The Disturbing Secret Bassmaster Elite/MLF Pros Are Keeping From The Public… 

"20 year old flat brimmer" is a hilarious derogatory comment that I've never heard before.😂

FFS is one issue. But as a Canadian, it still shocks me how tournaments in the US allow bed fishing. We have a bass season and you cannot fish bass while the spawn is on. That’s how you protect your fishery. It’s really simple to catch bass off beds. That is not an art.

It would be nice if the Bassmaster people actually worked with people to fix the few major issues with it. They are gonna ignore everything until it’s ruined completely

Thanks for stepping on some toes.

So a couple RESPECTFUL rebuttals. 1 KVD never complained when he was one of the few using side imaging crushing the fields with “an unfair advantage” 2. Viewership is not down, not sure where your source of information is, but across the board, viewership is up. 3. Iaconelli was a founding father of the multigraph club. I am not 100% certain, but 99% sure that he was the first using dual console. In summation, these guys had no issues using technology to their advantage when they were younger, but now they want to talk about how unfair it is, and they both still use it? How is John Cox staying competitive without it? Anyone that wants to complain and whine about it; be a man and remove it from your boat or sit down.

Perfect example of another reason not to use FF. Today at Mega Bass Tournament on Lake Fork. Guy that had winning fish (hourly payout tournament and overall winner wins new Skeeter). When he went to do polygraph, first question was did you read the rules?. He said no so they asked him questions related to the rules. 1st question was did you use any electronics for any other purposes other than navigation prior to start of tournament fishing hours. He said “yes”. They DQ’d him. They talked to him after DQ and he said he found her before fishing hours and power poled down and waited until fishing hours and then caught her. Cost him almost $100k.

The problem is, it seems to me , that technology has driven the rise in the popularity of tournament fishing from the beginning. It's the money from sponsors that creates the large payouts. So we've been moving towards this for years. It's not about fishing. It's about selling product

It absolutely blew my mind to see Jacob Wheeler on the St Lawrence River, bathyscope in hand, peering into the water, while taking smallmouth bass off the bed. Ethics have obviously gone out the window in bass fishing.

You keep talking about these anglers who spent all their life learning about Bass behavior, well there are a lot of old pros admitting what they thought they knew about Bass behavior is completely wrong. We’ve heard it over and over from many big names , what they are learning is you never stop learning. And for you to keep saying these young anglers have no talent is so messed up of you, you don’t know these people you’ve never fished with them. You have no idea what their skills really are. You cannot make that assumption just because they are mastering new technology. We all watch the same videos and podcasts . They are way more pros for it than against it. You just think you speak for everybody. A true pro never stops learning or adapting, everything I keep hearing you say you can’t even master regular mapping sideview or traditional sonar so you have to hate on anybody who is having success.

Imagine a professional Deer Hunter who has been hunting professional Deer tournaments for years under a Deer hunting sportsman's society. He has learned the patterns, spent countless hours in the field, countless hours on the road, created a brand for himself, Deer hunting is the #1 way he provides for his family & one day that Deer Hunting Sportsman Society that he's been loyal too for years, now decides to allows professional Deer Hunter's to use a new technology that can track the deer in real time, tell you where they are standing & where they are possibly moving to by looking at a screen/monitor. I can only imagine.

"Flatbrimmer!" I hadn't heard that one before! 😂

Randy, you didn’t show up for the TAA. An open tournament literally formed around everything you want. (Minus the bed fishing) A “put your money where your mouth is” kind of tournament, with a rather large pay out…. Why didn’t you show up to that? Seemed like it was right up your alley. Everything you’ve preached about, but still didn’t go fish it… id honestly LOVE to know why you didn’t?

I'm 43 years old. I've fished since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole. I have family that has owned and operated fishing tackle stores for 35 years. I thought i knew everything about fishing. I bought Livescope about 3 years ago and learned more about fishing and how to catch fish in the last 3 years than I have in the last 40 years. So when someone says an angler that has Livescope wins a tournament using it, knows nothing about fishing, they are just ignorant and too stubborn to admit they have gotten left behind in learning new things.

If KVD is sponsored by Humminbird and comes out against FFS then he’s probably going against a lot of the marketing of one of his key sponsors.

