Rick Clunn on Forward Facing Sonar 

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In my area, the meat fishermen are using forward facing sonar to absolutely empty our lakes of fish. Once they've done that, the tournament people will see forward facing sonar for the disaster it really is. When there is nothing left to catch, there will be no more tournaments. In the meantime, spotlighting deer doesn't add to a hunter's knowledge. It simply allows him to easily find deer that he wouldn't otherwise have been able to locate. FFS is the same thing.

Using FFS is not fishing. I heard a professional bass fisherman admit it. He said, "It ain't easy, but it ain't fishing". Buck Perry wasn't into using technology, he did it the old school way with spoon plugs and hitting bottom. FFS fishing has gotten way out of hand and I am for a ban of this technology along with 360.

Of all the men that I look up to Rick is the man I love to watch him But Rick you are wrong

Let’s get real. It’s video game fishing. Next are we gonna start hunting deer with X-ray glasses?

I live on Santee Cooper. The MLF was just here. I watched a guy make 23 flips right behind the motor on my boat parked at my boat slip. 23. To the same spot. 23!!! If he did not have forward facing sonar, I would bet you that he would have made 1, 2, maybe 3 flips and moved on. He caught that fish on the 23rd flip. Forward facing sonar told him that that fish was there. That, to me, is cheating and an unfair advantage to another tournament angler who fishes without it. Luke Palmer won the Elite tournament here last year catching 4 over 5 lbs. under the same cypress tree on the last day. Same deal. Would he have stayed at that tree if he did not catch the first fish in 2-3, maybe 4 casts or pitches. I highly doubt it. He would have moved on to the next tree. How about smallie fishing. Saw the winner at St. Clair, having 5 big keepers in the boat already, just cruising around, not fishing, looking for a 6 plus pounder to cull a 5. Not even fair. Most definately an unfair advantage to another angler without it. Its crazy to say that, "you still have to catch them". Its much easier to catch them when you can watch your bait land on their nose. Plain and simple, an unfair advantage.

Now you gotta have Randy Blaukat and Rick on together for the “great debate of our time”.

The talk on this always about bass. Crappie are taking a beating from this as they are not usually catch and release and i would assume walleye as well.

Rick Clunn is speaking on behalf of the industry... The study of Money and it affects on Man should be a priority..

Randy blaukat’s next video “how Rick clunn ruined bass fishing”

As a Viewer and an intermediate bass angler hoping one day to enter the bass circuit tourns, I started bass fishing as most did without sonars so that’s where my opinion is coming from. I believe compromise will be the answer here, years of fishing without the aid of technology brings about set”s” of skills that are nullified with the use of forward facing sonar, the tech does what it’s supposed to and that’s to make it easier to find and put more fish in the boat. The problem is when it comes to tournaments which is supposed to filter out the best of anglers, FFS not only evens the playing field but it also take from those anglers that have spent years acquiring skills that one can only acquire from experience the well deserved title of being one of the best . Now anyone who’s financially capable of having the technology without putting in much time on the water can become an “Elite” therefor it really takes away from the main goal of the tournament which is filtering out the best of the best. I believe the best solution is throughout the circuit… the first couple tournaments (qualifiers) should allow FFS to narrow down the competition then as it gets to the top tournaments it should then start to back away from FFS and solely rely on intuition and experience “raw skills only” your senses to determine the Elite amongst the competitors. Not only would this make Bass Master Elite so prestigious but it would give a great importance and respect to the game in which will be the “talk of the town” more than it does now with the anglers and viewers but it would also encourage challengers to really practice engaging with their environment more from mapping where the forage are, where the herrings are hunting, where the wind and currents are hitting, and creating activities in the water (food chain), to feeling out bottom composition and so forth etc. These are important skill sets that become insignificant with FFS. So In summary forward facing sonar should be use to thin out the competition then as it moves to the “Super Bowl” BMElite/classics; FFS should be banned and require only traditional raw angling skills. Really filler out the best of us.

I like to fish and l like to watch fishing. I do not like playing video games. Or watch some one else half playing a video game while trying to fish.

Wonder if Mr Rick is sponsored by either company though ?

I don’t watch BASS tournaments to see a guy glued to his FFS. I would not watch MLB to see guys using metal bats and hitting home runs every time they are up. It’s the fisherman and their intuition I want to see

I expect Rick and a lot of pros change their opinion on ffs at some time. Waypoints that can be passed around if you know the right people, ffs to go with it offshore if you are tech savy and a good caster. Money is a big factor here, I agree with Blaukat on this one

Magic Word Of The Day Buck Perry !

It’s one thing to say something is good because it teaches us, adds to our knowledge. It’s another thing to say it should be used in competition. There’s things that can be used in other sports for training, but not in the game.

Sorry Rick, I think you're a great legend BUT FFS is NOT good for the resource, no matter how much candy coating you're putting on it.

