good point you made about not worrying so much about how well it shows up on the screen. i think a lot of people avoid baits that dont show up on the live sonar screen and they greatly limit themselves on what baits they have available to catch fish. i have a couple of sneaky baits that i throw when im targeting a fish on FFS that barely show up on the screen. some of them dont show up at all. you just have to spend time with your electronics and get the confidence that you are placing the bait where you want/need it to be and go fishing. thanks!
Randy bout to have a heart attack, settle down, Matt. Lol just kiddin, i love your videos and tips. They work whether you have livescope/sonar or not and they get my creativity around playing with techniques jogging, so i can try out or come up with new things i havent tried before. Keep on the keeping on, man.
Great video Matt. I invested in a full Garmin set up and bought my Livescope Plus and installed everything myself when my dealer could not get any electronics when my boat was ready for delivery. As a one day weekend warrior it saves so much time to find structure and help to try and find where we have a chance to catch some fish. As you stated it still does not guarantee you will catch them and this is where the skill of the angler in presenting the right lure. I do not use live bait for this reason as that is truly unfair to the fish and a whole other topic. Bottom line it saves time where I can be on the water before 8am and drive home with my boat and get home before 5pm as it is an hour and half one way to our favourite lake. Thanks for sharing some great lures to use.
I understand your views on livescope. If I were in your position, I would do the exact same thing. But I'm not a fan of forward facing sonar in pro tournaments. To me, it's like having AI assisted driving in NASCAR. But what're ya gonna do? You gotta pay bills, eat, and take care of that family, right? On another note - What type of baitcast rod do you prefer for skipping jigs into tight spots? I just got my hands on one of those Lew's KVD Pro SP reels. It's made specifically for skipping and only holds 40 yards of line. What type of rod would you pair something like that up with? I normally use a shorter rod length, like 6'8"- 6'10", but is that really best?
Perfect content, for us that have embraced the forward facing sonar, it is very helpful information. Could you do a breakdown of the different lures and where they normally run as to depth and if they suspend or do you have to keep it moving.
Common sense! If you don’t like FFS you can head on over to Randy’s channel - lol. I’m never giving up my MEGA Live. It allows me to follow the hydrilla edge adjacent to deeper water channels or ditch’s. Here in florida that’s the whole game. There are no docks, riprap, rock piles, brush piles etc where I fish & being able to know where the hydrilla edges are is everything. I rarely see the bass I catch on my FFS
I use the Garmin, but use it for crappie! It doesn’t make the fish bite! It does help you to not waste time in a area that doesn’t have fish. For those that don’t use it fine! But don’t try to force others not to use it. It’s like politics don’t try to push your beliefs on someone else! If this makes someone upset so be it! Live with it or get your feelings hurt! 🤔🤷🏻♂️👍
I installed Active Target on my boat just to see what all the hype is about. Matt your opinion is spot on. Personally I'm not crazy about it and in no way good with it. I don't like starring in the screen that much. I was a systems analyst for many years and had to stare at a screen. To me Active Target is the same as side, down scan just another tool to locate fish that may be catchable. Anyhow I have had some success with using my spybaits along with the screen watching. You have a open invitation to come to Maryland and chase the upper Potomac river smallies with me. They drive me crazy, here one day and gone the next. Plus you can educate me about Active Target. 😁
I tottaly respect you position on FFS, I personally dont use it but if I get back to tournament fishing I believe it is a must to compete. Great choices on the baits you selected.
Since I also follow Randy B. I can understand both of your point of view regarding the live scope and in general all the new tech, 360 imaging, mega live...you named it . But if they are allowed today in the tournaments I'll take advantage of them and I'll do my best (if I can afford to buy them) to don't get left behind and make all the best I can to win and get paid. It's a job, not a recreational fishing, so I understand you Matt
A very diplomatic and informative video ! Living and fishing in Wisconsin for as long as you have certainly must have mellowed your disposition... I have guided many anglers from the Chicago area. Diplomacy and tact are seldom in their wheelhouse... Much like 2D sonar FFS is not only a great tool but also a great teacher. Bill
Very good information on your video and people need to just get over it and good fishing I just put Mega Live on my boat this year and in the process of learning it please keep these videos coming thanks 👍
I don't have any electronics & have never owned any. I've been kayak fishing for almost 8 yrs now about time I get something. Been leaning towards Solix & mega 360 just haven't pulled trigger. I have coin saved up for a 10" unit just haven't decided what to get. At this point wait till new year see what new stuffs came out. Any recommendations?
If I were fishing for a living I would use forward facing sonar so I could compete and be on a level playing field. I fish as a hobby and don't choose to use it, but it really doesn't matter how many fish I catch. I think you'd be crazy not to use it as a professional fisherman. Forward facing sonar is legal, keep doing what you think is best!
