Bass Pro Tour Anglers FREAKING OUT Over Livescope Rule Changes For 2025 Season…

[@fishinninja18]

The less technology, the more skill is required.

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@fishinninja18 not true, for sure different skills are required depending on what you are doing but the 'amount' of skills required is the same for anyone reaching an elite level regardless of what they are doing

[@daveschreck6784]

FFS is the reason I don't follow competitive bass fishing at all! I'm so disgusted how the greatest Bass fishing organization B.A.S.S. allows electronic companies to ruin our sport!

[@arkvidpro]

When technology gets to the point that any average angler (who can afford it) is winning “professional” bass tournaments, then it’s no longer a professional competition and has become an amateur event. Fans of any professional competition are drawn to the sport because the amazing skill level of the elite competitors is beyond their own abilities.

[@neilroberts3777]

Spoken by someone who clearly has never fished with livescope😊

[@erick4923]

Not anyone can do it. Trust me, it's a very particular set of skills that are as hard as traditional fishing and as unique. With that said, I hate it and think it should be outlawed, but don't fool yourself into thinking that it's not a skill or that it's easy. It's not.

[@Pays2Win]

Live scope is a game changer. I agree it should be removed from tournaments. And it is easy to catch fish with one 💯

[@erick4923]

@@Pays2Win It's easy to catch fish without one. That isn't the point. The point is that when you have to compete against humans, everything becomes hard. The very best at livescope have shown that tournament after tournament they are better and more consistent than everyone else. No random guy can just go buy livescope and compete.

[@DatGuy960]

​@@neilroberts3777I have and he is correct.

[@timduerr3911]

I love the new rules. Just wish they would have ruled no spotlighting during the tournament.

[@johnr7456]

I agree with most of your points. Bass fishing is looking to the future. How can they survive 20 years down the road if people do not want to put in years of work? We are in an instant gratification age. It is super expensive to get into pro bass fishing. A full kit kayak with gear is 10 grand plus. It is going to be a huge issue moving forward for pro bass angling.....there are fewer anglers by percentage of population than ever before.

[@TerryHarp-k9e]

Hey Randy. Spot on! This message is to all the flatbrimmers and spotlighters out there. Call Randy for a years worth of on the water lessons. After that, fish every day of the week for a year. That will make an average bass angler! You guys are going to get unplugged sooner than later. Better learn how to fish!! Great job Randy! See ya

[@Zanzabar5]

They should call it the Livescope Tour instead of the Pro Tour.

[@bitenbass]

4 sure

[@ChipLynch-r7v]

I'm 62 and remember you when you started fishing Bassmaster. I'm recently retired and started fishing tournaments again. With that said I don't use a cheater box I go out and fish the right way. Only fished 1 tournament last year and won it flipping a jig. Listening to you gives me hope for us old school fisherman. Thank you so much and keep up the great work you do.

[@bfg1836]

Using FFS is like deer hunting with drones.

[@Trump2024musthappen]

How ? Hunting with your eyes is literally seeing what's in front of you . Just because you have a line in the water don't mean you'll catch a fish

[@kenneth9874]

Drones with infrared sensors....

[@rjfussell]

I wish all fishermen,bass or any species watch the 1985 and 87 bassmaster championship videos,15' boats,85 or 115hp motors,flasher finders,35lb trolling motors,it was a hardcore event,small weights,skill and luck,humbling forsure,I was doing it then,now it's money wins,lovers of the sport are swept aside,

[@DatGuy960]

Nope! I own an 87 classic boat....17'10" with a 150...it's a Ranger.

[@guyfoscone3193]

I feel we have all been robbed of finding the next KVD or Wheeler. I don't respect any tourney win with FFS. 90% of fishing is finding the fish. FFS takes away the only advantage the fish have...that's not sporting.

