I don't fish for money or to feed my family. I fish to get away from the daily grind. If I wanted to stare at a screen all day ide stay home and sit on my computer.
Well without it then bass get harassed by tournament pros and rich fisherman the fishing is getting tougher ask anyone that fishes it's getting tougher ffs has made it impossible for the average fisherman
@TheREVIEWGUY1-ip1wm I agree 100 percent. I'm a diehard bass guy at heart, I sold the bass boat and started fishing saltwater. Calico bass on the kelpbeds in a kayak is my new thing. 🤙
Forget banning FFS, the best thing that could happen to our fisheries and aquatic ecosystems would be banning tournaments and "professional" fishing in general. Randy always talks about his concern for the environment and the decline of fisheries, but he is a totally hypocritical in that he supports and participates the single most destructive influence...tournaments.
While I’m also not a tourney fan, I think there’s a happy medium… Ban LiveScope and the overall number of allowable screens. Ban live well use and move to the catch, measure/weigh, release method. Disallow tournaments during known spawn times, and otherwise ban tournament bed fishing. Automatic disqualification for clear boating violations (running no wake zones etc). Thats a start…
I think FFS is great! Yeah, I fished for the last 30 years without it, but now it's available and it's a fun tool to have in the arsenal. Would everyone here who's crying about FFS be willing to give up their side scan? Why not? Side scan was an absolute game changer. All those "secret" spots guys had from hours and hours of 2D scanning were now available to everyone side scanning 200ft swaths of lake. No one is crying about that. Sounds like these "hammers" need to adapt. That's what weekemd club tournament guys life myself have to do. FFS was a new technology to me at one point, but now I'm getting to be effective with it and I'm just a weekend angler. Why can't these pros learn to use? Their job is learning how to catch fish. I'm sorry the techniques they learned 20 years ago aren't cutting anymore. Just like most of the rest of us, they have to continuously learn to stay relevant in it jobs.
God bless you for not letting this topic go. Unfortunately this is the new generation of bass fishing and it is only going to be for the upper class or kids with trust funds that can afford it. Whenever I comment on ffs I always get the same comments but my most hated comment is the "your just another good ole boy" who can't compete anymore. Yes, that is 100% correct, I am a "good ole boy" and a lot of these "elite" anglers wouldn't be where they are without us "good ole boys". You don't think Ray Scott wasn't a good ole boy???? It sickens me Randy but technology is taking ever facet of life as we know it, including fishing, but I will stand my ground and never give up my ethics and values for some piece of technology.
Biggest difference today with bass fishermen... the new age anglers...money is 1st, then catching....true bass fishermen, the sport itself is a passion that comes 1st & making money is 2nd....There's no passion in the sport today from the Scopers & it's all about catching
Randy, looking forward to hearing what boat you will be buying in the near future! I have intentionally always stayed away from the bigger boats and motors during my 50 years of fishing. 18-19 ft boats with 150 hp have never been too small for me while fishing toledo, Rayburn, Fork, etc. Basic electronics and common sense have always worked.
We caught 25 in a jon boat two baitcaster a chatterbait a jerk bait, deep water. We had an anchor an oar and two life jackets. You mean to tell me these pros are using computers to catch bass and I’m supposed to be impressed
Jacob wheeler avg finish pre Garmin live scope? 34th place with 2 professional wins. Jacob Wheeler avg finish since Garmin Livescope? 14th place with 10 professional wins. Jacob wheeler is 60% better with live scope than without.
@@sauceboss7571 I’m not even saying I don’t like the guy, but in my opinion he is the biggest beneficiary of livescope tech in the world. He went from obscure no name to world beater over night.
I get that it's new but did you have that same pushback when depth finders, 360 or any of the other tech equipment came out? Have to grow and adapt. Should you not allow any of the improvements? Ban anything new? I think not.
I turned it on Sunday morning and they had a four box of fisherman on. All four (not kidding) had their heads down staring at their FFS! I turned it off as fast as I turned it on. I find it hard to believe greats like Davey Hite and Mark Zona on Live actually think FFS is good for the sport.
I am an old tackle dealer...older than you. One retired pro told me he knows people who know. The rules for Bassmaster and MLF are being rewritten for 2025 to exclude FFS from tournaments and allow in practice...trying to straddle the fence. Plus the other things you mentioned the other day about total inches of screens going to 60 inches etc.
If there is no skill involved, why aren’t the “hammers” able to keep up? If it is that simple, and their livelihood and career is dependent upon learning it, why aren’t they still dominating? KVD was young when he came on scene…J. Lee, Wheeler, Connell….they all won before FFS so what is the excuse for them? New names always come on scene, it’s part of the sport. Some stick around by evolving and learning and others don’t. No one cares, or is losing sleep over the fact you’re embarrassed for them or whether or not the way they catch fish has no honor to you simply because they’re not beating the bank….I feel sure their sponsors appreciate it, which at the end of the day, is the name of the game.
Hey Randy, idea: Bassmaster livescope series - Hear me out: they could qualify for the classic thru the livescope series, BUT they can’t use livescope at the classic or any other elite series tournaments. Then we’d find out how well a representative from the livescope community would do against real bass fisherman.
All the new generation needs to understand is how the Internet has given them all attachment disorders because they've spent so much time physically alone
While I am with you on FFS being limited or banned on the elite series. I’ve gotta say, you need to take a step back on some of these wild comments like saying anglers in their early 20’s would be at the bottom of every tournament without ffs…. Jordan Lee proved you wrong there along with several others. I agree that a lot of these young anglers may not be in the position they are now. But there are some young hammers that belong there without ffs. What we have happening now is a young class of anglers that have been competing in high level high school tournaments at a younger age than the household names had the opportunity to. It’s just the nature of getting more kids involved at an earlier age. While FFS has a lot to do with it, there are some young anglers with a ton of fish IQ based on the hard work put in at such a young age in these tournaments.
With all due respect Randy... Then I'm thinking, I'm a bass fisherman and I've caught three 10's multiple nines and the like but isn't a bed fisherman in tournament fishing the same thing? I'm not trying to be an asshole or hating but if, wait I don't have ffs so I don't know and none of the big ones I've caught have been on bed's so it would be a good conversation to ban both types of tournament fishing, right??? Keep giving us the great content!
2 anglers to look at which totally proves you point on Smith. Gerald Swindle and Joe Lee. Raised on the lake, won on the lake and now not even close to being in top. I had this very same conversation with my wife after the tournament was over.
In general I totally agree! FFS is a tool that is video game fishing. I'm not an avid fishermen but I remember the days people like Roland Martin, Bill Dance and those guys were people to respect because they knew how to fish. Deer hunting with all of the trail cams pre hunting areas for you have increased the abilities for a hunters success too. Time changes everything but not always for the better!
I agree 100% with you Randy on this. I had a conversation with someone the other day about technology that is all around us. As the technology increases the human skill set decreases. This applies to all aspects of our life.As an avid fisherman and someone who has followed BASS for over 40 years it is sad to see this happening , it's tough to see all the veterans who over years of hardwork becoming some of the greatest fisherman in the world are now standing bye and watching someone is just better with technology take there careers away. Its just sad.