I'm interested to see what Lowrance new active target transducer imaging looks like ? Should b out before Christmas. I think their releasing a new 3n1 transducer also. I would think their finally going to have mega frequency instead of just 800??
Great explanation on why you are going to continue using FF Sonar. I am debating whether to get it or not. I'm an old man and fish mostly the same three lakes. All are highland reservoirs and I usually beat steep main lake banks. Do you think FF Sonar would be useful on highland reservoirs? Have a great Thanksgiving.
Pragmatic Sir. While this is a game, it's not a game is it? Guess you have no plans to be a "donator":) Fun video, the lure families are solid even if not using FFS.
Not used the forward facing..but I watch videos. Looked to me a snap jig with a Berkey MINNOW, power or flat maxscent. Would work well. Lite weight. Just ball head jig as well. A Spybait. A Fluke. Anything that falls slowly and stays in front of the fish .I feel.would work well
I am not familiar with the hover strolling rig. Maybe in a future video, you could go in to depth how to rig and present this technique. Thanks for the tips in this video.
It sucks that your weather sucks. But that's all I've gotten this year. Yesterday was 13 deg wind chill, last week was rain and 44 mph winds. I stay active even if not on the water. Every hook is sharpen, every reel strung! At this point it looks like the boats going to get winterized. UGH ! 😩 Maybe Santa will bring me better weather for next year.
Fishing for a living doesn't leave you much of a choice if your competition is using it. I've yet to pull the trigger as I'm not exactly an expert with all the other crap I've got hanging off my boat. I probably will though next year.
What about a competition wen you can only use maximum 5 bait on a day? Will that not bring the best fisherman to the podium? See those garages,the pickup trucks and boats loaded with (catching)baits……they lost the Connexion with the normal guy.
Great video! I l respect RB's stance on the matter, and agree electronics have gone a little too far. BUT... he's shooting himself in the foot for a cause that he will NEVER EVER win. Money rules all and the tourneys are NOT going to turn down sponsor $$ from electronic companies. Hence, he's paying a ton of $$ to lose a huge portion of tourneys which makes ZERO sense to me.
I'm sooo sick and tired of hearing all this debate about ffs if you have it and want to or have to use it to catch fish then use it if you are jealous because you can't afford it then save up and get it if you don't like it for whatever reason then don't use it trust me from personal experience you don't have to have it to be competitive or win tournaments it may make it easier but you don't have to have it so let's get over all the division there's plenty of division outside of fishing for everyone
I think livescope is useful for learning how baits run and how fish react, etc but I don’t feel they should be allowed in tournaments. You know the technology will keep advancing until you can count the scales on the fish. At that point, might as well just stun them and net them when they float up. I had a livescope for a summer and it was addictive and interesting, but I decided to sell it as I stare at a screen all day at work and found I was doing the same on the water which isn’t the reason I enjoy fishing. I still love having some mystique with fishing. Just me.
good point you made about not worrying so much about how well it shows up on the screen. i think a lot of people avoid baits that dont show up on the live sonar screen and they greatly limit themselves on what baits they have available to catch fish. i have a couple of sneaky baits that i throw when im targeting a fish on FFS that barely show up on the screen. some of them dont show up at all. you just have to spend time with your electronics and get the confidence that you are placing the bait where you want/need it to be and go fishing. thanks!
Thanks!
Haters need to get over it, it's here and getting better. It's been my world for many years (Salt water). Thanks Matt
you bet!
Randy bout to have a heart attack, settle down, Matt. Lol just kiddin, i love your videos and tips. They work whether you have livescope/sonar or not and they get my creativity around playing with techniques jogging, so i can try out or come up with new things i havent tried before. Keep on the keeping on, man.
haha! thanks for supporting the channel
🍺Thanks Matt. Solid video. Your explanation of forward facing sonar and why you use it is makes total sense to me.👍
Awesome, thank you!
Great video Matt. I invested in a full Garmin set up and bought my Livescope Plus and installed everything myself when my dealer could not get any electronics when my boat was ready for delivery. As a one day weekend warrior it saves so much time to find structure and help to try and find where we have a chance to catch some fish. As you stated it still does not guarantee you will catch them and this is where the skill of the angler in presenting the right lure. I do not use live bait for this reason as that is truly unfair to the fish and a whole other topic. Bottom line it saves time where I can be on the water before 8am and drive home with my boat and get home before 5pm as it is an hour and half one way to our favourite lake. Thanks for sharing some great lures to use.
Awesome! thanks for sharing!
I understand your views on livescope. If I were in your position, I would do the exact same thing. But I'm not a fan of forward facing sonar in pro tournaments. To me, it's like having AI assisted driving in NASCAR. But what're ya gonna do? You gotta pay bills, eat, and take care of that family, right?
