Y’all Are Probably Not Going To Like What I’m About To Say…

[@bluegrassbass]

I just watched a video by DC and he had a handful of other pros that have been around awhile on with him talking about the current state of the pro circuit. They talked about FFS and one stated a 16 yr old with almost no experience can now compete and it has taken the Pro out of professional fishing. They all agreeed fishing was more of a challenge and more fun without it but have to have it now to stay competative.

[@keithivey5238]

You’re right about the last season on bassmaster. It’s just not interesting or educational to watch when you can’t afford the technology used. I’m more entertained by watching Hackney flip a jig and finish 30th than see these guys using FFS.

[@brianpierson7708]

Someone better tell Tactical Bassn because they growing bigger every day and still getting views from videos 10 years old and older.

[@danielmyatt3494]

Trump winning is very positive!

[@theregoesone3225]

That's an outstanding channel. Probably the best all around fishing channel imo.

[@AsianAmerican113]

Considering they actually show them fishing and showing the tips they push. I think Randy is doing great with the whole FFS debate but, he can’t expect his channel to grow without actually showing him fishing. Let’s be honest, fishing tips can only go so far.

[@Almoondo]

He's completely right about forward facing sonar. It is hyped by all the clones on social media, but it is overall damaging to fisheries. People will say "well you still have to make them bite", but that's irrelevant. The fact is it is an insane advantage, which is why all of the tournament anglers are catching all these huge bags of fish. It does not fall in line with fair chase and is not fair to the resource, This technology will continue to have us catching fewer and smaller fish over time and it's all because people won't speak up and take a stand for our future.

[@mistertwister1816]

Randy, Thanks for bringing back Thoughtless Thursdays to the channel. Have you thought about perhaps bringing back Fishing Friday… you know … where you talk about fishing?

[@michaelspanos269]

you need to get that new microphone dialed in - closer to your face or get a new one. Sounds like you're speaking from across the room

[@horbie5039]

We said we wanted more on the water content, not under the water content

[@bgriffin511]

turn on your hearing aids, it is working for me

[@jerrykotula2751]

Randy, what's funny is that the bass fishing community, as you have said are tired of FFS and electronics, is that they own very technology being complained about. Every boat I see on the lakes has FFS.

[@robertjakubicki2265]

I'm not a tournament angler. I fished local tournaments in 99 through 2002. Make Google maps or Google Earth your best friend and fish from a float tube. A float tube should fix your stealth issues and it'll definitely force you to fish much more thoroughly. After I ditched my boat and started fishing from a float tube or my fishing kayak my fishing quality exploded. I don't use electronics at all and I do very well. It's all about stealth and less than a handful of techniques that work most of the time. Bass fishing is very diverse and if you fish some other way well good for you. Don't fish from a float tube if alligators or sharks are present.

[@TheStackboy5]

If forward facing sonar is cheating then using a fish finder is also cheating for the weekend angler that is beating the bank. But yet I’ve never seen one bank fisher calling out fisherman for using the tools provided or the boat they use to get to fish areas they never can just saying Respect

[@David-xz5cc]

I admire your heart and tenacity.

[@iBaloo42]

Randy, I'd done with this channel. I'll subscribe to your channel, "The Fishing Teacher". I hope you'll keep that one focused on teaching and free of rants...

[@moondog5553]

It’s not just ffs bass tournament fans are aging, with fewer young people interested, leading to a declining audience. It was already a niche audience compared to mainstream sports

[@kevinleeds6085]

I absolutely love my cheater box! I love to practice casting, but when you can put more fish in the boat, the casting competition just seems to be much more enjoyable. I'm definitely thinking about upgrading to a better,larger cheater box. Of course I'm probably going to sell my fuel efficient 4 stroke Yamaha outboard, go back to my 2 stroke OMC mosquitoe killer to pay for it. Ps....I love the videos you do with the latest Hate mail. You definitely found your niche in the fishing world since deciding to cry and talk crap about everything fishing. You're next boat should be an inflatable raft with the little plastic oars that come with it. Always looking forward to your next video I'm serious!!