Out of this simple beginning, a new industry was formed in 1957 with the sale of the first transistorized sportfishing sonar. In 1959, Lowrance introduced "The Little Green Box" which became the most popular sonar instrument in the world. Bet you the old guys back then thought there wouldn't be a single fish left in 5 years? ( I guess the Old Dog saying is true)

Good video, thanks Randy!

FFS is not going away. As an organization, B.A.S.S. and MLF can't go to their sponsors (Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird) and tell them that their brand ambassadors aren't allowed to use this new tech. It's $$$, that's how it works. As tech advances, these things are going to happen. Who knows, maybe someone will start a division in BASS or MLF that can't use FFS. Might actually end up expanding the sport.

As someone who has fished the highschool BASS tournaments in Michigan, the next generation is all learning how to livescope at the same time they’re still learning about bass movement patterns, habits, etc. The distinction I draw especially for people on the lower end of the income spectrum, the tournament scene is becoming a pay-to-enter sport. To come up like Mike Iaconelli or Randy is simply not possible anymore. In todays bass fishing world it’s impossible to rise to the top in the traditional way because of the gauntlet of livescopers.

Always appreciate your insight. Keep up the good work!!!

I just wish you wouldn’t broadbrush, the young guys as not knowing how to fish if you’re a gentleman and an aging pro, find a way to be a little more dignified. When a non-spotlight tournament comes up, put your money where your mouth is and go fish it.

Hey Randy, Been fishing since I was 3 yrs old. Raised near you, graduated from Diamond 1983, knew about you, was a little envious that a hometown area guy made a good livin fishin. I really like what you do Randy! I'm retired from the military, down south where it's warm. Some family still around Joplin. I visit there a couple of times a year. If you're ever down around Biloxi, look me up. Seriously. We'll go marsh fishin for redfish and speckled trout using Your bass fishing techniques. It works down here for saltwater species too! Anyway man, I appreciate you.

Who ever the F is in the background taping up boxes.. tell them to take a break while your making these whiny ffs videos!

FFS is like taking a exam with the answers on your desk. Oh its true.

Jacob Wheeler is a direct contradiction to your argument. He was arguably the best tournament angler in the world before the wide adoption FFS, and he’s adapted and is still the best.

Not sure what ikes stance is on ffs he said if your not scoping your hoping🤔

FF sonar is the same principle as using polarized sunglasses. They both allow you to see bass under the water in real time that you would not see otherwise. I am sure Randy has owned several through the years.

Not allowed to use drones for deer hunting.

Even mikeybalzz is saying watching all the livescopers isnt entertaining anymore.

I understand the sentiment that ffs does not align with the standards expected in professional tournament fishing. It is important to acknowledge the impact of divisive rhetoric and its potential harm. While I recognize that generating views and engagement is crucial for the success of your channel, it is essential to approach topics with sensitivity and respect. Speaking negatively about the younger generation or any individual does not contribute constructively to our sport or society as a whole. Fear-mongering only perpetuates existing problems and works against progress. Demonstrating leadership through positive examples, rather than negativity, is key to fostering meaningful change.

Honestly You need to move own from forward facing sonar. The ones that are working with this issue are competent enough to come up with a solution. We’ are all aware of Your position. Respectfully Don P.

Ive watched old Bass stuff and the new stuff. Whats the difference? Both are showing a guy facing forward. The only difference is ine has there head down while the other is just casting around. The coverage today is 100% better.

Hey Randy, I really appreciate your fishing content and am open to your whistleblowing with forward facing sonar. I would encourage you to be more thoughtful with your use of comments about people’s age and choice of hat style. Good people are good people regardless of their age and the flatness of their hat brim. Jerk are jerks regardless of those facts as well. When you lump in age and appearance it undercuts your message about the potential threats of technology.

Wait til you see the new Garmin LVS36. It’s insane..!

Sir Randall you are correct on all points

At what age do i become to old to understand livescope? I just want to make sure i sell it before i know too much about it that im a professional angler and it no longer helps me anymore. Also at age 33, am i too old to start now. I've used it like 5 times now and it seems to be helping me catch more fish but im worried i'm too old and good at fishing to understand it. I just want to be able to make sure that when im old enough to know everything about fishing im not hindered by technology. Ive been tournament fishing since age 12 and been successful in tournaments for years without it but i just want to make sure im not already too old to learn.

