It's kind of funny that people think this way... FFS is relatively new and when it came out people were still just fishing and catching giant bags and winning tournaments all over the country. Those fish are still there they didn't all go suspend in the middle. Covering water, patterning, and adapting to the day will always work. I have 2 livescope units on my boat but I don't really use them the way you see on these big tournament trails unless I can't figure anything else out because I hate using spinning rods and starring at a screen all day. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
It’s truly incredible how John cox is still probably a top 20 angler in the world with absolutely zero electronics… I have no idea how the hell he does it.
It's that damn Max scent General he throws 90% of the time. He is the master of that lure. Denny had his jig, KVD had his spinnerbait, Fritz had his crankbait, Martains had his dropshot. Pick a lure that works most seasons and master it.
Great point Matt. Heard guys in our club say they can't compete with FFS. So every tournament there is some team that finishes in the money who don't have FFS. It's your ability to know where to catch fish where you've caught them before
Matt: Thank you! Yes, FFS is a tool, but like all tools a person needs to know them and use them effectively. Fish your strengths, improve your strengths, add to those strengths and never become complacent or distracted. If you do you become obsolete. I’m a retired CPA who did taxes for 45+ years. If I hadn’t adapted I would have made terrible mistakes. Why is a tournament fisherman any different? Why is any career different? Improve or change careers. Those are a persons only options. The same logic applies to anyone, in any job. This may sound harsh, but you only get better if you work at it. Merry Christmas! God Bless.
The hilarious part to me is that it’s not like it came on suddenly. Panoptix was introduced a decade ago and the livescope was 6-7 years ago. Guys have had a ton of time to learn it. Imagine if in your career you refused to learn to use a computer for CPA work? 😂
Matt, I fish from a 17' Bass Tracker TX boat. I have a Lowrance Elite 5" locator on a swivel mount on the dash. A 70lb. thrust trolling motor & no spot lock just a rope and anchor. A no net rule in this boat. I just pleasure fish now. I had a good year for LM bass. My best five: 30lbs, 31lbs & 33lbs. I need to give credit to the Core Tackle Ozark Rig for part of these catches. You don't need FFS to catch bass. If I had FFS I would only use it to see the cover in the water, not fish. That's just me. NE KS, NW MO area.
Matt. Thank you for taking time to educate us on how to better use our time on the water. You would have been a great educator if you had chosen that profession.
@MattStefanFishing some people just dont get it! THEY JUST CANT UNDERSTAND NORMAL THINKING😁 .It would drive me nuts if I had to do youtube like you,and that would be a short drive!😁
I agree and disagree on this one Matt. I live in Ontario where smallmouth are pretty much the larger species on most of these clear water lakes (especially offshore). I find that bodies of water that are fished regularly by anglers that seem to be more informed/more educated on baits, style of baits that seem to produce better results/catches; whether for fun or tournament fishing. In turn, the fish seem to be adapting to the fishing pressure and adapting to the changes in their underwater environments (invasive species, bait, predators ect). With the goby numbers rapidly increasing, the smallmouth have really grown into huge fish that everyone seems to love to target. So, I believe it depends on the body of water and the predominant fish species and whether you’re fish off shore humps, points or just fishing weeds. It depends on the lakes ecosystem entirely. Generally speaking, I believe the smallmouth fishing is where you can win with forward facing sonar (not during the spawn as site fishing comes into play). Great video as always and looking forward to the next one as well
Thanx Matt. Yea, I'm that guy. Some bodies of water I'll be skipping opens till I can swing FFS. Seriously, the odds are against you. I do fish tidal fishery (upper Chesapeake and Potomac) that FFS isn't such a advantage and I'm good with that. We have a deep rocky lake with current that FFS was made for I'll be avoiding for a while. That's like playing 5 card draw with 4 cards.
From the picture in the thumb nail I thought you were going to tell us to fish cat fishing tournaments. LOL Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Family.
Thank you Matt I just got a Lowrance Eagle 9 for Christmas which is the one without forward facing sonar and I look forward to getting it put on and using it Merry Christmas to you and your family
Can you give us an update video from yesterdays video on salvaging your lead damaged swimbaits? I want to see what you found to be the best fix. I fixed a sticky rubber handled Allstar rod I bought 2 days ago with cornstarch. I bought that rod and a Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL reel both for $20. Tore the reel completely down last night and cleaned and lubed it and it’s like new. My most expensive reel that I paid the least amount for. That’s $10 each.
