The pressure on the lakes is out of control. Us weekend fishermen don’t have a chance for a relaxing day on the lake anymore. I can’t wait to retire so I don’t have to fish on weekends.
I live on Grand Lake and there's a tournament here every week. Sometimes more than one. Fish populations are low, and the fish that are left have seen everything. It's a shame what's happening here.
Hate to tell ya…….weekdays are not much better. Bass are skittish now, and spook at any noise. If I can give you a tip? Use live bait. I don’t like to fish like that, but fishing with lures is getting tough.
I’ve been retired for seven years now. fortunate enough to fish a lake that is surrounded by Corps of Engineers land and somewhat remote. April and May during the week can be pretty nice! Weekends not so much. After memorial day intolerable, because of pleasure crafting. During the summer, I fish a river that is known for quality fish north of me however where I fish lower down the quality of fish is not as good but there’s plenty of them. And few people. So I really don’t want to fish anywhere else.
Even the small trolling motor only lakes near me are having multiple tournaments per week and if you fish a day after the tournament fishing is super tough and many of the bass have sores from bacteria or bait/livewell damage
Years ago I worked in Atlanta at Jack McDonough power plant. You could clearly see big pipe dumping sludge into the Chattahoochee river. The water looked like it had piss suds in it. When I asked about it they said it was cheaper to pay the fine than to have the waste hauled off. Big money has no regard for environmental and wildlife. It’s sad
There are right at 110,000,000 more people in the US than in 1978. It stands to reason there are more anglers and boats/people on any given body of water on any given day. The industry preached "grow the sport" for years and now folks don't like the results. I have no idea when the last reservoir was built so it's kinda like stuffing people in a Volkswagen Beetle. More people, more boats, same amount of lakes. I agree on some points but we are NOT going back to the way it was in the 70's and 80's. It was a much better time to be a fisherman. But hey, you keep on fighting the fight.
If a huge percentage of bassmaster members contacted BASS and said clearly to dump FFS or cancel my membership and I refuse to watch another tournament or visit your web page.....it would be over quickly. Advertising dollars come from web traffic and no traffic means no money. They serve money so they will change. If you keep helping their cash flow they won't stop even if you fuss
this right here! we haven't built a new reservoir in 40 years. hunting and fishing has significantly changed in my 57 years. the # of tournaments is a disaster. there is no paradigm shift coming, there simply isnt any room left with a population growing like it is.
That’s a good analysis. So let’s look at the related problems to that. For all those people we’ve built more roads, homes, strip malls, parking lots, etc. and sewage plants. All that contributes to polluting runoff. More people more fishing pressure. More tournaments = more fishing pressure.
@bassingman9911 that high school fishing put ALOT of people on the water that had no business being on the water. Im sure you have seen them run wide open in inches of water and never know it or run across marked water hazzard like standing timber and never let off. Ive seen it and draw up waiting on the hit.
@@scottreece2421 and it seems to have created a whole generation of folks that think they're entitled to cut you off, run over you, and act like they own the whole lake.
Hi Randy, First of all, I'd like to thank you for your Professionalism, integrity and conservationalists' point of view... I'm a New Brunswick Canada Smallmouth Bass Tournament fisher since 1982...Like you I have seen the exponential growth of the sport in all aspects. Boats, gear, motors, electronics etc. Unfortunately, its another example of Money makes the world go round and one of these days we will be pointing fingers at the Tournament Organizations, Manufactures and Government regulators....!!! We, the Fishermen should realise that we are the people that can change the irresponsible actions of pure greed. Stand up to save our Sport for our children and future generations!! If we don't then we are the only ones to blame !!!
Catch,, weigh, and release is awesome,! Sadly people will cheat with their boat partner if that is who signs off on the weight and number of fish, (small tournaments).
As usual Randy I totally agree with you. 100 percent. If people all over the country don’t stand up we aren’t going to have very many fish left in the lakes. Not too many years ago here on my home lake it was common to go out and catch 40-50 bass in a single trip. You would have several fish in the 4-6 lb. range and sometimes even a 8 lb bass. These days you are lucky to see a bass over 5 lbs. In the last few years it’s gotten really bad with boat traffic and ffs. It’s really going down the wrong path especially for bass and crappie fishing. So people wake up and refuse to use ffs. If we don’t do something as sportsman we will never see a change.