Scott Martin isn’t a 20-something, and he’s got a win and a 3rd using FFS. So why can’t the other OGs do well with it?

These Pros need to grow a pair and stand up a say whats on their minds.

Bravery is needed. If you have more tournaments like the recent one on Lake Lanier and those are the ones more and more pros go to and the fans support that would be the pressure necessary to change the sport

Can someone explain what the difference is when I watch a fisherman on tv look out towards the bank or horizon versus looking down at a monitor? Because what they’re looking at while fishing means or changes absolutely nothing to/for me.

You shouldn’t say no one, I enjoy watching it cause I feel like I understand what they’re doing and I take it as an opportunity to learn.

For the most part I agree with your position on FFS. Just curious, where do you draw the line beyond 2D? Down scan? Side scan? 360?

If spotlighting was that easy, why are some people struggling to catch fish with it randy? If it’s as easy as a video game than everyone using it should be tied right? No skill for the young kids? I’m confused

Technology has dumbed-down our society at every level. This is well documented. People can't read maps and are lost without their phones, popular music is completely automated and as a result is horrible to listen to, traffic fatalities are rising due to tech-distracted drivers, and there is a crisis looming among our youth because of the serious cognitive damage caused by social media and smart phones (see recent book authored by Jonathan Haidt). Why should we expect bass fishing to be immune? The answer is we can't. Accept that there has been a fundamental change, and not all change is good. It seems to me that the natural progression of technology and bass fishing is that we will produce "anglers" who don't know how to fish. They only know how to catch. My suggestion? Pick up a fly rod and check out your local streams and rivers. Randy, I look forward to seeing you on the James or Flat Creek chasing Ozark smallies with a fly rod in your hands. Or on Taneycomo, the White River or Crane Creek, chasing those beautiful rainbows and browns. There are more dimensions to fishing than just running around on a man-made lake in a 200+ hp boat.

I would say remove the FFS from upcoming season only one transducer for sides, scan one 360 that’s it the rules also stipulate that you cannot sit and spotlight in areas. You must be moving in casting, and there must be rotation among your fishing techniques, the equivalent and golf would be as you’re going to the golf course using the driver all day long now you need to use all the irons inside your cough bag, same thing with the fishing equiptment.

Interesting

I seen a video of a guy that is making a set of goggles that are livescope screens and where he turns his head the transducer turns that way also, so it is coming and I pray they stop it now!

What do you think Ray Scott would say about forward facing sonar

I am with you 100% Randy.Please keep up te good fight to help preserve our fisheries.

I think your argument on livescope taking over professional tournaments is a matter of perspective. The reason it is being highlighted is heavily due to the schedule put out by both tournament organizations. It will not come into play in the next couple Elite events nearly as much as it has to start the year. I also think the assumption that the young up and coming anglers know “nothing about fish behavior” is completely false and unwarranted. Bass fishing is becoming more of a professional sport now more than ever. It is shifting away from who can sell the most product to who is the best angler. If you took ffs away from Dustin Connell, Jacob Wheeler, Kyle Welcher, Trey McKinney and other younger anglers they will still compete and win. Trey McKinney dominated on the BFL’s since he was old enough to fish them against anglers with many more years of experience. Why? Because he understands fish… Chris Johnston just won a tournament with no ffs against many other veteran anglers who have been fishing a lot longer than he has. If you stopped to talk to the next generation of anglers what their view is the answer is simple. They EAT, SLEEP, and BREATHE bass fishing. Many of us are choosing careers with flexible schedules so we can spend more time on the water than those we are competing against. Personally I’m working in the industry myself at a boat dealership and as a fishing guide. My dad always said “nothing beats time on the water”. The younger guys are doing what it takes to spend 200-300 days a year honing their craft. The next generation of anglers is hungry. Just like any other sport practice and training are key. Whether it’s baseball, football, basketball or now bass fishing, those that spend more time and effort into their training will rise to the top. Us young anglers don’t have as many things to focus on in life. For a lot of us it’s just fishing. Randy you are entitled to your opinion, and I have a lot of respect for you. I grew up watching you. Watching you navigate shallow water the way you did was a big influence on the way I fish. I would love to talk to you about this and give some perspective of a younger angler. I honestly think if you had a conversation with some of us, your view of all of us being “spotlighters and scopers” very well might change. Sincerely, “Some 20 year old flat brimmed kid”

You make good points Randy. FFS ranks up there with High Fence Hunting. A good approach against this may be for several of you Tour veterans to mass together and voice your protest directly to the administrators who run BASS and MLF. Request a meeting and also invite reps from Garmin, Hummingbird, Lowrance, etc. Organize active protest and draw strength in numbers. You will probably find that the majority of the fan base is behind you. Good luck.

