It’s Time To Say The Quiet Part Out Loud About The Future Of Bass Fishing 

I’m 71, and I have always loved bass fishing. I still fish and catch bass. I still use mono only. I just love being outdoors in nature. No batteries required. Always catch & release. It amuses me how people complicate simple things. 🎣

People like Ray Scott were what made bass fishing so great. I miss those days

It sounds like tournament fishing has turned into professional Easter egg hunting.

I find it odd that Skeets victory has not even been talked about in the fishing Media. I would have thought his win would have been a major talking point. I’m starting to think that they do want the old guys out

I spoke with an artist friend. I described FFS to her and the controversy behind it. She gave a great analogy. She enters art shows for her art. However, there are machines that can paint/ draw paintings that look like hand painted art. A lot are mass produced art for decor stores etc. Imagine these programmers decided to enter art shows with drawings claiming they are real artist. Furthermore, imagine the manufacturers of these machines funded these art shows. Then these programmers claim that it takes talent to program these machines, and it’s more efficient; unlike real artist that have to use their innate talent and imagination. This is exactly where we are at with FFS. Guys are good at FFS and claim that it’s more efficient, but that’s not fishing. A programmer can produce 20 paintings to the one painting painted by hand, but which one is a real artist?

Spot on!!!! I have an idea for you Randy - why don't you start a public petition to ban ffs - make it accessible online. See how many signatures you get and send it to bass and mlf? I think it would be a great idea.

Hey Randy, I’m 68 yrs young and have been fishing hard for the past 35 yrs. I fished on the local Bassmasters Club and Bass Fishing League. I watched Denny Brauer, you, Skeet, Dean Rojas, KVD, the Hortons and the whole gang. I went to tournaments collecting autographs and photos of everyone I could. I tried to learn everything possible and settled on what I thought was the best for me; frogs jigs and spinnerbaits. Along the way I learned many lessons. I once threw a Lew’s 1oz lipless crank bait, must have been 100 mph, hit the crank switching the rod to my left hand and watched the whole setup fly and sink into 17 ft of water. Lesson learned. I switched all my reels to left hand cranks and have found that to be the quickest way to set a hook. I run 185VX Comanche Ranger w/150 hp. I wanted to be a pro in the worst way. I could hit my spots anywhere. Two hip surgeries later and life changes. Even with the learning curves, the torrential rains, the blazing heat, missing family time, the frustrations and the occassional victories, I would have it no other way. An angler needs to put in the time to be a recognized angler otherwise they are a video game player. I agree with you, down with forward facing sonar.

I don't watch bass fishing on tv anymore. All you see is back of head looking down.

Randy, you nailed it here. It's insanity.

When they integrate AI in to our graphs, game over! You'll know species, gender, etc. I can only say that the sonar we use in the Navy can literally see a soda can on the bottom of the ocean. When that tech makes it in to fishing, you'll see every knot, every branch, every rock, ... Pros are pros because they have time on the water and have the ability to read the water/environment and adjust on the fly. Their varied experience (lakes, tidal, rivers) should outweigh and dominate a rookie who is predominantly tech savvy looking a screen and "spot-lights" fish.

It's easier to use technology than to learn how to fish. It's gone too far. When commercial technology like FFS and LS are allowed into sport fishing, the fisheries have had it.

Cold stone dead on. Between FFS and pulling the female bass out of deep water in the dead on summer, common sense should and will prevail. Wake up each morning with a grateful heart…… and tell the world to bring it. Keep the good fight going

You are right on.Dont shut up.

Stay the course Randy don't give up the fight😂

Keep preaching Randy on FFS and not having tournaments during the spawn

It’s actually gotten to the point now where if I tell people I caught a bunch or show a picture of a big fish, they’ll ask if I was out deep or shallow. And if I wasn’t out on the ledges scoping it’s like I was just beating the banks and got lucky

Logical analogies.i refuse to put the cheater box on my boat.might just as well throw 30 years of knowledge under the bus.

It's not just FFS it's overuse, bad lake management, indifference from our DNR. My lakes around here are a burnt-out shell compared to 10-15 years ago

You are correct Randy! FFS isn’t fishing period

I go fishing. The only screen fishing I watch is vids from you& some other pros' who know their stuff to help me fish better.

NOTHING Lasts Forever . Check your History . Tournament Fishing will also be a thing of the past . F F S is the beginning of the end 🎣 FACT !!

My GOD!I 'm sorry to hear again again and again... it's been a year now please get to something else again

I hear you as clear as day. What happened to this fishing combined with some recent posts I've seen of people indiscriminate catching and killing excessive amounts of game fish really leaves me searching for words to describe what's happening.