My goodness, just now thinking about what you said, I honestly cannot tell you the last time I watched any tournament on television. I will tell you this. I'm 67 and bass fishing today is absolutely sorry. I vividly remember and have records of, 30-40 bass a day easily and that on an average day. Some days now, heck, your lucky to catch 10 and some days you never see a bass.
I can get on board with your assessment of the number of tournaments on lakes each weekend. Having 300-400 tournaments a year on one lake is ridiculous, especially when the tournament anglers believe that their day on the water is more important than the guy fishing with his buddy that gets to go once a month or less. Just my opinion, but even with FFS, 10% of the anglers still catch 90% of the fish...FFS didn't change this.
Ban tournaments and pro fisherman and livescope on small lakes and public lakes and stop rich so called pro fisherman and stop guides from using livescope
Hey buddy I do love this channel and the help you provide for us but it seems the pastbfew vids are super negative I totally agree with the ffs crap but I'm no pro like all of us I think some more helpful ways to fish and break down lakes ponds whatever is more useful that's just my opinion I still love the channel and will continue to watch
1. Government action, local and/or state. - A. Limit technology (debate the specifics and enact limits). B. Limit tournaments (permits required for tournaments over X number of boats). C. Limit number of fish allowed in a live well. D. Enact slot limits. 2. Tournament action (no government action needed) A. Catch, weigh, release. (If you do C and D above then you have to do 2. But, tournaments could enact C-W-R with no government action required.
cute how your suggestion is to regulate the public through legislation but you suggest the tours regulate themselves.... boy thats the definition of special intrest
I’m in Wisconsin and the pressure on my lake had slightly increased on some days and other days I am the only one out fishing. There are lots of lake houses with pontoon boats. I always joke the Boat Dock is nothing more than there summer storage spot. Lot of people don’t come up and those that do are UTV’ing. I hear that constant whine of the motors and tires around the lake roads. Some of these UTV’s are 30k. However yes the Bass Fishing is certainly way off this year. But my lake is not being hammered with fishing. I’m catching more Crappies & 23” Northern Pike than ever before fishing for LM Bass
Ages ago, when I fished some of the lakes on the Chattahoochee chain (Harding, West Point, etc.) (BTW - There was a 'don't eat the fish' advisory...we didn't keep any fish anyway!) I was told it was cheaper for Atlanta to pay the fine than it was to 'clean up'! How's that for incentive!
Our air is cleaner today than its been in decades due to technology. I agree with the dumping of chemicals in our water systems that it needs to be looked into. IMO, i think the amount of tournaments and FFS and weigh ins are more of the problem. We have way more regulations today than we did in the 70s to keep our water clean. If its not cleaner, than what's going on with the EPA? As far as carbon dioxide on the air, thats a joke. The amount of Carbon dioxide in the air is like 4% and if thats changes too much we go the opposite way.
I agree with your points....I just don't feel like it's very sporting using ffs....I won't do it and it makes watching on tv so boring...I don't even watch if it's an off shore deal. It just isn't right. Takes the skill out of it....watch a video of a guy pitching a bait and slamming an 8lber.....awesome...exciting....watching a guy watch his bait go right to the fishes face....boring...and unfair. No longer a sport.
Randy-You are hitting on the points that I keep pounding. Finally you lay it out! THE SPORT OF FISHING NEEDS TO BE REGULATED AT THE TOURNAMENT LEVEL FOR IT TO BE A SPORT(BASEBALL FOOTBALL). It now is ANTI COMPETITIVE AND NOT FAIR! With the trickle down to regional and local anglers as well. Need to reduce tech by 50% more catch and release less tournaments limited permits and we DONT NEED 100K BOATS and $500 REELS AND $500 RODS AND $100 LURES. NOT FAIR TO THE BASS OR OTHER ANGLERS....THE MAJORITY OF SOCIETY! I am writing this as a tournament angler......and conservation minded and NATUALLY SKILLED ANGLER. USING THE CHEATER BOX is BS....HOLDING THE TROPHY AND INFLUENCING YOUNGER KIDS AS ITS OK IS BS as well!!!