Agreed! 100%

Is sight fishing bedded bass more ethical than using ffs to catch a bass in open water?

Good

20 something year old flat brimmers here Boys we need these stickers on our boat 😂!

Big money is going win they don’t care about fishing skills they want MONEY!

The electronics industry in fishing has the same interests as any other industry. Profit. It's up to the tournaments to decide how to apply the new technology. I don't know the "balance" required but it will eventually come to pass.

For or against FFS, doesn't matter. But to say these 20 year olds know nothing about bass fishing is absurd! I'm 57 and I'm thinking the 20 year olds have passed you up Randy. Absolutely absurd take on your part.

As a 21 year old flatbrimmer, I agree 100%. We should have to work for what we get and not be able to beat the guys who have been doing it for way longer than us. I don’t livescope myself and I see the disparity of it and I don’t like it at all because it allows people who haven’t put their due time in to dominate.

I couldn’t agree with you any less.

The future is the younger generation. Most of the complaints against FF sonar are coming from the older generation. Fishing has always evolved. If we take better care of the resource after the catch, everything will be fine. Meanwhile, overall view ship is up.

Flat Brimmer! That is funny. Love the vid. Thanks Randy

Randy it’s also gonna change the kayak tournaments that are following in the same footsteps. It’s ridiculous to see the amount of electronics on a kayak.

If they can use ffs during tournaments, let them use Aqua View cameras as well

Time to start Perch Jerkin

Just watched a Matt S. vid from Dale Hollow...showed me that ffs is gonna kick butt over his patterns and he didn't seem happy but resilient to go getem.😊

Fishing tournaments themselves killed tons of bass every year. And yet you still partake in them. Why's that?

I hate ffs but I’m starting to think it’s here to stay and it just is what it is

Here comes the “Happy Gilmore” Shooters.😂😂😂

To start you must be very very careful about calling people out for staying within the rules. Second where is the line? What can you have? What can’t you have? Is spot lock technology to much? I mean when you start outlawing things where is the line? Why was the Bama rig outlawed and you allow all electronics? Personally I think to test pros abilities, give them a 17 foot boat with a 90 and a flasher. Put them all up in a hotel and send them to a place where ain’t none of them been. With 20 pounds of tackle. We wanna learn who can fish give them a choice of 4 baits and turn them loose. The problem is it isn’t who is the best fisherman anymore. It’s a buisness and what we all want doesn’t sell man. We will never see true tournament fishing ever again, because it don’t sell.

The worst is all the tackle ads we have now around lures for live scoping. So lame!

New sub here and I appreciate the context. This whole FFS craze seems like a sign of the times. That said, even fish finders are a crutch. Any true angler should be able to find the fish and a pattern. Some can't and that's okay. Whatever makes it fun for you to catch fish. However, as far as competition goes, it should never be allowed and rely purely on skill. That's not important to competition fishing, though. Once you cross over to that side, you too often see people abusing fish, ruining lakes, acting like absolute jerks and being an all-around bad reflection on the sport of fishing. I've fished for my entire life and nothing is better than having the the river beneath my waders and some pigs lurking in the same water! Get back to the basics and enjoy the moment.

Tide is turning Randy!!!! Keep up good work. Fans have already made there position known, now it's time for the legends to stand up for whats right. No way this is right!!!!! Learn to fish, don't relie on a monitor and bunch of wires!!!!!!! Reley on what u know.

Weird. Never had anything to "expose" before this. Surely this isn't all that they would be hiding. Where is the rest??? Ohh that's right... I feel bad for the sheep that actually believe the garbage you put out. Had a chance to prove yourself this last week and as usual you all talk no go.

It sounds like a bunch of whining about oh we can’t adapt and evolve. Omg old people are stuck in their ways and just cry and cry and cry. I’m a semi flat brimmer. Sounds like they know a lot about bass behavior. They found the un catchable fish and are catching them now.

