Pick One Or The Other

Speculation abounds over a potential rule adjustment regarding forward-facing sonar (FFS) on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Pundits, podcasters and YouTube heroes rush to cut another piece of content highlighting what could be. Are we on the verge of change?

In a word, no. While B.A.S.S. will likely make some sort of move on FFS, the thought of total exclusion shouldn’t enter our minds. Not yet, at least.

Tournament organizations as a whole rarely take bold stands on issues that could be perceived as exclusionary. Singling out a specific group of consumers is always a concern. A large group of tournament bass anglers favor FFS, and those remain customers of these companies.

Here, again, we see a problem in the mixed business model of the bass fishing industry. Is professional bass fishing intended to be a spectator sport, or one that anyone can join in on? Through the decades, the major trails have allowed that important defining line to become hazy.

During the sport’s heyday, the top leagues propelled their athletes to superstar status based on the principle that they were, in fact, professionals. But since that time, tournament organizations have embraced the concept of anyone joining the ranks. They’ve created a culture of customers that demand consideration above the rules of the game.

So, while banning FFS is the obvious choice to preserve the integrity of professional bass fishing – something I’ve been preaching now longer than anyone – B.A.S.S. and the others can’t find a way to do it based on their business model. Quite simply, they’ve let the concept get away from them.

We continue to hear chatter about sponsorships. We’re told that banning FFS would draw the line with companies like Humminbird, Lowrance and Garmin, all but ending lucrative agreements.

Who, with any head on their shoulders, is buying this? Are we supposed to believe that three brands in one small sector of the boating industry control our entire sport? If so, we’re in worse shape than I thought.

Bass fishing in North America generates billions of dollars in revenue. And, while the sales of marine gadgets make up an important component, it’s a pittance on the total take. Travel, tourism, fuel, outboards, even rods and reels all dwarf marine electronics in terms of what hits the cash register in sales. Also consider that FFS is only a small percentage (really) of the already small percentage. Yet that’s what’s driving our sport? Please. There’s more money in soft-plastic sales in America than all the FFS units combined.

No logical reason for including FFS in tournament competition has ever been offered by a major tournament organization. Yet, if we simply take a step back and ask ourselves why we’ve continued to be subjected to this nonsense, the answer is obvious.

Forward-facing sonar has increased catches and temporarily brought attention to fishing.

Yet, now that more folks are aware of the obvious, the cons are outweighing the pros. The lights are on, and your date is ugly.

So why not just ditch the FFS and run? Again, we go back to our earlier concept. By allowing so many anglers at all levels to influence tournament bass fishing, we can’t institute drastic rule changes in fear of isolating some. It should have never happened. Had the major tournament organizations stood up for the principles of our sport at a professional level – and acted like true governing bodies – we wouldn’t have these problems.

Instead, they’ve been flattered by attention and an anything-goes mentality, interpreting and changing the rules of the game to meet their business aspirations.

And now, the best they can do is continue to support a concept that’s drastically reducing interest in bass fishing, all but eliminating the professional sport from any consideration of being skill-driven and sending co-anglers to the golf course.

And they won’t even be honest with us or themselves about a plan moving forward.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe B.A.S.S. will see the interest in the NPFL, watch as more of their big names dip their toes in that pool and finally call FFS for what it is: a great way to catch offshore bass, and an even better way to send pro bass fishing into obscurity.

One thing’s for sure: A decade from now, if big-time bass fishing still exists as we know it, forward-facing sonar cannot be included. How long it will take for everyone to admit that is yet to be seen.

(Joe Balog is the often-outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)

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