Randy says there’s “no way” someone in their early 20’s can beat veterans on the tour, but fails to remember that this has been happening for YEARS before FFS entered the equation. Let’s just forget that guys like Jordan Lee, Brandon Palanuk, and Jacob Wheeler exist. Oh, and don’t forget KVD was whooping up on the pro field when he was that age. RB is just pulling random rage-bait talking points out of his butt at this point
MLF is mess, but one thing they seem to have done right this year is schedule tournaments on bodies of water that aren’t as conducive to live scoping. I watched both tournaments this weekend and the MLF tournament was much more enjoyable to watch. Not only because they were actually fishing, but also because I had never even heard of 90% of the guys in the Elite series. I have to admit that I thought you were the old man yelling at clouds at first, but I’ve come around to agree with you on this one Randy.
Just like with all competitive sports, there are not a lot of 60 year old guys competing. An anti FFS tournament trail isn't going to help these guys they need a 60+ age limit tournament.
Time to start a senior tournament like golf. Over 50 years old with no FFS and only downscan allowed. I guarantee I would watch that on Saturdays. It could take place on Friday and Saturday. 2 days only.
I left a negative but not out of line comment on the bass master TH-cam video yesterday morning regarding how the camera was filming people from behind staring at screens. I think they deleted it
I tried watching some of it this morning. Watching guys stare at fish on a screen in 100 feet of water lives coping bass cruising at 15 feet where the average fisherman would never start fishing that deep. FFS is definitely showing people options to catch bass in areas that you would never conceive possible in the past but after 5 minutes of it I was bored.
@@richardpace5809 It's evident that some people will never be satisfied with their dominance over the fish until they can set out on the water and catch fish at will. No challenge, no mystery, no learning the animals. Just instant results.
Takuo Ito was the only pro I seen fizzing his fish. Ever time they showed one of the other pro's livewell fish were all floating upside down. If they are going to catch these fish deep it should be mandatory to fizz them.
Thanks Randy. Watched James River tournament on MLF live. Scopers have a tough time in certain bodies of water (thank god). It was refreshing to see Skeet win the tournament via casting a shallow diver around shallow docks. I watch both circuits Elites and MLF. It is absolutely disgusting to see what the sport has become. As for sponsor dollars, it revolves around the electronic companies (hummingbird, garmin, and lowrance). An outright ban of FSS is necessary. This has to come from the State Wildlife Agencies. I hope I live long enough to see this happens. Currently I have seen our crappie population get trashed. I live on Bull Shoals. Actually saw a trout guide near my house use FSS on the White river for trout. I am glad that I got out of competitive bass fishing years ago. It is no longer a sport. It is a video game. Keep up the good work Randy.
As a recreational angler from Minnesota I am very concerned about the impact forward facing sonar will have on our already pressured lakes. On three recent outings on Mille lacs I was dismayed to see recreational anglers using Livescope ffs. As the use of this technology becomes more common it will have an impact on the resource. I believe that because of this technology we will see smaller and fewer fish. We are also going to see reduced bag limits and tighter slot limits for walleyes. Crappies in this colder area of the country are slow growing. The better crappie lakes in my state are soon going to be filled nothing but runts.
I’m finally hearing you Randy. I followed two local tournaments in back to back weeks on two small lakes. Practicing for a night tourney, there wasn’t even a squeaker left. I finally gave up and went home. I asked others and they had the same luck. FFS is devastating small lakes. Im about ready to start tournament bream fishing (not really). Who do we have to complain to about this?
Sonarmasters and Major League Sonar have lost me. Even as a viewer on tv it’s become so boring. Guys watching a screen fishing as where before they were focused on the spot, cover around them they were fishing. It might be a good time for another league to form that really challenges these anglers.
Well, bass and MLF have chose their path. The sad part is they will have just enough support to make it work for them as a spectator of the sport and avid bass fisherman I can only hope someone can start and other series that doesn't include F FS and quickly becomes popular and is live streamed and televised so I can have something to look forward to watching again
These young kids would get royally whipped without ffs. Sadly, I don't see BASS or MLF getting rid of it due to money from the electronics companies. Even worse is what is probably coming in the years ahead. The military had GPSat least 5 yrs before the public got it. Can you imagine what they have now that will eventually become available to the public? Smh
Dumbest comment ever. Literally everything you are touching and using right now was used the the military from the internet to smart phones to sonar- better watchout for that spooky military tech that your entire life is based on 😂😂😂
Randy, I am surprised you have not picked up on the biggest problem with FFS. The fish getting targeted normally don't get caught as they're not always on a piece of obvious structure. These suspended fish often have never seen a lure and aren't "lure-shy". Just like Crappie the bass population is at risk. I talked to a crappie guide who admitted to staying on a spot until he's cleaned it out! He was Bragging about it! Bass populations will suffer without these loners out there only coming shallow to spawn. Your thoughts?
@spencersmith6754 no 90% of bass fisherman don't keep fish and if they do it's usually the smaller bass or spots. I guess all of the sudden when the same 5 people don't win all the old guys get butt hurt.
@@micahcrews4375 we’re killing all our bass and spotlighting are just excuses used to gaslight the situation. I don’t have a problem with anyone against it but most people commenting have no clue.
I know that manufacturers throw a lot of money at the tournaments, but I think a lot of it also might be that electronics advances in bass fishing have been "normalized" over the years. From crude depth gauges and thermometers, to flasher and paper graphing tech, to big screen 2D and side scan, to now FFS. It has to stop. No other pro sport allows this kind of game-changing tech in competition.
It is crazy that these rookies are damn near in the top 10 every tournament it’s definitely live scoping I’m not saying I’m against live scope but I would like to see how good these rookies are by not using live scope.
I'll say it again Randy; you fellas should start your own Series! 🎣😃🏆 The heads at Bass Master aren't making the decisions Randy. I guarantee they are being told what to do. It has very little to do with electronic sales. If you men are genuinely angry, then DO SOMETHING. The skills alone you all bring to the table is phenomenal enough to set it apart. 👍
I still catch bass the way my Dad taught me over 50 years ago. I use 1 unit to check water temp. I have learned bass are creatures of habit, just like any other predator. I agree with Mr. Randy. Too many electronics in todays society period.
"I'm not disrespecting any of the guys in the top 10" yet goes on to say they have no fishing skills at all and anyone can get out and do what they do on the water.
MLF James River just finished this afternoon. Very little FFS used. Skeet Reese won. Virtually no one in top 20 was scoping, and when they were, they were looking for structure (submerged logs or stumps) not bass. I'm not smart enough, but there has to be some way to pick sites and times of the year where spot lighting is not a huge advantage. Maybe more shallow water sites. Someone should be able to figure it out.
Randy, you also forget back in the 80s when you were learning to become a good fisherman and even the 70s the only way to learn was a magazine or a TV show nowadays you and almost every pro and every top fisherman puts their content about all those things that you say …….you have to take time to learn, they put all that content out on TH-cam so everything to do it Fishing is a fast track now.
