Was banning FFS the right call?

Banning FFS from a major pro bass circuit is a big decision. Was it the right call?? John Crews gives his opinion on the latest news from the NPFL.
#ffs #banned #npfl

[@Slaughterlorder]

Bassmaster and MLF should ban it too. I'm tired of hearing about it, and tired of watching people use it. I want to watch people fish and scoping is too far removed from what I consider fishing to be.

[@inaslump]

Lol nothing will change if it's banned bub,you'll still be staring at the back of the angler.Total bore fest FFS made watching fishing exciting again & I'm 50 not stuck in the 80s..

[@adriangutierrez8657]

Fishing academy’s will make a lot of money teaching a lot of people how to fish.

[@Slaughterlorder]

@@inaslump you have your preference and I have mine. I enjoy watching bass fishing and prefer tournaments before ffs by a lot. There were more variety of tactics instead of the top 10 pinging a minnow and throwing a jerkbait. Variety is more fun to me.

[@fisherman7275]

​@Slaughterlorder you enjoyed watching the edited 1hr broadcast. Live is boring. But love watching the inscreen view of what the angler is actually doing

[@fisherman7275]

They shouldn't ban it. Everyone has it. It's been used for last 8-10yrs. Some found new ways to use it. Next year guess what, those fish have felt that pressure and something else will dominate. Been using it myself for 4yrs, it was easy when I first put it on, fish adapt to it. And the pros will adapt to. I can get behind a limit to units, 1 or 2 upfront. But a total ban isn't needed.

[@swamp_rat_fla1126]

Can’t use the a-rig but can basically use a live under water digital camera to cast a bait right to the fish’s face. Give me a break. This industry is driven by money, greed, and overinflated egos. These companies don’t care about the sport of bass fishing.

[@haroldsfishingadventures754]

Garmin stock up 42% ytd

[@Basscater81]

@@swamp_rat_fla1126 damn straight

[@TheCoreyglls]

the industry is ran by money???????? NO SHIT!

[@daveirvine3594]

It's a good thing. Hopefully, it goes for all pro trails. Go back to fishing to find fish and get away from video games

[@zimks]

Tell me what video game is like FFS, I’ll wait…

[@erichovatt]

It absolutely was the right move. Enough is enough. Doesn’t the idea of just going out and fishing sound good and refreshing? Hopefully this starts a trend. The electronic corps are ruining our sport.

[@JohnCrews]

Or guys could just do what John Cox does

[@zimks]

Nope, I want to go catch fish any way I want quit telling me how I should catch em

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@zimksthat’s what Mike Long said

[@zimks]

@@jamesbarron1202 mike long was snagging fish 🤡

[@lonecedarfarm]

FFS is a snooze fest 😢

[@bencluster627]

All the State Wildlife Fish & Game Dept’s need to Ban the FFS Crap! Then we can all be finished arguing about it. Done. It’s not fair to the fish to be spotlighted and picked off.

[@haroldsfishingadventures754]

It's overuse is causing creel limits to be lowered on crappie in some lakes such as Grenada

[@jamesbarron1202]

💯 it takes the mystery out of fishing.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@Johnafinn next time link some crying emoji’s because you can’t catch fish without it.

[@jordanbyates]

It’s an attempt to draw more of the older famous anglers to fish their tour and promote their organization. I think it will work and I think it’s a brilliant move.

[@erichovatt]

Plenty of young guys out there that hate it too.

[@Basscater81]

@@erichovatt ☝️truth!

[@davidmeyer9648]

I am not a fan of FFS. In fact I don’t even follow BASS anymore. However, I loved following it years ago and loved my experience as a marshal back in 2014 and 2015. Learned a lot from the 6 guys in “fished” with.

[@mattwfishing]

I don’t think it’s a BAD move. If they’re the standalone trail that bans it than I’m with it. They’ve already set the precedent that they’re not trying to compete with the two major leagues. People were going to complain regardless, might as well be different and give guys a lot of time to make their decisions for next year.