@randyblaukatintuitive I heard today that there is field testing starting on a new product that helps FFS produce a better image of your lure. I'm thinking it's chemical dip or spray .

Randy, I'm noticing that more and more tourneys are being won WITHOUT forward facing. Like the past couple years it seemed everyone was winning with livescope, and this year, at least in the 3 series Im fishing, theres not as many people winning with it. Ive noticed personally, that the fish are getting super smart with livescope. They literally will not eat if the transducer is pointing at them. The fish are becoming conditioned to the livescope. Even the little minnow baits, the fish won't eat. But, I tested some fish on Dale Hollow. They would not eat when i was throwing at them with livescope. I tried fish in a few different areas. Then I went back to the first area and turned the scope off, and threw a jig, and they ate it with the sonar off. So it's only a matter of time before like any new super bait, or whatever, the fish will adapt and it will be harder and harder to catch them with a forward sonar pinging. Every tournament I hear people saying how much harder it is to catch fish on livescope. So I truly feel like livescope will burn itself out. Sure, there will be some people who will find the right fish with the right bait to catch them off livescope, but I think most fish will know not to eat when they feel the scope.

Lowrance green box flasher Paper graph Fish ID ( Eagle ) Chirp GPS Side scan Power poles Spot Lock. What is traditional? I remember Mark Rose tired of not being competitive ledge fishing , then he was , how? I think the tournament organizers can control to a degree who does what by scheduling tournaments. How? David Fritz got railed by tournament scheduling, As did Denny. Brauer . Then KVD . This is how they fix it should they decide it needs fixed. I loved watching the Lake Fork Bassmasters , the camera dude was showing the audience what the angler saw. McKennly won. I’m 62 I love watching that tournament. Calling kids flat hatter isn’t cool. Who exactly hates FFS? The guys that can’t do it that’s who. The movement good or bad will be the guys that can use the latest technology, when it applies to the event , will win. Adjust or move over.

Heard that all the livescopers missed the eclipse, because there necks can’t bend the other way

Agree with your points, but can't figure out who is currently fishing at the pro level that you are describing, but aren't naming. And I agree you can't name them. It indeed is "the bridge too far" for the professional bass fishing. I do disagree on many of your non fishing comments, but I do respect, and admire, your passion.

Did he say “flat brimmer”?

i want a flasher only series. :) maybe gps for safety

Somebody needs to yell "QUIET ON THE SET!" for the 15 minutes you are recording your video. You need to get old school in your discipline, Randy-just like fishing. LOL!

You seemingly have to devote all of your time to spotlighting to have any chance at success! The tech has taken over.

Just curious do you know any of theses young guys personally that you say can’t fish if so give us some names so we can see it for ourselves then maybe your argument may hold some water

Randy this is such a great video. Personally I've unsubscribe from every fishing related channel that isn't clearly and open against FFS. Even Tactical, and the tackle stores! Your a lion amongst lambs!

I’m not for it or against it but I don’t think the tournament organizations are going to change anything unless they are losing money .. as far as I hear none of them are losing money over it . A few guys canceling subscriptions won’t do anything. I mean they are a business and all the people that work for them are not working there just because it’s fun.. they are trying to support their families as well. If some anglers don’t like it and get replaced by younger guys that’s probably good for business since the younger anglers are better at the social media promoting and what not . People from the organizations keep getting paid.. it’s sad but the good old days are over I’m afraid

Milliken isnt 20, jordan lee isnt 20, johnston bros arent 20, paulanik isnt 20, justin atkins isnt 20, wesley gore isnt 20, matty wong isnt 20 etc. saw some interviews with some of those younger guys and they were sayin they prefer catching fish up in 6" of water. But you cant win doin that right now. They didnt pick up a rod 1 yr ago. Guarantee they fished with their dad since they were little abd learned to fish and then learned FFS the last few yrs as well.