I totally agree with you! Bass fishing is ridiculously scary now!

100% All about the money

I hate tournament bass fishing these days. It simply sucks. That's all I can say.

But you can always go fishing. You may have to get a real job and contribute to society but…. both are blessings to be grateful for.

You're right, but we have to figure out a way to determine the level of electronics that can be used for tournament fishing, without exception. Just like all other competitive sports. No one should have an advantage because they have better technology. Period! FFS is cheating, no matter how anyone tries to justify it.

During the whole video I was pondering how people just don't want to think "Critically" about anything. You said this at the very end, nail on the head! Folks want surface level brain work with self gratification. These same people don't think about electing proper leaders either, it's all about personality or anger. This laziness affects everything, work, relationships, what an effing mess. Thanks for keeping up the fight and being a Thought Leader!

bass fishing is not a sport. It is a sporting activity. It becomes more like a sport when competition comes into play but, it is just a fun gambling activity in general. This is the reason why the Olympics wont adopt bass fishing as a sport. imo

Instant gratification generation

I was listening to a recent Mercer podcast. I try to listen to all rambling talk and chatter to pick up on various fishing tips and points. Recently I heard everyone was dreading the “Alabama Swing” of tournaments because of all the intense June temperatures. Tournament guys were complaining that their electronics were shutting off due to intense sunlight heat on the FFS screens. Also during the Smith Lake tournament, When Trey was disqualified for receiving a cell phone call during tournament hours, Trey mentioned in the Mercer Podcast, he had no official “ BASS Marshal” riding with him that day. I didn’t realize BASS was having a shortage of Marshals to follow and monitor the Elite pros. This scenario is like not having enough Co-Anglers to fish with the Pros in the Opens. Five years ago, if a Co-angler wanted to compete in any events, the Co angler had to commit to all three tournaments in his division. If there is a shortage of paying Marshals in Elite events and a shortage of Co-anglers in the Opens, that must affect the financial income balance sheet of BASS.

You forgot to mention, a ridiculously expensive fuzzy dice!

Now you know how old school bass fishermen who fish in 14 foot aluminum boats with 25 hp motors or less felt about you fishing tournaments in 20 ft fiberglass boats with 250 hp motors, spotlock, GPS, 2D sonar, sidescan, etc. The old school anglers in jon boats felt that same fake success, loss of the magic of fishing, loss of heritage by paddling a jon boat with knowlege, stealth and experience than the fake way you fished in your career. Glad you know how it feels now.

Baas fishing isn’t a sport is a hobby. Those are not athletes sorry just the truth.

Randy is THE Best. 👍 always has the time to pass on the wisdom & knowledge. Great video 🎣🇺🇸👍

Here is the link to Let's Talk Fish (Matt Arey and Brian Thrift), I know you know them from your FLW days. Anyway Matt is not a fan of FFS either, comments around the 25 minute mark. You and I can, and do disagree, on many topics, but I do agree with your FFS stance and admire your passion for it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N0Ild45xyjc.html

Keep it up Randy!!!!!!! We’ve got to do something to preserve the real sport!! Thank you for taking the criticism and keeping up the fight!! I love your insight and all your videos. I’m excited when a new one comes out. Thank you for putting FFS on the radar of so many conversations!! FFS also stands for “For F😢🥹ks Sake” that’s what I think when a tournament is won by it!!

Yeah and I’m not sure there’s a way back Randy

Don’t look up was hilarious and sad because it was pretty much dead on… It does seem to have some parallels to pro fishing currently lol

Randy, I'm 73 and i remember back in the day when you were really fishing at the top of your game. I have an aluminum Bass tracker boat with the cheap depth finder that came with the boat on the front and a small Garmin on the back. I wouldn't walk across the street for these new picture things. However, having said that, I remember when my parents railed against new things. I remember when we went from hymns to praise music in churches. Things change and life is hard and then you die. Live and let them live.

Video game screens create low fishing IQ. Take away that screen I could out fish these guys!

The dice lures are JDM innovation! Have you seen them in the water! They come alive in a way similar to the best skirted jigs. It would not surprise me if megabass didn’t roll out some version. Raid and OSP make good stuff!

What about electronic division and nonelectronic...including GPS which probably changed the game way more than FFS...IMO

Randy, love the videos! Keep them coming!!