[@JohnCrews]

Bingo

[@Patriot-dt3wk]

Having equip/tech limitations at the upper levels is a good idea, just like other pro sports. Let’s see how this works out for the NPFL. What bass did was milk toast in my opinion. MLF won’t make any changes.

[@chrisfoley3320]

No one can say they have lost a tournament due to ffs if they have it on there boat too. It's all about finding the fish and thats the way its always been. Your the man John.

[@Bnicebassfish]

I have FFS and still struggle to catch em

[@mattrochefishing]

John I clicked on this to hear your opinion as an angler what you personally would like, not that you think Bass/MLF should do what’s best for their business, of course, that goes without saying. What’s best for John Crews the angler, that’s what we tune in for. 🤜

[@timviering9559]

Good to hear what you have to say. John, take me fishing.

[@Radican1]

I think it is a good move for the npfl and I’m excited to have an organization that is actually going to test the waters on what competitive fishing looks like in 2025 with no live imaging. I originally was a hater on FFS because I was a kayak fisherman with no electronics and I didn’t like watching a bunch of dudes fish in a way that was nothing like how I knew how to fish. Then I got a cheap little 5 inch hummingbird and it opened up my game really being able to find depth changes, and then I got abused active target and 9inch unit and I’ve barely dipped my toes in that but woooweee it’s hard to stay on fish in current and wind with a pedal yak. Anyway, I like the changes BASS just made, and I look forward to the next season with an open mind that isn’t against them expanding the alotted transducers/screen inches next year.

[@robertjakubicki2265]

FFS is not fishing. I use zero electronics and I'm very proud of it. I also fish places most anglers overlook.

[@zimks]

It absolutely is fishing, just because you don’t like doesn’t change that fact.

[@Kendrix1]

Wow. Look at you....

[@MikesBassFishing]

NPFL separated themselves, which was a great move for them. They have already pulled anglers to their league, and this should pull a few more that are hanging out in Opens or struggling in the MLF. Guys need to fish their strengths regardless of what technology is out there. Many dont process the FFS game at the rate thats needed to keep up with the guys that live and die by it. Great point about the information though. Up to date info cuts the learning curve way way down. Some is to the point where you really only would need one day on the lake to go check the spots given to you. Not too hard when the work is already done for you.

[@jamesgbriley4471]

Yes for sure!

[@stevejohn2030]

I just think like a vetern like yourself and I have been fishing for long time think it's a good thing. These youngling drivin around searching and waiting on live is not right. Do it the real way. Not 50k on electronics. Hmmmm

[@JohnCrews]

There needs to be a limit on technology somehow

[@b.s.fishing5902]

Great business move for them because it gives them a chance to lock in a niche. I don’t like or agree with the decision but respect and understand their decision. IMO you have to be either in or out as an org on it. If you try to split a schedule or parts of events where it’s allowed you are turning yourself into a TV game show gimmick…like something that the Top Hooker game show would have done if it was around today.

[@JohnCrews]

I initially agreed with you but have changed my mind

[@b.s.fishing5902]

I’m curious what changed your mind?

[@lightningmusky5286]

Good to have choices for tourney anglers. I watched less fishing this year than ever. FFS was only watchable if you had access to seeing the anglers screens. Muskie and larger game fish are lower density populations that were much more effected by FFS. Stocking a Muskie now is approx $20.

[@JohnCrews]

Good info

[@haroldsfishingadventures754]

​@@JohnCrewsAl Lindner was warning of this last year, thecrappie populations are also being adversely affected

[@lightningmusky5286]

@@JohnCrews The Muskie tourney organization was one of the first to ban Live scope. Being that many lakes only have a density of 1-3 fish an acre, anglers are following the big fish even harder than bass. Sturgeon too could be decimated as they are not hard to find on the scopes and it could be potentially worse as the technology progresses and costs come down. It’s a great technology for anglers just may not be for the fish.