[@BlobRob787]

It is no secrete. Cheaters love to cheat.

[@mpybals8002]

I’m still subscribed but I’m getting bored with the whining about the KZbin channel every month. I know videos like this recharge your devote viewers for a while but doing this is what all KZbinrs do tugging on the heart strings. Not many bass fisherman are even fishing for bass right now it’s to cold and there are other fish to go after. I’m pretty sure you don’t go out on the water and show techniques out there because it might hurt your on the water side hustle.

[@RascalMcGovens]

In my opinion it's because it seems like almost everyone is just shoving their sponsors' products down our throats. I also hate clicking on a video to learn about techniques, and it's just someone staring at a screen...

[@Biblestudyyt-e7l]

U are right

[@jerrykotula2751]

Suggesting sunglass sales are down due to FFS is absolutely ridiculous.

[@ryanstarzenski3072]

That was the funniest part 😂😂😂

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

The manufacturers literally told me that

[@jeb4836]

What a duche

[@ryanstarzenski3072]

@@randyblaukatintuitive That doesn’t make any sense to me. People that have FFS still wear sunglasses. Lol. U think people get FFS and are just like “man… now I don’t have to buy anymore sunglasses”?

[@C.Adams82]

Im gonna speak on broader subject but it applies to the ffs issue. In order to have freedoms that we have your gonna have to deal with and accept things you don't like or bother you. The alternative is regulation and when governing bodies whether political or social start regulating they dont stop. They always start overreaching. You cant have your cake and eat it too. I dont like ffs and regulating it in tournaments is great ban it but recreational fishing is another issue. If they start regulating that where will it lead. Im a small government/governing bodies person because they always end up overreaching. Randy we're humans,we destroy everything we touch and it will always be that way. There's no fixing this world, people are too vain full of self idolatry to try to fix it because it starts with ourselves and most cant criticize and put themselves in check and when other do it they don't accept and combate it.

[@robmckee5796]

I’m behind you completely, Randy.

[@Biblestudyyt-e7l]

Love your videos Randy hope you have a merry Christmas from the Cotton family

[@Rightiswrong-qv5ul]

Randy I've only been watching you for the past 2 yrs but have gained 10 yrs more knowledge. For years I plugged and chugged baits and caught some fish but in past couple years I've gained knowledge of what to use when and why . Before I fished worms really good and cranks that was it . Enjoying the new baits to my arsenal and catching more fish. Maybe before I get too old would love to have a day or two on the water with you.

[@fish6787]

So the majority of anglers don't want ffs, yet tackle sales have tanked because ffs is so popular? That seems to be a contradiction. You're suggesting there are a whole lot of regular, tackle buying Joes out fishing in a way they dislike ? and spending a lot of money to do so)

[@kevinhaley1150]

Omg what year it’s been , I’ve learned so much about fishing that I took for granite and I’ve been a bass fisherman for forty years thank you so much for your channel and I can’t wait for next year

[@Bp-dy9vl]

Greatful for your point of view and deep dive thinking in this area. Fascinating change in the sport for sure. Agree nothing positive and mainly destructive.

[@ryanhigdon2343]

Sounds like if you can’t adapt, you should probably find a new career. The only KZbinrs that have struggling channels are KZbinrs who can’t fish.

[@LeonStjames]

WIth all due respect, the reason why FFS is hated so much is because it is too expensive and the majority of folks cannot afford it. They are making excuses and hiding their hatred behind conservation and other things. The real reason is that they cannot afford it, and most dont read so they wont be able to use it.

[@cairnclark]

Great message Randy!

[@clay7514]

Every other video is about how terrible the fishing world is right now. I think most viewers are getting tired of hearing it. Get out on the lake and show us how you work a jerkbait live!