Randy, You are correct about of lot of this!!! It got me thinking when you said that you wish the best for the young up and coming guys on Tour but you feel sorry for them because they have been forced to compete with FFS. I agree with that 100%!!! We all like to see the next generation of up and coming Fisherman do great things for themselves, their families and the Sport of Fishing but we like to see it done with Dignity and Integrity all while preserving the Legacy and Heritage of what Fishing is all about. I want the young guys to do great things but I would like to see it done in a way that’s more traditional and in a way to get Pro Fishing back to being fun to watch. I know there is a lot of money involved with decisions that are being made on allowing this much FFS to be used the way it is now but I pray that there will some day be a meeting where both sides of this issue will come together and work out a great plan of action for the betterment of Fishing……Not just for greedy monetary gains but for true conservation of the Sport of Fishing.
The answer is easy. Just like Formula 1 racing. They get a specific allotment of ‘boost’ to use at their discretion. Use it sparingly in bits or all at once. Give anglers 1 hour of FFS per day. Use one minute at a time or 5 mins or all at once. Have each angler’s usage on screen for us to see. Exciting strategic and fair. Even the manufacturers win.
I caught some of it live over the last few days. There's a few names I recalled but they all went home day or 2 ago. Is it a changing of the guard? looks like it is. One of them said he spent 100 hours trolling the lake prefishing. He's putting in the work, a different way. Question is - So all the guys who went home don't have this same equipment? or don't utilize it the same? Or is it, the morals and the principals they've always believed in mean nothing today and what's the point?
I don't care either way whether or not FFS is banned from tournament fishing. What irritates me is people like you calling people that use FFS spotlighters like it's somehow equivalent to spotlighting deer at night. It's not even remotely close to the same thing.
We need a tour without FFS. Yesterday Skeet Reese was throwing a square bill all over the place and beat the scopers. It was great watching some old school fishing. He might have looked at a few times but not staring at it for hours. I miss the old days when each guy had a specialty. Nixon with a worm. Jimmy and his roll cast spinnerbait technique. Fritz cranking. Guido with his finesse game. Brauer and Hackney with a jig. Usually the weather decided which style would benefit-not an AI box. I don't see it getting banned anytime soon. I just don't watch when its the primary method. Give me a crankbait and some rocky shoreline and I'm good to go! ✌
I totally agree with you Randy. Keep up the good work. They have destroyed bass fishing in my opinion. Seems like Bass Master doesn’t care about the future of pro bass fishing tournament. This young generation just know how to watch the screen and to me that’s just not fishing. They just need to take a long look and see what it’s doing to all the lakes around the country.
Randy, I listen quite a bit and I agree with you. I do have a question that I hope you will answer. You seem to be leading the charge on this. You also seem to have a solid grasp on how it all works, you know the right ppl and have connections with companies willing to sponsor: What’s stopping you from getting together with all these guys and starting your own tournament series that doesn’t allow FFS? BASS & MLF aren’t ever gonna turn down the $ so just go show them that they made a mistake. If all what you say is true you should have no issue getting 40% of the current pros and every lure and bait maker company that’s losing do to FFS as sponsors. So what’s stopping you?
I live on Smith Lake. I was so looking forward to seeing the pros come to my home lake. I wanted Cox, Kennedy, Hunter, Lee etc to win so bad but after watching 2 days that it wouldn't be possible. It's absolutely so dang boring watching them fishing FFS not throwing there jig minnow until they see a fish. Didn't learn anything from what I watched of the tournament. It's not bass fishing to me. Something has to be done! I got a Livescope but I use it to fish brush piles or other isolated targets for throwing a jerkbait over it. But I don't scope don't have the patience to do it. I don't tournament fish. I fish bc I absolutely love it! These guys that only scope that I thought I was fan of. I can't stand them anymore. I get the ones that have to compete but some of these guys only scope All the time I don't have to name them. I didn't watch this weekend plus didn't go to any weigh-ins. I went to Guntersville to actually fish! TIGHT LINES!
Randy, don't get me wrong I hate live scope, main reason is I cant afford a $6000.00 unit to go on my boat. I'm a federation and weekend angler who used to watch all of B.A.S.S. and MLF on tv. The show's have gotten so boring I would rather go out and cut grass or pressure wash my drive way. BUT, I'm a maintenance man by trade, for me to competitive in my trade I have to learn not only the mechanical, but also the electrical part of industrial maintenance. With that said the last few years there is a thing called latter logic, which is a computer base program ( kind of like FFS ) that I have had to learn. Until BASS and MLF all the way down to the Federation ranks decide to stop the FFS or at least put limits on it, to be competitive angles are going to have to use it or just be a entry fee donator. BIG MONEY SPONCERSHIP will win over what's best for the sport every time!!!
I was first introduced into bass fishing in the early 80's while stationed at Fort Polk La. I remember watch Bass Masters on the TNN network do an interview with a " Young Gun " by the name Kevin Vandam. I remember watching Dean Rojas work a frog to bring in a 100 lb. bag limit. remember watching Paul Elias sticking his rod in the water up almost up to the reel to get his deep diving crank bait to go even deeper. I grew up in the south Bronx as a kid and I'm telling you that the stuff that I learned from those guys and others is Price Less. from how to work a Texas rig in structure, to where to run a spinner bait. You just don't see that level of fishing knowledge being displayed anymore, and that's sad.
If there is no skill involved then all the top.pros should still dominate!!! I also cant keep up with the tech and kids but i dont cry about it!!! Get a job like the rest of us randy. Your time has run its course!!
FFS in professional Bass angling is the equivalence of Bubba Wallace to NASCAR! I just turned on a live BASS event and they were talking about how they solely focus on their Lowrance screen and never look up! The screen shot of the four kids were all staring down at the huge ass lowarace and not a clue what's around them. This sport is shit now!! I've watched my last event as of today
Another great video randy I agree randy!!!!! 100 percent!!!! Going to miss the great bassmen that know how to fish old school !!! Hate to see them go!!! Ray Scott would be ashamed !!!!!! MERCY!!!!!
My last tournament, an angler asked me if i had FFS. And if not, why? I said, "I enjoy fishing and competing. I refuse to loose the skills i have developed. The education about fish Ive acquired over the years. When I was deer hunting, my friends were buying long range rifles. Harvesting deer at 6-700 yards. I was bow hunting, harvesting deer at 30 yards. I guided elk hunters for years. I never ever got lost. The days i started useing a GPS, my skill fell away. Now i can't walk miles in dense forest without one." Technology destroys our god given gift of human skill and self satisfaction of earned success from hard work.
I know what you mean, my days of Triangulating a spot are not needed anymore. Ive had anglers offer to buy my waypoint coordinates instead of hiring for a day of fishing.
Nobody said that to you
@stonehorn4641 get a life
Not sure I understand this ... I got FFS 2 years ago and it's done nothing but make me a better fisherman by learning new skills but I haven't lost any of my other skills. I haven't unlearned how to find fish and fish behavior and seasonal patterns just because I have FFS. If anything I've learned a ton about fish behavior directly BECAUSE of FFS since it lets me see how fish react to baits and retrieves ... talk about an education!
@@Imjodaddy357 exactly. The big problem with this is most of the people who complain about it have never used it, don't own one, have never even been on a boa where it is being use and really don't understand how the tech actually works. They get their facts from YT, not a rigorous analysis of the objective reality surrounding this ... I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since this is how these same people get their news an understanding of the world around them, it's pretty scary actually ...