A simple experiment:: split all tournaments into two separate categories... The first category you can use the cheater box and all the electronics that money can buy.... The second category is traditional bass fishing with just basic (old school) electronics. Then track the tv viewer numbers for each category throughout that season and sees which category has the most viewers. When the tournament originations see the viewer numbers maybe it will open their eyes to how much this new trend is hurting their bottom line in the long run.

Doing the right thing! That is a thing of the past. Complacency permeates society today. Make it easy and no one will have to work for it.

Great content brother randy, keep going

That movie makes an excellent metaphor.

Randy, keep pushing this hard! Completely unacceptable that a bass fisherman as clueless as I am with my limited experience can win due to technology. Any way that a petition or something of the sort could influence the tournament organizations? Just a thought

Hey Randy, I completely agree with you. Small voices carry big impact when the collective continues to voice their opinions. We appreciate you carrying the message. Keep up the good work by the way I’ve got old technology that’s been around for a while and wondering if I can make it legal it’s called dynamite.

I get trying to use a theoretical example of other sports using whatever to improve performance, BUT...IF it did come to pass, there would still be fans. Some may walk away, but there would also be some who would be drawn. I didn't like to see the new rules in MLB...but after watching it I believe it improved the game. Fishing is the same...the fan base is and always has evolved with the industry. The only thing that turns me off about fishing is all the drama...not the electronics or any other topic behind the drama (besides cheating). I just get out there with my loved ones and have a blast creating memories of a lifetime...WITH and WITHOUT a 'cheater box'.

Great video content, i totally agree.

Money is KING

Does Tackle Warehouse have fuzzy dice, intriguing

Good one Randy! Now a days I shake my head at so called Progress, everyday.

Totally get it. Randy if you take Bofins or Snakeheads and throw them in to a great Bass fishing lake and over time, they eat all the bass, everyone would be up in arms about it. This FF Sonar is going to do the same thing, but huge companies are going to make money off it so they can justify it.

Sir Randall it's always good keep up the good fight

Right on Randy!

Mahomes can almost reach 100yards as is, threw it out of arrowhead. I don't watch any fishing tournaments at all. All because of ffs

Amen Randy I absolutely agree 💯... What has bass fishing came to. It totally sucks ass now. I will not support it I have completely stopped watching it because of FFS.. Ban it all. I stand behind ya buddy

This is way I have fished my last tournament. There are too many tournaments on the lakes and most anglers are using live scope. I've been fishing tournaments for 30+ years and my skills mean nothing in today's fishing. It has taken the fun out of fishing! I'm done! Lakes are getting destroyed by tournament fishing. Back to playing golf. Thanks Randy for fighting the fight.

Fishing isnt a real sport.

There is a "BIG" difference between a Craftsman and a technician. One is skilled, the other is not.

My area lakes the last 4 5 yrs are very hard to catch anymore to catch fish as before this technology, i spoke to another gentlemen that feels the same way and agrees something is going on with the fishing.

It's been the same way with hunting with dogs whether it be quail, pheasant, hogs, mountain lion, etc. Dogs act as your so called cheater box and have been going on at least a 100 years and still going on. Maybe we should try and outlaw that too! Lol

I use a depth finder just because I'm curious about how deep a pond or lake is. I could care less about finding bass.i still enjoy the mystery of it!

The bad thing about all of this is that nothing is going to change. At least I don’t see it happening. I’m 52 years old. The 80s were the greatest decade ever according to me and bass fishing along with everything else in life has changed to a point where it’s not really fun anymore people want to do it the easy way. While everything else around us go sky high just like pick up trucks need a new track if I want now because it never going to be any cheaper same way with bass boats all ridiculous

It's sad that bass and mlf has turned their backs on all the anglers that had made them what they are😢

Completely agree! It takes the hunt, fun, and mystery out of the sport. Not to mention it does minimize years of experience pro anglers have. Younger gen would never have it without putting in the hrs/yrs.

Thumbs up to Matt. Guys ! Keep up the good work.

You said it Randy, "IT'S ALL ABOUT $$$$$". 💔💔. I no longer watch any of it. Ray Scott is turning over in his grave.

Only way to get rid of it would be to replace the electronics manufacturers’ sponsorship money with some other sponsor’s money. Doesn’t seem likely.

Stay on the podium bro- It must change 😎

My question is where do you draw the line? I haven’t heard one supporter of ffs answer or address that question.

I was just in public lands today and the employee kid was showing me this video game Garmin and I was joking with him about how Tournaments are gonna ban them. I think thats the best option. If you wanna casually go out and cheat yourself a fish, so be it. But when its a tourny I think it would just get flat out boring.