On another note - What type of baitcast rod do you prefer for skipping jigs into tight spots? I just got my hands on one of those Lew's KVD Pro SP reels. It's made specifically for skipping and only holds 40 yards of line. What type of rod would you pair something like that up with? I normally use a shorter rod length, like 6'8"- 6'10", but is that really best?
I like a 7'3" MH fast action for skipping.
Thanks for your take on this . Interesting to hear different perspectives.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Perfect content, for us that have embraced the forward facing sonar, it is very helpful information. Could you do a breakdown of the different lures and where they normally run as to depth and if they suspend or do you have to keep it moving.
thanks for the suggestion. ill put it on my list!
I really love the forward facing sonar! Thx for the bait tips!
You bet!
Matt, I agree with your take on forward facing sonar 100%. That's exactly how I feel about it.
thanks
Super job again keep these really informative videos coming
Thanks, will do!
Matt great job on f f sonar. I think the same way you do.same. Way you do and always tight lines
Thanks 👍
Please continue to present training for forward facing sonar.
Those who resist the technology can fish just as they have been fishing.
thanks for sharing!
Common sense! If you don’t like FFS you can head on over to Randy’s channel - lol. I’m never giving up my MEGA Live. It allows me to follow the hydrilla edge adjacent to deeper water channels or ditch’s. Here in florida that’s the whole game. There are no docks, riprap, rock piles, brush piles etc where I fish & being able to know where the hydrilla edges are is everything. I rarely see the bass I catch on my FFS
thanks!
Love your take on Fwd facing sonar.
thanks!
I use the Garmin, but use it for crappie! It doesn’t make the fish bite! It does help you to not waste time in a area that doesn’t have fish. For those that don’t use it fine! But don’t try to force others not to use it. It’s like politics don’t try to push your beliefs on someone else! If this makes someone upset so be it! Live with it or get your feelings hurt! 🤔🤷🏻♂️👍
agreed its a free choice anyone can make
I installed Active Target on my boat just to see what all the hype is about. Matt your opinion is spot on. Personally I'm not crazy about it and in no way good with it. I don't like starring in the screen that much. I was a systems analyst for many years and had to stare at a screen. To me Active Target is the same as side, down scan just another tool to locate fish that may be catchable. Anyhow I have had some success with using my spybaits along with the screen watching. You have a open invitation to come to Maryland and chase the upper Potomac river smallies with me. They drive me crazy, here one day and gone the next. Plus you can educate me about Active Target. 😁
sounds like fun!
Well said, you can't argue with that. No matter what you still have to be competitive. Thanks matt.
agreed!
I tottaly respect you position on FFS, I personally dont use it but if I get back to tournament fishing I believe it is a must to compete. Great choices on the baits you selected.
Thanks!
I love using blade bait with forward facing and suspended fish it shows up well and you can keep ot in the strike zone
awesome!
Hey Matt, thanks for the insight into these baits. Ive found that tungsten shows up really well. much denser than lead.
thanks for sharing!
Since I also follow Randy B. I can understand both of your point of view regarding the live scope and in general all the new tech, 360 imaging, mega live...you named it . But if they are allowed today in the tournaments I'll take advantage of them and I'll do my best (if I can afford to buy them) to don't get left behind and make all the best I can to win and get paid. It's a job, not a recreational fishing, so I understand you Matt
thanks for sharing!
I've yet to be in a boat with live imaging. Seems like it would be a lot of fun and a useful tool
its a tool thats for sure
A very diplomatic and informative video ! Living and fishing in Wisconsin for as long as you have certainly must have mellowed your disposition... I have guided many anglers from the Chicago area. Diplomacy and tact are seldom in their wheelhouse... Much like 2D sonar FFS is not only a great tool but also a great teacher. Bill
one of the reasons i had to get out of the city haha
Very good information on your video and people need to just get over it and good fishing
I just put Mega Live on my boat this year and in the process of learning it please keep these videos coming thanks 👍
Thanks for sharing
I don't have any electronics & have never owned any. I've been kayak fishing for almost 8 yrs now about time I get something. Been leaning towards Solix & mega 360 just haven't pulled trigger. I have coin saved up for a 10" unit just haven't decided what to get. At this point wait till new year see what new stuffs came out. Any recommendations?
im partial to lowrance but i think all three brands produce good products
If I were fishing for a living I would use forward facing sonar so I could compete and be on a level playing field. I fish as a hobby and don't choose to use it, but it really doesn't matter how many fish I catch. I think you'd be crazy not to use it as a professional fisherman. Forward facing sonar is legal, keep doing what you think is best!
thanks for watchign!