[@az208vx09]

Absolutely. This is what I would really like to see as well.

[@iBaloo42]

I'm not enjoying this type of rant. It's all an exaggerated, skewed view. 1. 98% or more of people fishing see this activity as a hobby, not a sport 2. Less than 50% of people fishing have electronics 3. Probably less than 5% of people have the livescope type of electronics (it's damn expensive, requiring expensive base electronics); the impact of lure purchase declining cannot be blamed on FFS! 4. Livescope technology is not a "cheater box" in a fishing competition if the rule allows for it; it's not cheating. It's definitely not cheating for people like me who are fishing as a hobby, not cheating anybody, and who can tell you to mind your own business. The real facts are: 1. Yes, the barrier of entry to high-reward competitions is very high, but these are ... high-reward competitions. It's normal. If you take any sport, being part of top-league competitions is more expensive than the lower-league ones 2. The impact of bass population degradation has multiple factors that are barely related to the apparition of FFS technology. Hint here: stop "shooting the fish in a barrel" in pre- and during spawning... 3. Knowledge as an advantage in competitions is eroded and it's eroding fast at any corner of any innovation (as a rule, no known knowledge/technology-based advantage is retained for long), and that is why fishing sportsmen (competitors) are reaching continuously to anything else allowed that gives them an advantage, such as advanced electronics. This is nothing new, and it's true in every sport or business competition. FFS its just happens that is the edge of competitive advantage leveraged today; tomorrow is going to be something that's beyond FFS, of whatever is going to be allowed (probably the FFS people will call the new edge/innovation cheating).

[@donyarborough4114]

Just from the thumbnail, i knew this was going negative again. Randy has riden this horse to death. Not everyone fishes competitvely. And certainly not some of the older tournament anglers that once were competitve. Good tips and techniques would be much more interesting.

[@dirwinbower4374]

People are sick of videos of so called fisherman showing all the big fish they catch with forward facing sonar

[@BrettChaffin]

Forward facing sonar will only make bank fishing better for the shallow fishermen in the future. Forward facing will tank in the future those bass will become more difficult to find and catch in the future

[@TheStackboy5]

For someone who is retired I’m not sure what all the gripe is about? If the guys who are still in the league aren’t complaining why are you? Just curious 🤔 nobody is forcing fisherman to compete they do it because they want to. If you don’t like it don’t watch . If you don’t like forward facing sonar don’t sign up to compete. if you have a problem with the new standards or rules then DONT COMPETE. Opinions are just that OPINIONS none of those things have affected my fishing nor the way I feel about my own fishing to each there own let it go

[@dannyhocutt8490]

I have enjoyed your podcast articles

[@davidsedlacek3855]

Il call it how i see it...All FFS has done is lined your pocket with cash.. Joker.

[@danacarey4918]

Hi Randy, Great video, I agree 100% with the fact that front facing sonar has ruined fishing, depleted the breeder bass and other species as well. I am 62 and have also been fishing since I was old enough to hold a rod. I have had the money to buy this sonar stuff but I believe it stops the true meaning of fishing and it gives a huge advantage to the users of the sonar front facing , doesn't leave the fish a chance at all to escape the angler. I personally enjoy the challenge of knowing the types of cover, drop.off points, lily pads etc to find fish. Please keep up the great videos and please keep trying to rid the sport of this technology. There are many people out here that support your thoughts and ideas. We here in Canada 🇨🇦 are behind you 100%. Keep up the great videos and info on fishing.

[@michaelmotch6271]

Seems the only way to stop FFS is by pleading your case to the DNR in each state. After all , their job is to protect the resource .

[@salwhitaker9218]

I disagree. FFS is pretty freakin exciting.. but how would you know if you’d never dare operate a cheaterbox? Talk about learning, studying and understanding bass much? Yeah, it would almost make sense if you tried it sometime🤣 Seems a little close minded. At a certain point I hope it is banned and I can say I lived through the glory days of scope-mania. The knowledge gained from FFS is priceless and agreeably far too powerful for everyone; including yourself to possess.