Well, at this moment I am in Canada fishing Wolfe Lake out of a 13 ft aluminum boat with a 9.9 on it. I left my bass boat home in Syracuse and I am having more fun than I've had in 45 years.
You're spot on with this one man. I was a marshal at smith lake. My angler (who is a complete hammer) straight up told me if something isn't done soon himself and a lot of others won't be there much longer. Smith was pitiful man.
Why can't FFS be banned like the umbrella rig. Oh yeah, $$$.
It kinda slow rolled into dominance. It wasn’t immediately apparent because those guys weren’t able to dominate with the first panoptix units like the new ones. BASS freaked over the A-Rig partly because after that one event on G’ville… it seemed like an unstoppable storm. And I think guy’s catching multiple doubles and on one lure was deemed a bad look for competition. I got 2nd in a BFL myself because I doubled with two 6+ smallies on it. I had another double the very next cast too but I culled the smaller one anyway. Lol whatever, I had almost 19lbs in two casts… I still think it was a terrible decision banning it. I’m with you on the FFS though. I don’t even care what side you’re on, that both major pro organizations let it become so controversial before making some kind of move is ridiculous. I’m not sure it isn’t too late now anyway. If it doesn’t kill professional bass tournaments, the implications for species like trophy striped bass and crappie aren’t good. Guys using live bait with it is a deadly thing.
I can't believe that fish and wildlife haven't made this illegal because it's definitely not a fair chance!!!
@kennethrowling-cz1vl they haven't because a change in creel limits is how that would be regulated if the fish population were being affected. In crappie limits will be changed
@@stevokyso everyone will have to suffer….
❤❤Randy, the crazy thing is the fact that several of my buddies went out and got forward facing sonar after hearing you say how much easier it is to catch fish. While you may be helping to stop the use of FFS in tournaments, you are convincing the weekend angler to rush out and buy the units so they can catch more bass.
Thank you, Richard!
Boy will they be surprised how "easy" it is lol (not easy)
I have zero issue with the weekend angler who gets one day a week to catch fish having FFS. If it’s not a competitive tournament, use it to have a fun day
@@TedthibWhole lot easier than actually learning the water.
@@keek1337 which is the point
It’s a sad time for the whole country man. Not just fishing.
Agree
😂
Randy, I keep saying it. There is an opportunity to start a new tournament trail that prohibits the forward facing live sonars. Call it the Real Fisherman's tournament trail. No more video game players. Just guys like yourself, like me for that matter. As you said, guys who have honed their skills through their understanding of seasonal patterns and fish movements. Understanding of "match the hatch". Ive fished with a few greats in my day. And I learned so much about fishing from them. Peter "T" taught me a lesson on Carolina rigging in 1992 that I was able to apply to my Federation tournaments and win several with what he taught me. These video game guys would be lost without their crutches. And with what I know, I could probably beat most of them on any lake without their TV's in their boats. Im so sick of it, I actually called BASS and told them to stop sending me magazines even though Im a life member from the early 90's. The way to win this battle is hit them in the wallet. If people stop watching, then the sponsors will stop paying. Its as simple as that. And if enough people would stop watching, suddenly payouts would start dropping. No more 100K bass rigs. Ray Scott must be rolling over in his grave at what this sport has become. Get the cameras out of the boats. And just let the guys fish. It used to be fun. Its not any more.
Great idea, no forward facing sonar. Bet it would be a great opportunity and success.
Nobody wants it, go look at that no ffs tournament that happened in April they only had 47 boats signed up. Hell even Randy didnt even show up. They even had a lot of signatures before the tournament saying they would show up... but hardly any of them did.
I think Randy (and others) should be the founders of a new no FFS league!
@@nauseous001 I never even herd about it. And there's the problem. If it is promoted good enough, people will sign up and fish it. But if nobody knows about it, then they wont sign up.
@@bassdojo That would certainly bring me back.
The St James BPT was a decent watch this weekend! Pretty awesome to see Reese get his first BPT win power FISHING! Yes, there were some scopeadoping, but the dominant players were actually fishing! A refreshing watch for sure!
What irritates me the most about the whole forward facing sonar as those guys call themselves professional and they are far from it
Your right, a professional at there job has to adapt to newer technologies that come out. I would have lost my job a long time ago if I didn't learn the newest tools of my trade.
@@DownSouthBassinIt’s not a factory bro it’s a lake
Can't agree more.. and it's funny that you say that I was watching the Bassmasters today on TV and that's all they were using if it was years ago like Randy saying none of these guys will be able to compete with all the others
So they can win Elite series events and they're not professionals? 😂
Imjodaddy357 You might be the top commenter on Randy’s videos. 😂😂
Randy, your point is well taken and I agree 100%. With that being said, there is one word you are forgetting which is MONEY. Bassmaster and others are given incentives for allowing FFS to be used in competition. The boat manufacturers, dealers, sponsors are making more money by rigging FFS in the products they sell for those who can afford it. Fishery Biologists that I have spoke to in different states are starting to become concerned about the damage FFS is doing to the resource. It seems hypocritical to me that certain states want to limit the amount of hooks I can fish on an A-Rig but allow FFS with NO Restrictions. Go Figure....
I watched bassmaster bout 30 seconds on my lunch break n cut that shit off. Like watching paint dry
Bassmasters isn't worth watching someone looking at a video game all day,those young guys can't fish and don't know anything about real bass fishing
I drive for work so I listen to it as I drive. I no longer understand what they are talking about?
I flipped it on there last weekend. It was 4 young guys in a split screen. All 4 just staring into their electronics. Who would want to watch that?
That's because the tradition is gone ray Scott and Hank parker commentary is gone they made it boring
Cry baby.....
The most well-known pro of them all put 400+ hours idle time on his motor every year for the past 25 years looking at a screen, and you never cried then. 100% no difference except the ease of interpretation of what you're looking at. Thats what these guys are crying about the fact they aren't the only one's that know how to interpret new sonar. I've made this comment a hundred times, and no one has an argument to that.
MLF and Bassmaster are also straight up liars when it comes to the reporting the viewership numbers.
No, they aren’t
@@Imjodaddy357I’m everyone and I don’t like watching it jackass!
@@stonehorn4641oh yes, they are.
@@Imjodaddy357you may want to be careful using the word “everyone”. I disagree completely with you and I’m part of the “everyone”. Speak for yourself only. This is my opinion.
@@Imjodaddy357 actually it doesn’t. Again, you need to speak for yourself. “Everyone” isn’t extremist. Some people just don’t agree on things. That’s how it works. If you don’t like when people disagree with you, why are you even on this site???? Again this is MY opinion.
Man did u nail it on that video about FFSonar!!!! We need to leave those untapped fish alone !!! Remember when we went fishing for fun and not for money!!! We want to see anglers use brains and wits to catch fish.. not just sonar!!! Preach on buddy!!!!!