Marry Christmas to you and your family and happy new year i will be routing for you this this TM season and my wife said stop coming out with new tackle i can't stop buying it LOL love your channel my friend learn a lot
You can get a good bag not fishing FFS, but there's a massive advantage to using it. And since that advantage comes with a massive price tag, it makes bass fishing even MORE of an elitist hobby, which for most people spoils the fun and competetive nature.
@ The Delaware is pretty extreme with 6-8 ft tide fluctuates and the Upper Bay has a lot of extremely shallow water and my last win was on the Upper Bay after spending most of my practice stuck on a bar waiting for the tide to come back in and my last 2 Delaware River tournaments I finished 2nd.
You’re probably correct, but I live on the st Lawrence river and lake onterio and without ffs you don’t stand a chance. The same is probably true on lake Champlain.
It's hard for me to believe that bored facing sonar and I'm not really experienced at it yet but I would say it will be the death of bass fishing in the future just my opinion
I think you contradict yourself by saying you can compete without FFS but YOU won't go to a tournament without it. I would like to see how you do without using it. No co-anglers now in the open because a lack of interest of being a co-angler. Reason being is no one wants to be in the back when the "Pro" is searching for 5 big fish with there FFS. I will agree to disagree with your point
Yep it lined up great and you could compete without it. Lakes and time of year matter but it can be done. Just frustrates me when people state it’s not even worth fishing if you don’t have it
@@MattStefanFishingjust wondering what was bs? Securing your AOY? Do you feel in your heart that Chris should not have went to the community spot. He have Gee the whole spot, all but thirty feet. And just think now he's part of the community. I'm just wondering what's the bs? Merry Christmas
Hey, i requested this video a few weeks ago. Thanks for making it. Much appreciated. Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! Glad you enjoyed it.
It's kind of funny that people think this way... FFS is relatively new and when it came out people were still just fishing and catching giant bags and winning tournaments all over the country. Those fish are still there they didn't all go suspend in the middle. Covering water, patterning, and adapting to the day will always work. I have 2 livescope units on my boat but I don't really use them the way you see on these big tournament trails unless I can't figure anything else out because I hate using spinning rods and starring at a screen all day. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
those fish can still be caught without it!
You’re the best Matt. No agenda, no BS. I come here to learn and I do. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for watching.
It’s truly incredible how John cox is still probably a top 20 angler in the world with absolutely zero electronics… I have no idea how the hell he does it.
It's that damn Max scent General he throws 90% of the time. He is the master of that lure. Denny had his jig, KVD had his spinnerbait, Fritz had his crankbait, Martains had his dropshot. Pick a lure that works most seasons and master it.
In our local tournaments the participation has gone down by half in the last 5 years. It’s because of FFS.
Haha he has electronics on his boat. That’s a fabricated story that John loves to have floating around out there about him.
Great point Matt. Heard guys in our club say they can't compete with FFS. So every tournament there is some team that finishes in the money who don't have FFS. It's your ability to know where to catch fish where you've caught them before
facts!
Matt: Thank you! Yes, FFS is a tool, but like all tools a person needs to know them and use them effectively. Fish your strengths, improve your strengths, add to those strengths and never become complacent or distracted. If you do you become obsolete. I’m a retired CPA who did taxes for 45+ years. If I hadn’t adapted I would have made terrible mistakes. Why is a tournament fisherman any different? Why is any career different? Improve or change careers. Those are a persons only options. The same logic applies to anyone, in any job. This may sound harsh, but you only get better if you work at it. Merry Christmas! God Bless.
The hilarious part to me is that it’s not like it came on suddenly. Panoptix was introduced a decade ago and the livescope was 6-7 years ago. Guys have had a ton of time to learn it.
Imagine if in your career you refused to learn to use a computer for CPA work? 😂
Merry Christmas!