[@eddiejones974]

I agree 100%. Randy, half of these guys wouldn't win an Amateur tournament without Livescope they don't have any right fishing pro. The only way they can is because they have. Money, our mommy and daddy, buys them the best cheater boxes, boats, and trucks on the market all. They do is staring at a screen all day and chase. Bass around, and they call themselves sportsmen that's they are all phatic poor Excuse for a. Bass fishermen and even more phatictheey call themselves pros give me a fucken break

[@winstonrocco1981]

No different than people that hunt(lol) high fence ranches both are pathetic excuses for human beings.

[@NTSAdventures]

Exactly!

[@brianbutler3318]

This was my favorite episode ever

[@smokenjoe4022]

These devices have no business in the sport fishing world! But I do see a great application in the commercial fishing industry!

[@bitenbass]

Yessirrr

[@JRBrown-xx9wu]

I love this rule!!! Try bass fishing in my boat. I’ve been agains the cheater box from day one. Destroyed the crappie fishing as well as the bass fishing in my home town lake that has a tournament 5 out of 7 days a week. I absolutely don’t mind a tournament every now and then but with live scope and way to many tournaments it’s killed what was a Great Lake. But I have a $200 fish finder and I enjoy going while there tournaments are on and still catching fish in and around them and getting them back in the water asap and not see them floating belly up from dragging them from 60 ft deep to the surface as fast as possible to do what!!! I can catch fish because I am looking at them!! Come fish with me and you will see what fishing should be. Open invitation to to anyone. I’ll pay for the trip and bring snacks and drinks. Cheaters never win…

[@fishinninja18]

It takes more skill to catch a 23lb bag no scope than a 28lb bag with scope. That’s what’s messing up our sport. Tournaments allowing live scope are MLB games with aluminum bats. Doesn’t matter how you play the game; Only how you swing the bat.

[@Mountinbass]

IM SO SICK OF FFS

[@JanoyCresva]

I hate clicking on a fishing video thinking I’ll learn something and they bust out the spinning reel and cheater box. Easy click off.

[@randyhoobler9654]

Agree with this 100% Keep fighting the good fight RB!

[@BlobRob787]

No one over at Yuckmaster cares about what is best for the sport. Short term gain at the expense of long term viability. Once the tour declines where it is unprofitable they will sell it and buy another business they can wreck. I would imagine the tackle companies hate forward facing sonar. I can see tackle companies pulling support for tours that promote forward facing sonar.

[@winstonrocco1981]

I haven’t bought any fishing tackle in a year just totally disgusting

[@jimdaw1181]

All I know is that too many tournaments plus the cheater box are terrible for the fish population on Toledo Bend. It's ridiculous.

[@NoelSimmons-jg3ly]

Don't feel a bit sorry for them they should have learned how to fish the way it was supposed to be instead of staying in the house on the video games.I think it's very funny...

[@bobjohnson7207]

Happy Birthday Randy great work.

[@davidchamberlain3373]

What about the flasher fish finder. Back then, people complained about it. Saying it is cheating. Then everyone was using it. 360 side imaging. You can only use the 2d fish finder. Or learn how to use the ff sonar. Like in every fisherman in the pass. The only rule should be treating it like sight fishing has to be hooked in the mou.

[@joshtheflatearthjedi222]

These guys cant fosh without their embillical cord, they go into straight panic mode when anyone suggests getting rid of FFS. They are supposed to be the best fishermen around yet they cant fish without electronics. This should prove Randy's point to everyone that they cant fish without it.

[@redburban1394]

I fish without the technology,but can you use half sticks of dynamite? 😂 But most of my fishing surf casting for stripe bass .

[@winstonrocco1981]

I’m thinking they are panicking because they will probably be exposed as lousy fishermen

[@JF71951]

Thanks for taking a leadership role in the FFS conversation.

[@davidcummings506]

How are they going to even watch over that and keep an eye on everyone out there to make sure no one is using it. That's what I want to know, just because they make that a rule doesn't mean everyone is going to abide by it. Like you said you have these guys out there who only know how to use the cheater box.