[@chaddrumm6809]

Absolutely yes to ban scopeadoping! But I do believe it should be a majority vote by the anglers though. Bottom line is neither BASS nor the BPT will ban if it bites them in the ass financially. Both BASS and the BPT shoulda nipped this situation in the butt way sooner then now. I get sick of people comparing FFS to 360, side scan, down scan ect. It’s apples to oranges.

[@tommygardner4830]

Hell yes

[@basscat2107]

Awesome decision for them as a company. Awesome for BASS now they dont have to do anything what so ever. I think they will limit it all. Everyone who hates or complains can go somewhere else. I promise there are thousands of young guns "who are just spending daddy's money," as the old folks keep saying will proudly give bass the money.

[@timbarthel7232]

I think it was a great move on their part however I think the other leagues need to keep it in place . If all the leagues do the same thing, it will be no different now. It would be best if every league had different things to offer, then they no longer are competing against each other but offering different products

[@stevejohn2030]

Your solid john. Thumbs up man! Someday we meet

[@04RedFairLadyZ]

It was the right call. It gives anglers choices on which leagues they want to fish. Just like in the competitive scenes in the gun world. Red dot no red dot and so on.

[@haphartmann3394]

Yes it is the right thing to do. It should be banned on all our freshwater lakes for all fisherman.It's all about conserving our fish populations in our lakes for future generations to enjoy.

[@bcallisjr]

Great move by NPFL! I don't see BPT banning it or limiting it. And I don't think they are going to do anything in the lower ranks. BASS may do something with total screen coverage and transducers, but no ban. If anything, change the tournaments so it's either one where FFS plays in or doesn't. Timing is everything.

[@robinmeade1827]

All B.A.S.S. tournaments will be won with FFS. I think MLF is the best of both worlds. We will see who can fish FFS and also old school ways. NPFL will give people who hate FFS something to watch so everyone should be happy this year.

[@mikethetoolman8776]

don't use mine and hate it when my partner is busy playing his "video game" on the bow while I am trying hard to catch something from the back of the boat

[@stevejohn2030]

Great video!!!!

[@charlesthurman5469]

While Bass master and MLF are indeed businesses and should make business decisions, their business still impacts public water and fisheries that other businesses do not. These two, by nature of their business, should be concerned not only about dollars and cents, but conservation and longevity of the fisheries that support their profits. FFS is not a positive for the longevity and stability of these public fisheries. My home state of Mississippi recognized this and had to put more restrictions on crappie harvest. And while I still will tune in to watch a tournament every now and then, it seems pretty obvious that it’s not near as enjoyable watching todays anglers fish with ffs as it was without.

[@BassKat169]

There was so much controversy and a large portion of bass fishermen hate it. NP,FL made a great decision…just for that demographic of fishermen..

[@tommyhulsey1727]

Absolutely..all bass fishing tournaments should do it...bass pro fisherman are cowards

[@DanielBoone337]

I think it's kind of comical to read comments of people who obviously never used livescope telling others why it's bad for fishing because they think you turn it on and catch every fish in front of you... or they don't like it so nobody should have it. I fish a bunch of local tournaments and I know I can catchem with or without it but it's going to be fun to see if some high level anglers can as well....

[@JohnCrews]

💯

[@Derek-h1b]

For conservation, we should just ban fishing altogether. Still have tournaments, you just screenshot your biggest 5 "bass" on FFS and whoever finds the biggest 5 wins:). No more snags, don't have to buy all this expensive tackle, no more line in TMs or props. Sounds like a win win.

[@Fishnfool87]

In my opinion ffs is cheating. But to each their own.

[@chriswainwright755]

Yes! It has taken the integrity out of the sport of bass fishing. Will turn of tv off if I see pros chasing fish with spinning rods, 6lb test and a minnow every tournament im turning the tv off.

[@Mags120fish1]

For the know it alls that think FFS guarantees success you must have never used it. I am on year four of having it. It has caught me some fish but it certainly hasn’t been a game changer. It just shows me how many fish I can’t catch.

[@qfastqfast]

I say it’s good, now people who want to bitch about ffs can fish that tournament with out it. I do think mlf and bass will end up doing the same. A lot of bait and rod companies are bleeding money from what other pros have said. Either way a day fishing is better than a day at work.

