I hate this idea, seems like an MLF gimmick rule to me 😂 Personally, I think restrict it to 1 FFS unit and 48" of screen and that's it. I have a hard time feeling bad for veterans of the sport when LVS 32 has been around for 6 years and panoptix before that. The younger guys are getting more time in on the water and working harder right now, and getting rid of FFS won't change that. For a weekend angler, FFS is the greatest fishing invention since GPS imo. No longer is idling for days and days to find fish. I went from dreading fishing offshore to loving it.

@bassdojo

4 ай бұрын

I love FFS, i too couldn't catch fish off shore. Now it is easier. Still love beating the bank over watching a screen.

@danchilds881

4 ай бұрын

I am a better catcherman than fisherman! You are spotlock on!

@BrianWilemanFishing

4 ай бұрын

I like your suggestion but I think 2 FFS transducers is the number. I consider Humminbird 360 a FFS since it shows forward of the boat. There is a reason guys have had 360 for so long and never gripped before because they had an advantage that no one considered. So that if you want 2 Transducers one in forward and one in scout then that is as good as having one in forward and a 360.

@Leecourt1

4 ай бұрын

A BAD IDEA learn how to use it and catch fish. the guys fishing shore have more shore to fish and still have ahard time making Saturday

@bigfish8473

3 ай бұрын

Yes but you just said it fishing is about you as a fishermen find the fish. It's all about if you can personally find fish and read the season. And what the fish and water is telling you. That's called sport. And being online with Nature.

I love the thought process behind this. I think the best way of doing this is to limit the number of FFS allowed on a boat. Having up to 5 I feel is little ridiculous. I would like to see just one unit is allowed.

@danperry1415

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree, It is absurd for any angler to need 6 fricking sonars to find/locate fish. 1 would make it fair and not over board. Heck, if you have the money like apparently they do, Just line the sides up from front to back with sonar.

It appears regulation is coming for FFS. This a great idea to keep it in check as it is a valuable tool.

Is FFS any different than fishing for bedding fish other than it's year round? You see a fish and try to make it bite.

I agree that the real bass fishermen need their own league !

I think that some car racing already uses DRS in Formula 1 racing. DRS can be activated in dedicated zones on the circuit (marked by DRS signs). So yes, the competition shouldn't take away FSS, but regulate it better.

Interesting proposition…it would add an extra element of prioritization/decision making

John: Interesting idea, but why not just create a hybrid schedule with the following format: 4 BASS Elites tournaments where FFS is allowed; 4 BASS Elites where FFS is not allowed; AOY Championship with FFS allowed, Bassmaster Classic no FFS allowed. OPEN EQ's: 4 tournaments no FFS allowed; 4 tournaments FFS allowed; AOY Championship FFS allowed. I have been a fan of bass fishing since the late 80's and have competed in tournaments since 1999. I just don't care to watch events dominated by FFS. I've owned the units and fishing that way is just not my cup of tea. BASS let it get out of hand when guys started showing up with 5+ transducers and 7 - 8 graphs on the boat. However, many pros have been forced to develop skill with FFS and that should not be taken away. Therefore, like it or not, FFS is here to stay. I'd love to see that hybrid format though!

No solution is needed. Tournaments have not been ruined because of it. Negative people shrieking on the internet are the problem. Ignore them! They are tools. Technology has been evolving since tournaments started. I fished my first tournament with a flasher and a paper graph, gps wasn't a thing... people were pissed that I had the paper. Whiners should not set the rules.

@hoovy6579

4 ай бұрын

WELL SAID!!!

@shoplife8103

4 ай бұрын

facts!!!!

@fragelicious

4 ай бұрын

Keep whistling past the graveyard. We don't watch they go back to work.

Let it sort itself out and weed out the non-competitors. I’ve never seen so many grown men complain about something so stupid. “Get rid of it because we’re not good at it.” Seriously? Is this really what’s happening? Seriously?! If I told the owners of my company to get rid of the equipment I can’t fix because it’s new technology, I’d get fired. Get good at your job or lose it, pretty simple.