Matt, I fish from a 17' Bass Tracker TX boat. I have a Lowrance Elite 5" locator on a swivel mount on the dash. A 70lb. thrust trolling motor & no spot lock just a rope and anchor. A no net rule in this boat. I just pleasure fish now. I had a good year for LM bass. My best five: 30lbs, 31lbs & 33lbs. I need to give credit to the Core Tackle Ozark Rig for part of these catches. You don't need FFS to catch bass. If I had FFS I would only use it to see the cover in the water, not fish. That's just me. NE KS, NW MO area.
those are some good catches!!!!
Matt. Thank you for taking time to educate us on how to better use our time on the water. You would have been a great educator if you had chosen that profession.
thank you for the support!
Tournament fishing is such a "head game"..... Thanks for the advice!!
You’re welcome!
Dont go RANDY on us now !!!😂
not doing that...just frustrates me when people say they cant catch fish without it.
@MattStefanFishing some people just dont get it! THEY JUST CANT UNDERSTAND NORMAL THINKING😁 .It would drive me nuts if I had to do youtube like you,and that would be a short drive!😁
I agree and disagree on this one Matt.
I live in Ontario where smallmouth are pretty much the larger species on most of these clear water lakes (especially offshore). I find that bodies of water that are fished regularly by anglers that seem to be more informed/more educated on baits, style of baits that seem to produce better results/catches; whether for fun or tournament fishing. In turn, the fish seem to be adapting to the fishing pressure and adapting to the changes in their underwater environments (invasive species, bait, predators ect). With the goby numbers rapidly increasing, the smallmouth have really grown into huge fish that everyone seems to love to target. So, I believe it depends on the body of water and the predominant fish species and whether you’re fish off shore humps, points or just fishing weeds. It depends on the lakes ecosystem entirely. Generally speaking, I believe the smallmouth fishing is where you can win with forward facing sonar (not during the spawn as site fishing comes into play). Great video as always and looking forward to the next one as well
thanks for sharing
I would love a series on how to break down lakes with maps
good idea
Love this conrent! Thanks Matt!!!
Appreciate it!
Merry Christmas to you and the Family
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas!
amen matt,,,MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Great content thanks bud 👍🏻
you bet
Thanks, I understand your thought on this topic, but 85 % of the derby's, top 3 are FFS boys.
Doesn’t mean you can’t compete
Merry Fishmas & Happy New Gear !
Merry Christmas!
Thanx Matt. Yea, I'm that guy. Some bodies of water I'll be skipping opens till I can swing FFS.
Seriously, the odds are against you.
I do fish tidal fishery (upper Chesapeake and Potomac) that FFS isn't such a advantage and I'm good with that. We have a deep rocky lake with current that FFS was made for I'll be avoiding for a while. That's like playing 5 card draw with 4 cards.
You only get better the more you fish
From the picture in the thumb nail I thought you were going to tell us to fish cat fishing tournaments. LOL Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Family.
Haha Merry Christmas!
Thanks Matt for the encouragement!! Much appreciated!! Merry Christmas to you & the family!!!! 🎄☃Stay Safe & God Bless!!! 🤠👍
Merry Christmas!
Merry christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. Hope you and family have a good one. 👍👍👍
Merry Christmas to you too!
Merry Christmas From My Family To Yours...🎄🎁
Merry Christmas!
Good video Matt 🤛
Thanks 👍
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you too!
Thank you Matt I just got a Lowrance Eagle 9 for Christmas which is the one without forward facing sonar and I look forward to getting it put on and using it Merry Christmas to you and your family
Merry Christmas!
How about Cliff Prince this past year. Pretty exciting to watch.
Yep
Seth Feider won AOY using ffs minimumly, that year. Nuff said!
Yep
Can you give us an update video from yesterdays video on salvaging your lead damaged swimbaits? I want to see what you found to be the best fix. I fixed a sticky rubber handled Allstar rod I bought 2 days ago with cornstarch. I bought that rod and a Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL reel both for $20. Tore the reel completely down last night and cleaned and lubed it and it’s like new. My most expensive reel that I paid the least amount for. That’s $10 each.
I havent found anything to work
No matter what tail you chase, confidence is key! Merry Christmas everybody!
Merry Christmas!
Marry Christmas to you and your family and happy new year i will be routing for you this this TM season and my wife said stop coming out with new tackle i can't stop buying it LOL love your channel my friend learn a lot
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too!
