Bassmasters Classic Champion

[Vollmer]

Quite the controversy over this young man's win. He absolutely crushed the field, using FFS. His win seems to be causing quite a bit of pushback for FFS in the Bass tournament world. People are saying it severely lowers the skill gap, is not fun for viewers to watch, and is hard on the ecosystem.

 

[Kurtr]

Quite the controversy over this young man's win. He absolutely crushed the field, using FFS. His win seems to be causing quite a bit of pushback for FFS in the Bass tournament world. People are saying it severely lowers the skill gap, is not fun for viewers to watch, and is hard on the ecosystem.

Are they keeping the bass now if not how would it be hard on the ecosystem. Seems sour grapes from the people who don’t want to adapt to the game.

 

[CatDaddy]

Whiny B's. Get with the program or get out of the way. Explain to me how bed fishing is better?

 

[Sum1]

I’m guessing the viewership is way down is the reason they are saying it’s hurting the sport. Bass tourneys were somewhat exciting before ffs. Throwing top water up shallow, with top water explosions, flipping mats in Okichobee, KVD fishing in a crowd schooling everyone. It actually was way more exciting to watch then guys trolling around looking at a screen all day throwing fairy wands.

They say it’s hurting the fish population because before ffs the fish cruising open water were generally left alone and probably 75 percent of the fish population. A huge biomass that was untouched that only came shallow once a year to spawn. Now these fish are being targeted and I guess only time will tell if it hurts the population or not. Crappie populations down south are already getting decimated on certain lakes due to ffs

 

[Sum1]

It’s definitely hurting the sport from a spectator standpoint. No spectators, no sport. Tournaments will always be around just not on tv

 

[Traxion]

It doesn’t connect with the casual angler. Lots of folks have FFS, but it’s not something the everyday angler is using 100% of the time. People are still out there throwing top waters with their kids on a Saturday morning and this isn’t it

Competitive fising is becoming disconnected because of this use it or you’re behind attitude. I read a quote from a very successful walleye tourney angler where they asked him about what tactics he used that connects to the weekend family angler. He said none, I’m fishing for 5 big fish all day and that is it. The tactics used aren’t going to be what provides fun for a family on the boat on Saturday.

 

[Kurtr]

Watching fishing is like watching golf. It’s more exciting folding socks. I don’t know a single person with a boat down here that doesn’t have ffs. It’s as common as a 2 d at this point.

 

[SerchforPerch]

Professional sports banned performance enhancing drugs for a reason. FFS is a performance enhancing drug for the "Pro" fisherman. For the non-tourney fisherman, FFS is a great tool! But from the tournament perspective, its has severely lowered the skill gap and honestly makes tournaments absolutely boring in my opinion. The days of implementing an actual skill set to locate and catch fish are gone. The days of "being that good" are gone unless they ban FFS from these tourneys.

 

[Kurtr]

How has it lowered the skill gap. You still have to catch the fish even if you find them. Problem is the old people dont want to learn new techniques. Unless its what you are into they are boring regardless. Its no different than watching field trials unless your into dogs the average person isnt sitting around watching dogs run while I sit and watch every dog for hours as its my thing. No one thinks randomly flipping through channels oh boy theres the bass master classic im going to stop and watch that. You have to be pretty hard core to want to watch fishing. Even when one of my best friends was fishing pro walleye tourneys i would watch 10 minutes of it and be bored. I think 35 hp max motors and 12v trolling motors and ban all electronics if we really want to find out who the best is.

 

[SerchforPerch]

How has it lowered the skill gap. You still have to catch the fish even if you find them. Problem is the old people dont want to learn new techniques. Unless its what you are into they are boring regardless. Its no different than watching field trials unless your into dogs the average person isnt sitting around watching dogs run while I sit and watch every dog for hours as its my thing. No one thinks randomly flipping through channels oh boy theres the bass master classic im going to stop and watch that. You have to be pretty hard core to want to watch fishing. Even when one of my best friends was fishing pro walleye tourneys i would watch 10 minutes of it and be bored. I think 35 hp max motors and 12v trolling motors and ban all electronics if we really want to find out who the best is.

I'm talking specifically tournaments - which are supposed to be based on skill and knowledge to find/catch fish. There is a reason why we cannot use drones or thermal imaging devices to take trophy big game - but if we could I guarantee people would be doing it.. Or should I say the "younger" crowd would be? us outdoorsman use the word "fair chase" in every facet imaginable, but when it comes to fishing tournaments there is obviously a double standard.