Fishing is not a sport and can’t be compared to actual sports. Spectators. Field of play . Live animals to score. Public on the playing field at the same time. Rules and regulations. Not even comparable.
I'm just getting back into fishing after literally more than a decade hiatus. This is sad to hear what's happening to fish. Also, I'm just hearing about these powerful new technologies. This seems like it would not only take the fun and magical aspect out of fishing, it will decimate fish populations. And speaking of pollutants, I've heard rumors that Seneca Lake (one of the finger lakes in NY) is becoming a dead lake. People say it's because the nearby wineries industry uses pesticides on the grapes, which runs off into the lake and kills the baitfish.
I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium the other day. As an avid fisherman, it kind of makes you think twice when you see fish and marine life undisturbed and in their peaceful element. Pollution and human impact was an underlying theme.
I was with you until all the government regulations , filing for permits, etc.for fishing. I’m on board with the EPA stuff. Also on board with the tournament rule changes mentioned.
So while what I'm about to say is not directly related to this video it is still important WRT all the FFS haters out there and comments I've seen on this channel about the pros who use it .... Milliken, who is someone many on this channel have made disparaging comments about his character, was recently fishing a local small tournament where one of the participants passed away from a heart attack. Even though he didn't know the individual he donated his 1st place winnings to thge family as well as whatever YT money he gets from the video (currently at 97,000 views). This is about as stand-up an act as you'll ever see and I wonder how many of those of you out there who talk negatively about him personally would do what he just did? Time for a little introspective consideration ...
enjoyed fishing the saltwater area of the Big Bend (Yankeetown) for years with my 12 ft G3 Jon Boat I tie bed of truck. Since kayaks became huge I can't even slip my boat in anymore. I have basically quit trying too. Kayak clubs everywhere no less than 40 kayaks at a time any day of the week
Ill just float down the river in my jon boat during the week and catch and release a ton of nice fish.All while using my 99 dollar depth finder, 200 dollar foot trolling motor, no gas motor, 3 rods and a little cooler. Keep your 250k Truck and boat set ups next to your 200k worth off Snap-On tools you still owe 195k on. Keep on fighting Randy!
I have a 100k boat….that I own….and a 60k truck that I own. I have lots of expensive rods and reels. It’s my hobby. It’s where I spend my money. I would love to have a little Jon boat….and a kayak. No room to store them. I’m glad you have fun with that little boat! That’s awesome! Have fun and take a kid with you. Tight lines!
Here we go again. Randy, what's the criteria for deciding who gets the permit? First one in, first one to get permit? Unfortunately, there's no cut and dried way to determine what's right. You are right on about pollution, here in Ohio we are right in the middle of it, our DNR and the ag industry are at loggerheads re non-point source pollution. Ohio Farm Bureau has canned ads that suddenly appear whenever there's a question regarding ag practices and the pitty of it is, there's really no "family farms", it's all corporate anymore. As one of our professors noted, the farmers are America's biggest receipient of welfare.
Need legislation to allow FFS on the condition fish caught with it must be released; tournament or recreational. Fish caught using FFS must be weighed and released immediately. I don’t think it is possible to ban it now; too much money involved.
I really never seen kayak fishing back in the 90's and that sport has done more at adding pressure that never existed back then, our newest Lake in Randleman NC has the upper landing just for kayaks and a cut off at a bridge to keep big boats away. so, I have to pull my 8hp Yamaha to fish that side with my 14' jon boat that has to run numbers on the side and pay $14 to fish there.
Randy, I'm 77 years old and have been fishing longer than you have been alive. I can care less than a rats ass what these play for pay anglers do. If they want to spend $125,000-$150,000 on a boat let them. The same goes for $500-$1000 for a rod and $400 and up for a reel so they can throw their $15 chatter baits and $35 Mega-bass jerk baits. Eventually they will put themselves out of business and everything will go back to normal.