[@davekoistinen3008]

Most of us recreational anglers are tired of hearing your politics on pro bass fishing and want to know how to catch more fish.

[@MarkBurrell-po2sp]

Time to end tournaments

[@theregoesone3225]

Theres an over saturation of nearly every topic. You name it, anything else you are interested in. Bowling, weight lifting, home remodeling, fighting, nearly everything.

[@jackdixon4530]

One might draw a conclusion that one negative video after another would lead to a downturn in viewers for your channel!! 🐟🐟🐟🐟

[@jamesbright657]

Nope, he's one of the few that actually knows the truth about FFS changing the entire sport and industry in the wrong direction. Negative comments are 99% those who want the easy way to find fish, regardless of repercussions or sustainability like those of us that have been fishing for 50 yrs and learned the true way to fish

[@michaelheller804]

Randy and his slap happy puppets and like the Democrats and Kamala saying nop,nope,nope it's not are message and crap we are pushing why we lost it's you people. He got some clicks going down this FFS road and now it's old and backfiring

[@jackdixon4530]

I’ve been fishing for bass for 60 years. I’m not for or against ffs. I’m not in favor of all the negativity.

[@andygullion5182]

The biggest tragedy about FFS is it destroys the desire to learn the endless techniques to be successful. It takes away the same thing that kept you enthusiastic all these years. As far as the professional level there will have to be a circuit for anglers who want to fish traditionally and circuit for anglers who want to use technology to that extent. I do think ultimately FFS anglers will lose interest in the sport quicker. When something becomes too easy it gets boring.

[@waynecrowe9075]

Need more sound

[@adambrodahl9849]

It's so frustrating I use to smoke these local guys in tournaments. Now because I refuse to get FFS I'm just getting stroked by the same 3 guys that use it the best . Whom never won crap before . Except at their hoke lakes. Incredible that I am forced to buy this to even compete in do what I love! It's no longer a working class man's sport.

[@davidbrummett6178]

There is no way I will be able to afford a Megabass jerkbait ($26) if we impose a tariff on imported goods!

[@kenk395]

😂😂😂😂

[@spencersmith6754]

If a bass can be insulated i think it’s because it got caught, not how it got caught

[@Tigdude]

Whatever happened to just fishing for the fun of it. It's not a sport when the only focus is What do I need to do to win this tournament...winning at all costs isn't a sport.

[@ryanhigdon2343]

All of those baits got replaced because there are better options and techniques

[@craighayden2330]

What about the 15 percent ethanol

[@kenk395]

Put BIG tariffs on FFS?

[@silverpunk2427]

I've got my volume all the way up and I can barely hear you

[@jamesbright657]

#cheaterbox.. Dont change a thing Randy. You are one of the few that actually posts their honest opinion regardless of views and likes, and has the actual correct info and data about the change of the sport and industry due to FFS, and caring about sustainability of the sport and how it will be for my children and grandchildren. There are millions of fishing videos of all levels, we need as many honest opinion as possible online before anyone that matters will actually listen. I bought all the FFS electronics for my boat over the first couple years of the launch, but I always use my side and down imaging. Only time I really even turn on FFS is when i have my 12 & 8 yr old boys on the boat and they want to fish for Crappie or just be amazed by the technology. It just gets too easy and takes all the excitement and passion out of the sport. Itll eventually have to be tournament banned one way or another. What about when technology graduates over the years into 30" flatscreens with digital color 360 degree 4K views underwater 100 feet in all directions, how much fun will that be. Commercial fishing and conservation is one thing, but sport and recreational fishing is another. It will lose all the fun and mystery of the sport. Thats where its headed, and I dont see how the sport on a professional level would survive in the future the way that is has for so many years in the past..