[@markhamblin8195]

They have an observer with them .

[@markhamblin8195]

Thats easy to know

[@russellstewart5414]

Or dismount all screens from the boat . And then check all compartments and then administer a polygraph test to determine any level of deception

[@randy5766]

I’m 68. The ONLY electronics on my boat is a depth sounder and pacemaker. I am a BASS FISHERMAN, not a video junkie. I’m the guy who uses quality hand tools to accomplish fine work and not power tools. I use a toothbrush and not a vibrating oscillating mouth numbing power brush. I like plain pickups without $50,000.00 of electronics to turn a radio on or warm your butt. I cut my wood, kill my meat and live a country life. If you ain’t got the skills to fish or hunt without all the crutches, then I have no respect. One man, one boat, a good rod, great knowledge, good skills, now……that is a bass fisherman.

[@TonyAnthonyRichards]

Randy you said “ BASSMASTER is In horrible hands right now” When Clark W wrote his last ditch effort begging for a change read one of the top comments ( Ronnie Moore) complaining about age and who is on the committee. Dude he is begging to save his career and you are focused on you? That’s all you need to know when it comes to their leadership. Funny how Ronnie and crew were soooo proud to be apart of this committee until it blew up in their face. Now they don’t say a word about it. By the way when Davey decides to grow a pair please speak up! The sport needed you and you went coward on the sport you love. SPEAK UP! Say something! Don’t be afraid Davey.

[@merlynjohnson1621]

New York musky chapters eliminated live scope from tournaments in 2025. This after discouraging use in the 2024 season. Now it's being strictly enforced

[@Bassmaster1256]

Happy Birthday Randy!

[@frankgilroy3189]

Pro scoping is much much different than someone getting a scope and thinking you can just go catch fish. The reason swindle or Clark will never ever be pro scopers, because it takes thousands of hours to be a pro level and I say pro level scoper. Old guys don’t have the time and when they think scoping is easy they realize it isn’t.

[@carlhertel7581]

FFS is for weak people who needs a crutch. Clark Wendlet knows how to fish. Without FFS he could beat most all these FFS people that need a cheater box to catch a fish.

[@beegee3136]

Happy birthday Randy! 🤙

[@DRWBassFishing]

I'm happy I never got into tournament bass fishing. I'm sick of the drama.

[@markhamblin8195]

I fished tournaments starting at 16. Make a long story short it was what caused me to stop fishing for 14 years

[@horbie5039]

Yet here you are 😂

[@Two_Buck]

There is no skill in using FFS.

[@williamdeel377]

I don't like ffs but I think it still takes a little skill not much but a tad lol

[@frankgilroy3189]

Well I wonder when one of these complaining pros will go to the NPFL? Btw, scoping at a pro level is way harder than you think. Way way harder.

[@Ronie792]

DC would’ve never won Redcrest without FFS Jacob Wheeler had moderate success before he started using, but he certainly would’ve not become the winningest pro on the mlf tour with out the cheater box and that’s just 2 who would be nothing without that box

[@joshgomes3644]

💯 % FACT🎣🎣🎣

[@garyplowman5838]

Great video Randy 👏🏻

[@kerrycooperfishing2732]

Love that the ratings have dropped because of it! I haven’t watched since and won’t until it’s banned

[@horbie5039]

Imagine if the 60 year old baseball players couldn’t compete any longer because of a new bat technology and we had an influx of new young players every year? Sounds silly, doesn’t it?

[@jeffmonger1081]

I agree, they should go back to using cane poll and dug out Canoe.

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Meanwhile wheeler was winning prior to FFS.

[@OptimisticFloppyDisc-bz6qi]

Exactly won all american and flw cup when he was 20 years old anyone who thinks he can't fish w out ffs is a fool that's why he is the best in the world

[@northernbassalliance1442]

@OptimisticFloppyDisc-bz6qi i could name more too that won without but ppl never acknowledge it. Its crazy.