Maybe I just don’t see it because CO has smaller reservoirs compared to down south (our larger ones would probably be a creek arm in most of yours) but we have to put in an application to be approved with CPW and I can only think of one time where there were two tourneys going on at the same time and that was a kayak and bass club. I like the idea for smaller bodies of water but I feel like a lot of the mid to large lakes can handle multiple weekend tourneys depending on boat size. I don’t know if you need a National Committee to run the calendar though…feels like overkill and who would fund their salaries?
Being that government intervention is the most objectively ineffective problem solver in the universe, I would love some suggestions for clean air and water without inducing the unintended consequences of government legislation. I bet if this group put their minds to it there could be some great ideas!
I agree with your electronic concerns, BUT THE LAST THING we need is another Federal Regulatory Agency. Why don't you follow your own suggestions and run for public office? You act as if business profit is a dirty word, it is not.
Ffs , sucks, and bass tournaments ( bass ) is a joke now, with out that stupid sonar's,on the boat, these jokers would not no what to do, my 45 years of 🎣, all ways put me on good bass, today 5 lb and 4 1/2, fishing grass on California delta, no cheater box🍼😢😢😢, just years of Tow. Noing patterns, and noing how bass set up 💯🎣
Randy, I agree with most of what you have said but you cannot turn it around at this point because of so many powerful greedy, and dollar-conscious people. We have to hit rock bottom and I mean rock bottom before you will see any changes in our fisheries across the country. Brace yourself because it's going to take place in the very near future. You know it and I do too. Hopefully, someone is now preparing a recovery program so that we don't lose everything.
It's not fishing anymore. In my opinion if live scope is used and you catch a record fish it should not count. People thought fishing was hard before. Well every bass in the lake will have a sore ilp.
The thing about technology is that it is taking the need to learn about fishing out of the sport, it was that it was one fisherman’s skill against another fisherman’s skill and what they have learned over years of fishing, now it is anyone can find the fish it just comes down to who lands on the biggest bass. In my opinion that’s not fishing it’s a race to find the biggest bass with the cheat box, no skill or experience needed. It’s stupid
It's gonna take Legislation and Enforcement. Taxes Revenues must fully benefit the State first. Until then the shows (this one and the enablers) will go on. Unless of course you can demonstrate, and to the State, passing legislation sooner than later make more sense for it/them.
Randy, I appreciate your passion,I wish you would add all the issues to your fight. You’ll bring in more people. In order to get anything done you need more people. Period. Stop being the divider and fight for all issues. We need more people.
well..what happend down at Lake Fork this year! Left a very bad taste in the locals mouth! Even though B.A.S.S. and DM tried or succesfully jumped the shark with it!
So in the southern states you don't already have permit requirements for tournament activities? It's already in place in the northern states. Surprised you don't have a more active Game and fish, or DNR in all states. There gets to be a balance point as these waters are public resources, and we can't have rules to the point that the only people that get to enjoy our public waters are the super rich that can buy the lake homes while us poor folk ate too busy working for the man to put food on the table.
Livescope needs banned. I can already tell a difference in how fishing has gotten worse since June 2023 and 2024 completely sucks. I don’t even wanna go anymore. It’s not enjoyable. I fish a 1740 acre lake with a slot limit. You can’t even catch slots anymore. People are having trouble getting crappie limits daily with livescope . They say crappie is hard to get out of a lake. Not taking long to take its toll on the lake I drive an hour to fish. Won’t take long before the bigger lakes the elite fish start seeing a difference. But, oh well, the electronic companies and Bassmaster will be rich. Who cares about anything else, right? Sad world we live in.
Truth is this country is ran on who can make government the most money and corporate greed is getting worse in every aspect of life. Workers make les money corporations make more than ever before. For example my daughter works at restaurant and makes same hourly rate as I did in the industry 25 years ago but the company has three times as many customers. There products are shit in most places compared to then.