@CHASIN_A_BASS

4 ай бұрын

Getting good at your job would be learning how to actually fish 😂😂😂

@zimks

4 ай бұрын

I’m so f bombing tired of these babies as well. Grow the sport until we start losing are spots, a youth movement was always coming to bass fishing welcome to the new era babies

@Briank83

4 ай бұрын

@@andrewhutchinson8540 lol what? Go home, Randy, you’re drunk.

@CAN43725

4 ай бұрын

@@andrewhutchinson8540 Viewership is up across the board.

@Briank83

4 ай бұрын

@@andrewhutchinson8540 you’re right, I’m ignorant because it’s impossible to watch two KZread fishing channels with opposing views. I’m also ignorant because Jacob wheeler posted a video and there were some comments against ffs. Lol what? Wheeler was ranked number 1 before ffs even came out. The comment section is irrelevant. Bass fishing isn’t extremely niche you idiot, it’s the most popular. Do you know what ignorant means? Because you’re providing some good definitions.

How about using it for practice but ma,e it off limits for official tournaments.

@jamesrice304

4 ай бұрын

100%

Limit the units/size and limit the transducer to one. Keeps everything relevant without extra needing to be tracked and harder for new viewers to understand. Having a “throwback” tournament every year where there’s no ffs and limited electronics would be cool to see though

I have the utmost respect for you in general and for trying to volley a compromise. The ability to keep tournament fishing “competitive and normal” has been reduced solely because of FFS. I fall into the age group of you, Ike and Ish so I’ll accept that I’m opening myself to ridicule and ostracizing predicated on my age alone. That said, we’ve all fished for so long based on patterns and instincts that this technology has created a clear and definite rift or a divide in tournament results let alone the fishing community. To date this has been the most sound and logical compromise I’ve heard volleyed. I recognize that all these electronics manufacturers have invested tons of money in the R & D, marketing, sponsoring, etc. So if it’s here to stay, I’d support a compromise like this wholeheartedly and let the chips fall where they may. I still feel that as the Elites swing northward that FFS will still dominate these events regardless of the allowed hours of use during tournament hours. Would be interesting to track.

John I’m a big fan of yours, imo there is literally no difference in watching a guy fishing with or without scope. I really enjoyed watching the tournaments in Texas and how the camera angle included the live feed from the LS screens. Also if you include Randy’s opinion also include Milliken or another pro that uses LS a lot.

Use them for practice and that's it. Easy as that!

Let those anti FFS peeps have their own league- i.e. randy blockhead! Then take away all the electronics!! No DS, SS, no depth finders, no GPS, no trolling motors!! Let's find out who the "real" fisherman are!!!

I would love to see more......fishing boat docks

I love your idea!!! Thank you for your insight- Finally someone has an idea to fix this!!! I was a co-angler on an Open and our weights were SO DIFFERENT than the Pro's weights!!! It would be nice if there was a way for co-anglers to have the FFS to use in the same format that you are suggesting- Just thought I would throw that out there!!! Thank you

It’s not a bad idea but let me ask you this…why not have different divisions? Then the market decides. Either it gets participants and viewers or it doesn’t.

I love it! Great idea! Thanks for trying to come up with a REALISTIC plan, that keeps everyone happy because something needs to change. Derbies are becoming unwatchable.

A lot of the pros that are crying about rookies beating them with ffs spent their off season in duck blinds and deerstands no learning the tools of the trade. The tools are the same across the board all the pros have them, some took the time and effort some didn't. As for limits. Limit number of transducers per boat. Limit number of batteries, vots and ah. Limit total inches of screen. Limit total loaded boat wieght....

Good video. I put a comment on Randy's channel about a month ago, essentially the same thing. All sports have regulated equipment. For the benefit of the sport. It's apparent this won't sort itself out like some guy's think. And the suck it up and shut up mentally don't fly. I would much rather watch guy's like you show me your depth and versatility. Start a senior's tour and watch the rest of professional bass fishing go irrelevant.

4 graphs max/60 total inches of screen . 1 live transducer total, 3 total transducers

@bassdojo

4 ай бұрын

24" bow and console!

