As usual after an event when the winner employed FFS, there is an uproar on the internet and social media about how it isn't fair, it isn't fishing, it'll kill fish populations, it isn't viewer friendly, etc. If you've been on social media, you've seen it in the comments on every post about the Classic. However, when Bassmaster put out their recent article about top baits at the Classic, it clearly said that Hackney did nothing but sight fish the entire tournament. That means that he went and found the 15 biggest bass he could put his eyes on, physically watched them eat his bait, put them in the livewell and gave them an hour and a half ride to downtown Ft. Worth for weigh in. Is this somehow more sporting or better for a fishery than FFS or are these old heads just mad that the kids are taking over? BASS has scheduled their events chasing the spawn for decades now and nobody has a problem with their favorite angler looking a fish eye to eye and bothering it until it bites defensively to protect its nest, but FFS is a step to far? I don't get it.

I think it is as simple as people, young and old, have to have something to beech about.

when people are too stubborn or too stupid to learn and understand something they tend to attack it

I think you nailed it.

when people are to ignorant to see what ffs is doing to the fish population they need to open their eyes .Some people are like democrats and they double down no matter who are what it hurts.

And what exactly is it doing to the fish population?

Hackney may have been fishing for spawning fish but he didn’t sight fish every fish he weighed in.

The difference is sight fishing and targeting spawners isn’t
A pattern that is going to work in every tournament.

With FFS an angler can take a jig head minnow and a jerkbait and catch fish 365 days a year.

There is no need to understand fish movements and migrations. Just find them and catch them.

I am in no way saying it’s easy, nor am I saying FFS needs to be banned. But is it the best way to decide who is the best fisherman? I personally don’t think it is.

But pulling big fish that are ready to spawn off of their beds has no effect?

Livescope is not the same as sight fishing, full stop.

I don't really agree that livescope will kill the population, but it is a huge difference maker in tournaments as whole.

It increases fishing pressure because fish that normally wouldn't be caught in the abyss are being caught year round now

Now you can roll up to a pocket, pan for a few minutes and know if fish are there or not

Also, sight fishing is only relevant a few weeks out of the year in tournaments

So…uh…what’s it doing to the fish population?

Bingo and hey I'm 66 years old but I try to use it.

I think FFS is great for TV, nothing beats it when it comes to napping. Golf can run a close second

Nothing

Long time lurker, seldom poster.

Like many, I'm disappointed in all the negativity surrounding FFS and tournament fishing over the past week but also the past few years.

I'm not sure if any of you have seen this video from last year. Aaron from Uncut Angling absolutely nailed this edit and it is the best 53 minutes you'll spend this week, I promise. This exposes everything behind the anti FFS push that we are seeing currently. I don't know how long it took to edit this but it's a banger. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSVxLLpejyM&t=1946s

Pretty much everyone here is a weekend hack, so this is a really dumb thing to argue about.