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FFS debate fuels reactions from pro bass organizations

Starting with the announcement National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) and then followed up by the Bassmaster Elite Series (Elites) anouncement, the Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) debate has finally caused some reaction in the bass fishing world. Chad Hoover of Kayak Bass Fishing had some fun with it with a reaction video to stir the pot on the kayak side but refraned from making any real rule changes on the contoversial topic.

Breaking the seal

The NPFL kicked off the announcements with their total ban on forward facing sonar for the 2025 season touching on four statements to start:

• Its a complext and emotional topic
• It needed a rational discussion and decision
• There were serious business ramifications to consider
• Impossible to make all stakeholders happy
  

They go on to state that the technology is evolving to a point where it "threatens to alter the very nature of our sport" and that it could "undermine the ultimate goals" of competitive bass fising. 

So starting for the 2025 FFS will be banned from competition with the only exception being the 2025 championships which are with anglers who qualified while the technology was allowed to keep that fair. 

Bassmaster soon follows suit

A day after the NPFL annoucned their rule and caused a major buzz across all social media, Bassmaster released their 2025 rule changes in regards to technology. Not going so far as to ban FFS outright, Bassmaster decided that for the Elites they would limit the amount of screens and transucers. 

• One FFS transucer per boat attached to the trolling motor
• A Total of 55" of screens
• Only one electric motor
• A more diverse schedule to challenge angling techniques

The reasons for the changes are admittitly in response to the ongoing FFS debates as well as some seen as potentional safety issues with numerous large screens blocking visibility. The mulriple electric motor rule using the enforcement of long lining and trolling rules being difficult. 

Kayak Bass Fishing pokes the internet

In response Chad Hoover descided it was good timing to poke the people in the debate with a false rule change video. Claiming KBF would adjust rules to pick a motor or FFS but inability to use both during competition. Of which caused some purposeful feather ruffling, which at the end of the video Chad mentions the rule is just a joke and there won’t be any restrictions. 

Is there a better way to manage the technology?

This debate isn't going ot end anytime soon or becasue of these changes. At what point will anglers decide that technology needs to pump the brakes? Or will it be the governing forces that will need to reel in the technology with rule changes? At some point we will get beyond fair sporting practices if we haven't already. The thrill of the unknown,  importance of years of knowledge and skill need to play a bigger role or the sport will face a crossroads that could alter its fate for future generations. All major sports have put up guardrails to ensure technology doesn't win over talent and competitive bass fishing organizations are now facing the same challenges.