😂😂😂😂😂 love the Hillary reference!!

If you did that.. tournament mode would need to synced to a cloud based server to track all times across the board by a tournament official

I like that approach if you can get electronics companies to buy in. I also like the idea floating around of using it for practice only, running forward facing unit only.

I think this is a pretty good idea, and it does seem to address any concerns from a conservation perspective, kind of like A-rigs

But what happens when someone figures out how to manipulate the settings and time used. Remember this is Ai technology. So I'm sure there are some people out there that can figure it out. 😮

@hoovy6579

4 ай бұрын

bigfish, I thought the same thing. It would be harder than he thinks to regulate it! Someone will push the issues for sure!

In the elite series turn it off for the day 4 top ten. Day 1 through 3 can be used to formulate who the top 10 will be

Time limit would be pretty cool idea. I’m not a tournament angler nor do I have FFS but the part of FFS that has been a plus is the more mainstream acceptance of the spinning rod. Negative, I’m having a hard time finding some of my my favorite 3-4” shad looking baits that I used for drop shot and NED rigs lol.

I like the every other tournament idea.

@ggw7948

4 ай бұрын

I agree and would be easiest to regulate. AOY at end of the year would be most well rounded angler.

9 tournament season, you can use it in 4, pick which ones you want to use it and gives another strategy to use

My proposal is you can use FFS to find fish but no rod in hand while using it

That’s a very common sense approach. Kudos

Definitely a good idea! I feel like 1 live transducer and 1 - 12” screen for it. 2 graphs in the front max. Half the tournaments you completely remove or disable the live transducer.

@bassdojo

4 ай бұрын

24" monitor in total at console and bow, 1 FFS transducer.

Even though I'm old (and it's usually the older anglers that are against FFS), I don't have a problem with FFS because there is so much more to it than detractors make it out to be. A solution I saw, to keep it simple, was to go to an every other tournament format where one tournament you use it, and the next you don't use it. In your solution, why not carry it to the next level ? During the time where it is "no FFS", why not turn ALL electronics off ?? That way, the supposed "purists" can carry it all to the ultimate conclusion. Either you can catch 'em with it, or nothing at all. In the end, I think it really won't make that much of a difference either way.

Im thinking let tournaments have it but you cant use it to harvest fish or have yearly limits on how many fish you can keep because the tournament fish get released anyway

Definitely like it.Think a compromise is the best thing for the growth of the sport.

Might work John

For the record, I'm against limiting tech; that being said, your idea isnt terrible. It gives both sides a compromise without eliminating the use of FFS. I'm still on the team where I think everyone needs to be proficient, and if you arent, you may find yourself on the outside looking in. In the end its natural selection and survival of the fittest. Love me some Darwin.

In the tournament limit it to one FF transducer per boat. Limit total screen size to 40"-50" and only 4 units. Units need to be lower then eye level while in driver seat. Pre fishing is open game. If you want to limit it during the tournament how about no ffs till final day?

I am French and in Europe there are already tournaments with a limited duration of use of FFS. One hour per day is allowed and the fisherman decides when during the day to use the FFS. Tournaments on bass, but also pike and perch and zander. IKE iaconelli did a tournament in Italy last year where there was this rule: YPC BASS kzread.info/dash/bejne/lIh6lqaYmdHRhtY.html

All have it all can use it all day now I think the issue is a bunch of sore asses cause them kids been kicking it.😀😀😀😀

Hey John. Great video, by the way. I think you may be on to something, but I'm not sure how it will work if you're on a school of fish and time runs out on its use so you have to give up winning fish? I think it would be best to limit the amount of units yiu can have on a boat. Like you said, with input by anglers, Organizations and the electronics industry. I have noticed a lot of these young guys only have one or two ffs units on their boat. Drew Gill, not sure if you heard of him only has on ffs unit on his boat and is doing quite well on the BPT/ Toyota side of things. You hope the government does not get involved in this as you never know how far they might go in regulating your electronics. One argument people seam to throw out there is price. It is true that ffs is not cheap. As an average angler I'm not looking to top ranked pros for my setup. That's like looking at NASCAR for my engine configuration. Does not apply to your average driver. Pro anglers should be at the cutting edge of the sport and you put regulations to reflect changing conditions. Cheers Steven. 😊

😂😂😂 I can already tell you what Randy’s going to say 100% it should be used for conservation departments only

Best idea I've heard on it yet

I have been using FFS since late 2019. And I can tell you is that easy. It is not fishing it is catching. What I can tell you the fish are getting smarter and more aware of the Sonar Ping.

