Gill won by catching the majority of his weight in the first period while USING his livescope. Him and Wheeler beat the field in the first period scoping.

Gill and Wheeler caught more weight in the first period scoping than the rest did in all 3 periods whether they were using it or not.

So I’m not sure what point you are trying to make but the scope is what won it.

#scopeNOThope

My post was clear. Guess you have some comprehension issues.

Dang, not sure what’s going on, Google gibberish translate must be broken???

The future is now old man. Here's an AI breakdown for you.




Understanding Professional Bass Fishing's Technology Divide: Veterans vs. Innovations
The post references a significant dynamic in today's professional bass fishing world - the tension between experienced veteran anglers and emerging technologies that are changing the sport. This commentary highlights how several older, established professional anglers have been performing well in tournaments despite being critical of modern fishing technologies, specifically Livescope (a type of forward-facing sonar technology).

Bill Lowen's Position in the Debate
Bill Lowen, a 51-year-old veteran from Brookville, Indiana, stands as a central figure in this discussion. As a professional with 19 years of experience, Lowen represents what many consider the "old school" approach to bass fishing2. He recently won the 2025 Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River and currently holds the 4th position in Bassmaster standings. Lowen is known for his consistency and traditional approach, often described as an angler who can "twelve-pound you to death" - meaning he reliably catches solid limits without necessarily landing spectacular individual fish.

The post references Lowen appearing on "the Bilge," which refers to a bass fishing podcast where he expressed criticism about Livescope technology. According to the search results, during this podcast, there was "lots and lots of 'Randy B' approved FFS complaining," with FFS likely referring to Forward-Facing Sonar technologies like Livescope. The discussion also touched on issues related to tournament rules and fairness concerns.

Lowen's Traditional Fishing Approach
Lowen's success comes primarily through traditional fishing methods. During his recent St. Johns River victory, he employed a two-pronged approach using a black and blue swim jig and a flipping jig while targeting shallow wood - techniques that have been standard in bass fishing for decades. He describes himself as a "blue-collar fisherman" who's content with earning a check and paying his bills, distinguishing himself from higher-profile anglers in the sport.

The "Old Camp" Performance
The post points out that not only Lowen but other veteran anglers are performing well, specifically mentioning Greg Hackney placing 8th despite supposedly not having great recent performances. The author expresses surprise that the majority of a recent tournament's top 10 finishers belong to what they call the "old camp" - veteran anglers who may be skeptical of new technologies like Livescope.

This observation highlights a fascinating contradiction in professional fishing today: despite some veteran anglers being critical of forward-facing sonar and other new technologies, they continue to perform at elite levels using more traditional methods and skillsets. This suggests that while technology may provide advantages, fundamental fishing knowledge, experience, and skill remain crucial components of tournament success.

The Technology Debate in Professional Fishing
The reference to "bitching about livescope" points to an ongoing debate within the professional bass fishing community. Forward-facing sonar technologies like Livescope have revolutionized how anglers locate and target fish, allowing them to see fish in real-time before casting1. This has raised questions about whether such technology is changing the fundamental nature of the sport.

According to the podcast discussion referenced, there are potential rule changes coming regarding FFS (Forward-Facing Sonar), "hooking in mouth" regulations, and information gathering rules for tournament anglers1. This indicates the sport's governing bodies are actively considering how to address these technological advancements.

Conclusion
The post essentially highlights an irony in professional bass fishing - that despite being critical of newer technologies, veteran anglers who rely on traditional techniques and deep experience are still achieving impressive tournament results. This speaks to the ongoing tension between innovation and tradition in the sport, where both technological advantages and hard-earned fishing knowledge continue to play important roles in competitive success. The strong performance of these veteran anglers demonstrates that while technology may be changing the sport, the fundamental skills developed over decades of experience remain powerfully relevant in tournament competition.

Tldr

THIS, all I saw was blah blah blah Bill Lowen blah blah blah. What the F does Bill Lowen have to do with a MLF event.

grout here made an assertion that the old livescope complainers were "getting their butt kicked in the npfl".

Meanwhile the top 10 is full of a bunch of old guys. One of them being Bill Lowen who ironically complained on a podcast about livescope

Grout couldn't comprehend that, so he needed some help, apparently.

No kidding! Gibbergibbergibbergibbergibber….Bill Lowen, whatttttt?

Interesting take from Todd Castledine. I don't know anything about the history of Toyota Series events but sounds like 98 boats is pretty low, and these events are the ones MLF is supposed to make some money at. As opposed to BPT events in which they lose $.

I think the low numbers are a result of more than just FFS, but if the numbers are way down in the last few years as Todd suggests it might be more than a coincidence?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UzwfN-9FoI

I think scope is just the final straw. A lot of guys have lost their joy of fishing because of the egos that have entered the sport. FFS has amplified that tenfold. Guys who only get to fish maybe one day a week are tired of donating their money. So they said to hell with tournaments and are just fishing for fun. The younger generation seems to be less respectful and more entitled. Many guys do not like that. This is just my take, but I have been saying this for a few years now that numbers will drop. Things cost more than they ever have, and guys who used to look forward to the Saturday tournament are now prioritizing their money elsewhere.

Don't think it's about ego. KVD came in hot when he started too.

Egos? It’s the same as it’s always been. People aren’t as good as they once were so they grasp at straws for excuses, all of their disciples follow suit.

While I agree with Castledine I also think the economy has impacted it. I also wonder how much impact having an open, an npfl, a Toyota, a TTT, and TTO all on same day chopped up the field. I saw names in each of those events that I might have expected to see in the toyota if it were by itself.

Just a thought and I might be completely whacked in this. What if all of these guys that used to fish tournaments, are now doing the high school captain thing with their kids? There’s not doubt that there is NOT a shortage of high school anglers out there. Only makes sense if Pop’s is with their kid doing their thing.