I agree 💯! IF you are a "REAL" fisherman!! Thanks for the video Matt! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
Merry Christmas!
Hey Matt Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, now to the question how many pros are not a fan of Ffs and don't use it and still fish professionally.
a lot of pros are not a fan of it but i dont know one pro that chooses to not use it. Everyone has it
@@MattStefanFishingso do u have to use it as a pro? I mean if most don't like it seems like that would salvage the industry if it's not required.
The key to competing without livescope is to not actually fish the tournaments, but to “compete” in the comment sections of any bass related content 😂
Haha
You can get a good bag not fishing FFS, but there's a massive advantage to using it. And since that advantage comes with a massive price tag, it makes bass fishing even MORE of an elitist hobby, which for most people spoils the fun and competetive nature.
Thanks for sharing
🍺👍🤠. I want to wish you and your loved ones an enjoyable Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
I got AOY in my club this year without it !
Congrats!
FFS is too dang expensive for most folks. I agree with R. Blaukat, it has turned tournament bass fishing into an "elitist" sport.
thanks for watching
About a third of the tournaments I fish are on tidal water. FFS doesn’t seem to play at all in tidal water
it does some but not as much on fast moving water
@ The Delaware is pretty extreme with 6-8 ft tide fluctuates and the Upper Bay has a lot of extremely shallow water and my last win was on the Upper Bay after spending most of my practice stuck on a bar waiting for the tide to come back in and my last 2 Delaware River tournaments I finished 2nd.
It depends ALOT on the lake and species!!!
Agreed
You’re probably correct, but I live on the st Lawrence river and lake onterio and without ffs you don’t stand a chance. The same is probably true on lake Champlain.
I finished 2nd there without FFS a few years ago…had multiple fish in TK win that event
My son an I fish derby’s
My 13 came using down screen and my son a few 8’s on down screen
Sounds good
It's hard for me to believe that bored facing sonar and I'm not really experienced at it yet but I would say it will be the death of bass fishing in the future just my opinion
it could be
Marry x mas hope all is well can you do a pole mount vs trolling motor LIVESCOPE transducer placement
Where do u like it the best just got mine
trolling motor
Hank will get your ass off the back of ur boat any time with Core Tackle Thanks Matt
Yes he does
I honestly believe that about a multi fish tournament.
agreed
I’d rather watch curling that watch some dude looking at a screen
i like curling!
Me too,
I think you contradict yourself by saying you can compete without FFS but YOU won't go to a tournament without it. I would like to see how you do without using it. No co-anglers now in the open because a lack of interest of being a co-angler. Reason being is no one wants to be in the back when the "Pro" is searching for 5 big fish with there FFS. I will agree to disagree with your point
As i said in the video i finished 3rd in AOY and only caught a couple fish all year on it in 2023…
@@MattStefanFishing That is great that you finished 3rd in 2023. Let's see how many top 5 anglers there are in 2025 that are NOT using FFS.
That season was a great year for non-scope, and nothing you're saying is wrong.
Yep it lined up great and you could compete without it. Lakes and time of year matter but it can be done. Just frustrates me when people state it’s not even worth fishing if you don’t have it
To make a living bass fishing, I would think you would be forced to adopt FFS or slowly widdle away over time.
As a pro why would i not want to get better at it…just like i want to get better at all techniques
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Merry Christmas!
Just pay the entry fee and go home
That’s 50% of anglers with or without FFS
So if everything works out perfect for someone without ffs they can be maybe cash a check. They ain’t winning
Yea but the ffs technology is only gonna get better and continue to overtake the sport even more then it is now
Sober view's as allways.
Ok…
Another great strategy is to have your brother start on the leader’s spot …. Defense wins championships 🏆
BS move
@@MattStefanFishingjust wondering what was bs? Securing your AOY? Do you feel in your heart that Chris should not have went to the community spot. He have Gee the whole spot, all but thirty feet. And just think now he's part of the community. I'm just wondering what's the bs? Merry Christmas
@@nancyzipperer8819 you can’t be serious? 😂 someone was never taught tournament ethics
@@ccrr8029 Nope, but from what I saw the AOY set the standard.
I agree 💯! IF you are a "REAL" fisherman!! Thanks for the video Matt! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
Merry Christmas!