@brianwheelock6540

4 ай бұрын

I call bullshit, I have it too and they don’t just jump in the boat. There is no ping coming from that unit. This isn’t the Hunt for Red October. The fish feel the presence of your boat and here you making noise.

My take is do you use trail cameras, laser ranger finder , GPS and last a black power gun with 209 primer and 50 MM scope everything will work itself out

Leave tournament mode on nonstop. You can have the unit record time while pinging is on. Turn pinging off, stops the time. This way, if the director sees that the mode is turned off, then they could easily disqualify people.

@EdDisabledVet

4 ай бұрын

Mega Live has the ability to turn ping on and off using the Live target remote and foot pedal.

Terrible idea in my opinion. Nothing against you! But I personally think it’s just the older guys who don’t like being proved wrong are the ones crying the loudest. It’s here to stay. They will limit transducers but that’s about it

The thing is, FFS has given anyone without much fishing knowledge the ability to win tournaments and/or at least post high finishes. This is allowing the pro’s that have spent all their lives learning about fish behavior and and their use of habitat within their environment, and who spent their lives doing these things by not playing video games to be pushed out of their livelihoods by fishermen that probably couldn’t catch enough fish to even qualify for a tournament without it. I personally think it should be banned within the pro fishing ranks, because with it we will never be able to tell the true ability of the fishermen.

This is getting a bit cute. It can be way more simple. Beginning of the season, declare if you are a bass fisherman or a spotlighter. Bass Fisherman compete for checks & AOY points against other non-scopers, and spotlighters compete against other scopers for $ & AOY. It would create a massive storyline, keep electronics companies in the game, and fans of old school fishing can root for pros using traditional methods.

Personally, something has to be done. It is a great tool indeed. And it is a great learning experience. But if something doesn't happen, we are going to lose the CoAnglers in the lower levels. I like your idea. I also like the idea of limiting how many units and transducers per boat.

I'm not really proficient with jerkbaits, I wonder if we can regulate those somehow? Thanks 👍

I say before the new season put the names of the lakes in a hat and draw out half the season and you can use it there only. Make a public press conference of it so the fans can watch. If only one out of half drawn is a northern smallie tournament then that’s what you get! Limit the transducers and screen size per boat and the cream will rise to the top for AOY. It must be a good balance of everything.

If people really want to change it, I would allow it during practice to find fish and then on tournament day block its use.

That will never work. It needs to be 4 screens and 3 transducers on each boat, any combination you choose, and it can't be changed once the season begins. NASCAR style rules.

I think its worth a try. It makes sense.

What about a rule where the competitors need to nominate 4 venues before the start of the season to use FFS. Then it becomes a strategic decission that could play out in interesting ways.

If we don't like watching your product, how do you guys increase your incomes? If It isn't worth watching anymore. You think TV execs will be fine with that?

best idea yet.

I wish they would ban it for a a coupon reasons. First of all I’m tired of listening to haters gripe about it. Second reason is because haters will never ever accept any form of it. They want to preserve their illusion of the roots of tournament fishing. As they do this in their 100k boats. Good try.

@MJ_Bass

4 ай бұрын

That's my thing. Imagine if a time traveling fisherman from the 1800s came to a 2015 bass boat. They would see the 100K glitter sled with the big motor going 70+ MPH, 4-GPS / SI / DI / 2D /MAPPING 12" units, powerpoles, sunglasses that help you see deeper in the water, unlimited access to endless hours of fishing tips and technique videos. Enough tackle to stock a sporting goods store and 40 rigged up rods ready to. But FFS is too much? 😂

@chadlafave1465

4 ай бұрын

@@MJ_Bass thats some funny stuff right there...lol

Great video and idea.