How is FFS spotlighting any different than sight fishing for bedding bass? Just cruze the shallows until you see a bedding fish and throw at it.....same thing
Jordan Lee came straight out of college and kicked butt. He he didn't use FFS to start his career. Just because someone understands the use of FFS doesn't mean they can't fish without it. I'm not for or against it to me it's just another tool . But assuming someone can't fish without it is a grave error on your part with all the information that's at your fingertips.
I'm with Randy, no way those young guns would ever beat Randy without electronics!!! Or any of the other real pros!
id beat RANDY with out electronics lol
Has Randy ever caught a fish. All he does is whine
Whiner, your done and give it up. Randy you are a disgrace to bass fishing.
Yeah like Timmy Horton didn’t win AOY and Rookie of the Year in his first season. Like Skeet Reese, Hackney, Iconelli and others… my God Van Damn all didn’t excel over veterans in their first few seasons back in way before ffs day. These kids today were fishing 2&300 boat events before they could drive. Those guys didn’t even have that to hone their skills. Hell me and Timmy were skipping school to go fishing. Kids have school sponsored events and practice times… way better opportunities now to develop. I’m against live scope myself but Randy said himself on Zaldain’s podcast that youth and creativity can Trump age and experience in fishing. I think dependance on electronic is a problem but it’s not the only reason younger and younger people are able to compete. My 16 year old already has more time on the water than I did at 26… and he’s absorbed almost everything I could teach him and more.
@@Mark-mj3suI bet you’re under 25 yrs old.
Sir Randall MLF and Bassmaster has made me start watching women's basketball 🏀 which I never used to do.
Try watching surfing. When i switched off bass i ended up watching surfing videos lol
Make no mistake, like everything, the God Almighty dollar rules. The owners of BASS and MLF only care about the amount of money they make.
Yep. And when they've milked it for what they can get from it they'll toss it to the side. A lot of companies go under from this way of doing business. They don't care about the long term
It's saddening when a hard-earned profession/skill is no longer marketable.
I had to change mine several times ... carefully.
Some say, "Specialization is for insects."; I say it's _mind-numbing,_ as most routine activities become ... for me.
Until the tour goes broke they will continue to allow equipment that should only be used for commerical fishing.
It should definitely not be used for commercial fishing. That is how China’s unlawful unregulated fishing is wiping out fish populations.
As long as garmin,lowrance and hummingbird keeps giving them money..nothing will change
commercial fishing has already destroyed recreational fishing they damn sure dont need FFS !
@@brianward5963Unregulated is the problem. The commercial fisherman should be able to use every "legal" means of securing their livelihood.
I watched part of the bass masters program this morning and they were basically shooting fish in a barrel. What's the point? I am not against tech, but what they were doing is just playing a video game, not "fishing".
It’s life and we all have to face that there is always going to be someone pushing to take our spot. I watched as much of the Smith Lake coverage as I could and enjoyed the way they linked up units and cameras so we could see what they were doing as well as the shallow water coverage . I am 71 years old and my tournament days are numbered but I can still get excited watching these young guns . Keep up the good work BASS.
Here’s the thing, completely taking out FFS from the picture, this turnover is as bound to happen at some point. It happens in every sport, hell every actual job too. If you have ever had a job and trained your replacement there are plenty of signs, most people ignore a lot of them until it’s almost time for them to be laid off
Watching the BPT guys on the James River “fishing” is refreshing.
I fish the Opens & Toyota’s- I can’t tell you how many co anglers say “Thank God” when I tell them I’m not Livescoping. They are getting frustrated paying to watch a guy watch his screen all day from the back seat
Hey dude how can I see this on a streaming platform? I would love to view that. Thanks in advance
Let’s be honest, if you are paralleling a bank or bed fish all day it’s probably worse then riding with a scoper
@@Imjodaddy357 exactly. Even if you are in open water with a scope, pitch around a dropshot and slow roll a keitech and you’ll get bit eventually.
@@MJ_Bass I made the state state team this year fishing with a boater that was paralleling bank. Paralleling the bank is bad unless your boater tucks you in super tight.
@@lxvebassin2179 that’s what I meant, super tight in rip rap or whatever. If they back off of course it’s fine.
I fished with a friend that has ffs, it was my first time using it and I'm not a fan. It felt wrong and completely took away the fun factor. Just my 2 cents.
@@Imjodaddy357 That's the problem people like you will never really understand his comment. And sadly that's the reason FFS isn't going anywhere and Bass fishing is fked for the future.
@TFish-lu1df never said anything about learning, it's super easy to use. I don't fish for money or to feed my family. I fish to get away from the daily grind. If I wanted to stare at a screen all day ide stay home and sit on my computer.
Well without it then bass get harassed by tournament pros and rich fisherman the fishing is getting tougher ask anyone that fishes it's getting tougher ffs has made it impossible for the average fisherman
@TheREVIEWGUY1-ip1wm I agree 100 percent. I'm a diehard bass guy at heart,
I sold the bass boat and started fishing saltwater. Calico bass on the kelpbeds in a kayak is my new thing. 🤙
Jordan lee is not on his way out 😂. Hes a household name with back to back classics BEFORE FFS. And is crushing it this yr.
Forget banning FFS, the best thing that could happen to our fisheries and aquatic ecosystems would be banning tournaments and "professional" fishing in general. Randy always talks about his concern for the environment and the decline of fisheries, but he is a totally hypocritical in that he supports and participates the single most destructive influence...tournaments.
I’ve seen it on my home lake it went from 30 bass in 4 hours too 7 in 10 years
While I’m also not a tourney fan, I think there’s a happy medium… Ban LiveScope and the overall number of allowable screens. Ban live well use and move to the catch, measure/weigh, release method. Disallow tournaments during known spawn times, and otherwise ban tournament bed fishing. Automatic disqualification for clear boating violations (running no wake zones etc). Thats a start…
@@bubbafarmer4867 agreed
Thanks!
Thank you very much, Mike!
I think FFS is great! Yeah, I fished for the last 30 years without it, but now it's available and it's a fun tool to have in the arsenal. Would everyone here who's crying about FFS be willing to give up their side scan? Why not? Side scan was an absolute game changer. All those "secret" spots guys had from hours and hours of 2D scanning were now available to everyone side scanning 200ft swaths of lake. No one is crying about that. Sounds like these "hammers" need to adapt. That's what weekemd club tournament guys life myself have to do. FFS was a new technology to me at one point, but now I'm getting to be effective with it and I'm just a weekend angler. Why can't these pros learn to use? Their job is learning how to catch fish. I'm sorry the techniques they learned 20 years ago aren't cutting anymore. Just like most of the rest of us, they have to continuously learn to stay relevant in it jobs.
The Big name PROs are finally opening their eyes , you are gaining ground , keep it up , and you are 100 percent correct
Team Castledine
Kvd and shaw grigsby said it ruin the game
@@TheREVIEWGUY1-ip1wm agreed 👍🏻
God bless you for not letting this topic go. Unfortunately this is the new generation of bass fishing and it is only going to be for the upper class or kids with trust funds that can afford it. Whenever I comment on ffs I always get the same comments but my most hated comment is the "your just another good ole boy" who can't compete anymore. Yes, that is 100% correct, I am a "good ole boy" and a lot of these "elite" anglers wouldn't be where they are without us "good ole boys". You don't think Ray Scott wasn't a good ole boy???? It sickens me Randy but technology is taking ever facet of life as we know it, including fishing, but I will stand my ground and never give up my ethics and values for some piece of technology.