[@ronfeyo493]

"It's not inflation." Really? Nevermind, we know where you stand... If tackle companies want me to buy more tackle, don't charge me $7 for a jig, $14 for a spinnerbait that might last a day, or $25 for a topwater bait. Can you even buy a Rapala for under $10 now?? Tackle producers have earned everything coming to them.

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

I expect a rapala to cost three dollars next year since everybody thinks that’s how it works

[@johnnymassengale6275]

You said the same thing about tariffs in 2016...didn't happen.

[@scottsilver5409]

I know several anglars that are more excited than ever to go out and fish because of FFS !!!! The opposite of what you are saying !!!!

[@donprater2754]

Ffs will be here from now on!…It is called evolution of bass fishing!

[@johnparsons4332]

I didn't care about pro fishing anymore. As far as baits I only use 4 different types and catch fish. Stay with showing me how and where to fish. I didn't care about the rest.

[@redbeard6606]

It’s as bad as watching ice fishing.

[@woodwired1]

Amateur non professional bass fishermen that use FFS are the same type of people that kiss the ass of their boss at work.

[@WormDragger55]

Who won the classic

[@walterwinkler404]

Absolutely agree with you! Don't stop talking about this!

[@MichaelBecker-jn8yi]

I never like what you’re going to say so no need to watch

[@rosschappell7014]

100 percent had my children’s future in mind when I voted for Donald Trump. Mainly because there are MUCH bigger threats to our and our kids/grandkids futures than water for fishing. That being said, that will be just fine anyways but there are MUCH bigger concerns than that.

[@dirwinbower4374]

So right

[@Coleb331]

Milliken seems to do just fine lol! You need to get with the times and keep up with technology to get the views instead of all these complaining videos!

[@DonG-c4j]

Blah, blah, blah….again.

[@brianpierson7708]

RANDY PEOPLE WANT TO SEE FISHING CATCHING FISH NOT TALKING. THINK ABOUT IT. No one watching FFS because they want to see fishing take the camera to the water and catch fish you will see something instead of crying

[@andybales7318]

Yet, here u are giving him a view 😂

[@jamesbright657]

Skip English and grammar class alot growing up? Randy is 100% correct and expressing factual data. This sport amd industry has been affected in every way by FFS, and anyone that denies it just wants an easy cheater way to find fish themselves and cares 0% about the sustainability of the sport.

[@AsianAmerican113]

@@andybales7318He didn’t say he didn’t like him, he was actually giving him great advice fishing tips only go so far.

[@AsianAmerican113]

@@jamesbright657The guy never debated what Randy said he just said show you actually fishing it’s exactly why other channels that give tips and show them working on the water are seeing their channel grow. Y’all two need to stop sucking up and tell Randy to do videos of him fishing on the water. Nothing with what he said had to do with FFS. Honestly the guy is trying to help Randy out more than you two are.

[@ronniephelps1671]

U ever gonna just go fishin in that new boat?

[@richardfink6639]

I'm sorry Randy...videos of you sitting in front of your tackle and trophies just talking are not very alluring anymore. Many have said your channel would be alot more interesting if you did more technique demonstrating on the water and maybe even a little catching. That would drive more viewership but it appears you have just not been willing to make the sacrifices necessary to accomplish this. That is one of the reasons your buddy Milliken has such a strong viewership. He doesn't just talk about accomplishing something, he actually is doing and showing it. If you want a better result in 2025 then you are going to have to make some real time adjustments to make your content more engaging...just my opinion...

[@scottsilver5409]

Gee Randy , you have. A fetish about FFS it's getting boring. You hate FFS ( WE GET IT !!!) It's not going away and obviously will continue to. Advance as years go by !!

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

FFS is cheating

[@gregarmstrong6798]

FFS is an insult to the fish?! Hey Gomer, Fishing in general is an insult to the fish. Not that I care, but ease up on the hypocrisy!

[@ronsaunders4491]

SCREW. FFS