Look I am fifty years old, and I say embrace technology or not there is no in between, either have it or don't. I do think by breaking up the elite series into different events and having maybe events that don't use technology at all and go old school, then events you go all out in technology. Or breaking up into groups in the same event competitors' fish against ones without or with technology.

1. Create a Square Inch max on screen size. that lets/makes people get creative instead of just throwing the biggest everything on it. 2. 2 Live Transducers max+1 360 transducer max. Thats a start. Wanna get real spicy....eliminate using Power Poles or the Crappie Brakes if FFS is being used (theyre allowable if not using FFS). Im in a tin rig with no poles and at the mercy of even a breeze....so trust me when I say I laugh at people saying FFS is easy when I consider what I gotta deal with just to keep a beam pointed at a fish. The more stuff you have (transducers included) the easier scoping gets. Just cap things so folks aren't out there like the Big Tymers bass fishing!

Let then use FFS during practice only. That would allow the anglers to see how the fish are setting up but would make the anglers use their knowledge to figure out where the fish are transitioning to.

Could just do 1 day with 1 day without 3rd day could be a coin flip or a every other tournament bases. With the time limit idea it still gives ffs a advantage each day.

the older pros had this tech before any of the "young scopers" were even out of school lol! adapt or get left behind is what it is. limit screen inches and ducers and go win!

Every Pro on the Elite Series I have heard whining is 50th to Dead Last in AOY Standings

Salary capping the electronics including the trolling motors, power poles, etc. make people choose using a set msrp limit. Kinda like shopping on a budget.

Just adds another level of strategy to it

In Europe, they do power hour. Technology is banned in golf and baseball. Fishing should be no different.

'we dont just ignore technology'...........bans Arig

Its an interesting idea but to me it feels like a gimmick that you would see on a reality TV show or new KZreadr challenge instead of big boy tournament fishing. If they did that I would fully expect that in one tourney they limit FFS, the next is no scented plastics, then no spinning reels, then no baitcasters and it would all be announced by Mercer at the end of the tournament...actually would be better if he drops that bomb on the field 20 minutes before takeoff and they have the marshalls going around collecting all of the gear that has been eliminated for the day 😆 Competitive tournament anglers have always been looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage over the field (and honestly this applies to all sports). whether its a homemade lure like Casey Ashley used to win the Classic or a new prototype that is still in the testing phase that only you have access to. Its something that all of the "old timers" do right? But not so suddenly a new technology comes around that younger anglers have been much faster to adapt to and excel with and you see a bunch of people like Randy come out and condemn anyone who uses it. For the tournament side of the sport to grow you need new talent to come in and have success. It happens in every sport. An outright ban would be like the NBA/WNBA eliminating the 3-point shot because Curry and Caitlin Clark are too good at using it and they are scoring too many points.

@ min9:00 of this video, you illustrated perfectly that guys just roam around locating fish with this technology(FFS). If you don't consider that cheating, you have thrown logic out of your mind! Keep it simple, rods/reels/tackle/boat. If you need more than that, check yourself!

I say allow it only during practice. Ban on comp days. This way there's no interruption with advertisers / sponsors etc. imo

I think 1.5hrs .. and it's a good idea ..not only will it level the playing field it would also help coanglers to come back to the sport

Kind of like Indy cars "push to pass" feature. It could work.

I like it !

I really like this idea. Don’t rid awesome technology. But make it usable in a competitive nature. Because it is awesome and fun stuff to use. But boring as crap to watch. VERY GOOD IDEA GUYS!!!!

Sounds like a winner John

As far as States getting involved with FFS, that's ridiculous. Crappie for example, just cut the bag limit in half. Seems pretty simple to me. No more scopes on hunting rifles would be next.

Love the Bleachbit and HRC comment 😂😂😂

Love your stuff, John. Great idea by the way, would be very cool to see the strategy of using the allotted time. Like you said, find the fish and turn it off. Or chase fish and burn it up. Also have to decide if it’s for the entire tournament or per day (the cut comes into play).