[@Daniel-pz4wm]

Thanks John 🤓 it's that live imaging that's change the fishing😎 it's like the rotary phone, the Mobile cell phone change the house hold. It's like the boats it was 150hp , now it's 250hp😬.BASS needs to say they allow all technology and fish at your own risk!!!🤕😱 Thanks for your insight John👍

[@w12p67]

All electronics should be banned.

[@rex2837]

Exaclty, the only thing allowed should be a Native American on your bow. 😅

[@inaslump]

So basically BASS doesn't give a Rats arse about what it's anglers want? Gotcha. NOTHING will change if it's banned, we'll still be staring at the backs of anglers like we have since live started except now you'll learn sqaut about fish behavior & how they react...atleast with ffs we get to see what's going on.

[@robertkarp2553]

Wow. what a slippery slope we are walking… band something… let’s band freedoms too… let’s go back to 150 hp motors and flashers for dept finders… band gps band braid fishing line… when will it stop …. Very slippery slope ….technology is here to stay! Band cell phones! That will save a lot of lives!

[@spikesb1]

Good common sense approach to this issue!

[@MaineManBassing]

Active target and DD 70 wacked me 250+lbs of bass this summer.

[@RickBaker0529]

I applaud NPFL for making a decision. I don't agree with FFS during competition tournament days. Okay if you want to fun fish or tournament prep with FFS, but not in tournaments.

[@terrytriton2265]

Hell yes it was the right call.

[@Mags120fish1]

No I think banning it was a terrible decision. Instead of watching the FFS they’ll be watching the 360 or 2D sonar. So the livestream viewer experience will be the same. They could have done a lot more by picking shallow water fisheries and eliminating the summer northern smallmouth events.

[@jamesbarron1202]

Does this new one transducer on the Bassmaster Elites only give one option now between your choice of Live Sonar, 2D or 360? Seems that way. I like it. Now you have to pick your poison.

[@michaelpreddy5514]

Good or bad, I don’t know. Everybody seems to have mixed opinions. I will say that I use to watch bass live as much as I could during tournaments. The last year or two, I just check in a few times each day of the tournament for standings. I personally find it hard to watch guys fish like this. Maybe viewership is up for bass, and that’s great, but the people I know are hardly watching anymore. But that’s just a small number of all of the fans. I’m sure bass and mlf know the stats for viewership and know what is best for All of the sponsors for their sport and they will make the best decision for the organizations, sponsors and anglers. I do hope they keep in mind that watching guys power fishing inshore makes us want to order new lures and hit the water, instead of trying to figure out how to come up with money for crazy electronics and greasing up our spinning reels. Either way I’m not going to hate on their decisions.

[@davidchisholm1296]

Its a great move!

[@darrellgrant7615]

FFS fisherman are gamers not fishermen. Rules are put in place at the highest levels of every sport. If tournaments are the true highest level of fishing they should have certain restrictions as well.

[@ericwm1]

They’ll never be another coangler in the bfl if you can pay to not have one in the boat!!😂

[@truthsleuth271]

Yes…end of debate.

[@Riga352]

When your basis for banning ffs being bad is that the credit card fisherman are butthurt I don't care...

[@PigSticker151]

All trails should ban the boring box.

[@JohnDillon-zh7js]

Should not be allowed. It’s not fishing

[@jeremypope9929]

NPFL👍

[@stevejohn2030]

I think a big military tournament with a big money goin to vets will be cool. I know you busy. But im on disability and can help!

[@OLST5555]

Hey Crews...after listening to your rant....grow a pair and pick a side for or against ffs. Stop trying to flop flop and sit on the fence. Banning ffs is good for fisheries..period. there's also the moral obligation with all sports" dealing with chasing wildlife and that's called " fair chase". Ffs eliminates fair chase, fish are being found easier , faster and in corners of lakes that weren't previously fished. Bottom line...pick a side and let your fans decide if they continue following you and the trail you decided to fish.