Unfortunately we have too many dads on here thinking their son is going to be the next Jacob Wheeler taking out 2nd mortgages for boats and electronics.. maybe not so much flat brimmers but the ones wearing sandals with pants on in 42 degree weather on the boat. I bet none of these dads forking over money were in the military like you Randy. You dont have to put in time the hard way to be successful in fishing now. You are forced and coerced into learning these new ffs electronics but need wealthy parents to even give you a chance to be in that .02% of college kids that go on to the pro tour. That is what high level tournament fishing has come to now. Electronic companies and fishing organizations are looking for that 50 yr old guy in the 2024 Yukon with his bright eyed son to step up to their plate every day. Go get em 💪

Nobody here seems to have heard the podcast where Rick Clunn the oldest guy in the sport said if you don’t fish with ffs you can never say your the best. Tackle talk podcast

You took the words right out of my mouth Randy....from my comments between here and you know where else😁🔥 Keep it up. You gotta keep talking about it.

Randy I would love to see you and the true bass masters start fishing this new TAA !! I think this is going to become big !!

I find either side of this situation hard to defend either way! I can see good and bad from both sides, and I'm not sure, who is right. My feelings are, sponsors are to blame for this situation and their motivation is sales, not supporting fish habit. As tournaments grew in number of fishermen and more money was added by getting more sponsors, sponsors started demanding more say so in how things are run. I can see the sponsor wanting to make the best and clearest product so an idiot can look at a screen and catch a fish, but at the end of the day the only winners with FFS are the sponsors. I think there is merit that it will have an impact on the fish habit, and we may find in years from now it hurt the fishing overall, so only time will tell. It has changed the sport, boring to watch tournaments, and it has changed the class (younger) of fishermen who are winning. The bottom line is no matter what side you are on with FFS it is still a fair product that anyone can install the FFS today, until such time the tournaments change the rules about the use of these products. I would bet most bigger tournament will NOT change the rules about FFS because sponsors will push back by withdrawing from sponsorship, or at least reduce monies paid for sponsorships. I have younger fishermen tell me I'm just old school, and that maybe true, but maybe I'm thinking back to when we had to make changes about keeping fish as apposed to, catch and release. Good Fishing!

Doing away with the forward looking and live sonar at the top echelon tournaments would separate the real pros from the joes. That's where experience, skill, and practice will get you and keep you at the top.

I agree to a point. It was not the fishing series who asked for this. It is the pro staffers and pro anglers who asked for this technology. If you cannot keep up with the times maybe it’s time to move on. Look at this platform he is talking on. You tube and social media was not around when these old timers first started fishing. Just another tool. He aimed it up. The people pissing and moaning are the ones who don’t o ow how to use it.

I fish as a co on the Toyota. There are pros now fishing by themselves because MLF they cant get enough co's to sign up or are leaving after day 1. Ive spent 8 hours on a boat talking to these guys, some are at the top of their game and they cant stand it. They still use it because they cant compete otherwise with the catch rate volume of fish that are caught per hour compared to using traditional bass fishing skills. When I asked them what they would do to change it they all said there should be two divisions. One that allows FFS and one that doesn't. The guys could all still fish on the same day but the field would be broken into two divisions. Also, this way as a co angler you could go in knowing you are not with a FFS guy. Those that are using livescope would have marshal or local volunteers.

One thing I’ve wondered as to why some of the “older” elite fisherman isn’t coming out against FFS, could it be Bassmaster has told them not to? Nobody knows what Bassmaster has told them what they can and can’t say. This is just my opinion. I refuse to watch the tournaments. I watched the highlights after the 1st tournament and couldn’t do anymore. I’m against FFS 💯%. Also, on another livestream I watch, I talk against FFS so much, I’m called the Randy Blauket of that stream. That’s a compliment to me. 🤷‍♀️

Watch the growth of the Touring Anglers Association !

I can't for the life of me figure out why you keep saying "a 20 some year old that doesn't know a thing about bass fishing." I have a 23 year son that fishes in college at NSU in Tahlequah. He and his partner are very proficient at Livescoping. But even more so they are very proficient at know weather patterns, where big fish should be during a particular time of year and also figuring out patterns for a lake. Its comments like this that irk folks...

Randy, I believe it’s all over, over ,it will be no more, which state is going to decide that you can follow a fish with a camera until you catch it, none of them that’s not ethical, and the only reason why the leagues got away is because the states aren’t focused on it and to fix this it cost money, state money. some states might not have the money to do it

Make 2 divisions. Classic (no ffs, and any other tech), another where anything can be used.