I know, I know, this has been beaten to death, but I started thinking today as I wrote my entry fee check for the Big Bass Splash. I fished Fork this weekend with minimal success. I'm an olds and did not want to fish in the wind so decided not to fish on Sunday. Instead opted to set on my deck, drink coffee, and look out on the lake. My neighbor put in about 20 minutes later and began fishing directly behind my deck, looking at his screen the entire time. Same water I had fished the prior day without luck. He probably fished an hour or so up and down the bank and almost never took his eyes off the screen. Granted the kid is a good stick and can fish but he pulled in probably 6 or so in that time period. He posted on his facebook page that he caught between 20 and 30 for the day. So, here is my question; how much are my chances deminished when fishing against someone who fishes the same tournament using FFS?
We are all fishing hourly weight not total bag so one fish per hour can be a big money.

I would just go fish. He may have electronics and the ability to catch a bunch of suspended fish, but you have age and with that comes time on the water and wisdom.
….at least that is my excuse when I weigh in a solid 9 pound bag and finish mid field. Haha.

FSS guys are going to win the majority of the money, but I think historically the overall winner is usually a normal guy draggin out in a drain, and it's just his day.

relatable

If it bothers you don't fish it.

A few years ago at a Sealy event, I was sitting in the weigh in tent, the guy next to me had caught a 10 lb plus. I asked how the fishing was going, he said " I been driving around all morning scanning my areas, finally found the fish I wanted, I made 2 cast all morning ".

Right then I knew that was my last "fun" tournament. Most of my buddies that still fish those events, just go out for the weekend to get away from the house, drink, and donate their money to the event. Some will catch enough little fish to make their money back and call it a successful weekend.

Anybody can get lucky and bump into a big one...

I think your chance's are the same they were 20 years ago. Slim. Same as mine. the BBS events are 5% location and 95% pure luck. And we had different arguments back than as to why we could not compete.

Why anyone wants to fish these is amazing, maybe one day I will. But for now I avoid the area when BBS comes to my town. Its crazy out here when they arrive.

You think what that guy did was luck? Sounds like a ton of work went into his craft to me.

No that guy was a skilled fisherman. Not your average Joe.

I think anyone who fishes at Fork has a chance for a big one.

Pay attention.

I'd say your chances are diminished greatly if you are comparing your chances to someone who is proficient with FFS. If you both make 1000 casts in a day, but he knows he is putting his bait in front of a fish on nearly every cast, then his chances are remarkedly better when it comes to catch rate. Still a great deal of luck catching a fish that will make money when dealing with the slot though.

Or we can just all be like you and hang out on an outdated page all day that people laugh at instead of fishing 🤷‍♂️

Well I guess I'm doing something wrong. I have FFS and was on Fork all day Sunday and caught 1 fish that I never saw on the scope in about two feet of water. I did see a guy sit in one spot fishing a drop shot a minnow using a scope and he definitely caught a lot more fish than me. Also in about 2 feet of water. I guess I thought they'd just throw up a white flag and jump in my boat when I bought my FFS. Not really but that is what people seem to believe. The main way it has helped me is I've slowed down scanned more while fishing and caught fish I may not have otherwise caught. However, I catch more fish I don't see on the scope than do, but I don't like to fish deep (more than 8' deep). I believe luck plays as much a part in fishing as skill, equipment, tackle, or anything else.

We are actually laughing at you cloud yellers

And yet, here you are

I don't see Fwd Facers throwing anywhere near as many casts as Winders. Team Tournaments , one guy is compromised greatly so his proficiency goes down more than 2 Winders. What's your strategy when a Scoper is chasing fish offshore in a Team T?