[@JohnCrews]

Haha! That’s a funny take. A mix is the future. You’ll see.

[@Kendrix1]

I don't think there have been any studies to confirm your subjective "opinion" .. I think there should be studies and I am skeptical it has any real substantial effect on numbers or size of bass ..

[@stevejohn2030]

Agreee!!!

[@TRICOTSTRICOTS]

No !!! If so... ban GPS, trolling motors etc etc !!!

[@user-iy6rz1eq9x]

I'm just tired of all the crying..at least NPFL made a stand and now the people who hate it other pros can chose to fish with them it's basically the same payout 100grand for a win and a 5200 dollar entry only six tournaments but they have a championship so now you have choices

[@andybales7318]

I say go ahead & keep FFS....true anglers know it's ridiculously easy, certainly way too easy for "pros"...i predict the next Scopemaster Classic champ will be a 16 year old who still can't use a baitcasting combo....money talks...all the real anglers, stop watching..stop going to events...stop supporting anything related to pro bass fishing... let the Scoping tours continue with the support of low skilled anglers, which unfortunately there are alot of...

[@freeagentangler5159]

Yes, it was the right call.

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

Good ol Randy, bet money he had something to do with this! He stick's his nose in my crappie catching and we're not going to be happy about that.

[@paulkimble6223]

You can’t catch crappie without seeing exactly where they are?

[@basscat2107]

​@paulkimble6223 Dave fuller does not give 2 f#$% about Randy. Promise you that

[@robwilliams2265]

Hopefully one day you will learn how to fish. It's really fun.

[@jamesbarron1202]

How does banning live sonar on a tournament league affect your crappie?

[@Streamer14]

Of course it is.

[@stevejohn2030]

I am north. But man. I rather see you or guys doin the work jumping in top ten. It seems not really anymore

[@boognish.]

FFS should be banned outright

[@eugenefoster9120]

Yes it is the right for all bass fishing because its cheating and its not good for the bass as a hole.

[@notsogood6249]

Banning FFS in any tournaments. I disagree because if you let them start telling you what you can and can't use what will be next...no graphs at all, 90 HP motor, only 4 rods allowed per boat and only 3 lures in your boat. No Missile baits allowed (LOL). FFS helps anglers but it doesn't guarantee you will catch the fish. John Crews you have had a couple bad years, so what I can name several anglers fishing in the Elites have had several bad years. You will bounce back!!!

[@JohnCrews]

Bingo. Thanks bro 👊🏼

[@charlesthurman5469]

They already have rules and tell them what they can and can’t do. This comment is mute.

[@sledfam3659]

MLF did it perfectly

[@TerryRosch]

John I highly doubt Chris fished with Milliken

[@JohnCrews]

I know he fished with Jones a few times. I was thinking Ben too

[@ryanprellwitz8565]

What affect do sponsors have on this? "FFS Optimized" baits are very hot right now and banning this stuff would throw ice water on a hot market.

[@r.s1322]

there goes the spinning rods again in the closet😁

[@JohnCrews]

Some tackle shop buyers have gone all in on FFS baits, this is true

[@andymnichowski7096]

Think it should be banned across the board

[@BASSYakFishing]

NO!

[@BradSaurage-je1yw]

Yes it should be banned it's not fair chase everyone knows it but the video guys and the big money makers. VIDEO GUYS WOULDNT BE DOMINATING THE SPORT DONT BE STUPID.

[@kurtvogel9431]

Use three 360's get almost a live view

[@stevejohn2030]

Would love to come see you and chat

[@stevejohn2030]

Mpl yes

[@eugenefoster9120]

John I thought you were smarter than that but it seems you are not.

[@desertdog1125]

John I hope You Herron Swindle Mendez Hackney Clark will spend the Winter learning FFS and quit using it as an Excuse to keep getting beat and not making the Classic

[@Millennium-st5vs]

Map, depth and water temp are all you need at a maximum. If you need a cheater box to compete competitively, you are NOT a professional angler.