[@ATL_Rider79]

The real anglers will survive. The spotlighters will learn quickly, or get jobs at Bass Pro..

[@tomsellberg3558]

Randy you are correct. I stopped watching the tournaments. I agree the sport reached more people in the past. We bought the lures that the guys were using…along with rods, reels and so on. I can’t afford this technology…it is not any different than baiting game with corn…so on and so on…I know I am preaching to the choir…keep up the good fight.

[@MikeB-1965]

By throwing a fit over the change, those anglers are essentially admitting they lack the skill to compete without livescope. Totally proves your point.

[@thock30]

Let's organize a non ffs event to bring some eyes to our sport. Randy fishing head to head versus Drew Gill, Ben Milliken, DC, Jacob Wheeler, Trey Mckinney...take your pick. That would be awesome!

[@wg1611]

I’m taking Jacob Wheeler against anyone on the planet without FFS. He was dominating without it. Now a tournament without electronics I may have a different choice.

[@OptimisticFloppyDisc-bz6qi]

Dude you don't know anything about wheeler or Connell obviously . Wheeler won bfl all american and the flw cup at 20 years old plus 2 elite series w out ffs . Connell won a elite trophy his rookie year before ffs . They will dominate w or w out it period look up your facts before you talk trash about the best in the world. Randy couldn't complete w wheeler day in and out at any point in his career get real

[@ChrisMitchell-r3b]

Randy would still be at the bottom of the leaderboard

[@thock30]

@OptimisticFloppyDisc-bz6qi My point exactly! Randy claims the ffs generation can not be successful without it and doesn't understand fishing techniques and strategies.

[@SpookyRedz]

This is exactly why the tackle making industry is suffering , all these new Pros do not need a boat full of tackle anymore

[@clay7514]

Show me proof it’s suffering, Randy sold out his new jigs the first day they were available. People still use other stuff

[@WillCory]

My tackle shop is still thriving here in south Texas and we are in a drought with 2 of our major lakes closed with no boat ramps open !!!

[@SpookyRedz]

can u tell me the name of it ?

[@SpookyRedz]

@@ShaneRoberts-c7d agreed

[@SpookyRedz]

@@WillCory what is the name of your tackle shop ? Why won’t u tell me ?

[@RandyMelton1]

Can't agree more!!

[@Danthemant1000]

They should never have been allowed to tournament fish in the first place.

[@stanwilliamson]

Happy Birthday.

[@johnm2617]

😮 Yep when pro Fisherman need a device to help them find & Catch fish it's sad!!! The electronics are catching the fish not the anglers

[@ChrisMitchell-r3b]

Just go rewatch the bassmaster classic in 2015. Seems like you need a reminder that the offshore fishing can still be done before FFS. The FFS guys will still dominate it’s just going to take them a few more casts to catch their fish. You will then have nothing to cry about

[@bobwalsh719]

I hope it sticks!

[@jeffmonger1081]

Everything bash fisherman used today is new technology from someone

[@lukeschoville191]

Livescope for bass fishing?! Silliest thing I've heard in a while

[@DavidStreet-xp5fp]

It's so simple, let them have what ever electronics they want on top of the console and only a flasher on the front

[@michaelking6519]

Fronts wind direction water Temp Moon phase barometric pressue Seasonal patterns structure spawn pre spawn

[@jimschrock2645]

Whine whine whine...go work at McDonald's if you can't keep up with technology! You don't like Livescope because you can't adapt to new technology! It's here to stay and Livescope is the greatest thing to hit the market. It makes you more efficient. I don't fish tournaments but use it for crappie fishing. You still have to get the fish to bite, it just helps you understand how the fish are reacting to your bait. Join the Livescope crowd or flip burgers!

[@brianbutler3318]

Same sort of thing happened in the music business and in academia.