Biggest difference today with bass fishermen... the new age anglers...money is 1st, then catching....true bass fishermen, the sport itself is a passion that comes 1st & making money is 2nd....There's no passion in the sport today from the Scopers & it's all about catching
Randy, looking forward to hearing what boat you will be buying in the near future! I have intentionally always stayed away from the bigger boats and motors during my 50 years of fishing. 18-19 ft boats with 150 hp have never been too small for me while fishing toledo, Rayburn, Fork, etc. Basic electronics and common sense have always worked.
I went from fiberglass with a 200 opti to rt 188 with a 115 four stroke and two helix 7s and still have a fortrex and I love the rig.
I’m going back to the “Harry & Charlie “ rig. Worry free fishing
I Love the picture of Skeet in the thumbnail..As he's about to Win today..lol
Hes on his way out also. Watch his interview with ike
lol right?! Kvds last tournament he finished second. Cliff prince just won without it and skeet won today. Time will tell what is ahead.
We caught 25 in a jon boat two baitcaster a chatterbait a jerk bait, deep water. We had an anchor an oar and two life jackets. You mean to tell me these pros are using computers to catch bass and I’m supposed to be impressed
Thinking a 19yr old techy can outfish Randy is a joke....heck, they can't even tell time....or so I've heard. BAN FFS..GO RB!
You are telling the truth. It not just bass it all fishing industry from crappies to walleye. It a shame.
Jacob wheeler avg finish pre Garmin live scope? 34th place with 2 professional wins.
Jacob Wheeler avg finish since Garmin Livescope? 14th place with 10 professional wins. Jacob wheeler is 60% better with live scope than without.
Stick,for sure! But,he learned and knows the seasonal movements and tendencies of bass.He has earned his way.
@@sauceboss7571 I’m not even saying I don’t like the guy, but in my opinion he is the biggest beneficiary of livescope tech in the world. He went from obscure no name to world beater over night.
@@jordangourley3955Dude won FLW championship in late teens early 20’s way before ffs. Like him or hate him hes a force to be reckoned with.
I get that it's new but did you have that same pushback when depth finders, 360 or any of the other tech equipment came out? Have to grow and adapt. Should you not allow any of the improvements? Ban anything new? I think not.
I think as long as the electronic companies support the tournaments with big bucks it's not going away. It's always about the money.
Bingo, "follow the money" is the answer to a lot of problems.
The last Bassmaster Elite tournament I watch, I only recognized 3 people.
I turned it on Sunday morning and they had a four box of fisherman on. All four (not kidding) had their heads down staring at their FFS! I turned it off as fast as I turned it on. I find it hard to believe greats like Davey Hite and Mark Zona on Live actually think FFS is good for the sport.
I am an old tackle dealer...older than you. One retired pro told me he knows people who know.
The rules for Bassmaster and MLF are being rewritten for 2025 to exclude FFS from tournaments and allow in practice...trying to straddle the fence.
Plus the other things you mentioned the other day about total inches of screens going to 60 inches etc.
Keep it up man. True fishermen will come back one day.
Who is your buddy your talking about?
If there is no skill involved, why aren’t the “hammers” able to keep up? If it is that simple, and their livelihood and career is dependent upon learning it, why aren’t they still dominating? KVD was young when he came on scene…J. Lee, Wheeler, Connell….they all won before FFS so what is the excuse for them? New names always come on scene, it’s part of the sport. Some stick around by evolving and learning and others don’t. No one cares, or is losing sleep over the fact you’re embarrassed for them or whether or not the way they catch fish has no honor to you simply because they’re not beating the bank….I feel sure their sponsors appreciate it, which at the end of the day, is the name of the game.
Hey Randy, idea: Bassmaster livescope series - Hear me out: they could qualify for the classic thru the livescope series, BUT they can’t use livescope at the classic or any other elite series tournaments. Then we’d find out how well a representative from the livescope community would do against real bass fisherman.
All the new generation needs to understand is how the Internet has given them all attachment disorders because they've spent so much time physically alone
While I am with you on FFS being limited or banned on the elite series. I’ve gotta say, you need to take a step back on some of these wild comments like saying anglers in their early 20’s would be at the bottom of every tournament without ffs…. Jordan Lee proved you wrong there along with several others. I agree that a lot of these young anglers may not be in the position they are now. But there are some young hammers that belong there without ffs. What we have happening now is a young class of anglers that have been competing in high level high school tournaments at a younger age than the household names had the opportunity to. It’s just the nature of getting more kids involved at an earlier age. While FFS has a lot to do with it, there are some young anglers with a ton of fish IQ based on the hard work put in at such a young age in these tournaments.
There’s always an exception to the rule. I’m talking about the majority.
Randy you're 100% correct on this issue. FFS is also negatively impacting the tackle industry so sponsored pros are getting it from both ends.
With all due respect Randy... Then I'm thinking, I'm a bass fisherman and I've caught three 10's multiple nines and the like but isn't a bed fisherman in tournament fishing the same thing? I'm not trying to be an asshole or hating but if, wait I don't have ffs so I don't know and none of the big ones I've caught have been on bed's so it would be a good conversation to ban both types of tournament fishing, right??? Keep giving us the great content!
2 anglers to look at which totally proves you point on Smith. Gerald Swindle and Joe Lee. Raised on the lake, won on the lake and now not even close to being in top. I had this very same conversation with my wife after the tournament was over.
Great explanation of this situation Randy ….💥🤙👊
In general I totally agree! FFS is a tool that is video game fishing. I'm not an avid fishermen but I remember the days people like Roland Martin, Bill Dance and those guys were people to respect because they knew how to fish. Deer hunting with all of the trail cams pre hunting areas for you have increased the abilities for a hunters success too. Time changes everything but not always for the better!
I agree 100% with you Randy on this. I had a conversation with someone the other day about technology that is all around us. As the technology increases the human skill set decreases. This applies to all aspects of our life.As an avid fisherman and someone who has followed BASS for over 40 years it is sad to see this happening , it's tough to see all the veterans who over years of hardwork becoming some of the greatest fisherman in the world are now standing bye and watching someone is just better with technology take there careers away. Its just sad.
Randy says there’s “no way” someone in their early 20’s can beat veterans on the tour, but fails to remember that this has been happening for YEARS before FFS entered the equation.
Let’s just forget that guys like Jordan Lee, Brandon Palanuk, and Jacob Wheeler exist. Oh, and don’t forget KVD was whooping up on the pro field when he was that age. RB is just pulling random rage-bait talking points out of his butt at this point
Bruh Jacob wheeler was a nothing before Garmin launched the live scope, then Wheeler became basically the original scoper and won everything.
@@jordangourley3955 Tell me you know nothing about Jacob Wheeler’s career without telling me you know nothing about Jacob Wheeler’s career.
Hater.
Once again LISTEN!!!! to what he is saying. STOP only hearing FFS.
@@NickLindnerHe obviously doesn’t know how good Wheeler has been for years. Long long before FFS!
