As noted in this latest announcement, FFS has been controversial since day one, with many anglers arguing the technology goes too far, giving fishermen an unfair advantage. [My 2 cents worth: For God's sake, folks, take your head out of your butt. Alabama rigs were banned because B.A.S.S. believed they made it too easy for anglers to catch fish and eliminated some of the skill required in tournament competition. So just how is that any different from competitors using a sonar system where all they have to do is look at their screen and drop the bait directly in front of the fish? C'mon...What do you take us for...complete idiots? If I were a pro angler right now, I'd be demanding that the ban on Alabama rigs be lifted immediately. Call these decision-makers out for the fools they are for trying to brainwash you into believing there's a difference between Alabama rigs and FFS. They both fall in the same category. The only right thing to do is allow or ban both.] In Mississippi, some biologists seemed to agree and recently reduced the crappie creel limit on certain lakes, specifically because of the proliferation of FFS technology.
However, supporters of FFS argue that just because they can see the fish (or their lures) better, it doesn't mean they can make the fish bite. It's the old argument that, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." [My 2 cents worth: Isn't it funny, though, that a lot of hitherto unknown tournament anglers, using their FFS units, suddenly are going home with all the marbles? 'Twould seem to me that at least some of them have figured out a way to lead a horse to water...and make him drink, too.]
Like any new technology, there is a learning curve in how best to use it. In the last year or two, many professional tournament circuits have seen many of the best FFS users in the winner's circle. [My 2 cents worth: In other words, if these guys--likely all or mostly electronic nerds--had had to compete back in the day with the likes of Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Hank Parker, they would have remained nothing more than "also rans"...and probably never cashed a check.]
Meanwhile, other anglers have been forced to get onboard the FFS train. In the top circles, it has become the norm for some anglers to have almost as much money invested in electronics as they do in their boat and motor.
B.A.S.S. stopped short of outlawing FFS completely as NPFL did, but along with FFS restrictions will come other B.A.S.S. rule changes, including the following:
* Elite Series and Classic competitors will be limited to a total of 55 inches of screen, including bow and dash head units. The trend to add more and bigger head units to boats is becoming a safety concern, as the bigger screens may create blind spots, impacting the safe piloting of boats. [My 2 cents worth: The way I see it, "blind spots" aren't the only concern here. I would suggest that having all that crap on the bow of your boat also creates a "trip hazard." Unless all FFS users are "twinkle-toed," I'd bet money that some of them will be caught in the act of taking an unintended splash. Just gotta hope they don't hit their head on something as they go.]
* Elite Series and Classic competitors may now have only one electric motor mounted to their boats. There has been a rise in the use of electric motors mounted to shallow-water anchors, which makes the enforcement of current rules (like long-lining and trolling) very difficult.
* B.A.S.S. will focus on a more diverse Elite Series schedule, creating a wide variety of fishing styles demanded for success. While live-sonar technology will remain a consistent tool used at the very highest level of competitive bass fishing, experience and a deep-seeded understanding of fish behavior, movement and patterns also will be needed for success moving forward on the fisheries scheduled. [My 2 cents worth: Sorry, but this sounds like nothing more than a lame attempt to make those seasoned anglers without the tech savvy of the younger guys feel like they still have a chance of winning once in a while. Good luck with that...although you probably will find a few "fish" who'll "swallow your bait" for a little while.]
Said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson, "The use of live sonar at the Elite level has sparked tremendous debate. Our technology committee spent a tremendous amount of time reviewing post-event surveys, comparing equipment on Elite boats to success rate and considering both fan engagement and bass-community feedback related to the use of new technology." [My 2 cents worth: Let's all understand what's really going on here. B.A.S.S. is worried that some of their money is going to go away if they don't play ball with the boys with the deep pockets (e.g., companies like Rapala, Shimano, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, Humminbird, and others). In short, these companies are essentially funding the sport by paying a premium to have their brands plastered everywhere B.A.S.S. can put it. With this kind of sway, it's all but a given that they would be adverse to the banning of any one or more of their products, most especially something like FFS, from the pro tours. Hence, B.A.S.S. officials are having to walk a tightrope, trying to keep both the companies and the anglers happy enough to stay in the game.]
Major League Fishing (MLF) has yet to announce whether or not there will be any rule changes for its 2025 season. Likewise, none of the major crappie-fishing circuits announced any rule changes.
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