[@hunterkingfishing6253]

Can’t wait to see drew gill flippin docks 😂

[@jon_puhalski60]

F FFS

[@rhondaboone977]

I dont blame the kids, its a different time, but, to those of you who dont see how it leaves nowhere for the fish to hide. I leave you with this... " You don't know what you got till its gone, pave paradise and put up a parking lot"

[@cleveedmondson7991]

Why would you say it’s cheating if it’s allowed it’s not cheating if the tournaments allowed it

[@kerrycooperfishing2732]

It’s cheating !

[@OptimisticFloppyDisc-bz6qi]

There have been many young anglers over the years who have come In and kicked ass . Kvd came in and dominated timmy Horton won Roy and aoy in the same year . Jacob wheeler won all american and flw. Cup as a 21 year old . So there have been a quite a few young anglers who have come in and done very well . High school and college fishing give young anglers tournament experience way before it was in the old days.

[@jscott4431]

IMO professional bass fishing has ruined the sport, at least for me anyway. I know many depend on pro fishing for their income and I hate to see people lose that. However, the sport is no longer a fair fight between the bass and the angler. Even smaller local tournaments have had a negative impact on the waters in my area. So many guys using FFS. UGH!! I wish state fish & wildlife agencies would put an end to tournament fishing.

[@richardr616]

Half Measures. I’m not watching again until it is removed completely from the series. I will watch a no electric series. Depth is all you need

[@NorthShoreYoutube]

Cell phones replaced computers...I made lots of $ work on computers.. things change.. life goes on.. #livescope

[@coreylewis171]

You used baseball as an analogy. Baseball had a huge steroids scandal. Thats a pretty big unfair advantage, but it didnt hurt viewership in the slightest

[@winstonrocco1981]

Bass tournaments ain’t baseball

[@coreylewis171]

@winstonrocco1981 obviously. I'm not the one who made the comparison in the first place though

[@ronaldcox2741]

Dustin Connell is the main one that’s butt hurt over it,he knows them paychecks are gonna dry up,Jacob Wheeler is a true hammer,he’ll be fine

[@fishinninja18]

No nets but FFS is fine.

[@josephlassiter1412]

So I guess it's time I get into tournaments bc I'm 41 and never used ffs

[@HughShepard-k4n]

Speak your mind, it's just an opinion and an opinion should be respected whether one agrees with it or not.

[@slayerstacker2074]

Who is your buddy? Who is this guy you are referring to that is freaking out about the rule change ???

[@jamesanderson7765]

I think this is a reach, to say these guys can’t catch a bass without it is a little over the top. Why are you still fishing tournaments if you’re so against it? Fish the NPFL then. If your gonna claim these guys can’t catch bass without it and they only own 2 lures then show some proof, I just find it a little over the top to say they don’t know how to catch bass without it.

[@astrophysicistguy]

Those so called 'pros' you keep referring to are the 1% outliers on the circuit, they are not top anglers like wheeler, DC, Thrift, Gill, Marshall, EE, etc -all of whom can do it all. Go watch the latest MLF Team event which was held down here in Florida on 3 different lakes where the average depth is 4'-8'. The format for these events is no practice and you don't know what lake you are fishing until they drop you off at the ramp and everyone is using MLF supplied boats identically rigged. Randy would have you believe that the young pros who use FFS would tank at these events. Well guess what, with no practice and NO prior knowledge of the 3 lakes, the team of Gill & Marshall (2 rookies on MLF this year) literally lapped field, catching 80 lbs one day and 60 in another. And neither of them had ever been to any of these 3 lakes before. And on top of that their competition included Scroggens and the Lane brothers, all of whom have EXTENSIVE knowledge on all 3 lakes. Randy's entire thesis that the pros who use FFS don't know anything is pure fiction. Modern electronics have simply helped them learn to be great all around bass fisherman quicker, that's it.