Maybe next, they will develope a small boat drone that can cruise the lake all day and all night with a sonar attatchment that records where schools of fish are located. Then come tournament day the angler can upload the coordinates to his GPS and go directly to where the fish are. No practice needed.
football and baseball are solely reliant on athletic performance however those sports have banned a lot of technology. from steroids to growth hormones to aluminum and cork core bats. this was done however to keep the athletic playing field level. fishing as a sport is reliant on technology in order to even exist. every rod, line, lure, boat, and hook is a piece of technology crafted to put the angler in the best position to catch and release bass. the sport has always been reliant on technology. randy you need to have more than anecdotal evidence sir your audience deserves it. reach out to your local wildlife resources agent talk to them about the data they see and bring that data back and share it honestly with your audience. heck do a podcast with them share that information live. other wise you are only presenting opinion, conjecture and theory and asking your audience to support regulating every angler in America based on your opinion. that in my opinion is a terrible way to even begin to discuss regulation or legislation. you have an opinion some conjecture and a theory. get some information and evidence and then form your opinion. asking people to support regulation from a place of ignorance is disgusting.
They will lose the market to all the traditional fisherman who are tired of the price point for fishing equipment. The late comers who use tech will end up getting tired of it once they keep just chasing casting and catching the same thing over and over again. The fishing industry will price out the true anglers of the sport. The industry is going to crash and the bigger companies will just buy up all the little guys like Platinum equity
Make it illegal for everybody to use not just in tournaments for everybody records will fall because of this technology and a lakes and rivers will be overfished
Randy, I have been a subscriber for a long time and commend you for being neutral on political issues. But, fishing has become political, If big money is involved then politics becomes part of the equation. I agree with your cause 100% and hope you keep fighting. Politics is endless. God Bless
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The pressure on the lakes is out of control. Us weekend fishermen don’t have a chance for a relaxing day on the lake anymore. I can’t wait to retire so I don’t have to fish on weekends.
Been retired over a year it’s almost as bad during the week
I live on Grand Lake and there's a tournament here every week. Sometimes more than one. Fish populations are low, and the fish that are left have seen everything. It's a shame what's happening here.
Hate to tell ya…….weekdays are not much better. Bass are skittish now, and spook at any noise. If I can give you a tip? Use live bait. I don’t like to fish like that, but fishing with lures is getting tough.
I’ve been retired for seven years now. fortunate enough to fish a lake that is surrounded by Corps of Engineers land and somewhat remote. April and May during the week can be pretty nice! Weekends not so much. After memorial day intolerable, because of pleasure crafting. During the summer, I fish a river that is known for quality fish north of me however where I fish lower down the quality of fish is not as good but there’s plenty of them. And few people. So I really don’t want to fish anywhere else.
Even the small trolling motor only lakes near me are having multiple tournaments per week and if you fish a day after the tournament fishing is super tough and many of the bass have sores from bacteria or bait/livewell damage
Years ago I worked in Atlanta at Jack McDonough power plant. You could clearly see big pipe dumping sludge into the Chattahoochee river. The water looked like it had piss suds in it. When I asked about it they said it was cheaper to pay the fine than to have the waste hauled off. Big money has no regard for environmental and wildlife. It’s sad
There are right at 110,000,000 more people in the US than in 1978. It stands to reason there are more anglers and boats/people on any given body of water on any given day. The industry preached "grow the sport" for years and now folks don't like the results. I have no idea when the last reservoir was built so it's kinda like stuffing people in a Volkswagen Beetle. More people, more boats, same amount of lakes.
I agree on some points but we are NOT going back to the way it was in the 70's and 80's. It was a much better time to be a fisherman.
But hey, you keep on fighting the fight.
If a huge percentage of bassmaster members contacted BASS and said clearly to dump FFS or cancel my membership and I refuse to watch another tournament or visit your web page.....it would be over quickly.
Advertising dollars come from web traffic and no traffic means no money.
They serve money so they will change. If you keep helping their cash flow they won't stop even if you fuss
Wow someone who is actually using analytical thinking skills to identify a problem! I couldn't agree with you more.😊
this right here! we haven't built a new reservoir in 40 years. hunting and fishing has significantly changed in my 57 years. the # of tournaments is a disaster. there is no paradigm shift coming, there simply isnt any room left with a population growing like it is.