The days of networking, pre-fishing, studying lake topography, baitfish movement patterns, water temps, structural differences, studying lake maps, mapping out weed lines, contour lines, understanding feeding patterns/windows, biology, etc. to locate "big fish" goes away if I can simply image them before even making a single a cast.. Tournament fishing using multiple FFS to scan open water just to pitch to individual "big" fish and pulling baits away from the lesser sized fish is not tournament fishing.

 

[Kurtr]

I'm talking specifically tournaments - which are supposed to be based on skill and knowledge to find/catch fish. There is a reason why we cannot use drones or thermal imaging devices to take trophy big game - but if we could I guarantee people would be doing it.. Or should I say the "younger" crowd would be? us outdoorsman use the word "fair chase" in every facet imaginable, but when it comes to fishing tournaments there is obviously a double standard.

The days of networking, pre-fishing, studying lake topography, baitfish movement patterns, water temps, structural differences, studying lake maps, mapping out weed lines, contour lines, understanding feeding patterns/windows, biology, etc. to locate "big fish" goes away if I can simply image them before even making a single a cast.. Tournament fishing using multiple FFS to scan open water just to pitch to individual "big" fish and pulling baits away from the lesser sized fish is not tournament fishing.

Networking is illegal and cheating according to bass rules. The difference is you just shoot the big game animal you still need the fish to bite. They must be breaking records for weights at every tourney if it is that easy that you just scan for all the big fish and catch them. Interesting they are not breaking any records the last few years.

https://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/30-biggest-b-a-s-s-records/494421

 

[SerchforPerch]

Networking is illegal and cheating according to bass rules. The difference is you just shoot the big game animal you still need the fish to bite.

https://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/30-biggest-b-a-s-s-records/494421

Case in point, you still have to shoot it - now that takes skill

Oh and you know networking in any fishing tournament is still alive and well.. I

In my opinion companies sponsoring "professionals" who only rely on FFS to win tourneys is not a professional of the sport.

 

[Sluggo]

On 1 hand, I could envision them having some tournaments where FFS is not allowed, but on the other hand, Lowrance, Garmin and Hummingbird are big sponsors and they make the FFS so seems unlikely. Just like them darn chubs. It's all cheating

 

[Kurtr]

Case in point, you still have to shoot it - now that takes skill

Oh and you know networking in any fishing tournament is still alive and well.. I

In my opinion companies sponsoring "professionals" who only rely on FFS to win tourneys is not a professional of the sport.

So you’re ok with cheating but not using something that everyone can. Again why are weights not going up if it’s so easy to catch fish.

 

[shorthairsrus]

How has it lowered the skill gap. You still have to catch the fish even if you find them. Problem is the old people dont want to learn new techniques. Unless its what you are into they are boring regardless. Its no different than watching field trials unless your into dogs the average person isnt sitting around watching dogs run while I sit and watch every dog for hours as its my thing. No one thinks randomly flipping through channels oh boy theres the bass master classic im going to stop and watch that. You have to be pretty hard core to want to watch fishing. Even when one of my best friends was fishing pro walleye tourneys i would watch 10 minutes of it and be bored. I think 35 hp max motors and 12v trolling motors and ban all electronics if we really want to find out who the best is.

Watching a shorthair never gets old. Dedicated video after video watching sht they pull and do.


My take on bass masters and MLF ---- this year is the "gill" year

 

[SDMF]

Watching fishing is like watching golf.

Maybe there needs to be a Sr. Division just like w/golf.

Sr's get a Lowarance Green Box and a dozen nightcrawlers.

 

[Jiffy]

Cane pole and fatass baseball sized red and white bobber…

 

[dblkluk]

So you’re ok with cheating but not using something that everyone can. Again why are weights not going up if it’s so easy to catch fish.

This years Classic was a record weight for the event..

 

[SerchforPerch]

Again why are weights not going up if it’s so easy to catch fish.

• Heaviest Venue Total Weight: 76-15, Easton Fothergill, Lake Ray Roberts, TX 2025
• Heaviest Total Weight: 76-15, Easton Fothergill, Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, TX, 2025

This years weights were record weigh-ins beating pre-FFS weights by 20#'s.. SO i suppose your going to blame the increase in weights on climate change?

 

[Kurtr]

• Heaviest Venue Total Weight: 76-15, Easton Fothergill, Lake Ray Roberts, TX 2025
• Heaviest Total Weight: 76-15, Easton Fothergill, Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, TX, 2025

This years weights were record weigh-ins beating pre-FFS weights by 20#'s.. SO i suppose your going to blame the increase in weights on climate change?

No it should be happening on every lake. Its pro fishing its like listening to the cry babys at the race track when the world of outlaws come in complain they have the best equipment. If you cant run with the big dogs keep your ass on the porch. They all have ffs so its not even an equipment advantage its plain ass skill and kicking the cry babys ass