I’m a little bit old school as well. Never have learned to use the fishing electronics very well. Just don’t have the patience to actually learn to use them. That being said, I don’t feel like these guys utilizing the current technology should have an asterisk next to their names in record books. There are probably thousands of anglers with these graphs on their boats, and only a handful catching these big fish. Although they make it look easy, it’s really not. However, everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. Everyone has different viewpoints on this subject. Some people will try to diminish Hannon’s numbers because he used live bait most of the time. That’s their right. Some will downplay Butch Brown’s stats because he fished on smaller, trout stocked lakes with limited access. Again, their opinion. In the end, if the angler is catching fish legally, I’ll give them full credit for what they catch.

We’ve now entered the Steroid era of fishing.

It is what it is, but I think we’re going to see a lot of former good sticks get left behind.

I just wonder where does bass fishing go next ? It is amazing to me the amount of money a person will spend to catch a giant bass. It is coming to the point where a line has to be drawn to say this is to much .Lake Ivy is at it's peak now but will not be there for long at the rate these fish are being caught .The good thing though is that most all of us Bass fisherman do release our fish back into the water .The gene pool from park& wildlife should be the best it has ever been and like usual lake fork will get the bigger share of them ,

[quote=Hulapoppin]I YOU WIN SIR!

I guess we can’t all agree that the pros definitely shouldn’t be using it?

How many times have we all said…I know there’s one here….I feel it….I’m about to get a bite….I knew it…..it completely takes away the I wonder and anticipation.

I personally don't think it's hurt a darn thing because these fish that are being exploited have basically not been fished for.......ever. These are fish that are living basically their whole life out deep and suspended, more like a big striper than a big bass in our minds. I think they spawn deep and they simply don't leave their home range much. I think all we have done is drive over them to go beat banks for the last 80 or whatever years bass boats have been out. I think the fish that the common "bass guy" fish for are still going to be in the same spots and doing the same things and when we catch 7 plus pounders we are pumped etc. But these what I call "Megas" are just fish that have never been touched before and honestly 95% of us still won't be able to touch them. I have Livescope, I suck at it. Sure I try and it's a blast when it works etc but i'll be the first to admit I suck at it. To me it's like painting, we all can buy a brush but there are only so many Picasso's.

electric start motors...I couldnt imagine hand cranking that 250 all day...

I have all the latest, greatest game changers…I’d say it’s in the top ten, but it ain’t the best.

I think at some point with so many using FFS and getting offshore that it will cause the shallow bite to get even better for those of us that prefer to stay shallow.

Like this thought

I remember fishing with Bill Fox on Toledo Bend in the 80's out of his lodge. We would bass fish the early morning bite and when that died down, he fired up the paper graph and we went striper fishing. I can't tell you how many times he told me while graphing that deep river channel that there were giant bass down there in that deep timber on the edge that will never see a lure. Obviously he was right and I think the same thing applies to all of our trophy lakes. FFS may change that.

Yep, this is my opinion too. Wife asked me the other day when I was going to get FF sonar and I replied that I don't plan to get it because I just enjoy getting out on the water and the challenge of figuring them out. I'm not fishing tournaments or trying to impress people with my fishing skills, so I'm ok with my Humminbird Helix units with SI, DI and gps. I do like my Ultrex with spot lock.

Livescope and 360 will replace 2d and down imaging

I guess I am an odd one. I go to the lake to get away from it all. I enjoy being out in nature and taking note of my surroundings. When I go out and see these guys in the middle of the lake looking down I feel like they are missing what is truly great about the sport. I feel like I am one of the few that fish purely for the enjoyment of fishing. I don't care if I ever catch a SAL, I have no desire to ever be a "sponsored fisherman" trying to make a living in the industry with wrapped boats and discounts, I don't have any need for recognition in the sport. I just love to fish. I will preface my next comment by saying this, I have nothing against FFS or those that use it, however, this is taking the natural skill and instinct out of the sport, and replacing it with a more technological, fast-paced approach, which is what I am trying to get away from when I hit the lake. I am only 33 years old, and I feel like the sport is leaving me behind, and honestly, I think I have decided I am okay with that. I am not a huge fan of what the sport is becoming from a competitive standpoint. That is just my opinion, not looking to argue (for once).

MLF has an article out about the 5 DDs caught at Fork this week. 4 of the 5 were caught using FFS.

"this is taking the natural skill and instinct out of the sport"..........................................J.H.S.- perfectly stated by you & I agree 100%. Many will never know the real thrill of finding & catching that big bass or finding a nice group of fish with their own skill & ability without the help of all the electronics that says " throw right here " Thanks J.H.S. & keep enjoying the nature on the lake as it is now- because we are killing it slowly.

JMO