I'm interested to see what Lowrance new active target transducer imaging looks like ? Should b out before Christmas. I think their releasing a new 3n1 transducer also. I would think their finally going to have mega frequency instead of just 800??
im hearing big things but havent seen it
I just wanna know about Big foot. I know he can fish to. Just playing good video.
haha
Great explanation on why you are going to continue using FF Sonar. I am debating whether to get it or not. I'm an old man and fish mostly the same three lakes. All are highland reservoirs and I usually beat steep main lake banks. Do you think FF Sonar would be useful on highland reservoirs? Have a great Thanksgiving.
it is better on highland impoundments than most other types of fishery. fish suspend a lot more on highland impoundments
Great video would like to see more FFS videos. Do think a lure that lights up on the screen would be a great teaching tool.👍👍👍👍👍
cant hurt
The jewel Scope Spin, Bill Lewis Scope Stik are two examples of lures that just came out specifically for FFS.
ill check them out
Where did you buy the scope stik?
@@Tiggo35 scope stik isn’t out yet. I keep watching for it. Scope Spin is out.
Pragmatic Sir. While this is a game, it's not a game is it? Guess you have no plans to be a "donator":) Fun video, the lure families are solid even if not using FFS.
Thanks!
Whopper Plopper shows up very well on AT.
thanks
Not used the forward facing..but I watch videos. Looked to me a snap jig with a Berkey MINNOW, power or flat maxscent. Would work well. Lite weight. Just ball head jig as well. A Spybait. A Fluke. Anything that falls slowly and stays in front of the fish .I feel.would work well
agreed!
Good one
Thanks
I am not familiar with the hover strolling rig. Maybe in a future video, you could go in to depth how to rig and present this technique. Thanks for the tips in this video.
Watch this on the water video i did! More coming soon! th-cam.com/video/uLHkwRLX-B8/w-d-xo.html
@@MattStefanFishing Thanks.
I don’t care to use FFS but I will definitely utilize it in tournaments!
thanks for sharing!
It sucks that your weather sucks. But that's all I've gotten this year. Yesterday was 13 deg wind chill, last week was rain and 44 mph winds. I stay active even if not on the water. Every hook is sharpen, every reel strung! At this point it looks like the boats going to get winterized. UGH ! 😩 Maybe Santa will bring me better weather for next year.
I hope he brings me warm weather too!
Fishing for a living doesn't leave you much of a choice if your competition is using it. I've yet to pull the trigger as I'm not exactly an expert with all the other crap I've got hanging off my boat. I probably will though next year.
im not giving this edge to the competition
@@MattStefanFishing As I said, if they're using it you have no choice, you have to as well.
forward facing in what ever the name brand is like hunting deer with a spot light
cant argue with that
What about a competition wen you can only use maximum 5 bait on a day? Will that not bring the best fisherman to the podium? See those garages,the pickup trucks and boats loaded with (catching)baits……they lost the Connexion with the normal guy.
sounds like fun to me!
That better Snow, Snow, Snow. We have over 20 inches in the last 3 days.
oh man im sorry to hear that
Hook and size for hover shot?
varies by bait size but i love a size 1 with a 4.25 berkley flatworm!
Ryugi size 1?
A-Rig? I have FFS on my boat but watching a tournament on TV with guys using it puts me off.
agreed
If it's Nov I'm gonna throw a black salty to them.... you'll see what's up.....
sounds good!
I'm loster than a foster lobster from down under where there's thunder.
Sublime Man ! Truly sublime... Bill
thanks for watching
I have a money now
Great video! I l respect RB's stance on the matter, and agree electronics have gone a little too far. BUT... he's shooting himself in the foot for a cause that he will NEVER EVER win. Money rules all and the tourneys are NOT going to turn down sponsor $$ from electronic companies. Hence, he's paying a ton of $$ to lose a huge portion of tourneys which makes ZERO sense to me.
agreed
lol don't bring that stuff to O.H. Ivy lol
haha
I'm sooo sick and tired of hearing all this debate about ffs if you have it and want to or have to use it to catch fish then use it if you are jealous because you can't afford it then save up and get it if you don't like it for whatever reason then don't use it trust me from personal experience you don't have to have it to be competitive or win tournaments it may make it easier but you don't have to have it so let's get over all the division there's plenty of division outside of fishing for everyone
thanks for watching!
I wish tournaments would ban all electronics, and I am a electronics technician. I have a love for fishing but not a love of electronics.
it changes the game
@@MattStefanFishing yes sir it has done that. But I can't say for the better of our fisheries.
I think livescope is useful for learning how baits run and how fish react, etc but I don’t feel they should be allowed in tournaments. You know the technology will keep advancing until you can count the scales on the fish. At that point, might as well just stun them and net them when they float up. I had a livescope for a summer and it was addictive and interesting, but I decided to sell it as I stare at a screen all day at work and found I was doing the same on the water which isn’t the reason I enjoy fishing. I still love having some mystique with fishing. Just me.
CHEATER BAITS
thanks for sharing