Kvd did the same thing 19 yr old kid came on the scene and wrecked em. Kids in other sports are doung the same thing. 13 yr olds are now doing in game 360 windmill dunks. They are jumping higher. Running faster, getting stronger quicker.

Well said.

I still watch Bill Dance outdoors, and Creek Fishing Adventures. No electronics, fishing that anyone can enjoy...

By talking about ffs it makes people want to test it out, its like a new lure,rod,line,just another fishing gadget

Every jon boat on the stretch of river i fish has at least a basic depth finder/sonar unit. Everyone i know uses them to find the scour holes, and most of those have mid level downscan/sidscan units with gps.

Tournament Lakes that used to produce numbers and size are now really difficult to fish due to ffs and people just pressuring the bass wherever they are constantly.

I'm older than most (60's) and have seen the sport change throughout the years. My question to Randy is how much technology do you use in any tournament? Are you using the latest baits? Do you run a boat updated from the 1970"s? You use sonar according to this video, so you have enjoyed the technology that has been to your liking for many years, except for this one, throughout your fishing experiences. Hmmm....kinda seems wrong to condemn new technology when you have kept up, and use it, daily.

If it wasn’t about money nobody would be fishing tournaments. What about the average 50 hour a week worker that likes to fish when he can that goes to the lake to enjoy a day of fishing just to find the lake over run with tournament boats that destroyed the fishing in the lake.

I agree with you Randy. Bass fishing is a viewers sport and they are losing viewers because of ffs. A line in the sand has to be drawn for pro anglers. I have ffs and it is fun and definitely helps get more bites. Which is nice only being able to fish a few times a month. I will say it is more difficult than most people think but if you are a pro and can spend 50 hours a week perfecting it, then it becomes a dominant technique.

It's basically catching a cat by annoying it with a piece of yarn at this point

Yeah saw the lures in depth on Mercer podcast the angler has no choice but to fish that way one lure looked like a turtle shell with curly tail . Thanks BASS for making fishing pretty dull to watch is for me and I think the majority of people who view would love to see half no ffs and half ffs next year that would be positive progress next year. Let’s pray it changes soon !

The electronics take the adventure and exploratory nature out of fishing. I'm a bank angler, I enjoy it because I like exploring new locations, walking trails and parks. There's always something new to explore and see. You don't know what you're going to get. I enjoy going to a spot and trying to figure out what to use and trying to figure out where the fish might be. Then being rewarded when I catch something. Electronics take the fun out of it.

good video Randy. I think the only way the pro tour management is ever going to listen is if it affects their bottom line. I don't watch the FFS dominated tournaments anymore. Toledo Bend (both trails) Fork, Dale Hollow, the Smith Lake one you just talked about with the fuzzy dice. I just refuse to tune in. On the contrary, with the few tournaments this year where FFS was not much of a factor, like Skeets win on the James, Lake Wheeler (somewhat surprisingly) Eufala and the heavy hitters on KCOL with MLF, I will tune in on and even watch them over on the archives. Hopefully if enough people tune out on the ones where FFS dominates, and tune in more on the ones where it isn't as big a factor, the organizations will see this and realize they need to cater to what the fans actually want.

Bass shows are just infomercials now. They are hocking product for companies that pay the best.

I dont use FFS and the osp dice still catches me a ton of fish, same with the osp two-way. the JDM lures just work better.

We need a No Livescope League!!

I fish a lot of tournaments and I’ve been seeing this happen more and more. Dad buys all the equipment boat etc. and drops Sonny of at the ramp on tournament morning.. Whatever happened to working for something and not getting everything absolutely handed to you ??. If I would have asked my dad to use his ole BassCat or Ranger he ownedcback in the 80s. He would have told me to go work for one if I wanted one.

for below post I own 3 ponds one 25ac other 2 around 22ac each all ponds are around 22 feet deep the dnr did a study because I wanted more bigger bass so for free they manage one pond and let the others do nothing the one they manage they made me keep bass from 12 to 14 inches but in 6 years that pond had a ton ton of 8lbs bass and the pond was healthy

Sounds like Randy doesn't want to learn or worried he cant.

If the trend continues, soon they will use underwater cameras to show the species of the fish, estimate the size, and using tasers to stun them. Real pros there...

I agree with Randy 100% but it’s not money that’s the root of all evil. It’s the LOVE of money.

I 💯% agree😢

FFS is the dominant force in fishing at the moment but I think that it will have its day in court eventually because the low amounts of rain and good weather have kept the lakes clear, once a wet year comes the lakes get mercury and silted up the FFS Guys will fish themselves out of a job

What if it’s a Megabass fuzzy dice?