B.A.S.S. stirs the pot with FFS limits, coin flips decide the fate, and September bass fishing heats up. It's a mixed bag of tradition and tech in the bass world.
Bassmaster, Coin Flips, and September Fishing: A New Yorker's Take
The bass fishing world's been buzzing, ain't it? B.A.S.S. threw us a curveball with those forward-facing sonar (FFS) limits, decided by a coin flip no less, and now Davy Hite's saying September's the time to hit the water. Let's unpack this, shall we?
The Great FFS Coin Flip of '26
So, B.A.S.S. is limiting FFS in the 2026 Elite Series. Five out of nine tournaments will be FFS-free. How'd they decide which ones? A coin flip. I mean, really? As someone who enjoys both old-school angling and new-fangled tech, I'm scratching my head. Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona, and Davy Hite hosted the live broadcast, and while it was entertaining in a goofy kinda way, I'm not sure this is progress.
B.A.S.S. says that in 2025, nearly half the winners used traditional methods. Okay, that's a fact. But then they say FFS influenced outcomes and folks were concerned. Sounds kinda flimsy, right? Facts versus feelings. And now FFS is okay in half the tourneys? Will those wins have an asterisk? Will the FFS fans be bummed the pros can't show what they're really capable of?
Honestly, I was at the Classic in Fort Worth and the final Elite event in La Crosse. The crowds were huge, the energy was electric. But then I read online how nobody was there and it was terrible. It's like, which is it?
Davy Hite Says September's the Time
Meanwhile, Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Davy Hite's all about September. Shorter days, cooler temps, and the bass get aggressive. Topwater action heats up, and you gotta find the shad and blueback herring moving into shallow water. Sounds good to me! It's a welcome change from the summer heat, that's for sure. I always trust Hite's opinion when it comes to fishing.
My Two Cents (and Maybe a Dollar)
I'm not for or against FFS, really. I'm for clear thinking and moving forward. And sometimes, it feels like we're taking a step back. The other leagues have their own rules. NPFL banned FFS outright. MLF limited its use. B.A.S.S. had limits on the gear but not the use. At least there was some variety, right?
This whole FFS thing reminds me of something Steve Jobs said, elaborating on a quote by Henry Ford: "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" Sometimes, you gotta show people what they want before they know they want it. Maybe B.A.S.S. is trying to figure that out.
Wrapping It Up
So, I'll brace myself for more clickbait headlines and FFS debates. I'll watch as much tourney coverage as I can. And I'll keep fishing, no matter what. Because at the end of the day, I can still go catch a bass any way I want. And that's what really matters, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear September calling my name... and the bass are biting.