That’s a good analysis. So let’s look at the related problems to that. For all those people we’ve built more roads, homes, strip malls, parking lots, etc. and sewage plants. All that contributes to polluting runoff. More people more fishing pressure. More tournaments = more fishing pressure.
I think the downfall of bass fishing inclding tournament fishing was High School and College tournaments.
Probably get crushed for saying it but I agree with you.
Same the 300 boat HS tournaments same day as 150 boat BFL’s. Plus local clubs it’s awful
@bassingman9911 that high school fishing put ALOT of people on the water that had no business being on the water. Im sure you have seen them run wide open in inches of water and never know it or run across marked water hazzard like standing timber and never let off. Ive seen it and draw up waiting on the hit.
@@scottreece2421 and it seems to have created a whole generation of folks that think they're entitled to cut you off, run over you, and act like they own the whole lake.
Hi Randy,
First of all, I'd like to thank you for your Professionalism, integrity and conservationalists' point of view... I'm a New Brunswick Canada Smallmouth Bass Tournament fisher since 1982...Like you I have seen the exponential growth of the sport in all aspects. Boats, gear, motors, electronics etc.
Unfortunately, its another example of Money makes the world go round and one of these days we will be pointing fingers at the Tournament Organizations, Manufactures and Government regulators....!!! We, the Fishermen should realise that we are the people that can change the irresponsible actions of pure greed. Stand up to save our Sport for our children and future generations!! If we don't then we are the only ones to blame !!!
Catch,, weigh, and release is awesome,! Sadly people will cheat with their boat partner if that is who signs off on the weight and number of fish, (small tournaments).
As usual Randy I totally agree with you. 100 percent. If people all over the country don’t stand up we aren’t going to have very many fish left in the lakes. Not too many years ago here on my home lake it was common to go out and catch 40-50 bass in a single trip. You would have several fish in the 4-6 lb. range and sometimes even a 8 lb bass. These days you are lucky to see a bass over 5 lbs. In the last few years it’s gotten really bad with boat traffic and ffs. It’s really going down the wrong path especially for bass and crappie fishing. So people wake up and refuse to use ffs. If we don’t do something as sportsman we will never see a change.
In Missouri the only answer is to start stocking bass. We do with trout… prove me wrong? Look at Texas
My goodness, just now thinking about what you said, I honestly cannot tell you the last time I watched any tournament on television. I will tell you this. I'm 67 and bass fishing today is absolutely sorry. I vividly remember and have records of, 30-40 bass a day easily and that on an average day. Some days now, heck, your lucky to catch 10 and some days you never see a bass.
Good ole.days are gone fishing tournaments is not the same with technology
I can get on board with your assessment of the number of tournaments on lakes each weekend. Having 300-400 tournaments a year on one lake is ridiculous, especially when the tournament anglers believe that their day on the water is more important than the guy fishing with his buddy that gets to go once a month or less. Just my opinion, but even with FFS, 10% of the anglers still catch 90% of the fish...FFS didn't change this.
Haven’t been watching the videos for a while but I’m glad I’m back.. Randy, thank you for being a thoughtful voice in these thoughtless times.
Ban tournaments and pro fisherman and livescope on small lakes and public lakes and stop rich so called pro fisherman and stop guides from using livescope
Fishing is not a sport!!
It is if you tournament fish respectively
I agree on all points! Sorry I’m just an old bank angler. Why do we need all of this tech I don’t get it 😢
Hey buddy I do love this channel and the help you provide for us but it seems the pastbfew vids are super negative I totally agree with the ffs crap but I'm no pro like all of us I think some more helpful ways to fish and break down lakes ponds whatever is more useful that's just my opinion I still love the channel and will continue to watch
Ban tournaments and pro fishing = Problem fixed
Yah, tournaments are what's really killing them! bouncing around in Livewells
.the guides on my home lake use livescope on guide trips the walleye are getting taken on illegal livescope see my point
Yep that’s my opinion too
Any baseline needs to be set by the state fish and game departments, which automatically controls the tournaments.
You never mention spaying aquatic plants with Diquat. Big big problem.
Texas is real good at ruining lakes spraying grass where the hell is the epa?
