The End, the Beginning, and the Future of FFS
by Bruce Callis Jr
The grass is greener on the other side? So we all have been told. Well, The National Professional Fishing League has officially banned Forward Facing Sonar during official practice and competition. Typical electronics, such as 2D, side imaging, 360, etc, will be allowed for 2025.
What does it mean for the anglers, the fans? What does it mean for the future of FFS? For the anglers, they will be doing the same things they did before FFS during the tournament. They will be making more casts! They will still be able to use FFS during unofficial practice days to scout areas to fish in, to help determine what the fish are doing. They just won’t be able to stare at the screen during the tournament.
For the fans, you will get to see the back side of the angler still. You will see guys beating the bank still. You will see guys throwing a frog across grass mats and you will still see guys pitching and flipping. But you won’t see an angler running around on his trolling motor waiting to see a bass he wants to throw to.
But let’s talk about what the ban really means to all of us. First off, FFS is not something I have on my boat. Why is simple, it’s out of my price range. It is a tool that can still help me. Watching the anglers use it I have learned a lot. But it offers more than just watching live.
There are 3 modes, the Forward Mode, the Scout Mode or Perspective, and Down Mode. Forward is the most commonly used mode. It gives you a sliver of the area ahead. Scout mode allows you to see the big picture with less detail. And Down gives you a smaller area of fish and structure under the boat. That is what the unit we are banning 2025 in the NPFL does.
I’m not sure a total ban is the answer, but we will see how it goes in 2025. Some anglers may not want to fish the NPFL because of the ban, and that is their choice. Some may want to fish the league just because they won’t be able to use it. It is not going to make fishing any different, they are still going to be out there doing what they love. But it may mean less neck strain for the angler.
Rumors abound as to what B.A.S.S. and MLF are going to do next year. I don’t see MLF doing anything at all for the Bass Pro Tour. They have enough going on with the cuts. As to B.A.S.S., they are on the fence. They want to do something, but have to worry about sponsorship issues. It becomes complicated!
I see the technology as a plus for the angler. While it is not something we like to watch, it is a great tool. I like the way the NPFL has decided to try something different this year and stand apart. Anglers can use it, FFS, during unofficial practice to learn, but have to rely on their own skills for the tournament. It is a test for 2025. What will it show us? Will it make a huge difference in the catches? I am sure that it will be for some lakes because of the timing of the tournament. But the technology isn’t going away, it is only going to get better. After all, we want the tools to help us find the bass we love.