At least you realize there is a problem with the sport. Kudos that you at least want to discuss the topic. It has destroyed the fan base period. The fans drive the sport but the electronic companies drive all the organizations. Local tournaments are not relevant if you can't scope in the summer. Some maynot realize this is somewhat old military technology. There is much more waiting for big 3 to release to public on updated military technology.

I use it in my local club tournaments and I love using it. I bet if you gave every FFS complainer a free one, they would take it in a heart beat and learn how to use it. Nothing needs to change on the pro level of fishing, if someone doesn't like watching it turn the channel and watch something they like. Do you want to watch a fisherman casting or pitching for an hour and never catch a fish or would you like to watch a fisherman using FFS catching fish.

Nope. Don't want the state regulating my fishing anymore than they already do. FWC in FL doesn't know what the hell they're doing most of the time as it is.

Crews I love your show.I don't think that Randy is going to go for it.I watch his show every day.He is totally against FFS during tournaments and I kinda agree with him.I want to see old-school hard core bass fishing and not so much video game fishing.

@hoovy6579

4 ай бұрын

You HAVE TO REMEBER!! These guys are the ones who SPONSOR & PAY FOR IT BEING ON TV!. Randy Blockhead is never gonna be on TV so no one really cares what he has to say ( on the Profesional side). His subscribers took a HUGE DIVE when he started this whining , and it will continue!

@billycraighead9814

4 ай бұрын

@@hoovy6579 There needs to be a level playing field.Spotliting deer is illegal and should not happen in tournaments either.These young dudes would not have any idea how to fish without it.

Why not just have non ffs and ffs tournaments, for those who want to fish and those who want play video games? I personally dont mind ffs for just going out to fish, but if the point is skill and competition that kinda undermines the challenge. You want to find out who's the best fisherman, man vs. fish, or who's the best at computer vs. fish? You could also just have 2 days ffs, and 2 days no ffs allowed, so people cant 100% rely on it to win.

Only allow one transducer FFS on your vessel

FFS is the "bridge too far" for the top level of professional (Elite, BPT, AAA) bass fishing and should not be allowed for any amount of time.

Glad to see you are trying to come up with a solution. I am old-school and don't think it should be used, BUT I don't know anything about it. I just don't want it to make us non electronic guys irrelevant. I also don't want it to takeover and make the future of fishing all electronic. I personally can't afford it.

No software updates are easily done and many introduce new problems, plus who pays for it? There is no meaningful reason to implement any kind of ban on FFS. If states want to study it and potentially ban it, your tournaments should abide by those regs or stay out of that state. FFS is as game-changing as 2D sonar was when it came out and everyone wanted to ban 2D. Just dumb. It's good stuff, you learn from using it, it's fun and easy, and no, they don't jump in the boat by any means. The threat that people will stop watching is proven unfounded. Additionally, prior to FFS the anglers in the smallmouth lakes were all staring at 2D and fishing vertically, and the viewers didn't complain. Just move on already. People that don't want to use it shouldn't, people who do should, it's generally two separate populations of fish involved anyway.

@txman201

4 ай бұрын

Super agree!

There is a lot to learn when pros walk you through their day on the water and when they explain what they are seeing on the lake. There is no learning when all we see is one cast, no commentating on strategy.

Why not fish half tournaments with and half without. I also think 1 FFS transducer max and maybe limit on total inches of screen.

Limit it to one FFS unit. Limit it to half of the tournament day so they can't rely on it for 100% of their tournament days. It would force everyone to be that much more versatile. During practice days let them use it as much as they want. Banning it 100% is probably a really bad idea.

I like it! Because a 20 year old kid that drives around not casting till he sees a fish is not right! If they shut it off for a bit and go against clung or vandam (veterans). I bet they couldn't compete as well. When u got a veteran with 35 or mor year's

Bad Idea,someone would figure out a hack ,just allow 1/2 of scheduled tournaments to use FFS,the other 1/2 of scheduled tournaments just unplug the transducer .PERIOD

Not a bad idea, but they still need to limit the amount of graphs you guys have, and one transducer

Give Mark, the warehouse mgr. a raise.