[@davidsedlacek3855]

Dead on

[@Ronie792]

Look at there stats before they started using it and if you believe the smoke you are blowing then let’s ban ffs for a whole year then we can just how so called good they are

[@jodyvess8509]

Bullshit, Gill can't Compete Without FFS, PERIOD!

[@astrophysicistguy]

@ you can be in denial all you want but the last week at Headwaters, Stick Marsh and Garcia plus the $40,000 he just won tell a different story ... lol. BTW, we did land land on the moon and the Earth is not flat ...👽🦖

[@michaellamenza7617]

Gill and Marshall scoped the entire time

[@Larryrandom2549]

Tournament fisherman are all rich boys. The average fisherman can’t even afford this “sport”.

[@brucebrink6185]

Adapt or quit!

[@waynerandles6126]

They will go hard chasing their limit while using FFS then when it’s time out they will probably just go to sleep on the boat or something 🤣

[@bigbaldfish]

Yup

[@clay7514]

Here we go getting the views!!! Very hateful towards these young guys

[@Daniel-pz4wm]

Loving the hat!!! 🤠 I'm still here Randy!!! 👍 Still the #1 FAN!!! 😎 AND LOVING THE TOPICS 🤓

[@swimMauzle]

......still? Real sad, dude...

[@mikeandrade586]

No lie, bass tourneys are the worst thing for the sport. You're lucky to have retired when you did. It's never going to be anything except a way rich people flex by killing fish.

[@joshtabor8201]

now completely ban it in 2026

[@michaelking6519]

CAN THEY TAG ALING WITH YOU

[@WillCory]

Someone who fishes the BassPro Tour has never expiernced bass fishing without Livesonar?? Randy, stop making up stories!!!!

[@rocknreelnrod]

Limit them to 3 rods ! 1 topwater , 1 mid-water and 1 deep or bottom rod !

[@jamesanderson7765]

Tour not tuer

[@ZZ430T56]

Without FFS, nearly everyone would be bangin the bank. Would get pretty crowded and even tougher to catch Bass. Throwin a squarebill or spinnerbait down a rip rap bank doesn't take a lot of inelegance. You could say there is skill in casting, flipping, skipping, etc.

[@thock30]

"If you don't know who Clark Wendlandt is, then you do not know anything about tournament bass fishing" and you wonder why you have negative comments show up. What a negative and condescending comment and viewpoint. For sure, not a way to grow the sport and bring unity.

[@winstonrocco1981]

Maybe your on the wrong channel

[@fishnwiz]

LMAO..Let these cheaters using livescope learn some SKILL instead of using technology to cheat.

[@roncronenwett6545]

DEI anglers ,, who would of thought....................... sarcasm

[@jeb4836]

U cannot stop progress related to product creation that brings jobs and income. Garmin exist to be a be profitable as their #1 goal. Run by people that have a very good career they invested in. They don’t care about gamblers and the money u guys lose.

[@MassReelFishing]

So if the top guys remain at the top, what will we say then? Other than a few really young guys, the rest of them were successful before live scope. Seems more like wishful thinking

[@kerrycooperfishing2732]

Wish they would ban the shi$ all together !

[@sfmedicsmith777]

Imagine going in debt 200k dollars or more for a new boat and truck and find out you actually suck at Bass Fishing....

[@michaelking6519]

😂😂😂

[@jwblount7802]

I'm gonna tell you a little secret no one is watching BASS because of FFS it's because they fish the same lake over and over but it is very few that stop watching it because of FFS.

[@joetucker63]

it would be really interesting to see these bozos fish old school, just a flasher, no FFS no GPS. klein, tommy martin, clunn, and even randy would dominate! i quit following and fishing BASS and MLF after 2022. its time Randy backs it up, and quit BFL and toyotas. they let you call dead bass, as well! Clark had the balls to practice what he preaches, unlike you, Randy!

[@ChrisMitchell-r3b]

So Randy dominated before FFS?

[@jaebass02]

Hard to see how fishing makes u happy when all vids are too many fishermen and hate about new technology