While I respect Ricks opinion / experience /and observations, I would like to share some observations. From a long standing 'Fan' of following and watching BASS , the advent of forward facing sonar has turned the 'fishing' & 'hunting' aspect of the sport, more into a 'Puzzle-Solving' Contest that is NOT NEARLY as fun and exciting to watch. Period. While I FULLY UNDERSTAND and respect the anglers taking advantage of this technology, there is one element not talked about much, and that is the 'Non-Relatable' aspect of forward facing sonar. Many people enjoy 'traditional' bass fishing, simply for the raw challenge of being in nature and using their instincts to catch bass. There is something about that which will NEVER be replaced by an electronic device. People who participate in bass fishing, both recreationally AND in tournaments, often enjoy and appreciate time AWAY from staring at screens like they do at home or at work. Forward facing sonar is something they simply do not want a part of. Bass fishing is still an OUTDOOR RECREATION ! If I were BASS, I would be taking a STRONG look at the future of the sport, taking into account the fans, future anglers, and the direction they are driving the sport in general. Is this really the direction we want to go? I personally have cut way back on my time watching BASS LIVE which I enjoy so much, largely due to forward facing sonar. If the Sabine River in June is won using forward facing sonar, it may be the last BASS LIVE event I watch in 2023.

I can’t believe I haven’t commented on this show. Nice to hear Rick , in an extended interview. An absolute treasure trove of knowledge. And is absolutely in favor of the technology. That’s probably his new goal. Too master it. Lol. Great show Dave. Get Rick back any time you get a chance.

Most tournaments are won using ffs now so yeah maybe Randy has a point. Wait till y’all see the meat hunters at the fillet table with a large number of bass then get back to us on how you feel

I surely can’t disagree with the legend himself, Rick Clunn. If anyone can believe in something that adds positivity and knowledge to the sport/science of fishing, it’s this man right here since he’s been there from Day 1 old school to the fancy electronics of today. Much respect to him and yourself Dave!

So how much was Rick Clunn paid off to say this? lol. With all due respect, I totally disagree. What about instincts and feel in fishing? I guess feeling the bottom with a crankbait means jack squat now then eh Mr. Clunn? Why feel the bottom when you can just see the fish in front of you? Very disappointed in Clunn for saying this, and I've always looked up to him a ton.

I am just pissed I can’t use dynamite ! So when is enough enough ? It’s Fishing not Catching !

Well, it's obvious Rick likes it, because there's no question it helps eliminate some of the mystery. Why do you have to make it easier to boat fish at the viewing fans expense? We support you guys and you just say F off. Fine. Many will go back to a real job if we tune out. Keep whistling past the graveyard and see how that works out for ya.

I think it should be allowed in practice but not in competition. BASS should take notes from Big Sportfishing tournaments like the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament where there is a separate division for boats running half million dollar sonar.

I was a huge fan of Rick, but just spoke out of both ends. Like he said! we relied on our other senses including what's above the water. Relying on feel and understanding it from a natural form of development. This is like guys who bait animals and claim it was a fair hunt. We knew that ol bear had to eat sometime! I guess he liked honey and oats. We know so much more now.

When you don't have to work for it its a problem. Participation trophies is what it amounts to. Who gets paid for standing around? They do.

Outstanding assessment. Thank you Rick

I think it’s the same as knowing what pitch the pitchers throwing when you’re in the box

Wow, Mr. Clunn is an amazing guy! Still has the thirst for knowledge 👍

We’ve come along ways in the last 46 plus years! LOL I don’t throw anything away and actually showed my grandson my old green box then showed him my old paper graft! Looking back on that paper graft lol is almost useless on tournament day and about half the time you couldn’t find what you graphed 1/4 mile behind the boat.

WRONG! And here's why. It took Rick years to hone his craft of understanding the movement of bass and their relationship with the bottom and structure. Now, with FFS, any rookie fishing his 1st or 2nd bass tournament can run the table and win the thing because he can turn on his 'TV' and literally see the bass. That takes no skill whatsoever. They aren't 'bassmasters' anymore...they're 'screenmasters'.

We should just bring back dynamite fishing, we all could learn a lot about seasonal transitions. Why would you ban a tool that you can learn so much from?

Rick is a legend !

Love Rick’s take on this and the perspective that this isn’t a new thought

Wearing sunglasses inside 😎

Livescope is not that hard to use. Before everyone cries about what I just said, I’m not saying you can slap it up on the front deck and be the next Jacob wheeler. If you have a basic understanding of fish behavior you’ll catch fish on it that you wouldn’t have caught without it. If it really was “hard to use” they wouldn’t be selling as many units as they are… 😂

Just proves 1 thing...pros aren't really pros anymore....ZERO skill is needed with today's technology...Fish aren't that smart...if u can't catch them, when u are able to watch your bait, put it in their face, & set the hook when u watch them eat it...time to find a different hobby

Dave I love that your show and that I can call You and Inbread and wont get banned get up the good work sir

Forward facing sonar has made bass fishing a rich man’s sport. It was already hard enough to get a big expensive bass boat for the guys coming up that don’t have a lot of money or a family with a lot of money to help support their dream. Not every kid coming up in high school bass fishing has a parent that can afford 5000 for forward facing sonar which without a doubt proves it is an unfair advantage for fishermen that want to live out their dreams. Forward facing sonar has made it close to impossible for blue collar amateurs to move up and go pro. I’m not hating, I’m just being honest. Bass fishing is something of the past. Welcome to sonar fishing.