Meanwhile Skeet Reese just won the BPT on the James River.😂
fishing shallow with a small squarebill how he said he's always loved to fish!
MLF is mess, but one thing they seem to have done right this year is schedule tournaments on bodies of water that aren’t as conducive to live scoping. I watched both tournaments this weekend and the MLF tournament was much more enjoyable to watch. Not only because they were actually fishing, but also because I had never even heard of 90% of the guys in the Elite series. I have to admit that I thought you were the old man yelling at clouds at first, but I’ve come around to agree with you on this one Randy.
Just like with all competitive sports, there are not a lot of 60 year old guys competing. An anti FFS tournament trail isn't going to help these guys they need a 60+ age limit tournament.
Time to start a senior tournament like golf. Over 50 years old with no FFS and only downscan allowed. I guarantee I would watch that on Saturdays. It could take place on Friday and Saturday. 2 days only.
I left a negative but not out of line comment on the bass master TH-cam video yesterday morning regarding how the camera was filming people from behind staring at screens. I think they deleted it
I tried watching some of it this morning. Watching guys stare at fish on a screen in 100 feet of water lives coping bass cruising at 15 feet where the average fisherman would never start fishing that deep. FFS is definitely showing people options to catch bass in areas that you would never conceive possible in the past but after 5 minutes of it I was bored.
@@richardpace5809 It's evident that some people will never be satisfied with their dominance over the fish until they can set out on the water and catch fish at will. No challenge, no mystery, no learning the animals. Just instant results.
Takuo Ito was the only pro I seen fizzing his fish. Ever time they showed one of the other pro's livewell fish were all floating upside down. If they are going to catch these fish deep it should be mandatory to fizz them.
Thanks Randy. Watched James River tournament on MLF live. Scopers have a tough time in certain bodies of water (thank god). It was refreshing to see Skeet win the tournament via casting a shallow diver around shallow docks. I watch both circuits Elites and MLF. It is absolutely disgusting to see what the sport has become. As for sponsor dollars, it revolves around the electronic companies (hummingbird, garmin, and lowrance). An outright ban of FSS is necessary. This has to come from the State Wildlife Agencies. I hope I live long enough to see this happens. Currently I have seen our crappie population get trashed. I live on Bull Shoals. Actually saw a trout guide near my house use FSS on the White river for trout. I am glad that I got out of competitive bass fishing years ago. It is no longer a sport. It is a video game. Keep up the good work Randy.
As a recreational angler from Minnesota I am very concerned about the impact forward facing sonar will have on our already pressured lakes. On three recent outings on Mille lacs I was dismayed to see recreational anglers using Livescope ffs. As the use of this technology becomes more common it will have an impact on the resource. I believe that because of this technology we will see smaller and fewer fish. We are also going to see reduced bag limits and tighter slot limits for walleyes. Crappies in this colder area of the country are slow growing. The better crappie lakes in my state are soon going to be filled nothing but runts.
Guys so focused on their little video screen that they have to have Mommy call them to tell them they are late to weigh in…
lol good one
We call that helicopter Mom. Always hovering over.
That was a sign of immaturity. He likely never held a job where you had to clock in.
I lol ‘d
I’m finally hearing you Randy. I followed two local tournaments in back to back weeks on two small lakes. Practicing for a night tourney, there wasn’t even a squeaker left. I finally gave up and went home. I asked others and they had the same luck. FFS is devastating small lakes. Im about ready to start tournament bream fishing (not really). Who do we have to complain to about this?
REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING JAMES RIVER ON MLF THIS WEEK - SPOTLIGHTING WAS MINIMAL THERE
I thought it was cheating when I first saw it and that will never change.
Interesting, Skeet Reese just Won today! Isn’t he in your thumbnail for this video?
Everyone putting out all the information that took years to learn. The internet sucks
That is why younger guys are good so young,
But you on it reading and watching videos 😂😂
Sonarmasters and Major League Sonar have lost me. Even as a viewer on tv it’s become so boring. Guys watching a screen fishing as where before they were focused on the spot, cover around them they were fishing. It might be a good time for another league to form that really challenges these anglers.
Who is this buddy you keep referring to
Glad BPT included “non scope friendly” venues on their schedule this year…..Congrats to Skeet on the James River today 😊
BassMaster sent me renewal the other day on Email.I told them cancel.I won't ever order again after many years.
Well, bass and MLF have chose their path. The sad part is they will have just enough support to make it work for them as a spectator of the sport and avid bass fisherman I can only hope someone can start and other series that doesn't include F FS and quickly becomes popular and is live streamed and televised so I can have something to look forward to watching again
Let's take the livescope off their boat for one event to see how good they really are
These young kids would get royally whipped without ffs. Sadly, I don't see BASS or MLF getting rid of it due to money from the electronics companies. Even worse is what is probably coming in the years ahead. The military had GPSat least 5 yrs before the public got it. Can you imagine what they have now that will eventually become available to the public? Smh
Dumbest comment ever. Literally everything you are touching and using right now was used the the military from the internet to smart phones to sonar- better watchout for that spooky military tech that your entire life is based on 😂😂😂
Randy, I am surprised you have not picked up on the biggest problem with FFS. The fish getting targeted normally don't get caught as they're not always on a piece of obvious structure. These suspended fish often have never seen a lure and aren't "lure-shy". Just like Crappie the bass population is at risk. I talked to a crappie guide who admitted to staying on a spot until he's cleaned it out! He was Bragging about it! Bass populations will suffer without these loners out there only coming shallow to spawn. Your thoughts?
@@Imjodaddy357 Do your homework.
@bobwalsh719 do your homework it's not hurting g anything at all
So are they keeping all these bass?
@spencersmith6754 no 90% of bass fisherman don't keep fish and if they do it's usually the smaller bass or spots. I guess all of the sudden when the same 5 people don't win all the old guys get butt hurt.
@@micahcrews4375 we’re killing all our bass and spotlighting are just excuses used to gaslight the situation. I don’t have a problem with anyone against it but most people commenting have no clue.
I know that manufacturers throw a lot of money at the tournaments, but I think a lot of it also might be that electronics advances in bass fishing have been "normalized" over the years. From crude depth gauges and thermometers, to flasher and paper graphing tech, to big screen 2D and side scan, to now FFS. It has to stop. No other pro sport allows this kind of game-changing tech in competition.
It is crazy that these rookies are damn near in the top 10 every tournament it’s definitely live scoping I’m not saying I’m against live scope but I would like to see how good these rookies are by not using live scope.
I'll say it again Randy; you fellas should start your own Series!
🎣😃🏆
The heads at Bass Master aren't making the decisions Randy. I guarantee they are being told what to do. It has very little to do with electronic sales.
If you men are genuinely angry, then DO SOMETHING. The skills alone you all bring to the table is phenomenal enough to set it apart. 👍
I still catch bass the way my Dad taught me over 50 years ago. I use 1 unit to check water temp. I have learned bass are creatures of habit, just like any other predator. I agree with Mr. Randy. Too many electronics in todays society period.
"I'm not disrespecting any of the guys in the top 10" yet goes on to say they have no fishing skills at all and anyone can get out and do what they do on the water.