Great explanation. I believe the greatest tool a bass angler has, is their brains. It takes a skilled Brian to interpret, find small pieces of the puzzle, then put it together on the water " in real time".

The GOAT has spoken. FFS is just a tool that helps us better understand below the water. 🎣

RC said is best right there. " The fish will adjust to it" I'm sore they will. As he stated we are right what,30% on the high-end . Probably closer to 20% high-end. They are 80 ish... They are smarter than we now obviously

I am working on a forward facing sonar lure too catch fish. Is this illegall, for tournament fishIng? Are their rules against self propelled lures. Technology is a great thing. .

The GOAT

Dave Mercer now you gotta get Randy Blaukat on about his latest video on FF sonar.

It's not fair chase😮

It takes a very strong person to say they are wrong. Lot of respect for Mr. Clunn. I really feel very similar. I feel like I thought I knew B.A.S.S. fishing after doing it for so long. But I am glad to learn even more now than we were ever able to years ago.

I read and watch everything Rick Clunn says. Also Ike.

FFS doesn't "teach" you anything, it is a video of the water column and everything in it... it visualizes what's in the water. When a fisherman can see the fish swimming and his bait in the water and how the fish are reacting to the lure, a major transition has taken place....it's no longer "fishing", it's a video game, and I don't give a rip what any pro or famous tournament angler says, it is no longer the art of fishing. I have the newest and best Garmin on my Phoenix 921 Elite so I can speak from personal experience. I've been bass fishing for over 40 years, won my first tournament in 1978, made the Oklahoma 14 man state team in 1984, won Angler of the year in bass clubs in multiple states and won several 200-300 man open tournaments in Texas and even went pro for one year and after three events I was sure I didn't want to do that for a living... I missed my wife and children, my own bed and home cooked meals so with all that I can say I'm no rookie nor am I an old guy who can't adapt to new technology. I've slaughtered the fish using FFS. It's a VIDEO GAME!!!! One more thing....follow the money on the guys promoting FFS.

Some of us are grandpa’s. Do I want to teach my grandson to be a scooper. HELL NO !!!

Love Rick and totally disagree with him. As far as Mercer goes, I disagree with him also. And I like him also.

Real fishing is leaving the dock with nothing more than a depth finder, and you yourself do the work to get that fish into the boat, that's why this new version of TV fishing does not interest me in the least, that said i respect all anglers views , especially a legend.

Smh yup sold out to keep up.dont hurt nothing.lmfao.woww

I don't see FFS much different than fishing beds during spawn. You scout, find specific fish then spend time trying to get them to bite. FFS turns the entire lake into a bed.

As usual Rick Clunn is the smartest guy in the room. As older professional fishermen have their careers threatened by new technology and younger anglers that do know how to use it, and tournament organizations worry solely about their viewership, Clunn recognizes the potential as a learning tool forward facing sonar is. From a competition standpoint you better get FFS and learn how to use it if your competition has it. From a purely fishing standpoint; if you are interested in seeing where fish are and how they address your bait get it, if you aren't don't get it....

With all these interviews and all it’s just blah blah blah just say yes or no are you gonna use sonar or not that that yes or no but Rick if you’re gonna use sonar, then all of this stuff about Zen how you prepare for tournaments and and all this save it palcause you’ll be a scooper and none of that stuff won’t be nothing. It’ll be a lot of talk.

Yoi can learn from it but it is still ruining the sport of bass fishing....ffs takes away all the skill and knowledge that it takes to be a elite angler

I have Mega Live and just because you see them doesn't mean you are going to catch them. Just the same I am glad I have it and am learning how to use it every time I go out.

Im sorry but Rick is wrong on this answer and he knows it. If you cant see thebproblems with FFS and to be fair , other sonars as well then you are not being honest with yourself. The bottom line is people want a instant gratification ,ie- catching bass quicker and easier which is why people are pro- FFS. They know the problems it is causing .

Flying a helicopter over my hunting area really would improve my knowledge of where to hunt a big buck... But its illegal and un ethical. Same thing with FFS.

Dynamite works best.

Ban it

Rick Clunn is the real goat! But… he knows that FFS is wrong if y’all ask him off a microphone

Because now more BIG BASS Are getting killed

Obviously u getting paid!

Well said. It’s just a tool.

I don’t care what technology we have. You still have to catch them. 🤷‍♂️

OK lower the bag limit to one

Pretty fishy channel