MLF James River just finished this afternoon. Very little FFS used. Skeet Reese won. Virtually no one in top 20 was scoping, and when they were, they were looking for structure (submerged logs or stumps) not bass. I'm not smart enough, but there has to be some way to pick sites and times of the year where spot lighting is not a huge advantage. Maybe more shallow water sites. Someone should be able to figure it out.
Randy, you also forget back in the 80s when you were learning to become a good fisherman and even the 70s the only way to learn was a magazine or a TV show nowadays you and almost every pro and every top fisherman puts their content about all those things that you say …….you have to take time to learn, they put all that content out on TH-cam so everything to do it Fishing is a fast track now.
Randy, You are correct about of lot of this!!! It got me thinking when you said that you wish the best for the young up and coming guys on Tour but you feel sorry for them because they have been forced to compete with FFS. I agree with that 100%!!! We all like to see the next generation of up and coming Fisherman do great things for themselves, their families and the Sport of Fishing but we like to see it done with Dignity and Integrity all while preserving the Legacy and Heritage of what Fishing is all about. I want the young guys to do great things but I would like to see it done in a way that’s more traditional and in a way to get Pro Fishing back to being fun to watch. I know there is a lot of money involved with decisions that are being made on allowing this much FFS to be used the way it is now but I pray that there will some day be a meeting where both sides of this issue will come together and work out a great plan of action for the betterment of Fishing……Not just for greedy monetary gains but for true conservation of the Sport of Fishing.
If they wear on the fish out in the middle will the bank not eventually get better?
The answer is easy. Just like Formula 1 racing. They get a specific allotment of ‘boost’ to use at their discretion. Use it sparingly in bits or all at once. Give anglers 1 hour of FFS per day. Use one minute at a time or 5 mins or all at once. Have each angler’s usage on screen for us to see. Exciting strategic and fair. Even the manufacturers win.
Well said! Its respect...killing off the legacy of fishing.....the work involved.
I caught some of it live over the last few days. There's a few names I recalled but they all went home day or 2 ago.
Is it a changing of the guard? looks like it is. One of them said he spent 100 hours trolling the lake prefishing. He's putting in the work, a different way.
Question is - So all the guys who went home don't have this same equipment? or don't utilize it the same? Or is it, the morals and the principals they've always believed in mean nothing today and what's the point?
I don't care either way whether or not FFS is banned from tournament fishing. What irritates me is people like you calling people that use FFS spotlighters like it's somehow equivalent to spotlighting deer at night. It's not even remotely close to the same thing.
Learn to adapt nothing ever stays the same .. ao how how is john cox still doing it?
Jon cox has had his worst season ever i think. At least the last interview i watched with him that was the case.
We need a tour without FFS. Yesterday Skeet Reese was throwing a square bill all over the place and beat the scopers. It was great watching some old school fishing. He might have looked at a few times but not staring at it for hours. I miss the old days when each guy had a specialty. Nixon with a worm. Jimmy and his roll cast spinnerbait technique. Fritz cranking. Guido with his finesse game. Brauer and Hackney with a jig. Usually the weather decided which style would benefit-not an AI box. I don't see it getting banned anytime soon. I just don't watch when its the primary method. Give me a crankbait and some rocky shoreline and I'm good to go! ✌
I totally agree with you Randy. Keep up the good work. They have destroyed bass fishing in my opinion. Seems like Bass Master doesn’t care about the future of pro bass fishing tournament. This young generation just know how to watch the screen and to me that’s just not fishing. They just need to take a long look and see what it’s doing to all the lakes around the country.
Randy, I listen quite a bit and I agree with you. I do have a question that I hope you will answer.
You seem to be leading the charge on this. You also seem to have a solid grasp on how it all works, you know the right ppl and have connections with companies willing to sponsor:
What’s stopping you from getting together with all these guys and starting your own tournament series that doesn’t allow FFS?
BASS & MLF aren’t ever gonna turn down the $ so just go show them that they made a mistake.
If all what you say is true you should have no issue getting 40% of the current pros and every lure and bait maker company that’s losing do to FFS as sponsors.
So what’s stopping you?
Because he can make a much better living complaining about ffs on social media
I live on Smith Lake. I was so looking forward to seeing the pros come to my home lake. I wanted Cox, Kennedy, Hunter, Lee etc to win so bad but after watching 2 days that it wouldn't be possible. It's absolutely so dang boring watching them fishing FFS not throwing there jig minnow until they see a fish. Didn't learn anything from what I watched of the tournament. It's not bass fishing to me. Something has to be done! I got a Livescope but I use it to fish brush piles or other isolated
targets for throwing a jerkbait over it. But I don't scope don't have the patience to do it. I don't tournament fish. I fish bc I absolutely love it! These guys that only scope that I thought I was fan of. I can't stand them anymore. I get the ones that have to compete but some of these guys only scope All the time I don't have to name them. I didn't watch this weekend plus didn't go to any weigh-ins. I went to Guntersville to actually fish! TIGHT LINES!
Randy, don't get me wrong I hate live scope, main reason is I cant afford a $6000.00 unit to go on my boat. I'm a federation and weekend angler who used to watch all of B.A.S.S. and MLF on tv. The show's have gotten so boring I would rather go out and cut grass or pressure wash my drive way. BUT, I'm a maintenance man by trade, for me to competitive in my trade I have to learn not only the mechanical, but also the electrical part of industrial maintenance. With that said the last few years there is a thing called latter logic, which is a computer base program ( kind of like FFS ) that I have had to learn. Until BASS and MLF all the way down to the Federation ranks decide to stop the FFS or at least put limits on it, to be competitive angles are going to have to use it or just be a entry fee donator. BIG MONEY SPONCERSHIP will win over what's best for the sport every time!!!
I think spell check got you..."ladder" logic is used in plc programming.
I was first introduced into bass fishing in the early 80's while stationed at Fort Polk La. I remember watch Bass Masters on the TNN network do an interview with a " Young Gun " by the name Kevin Vandam. I remember watching Dean Rojas work a frog to bring in a 100 lb. bag limit. remember watching Paul Elias sticking his rod in the water up almost up to the reel to get his deep diving crank bait to go even deeper. I grew up in the south Bronx as a kid and I'm telling you that the stuff that I learned from those guys and others is Price Less. from how to work a Texas rig in structure, to where to run a spinner bait. You just don't see that level of fishing knowledge being displayed anymore, and that's sad.
If there is no skill involved then all the top.pros should still dominate!!! I also cant keep up with the tech and kids but i dont cry about it!!! Get a job like the rest of us randy. Your time has run its course!!
FFS in professional Bass angling is the equivalence of Bubba Wallace to NASCAR! I just turned on a live BASS event and they were talking about how they solely focus on their Lowrance screen and never look up! The screen shot of the four kids were all staring down at the huge ass lowarace and not a clue what's around them. This sport is shit now!! I've watched my last event as of today
Another great video randy I agree randy!!!!! 100 percent!!!! Going to miss the great bassmen that know how to fish old school !!! Hate to see them go!!! Ray Scott would be ashamed !!!!!! MERCY!!!!!