1. Government action, local and/or state. - A. Limit technology (debate the specifics and enact limits). B. Limit tournaments (permits required for tournaments over X number of boats). C. Limit number of fish allowed in a live well. D. Enact slot limits. 2. Tournament action (no government action needed) A. Catch, weigh, release. (If you do C and D above then you have to do 2. But, tournaments could enact C-W-R with no government action required.
cute how your suggestion is to regulate the public through legislation but you suggest the tours regulate themselves.... boy thats the definition of special intrest
I’m in Wisconsin and the pressure on my lake had slightly increased on some days and other days I am the only one out fishing. There are lots of lake houses with pontoon boats. I always joke the Boat Dock is nothing more than there summer storage spot. Lot of people don’t come up and those that do are UTV’ing. I hear that constant whine of the motors and tires around the lake roads. Some of these UTV’s are 30k.
However yes the Bass Fishing is certainly way off this year. But my lake is not being hammered with fishing. I’m catching more Crappies & 23” Northern Pike than ever before fishing for LM Bass
Nobody can argue with you Randy. Everything you said was undeniably true. People just don’t want to see it. #RandyBtruth
Randy-Impressed with your "Outside" Knowledge of society as well.
Ages ago, when I fished some of the lakes on the Chattahoochee chain (Harding, West Point, etc.) (BTW - There was a 'don't eat the fish' advisory...we didn't keep any fish anyway!) I was told it was cheaper for Atlanta to pay the fine than it was to 'clean up'! How's that for incentive!
Our air is cleaner today than its been in decades due to technology. I agree with the dumping of chemicals in our water systems that it needs to be looked into. IMO, i think the amount of tournaments and FFS and weigh ins are more of the problem. We have way more regulations today than we did in the 70s to keep our water clean. If its not cleaner, than what's going on with the EPA? As far as carbon dioxide on the air, thats a joke. The amount of Carbon dioxide in the air is like 4% and if thats changes too much we go the opposite way.
Randy, why won’t you start an online petition and send it to bass and mlf? Your influence on this topic would make a huge difference.
Your best video yet....thanks Randy!
I agree with your points....I just don't feel like it's very sporting using ffs....I won't do it and it makes watching on tv so boring...I don't even watch if it's an off shore deal. It just isn't right. Takes the skill out of it....watch a video of a guy pitching a bait and slamming an 8lber.....awesome...exciting....watching a guy watch his bait go right to the fishes face....boring...and unfair. No longer a sport.
Randy-You are hitting on the points that I keep pounding. Finally you lay it out! THE SPORT OF FISHING NEEDS TO BE REGULATED AT THE TOURNAMENT LEVEL FOR IT TO BE A SPORT(BASEBALL FOOTBALL). It now is ANTI COMPETITIVE AND NOT FAIR! With the trickle down to regional and local anglers as well. Need to reduce tech by 50% more catch and release less tournaments limited permits and we DONT NEED 100K BOATS and $500 REELS AND $500 RODS AND $100 LURES. NOT FAIR TO THE BASS OR OTHER ANGLERS....THE MAJORITY OF SOCIETY! I am writing this as a tournament angler......and conservation minded and NATUALLY SKILLED ANGLER. USING THE CHEATER BOX is BS....HOLDING THE TROPHY AND INFLUENCING YOUNGER KIDS AS ITS OK IS BS as well!!!
Keep fishing a form of art!
Randy Maybe it’s time to call it a day and do something else for a living.
Show me statistics were “meat hunters” are plucking fish out of those “sanctuaries”
Fishing is not a sport and can’t be compared to actual sports. Spectators. Field of play . Live animals to score. Public on the playing field at the same time. Rules and regulations. Not even comparable.
The only spectators that like watching fishing is the acual fisherman when they can't go themselves. The general public however, thinks it's boring.
In Vermont we have to get a permit from the state and they only allow a certain amount of derbys per day on a body of water. Randy keep up the fight
I'm just getting back into fishing after literally more than a decade hiatus. This is sad to hear what's happening to fish. Also, I'm just hearing about these powerful new technologies. This seems like it would not only take the fun and magical aspect out of fishing, it will decimate fish populations. And speaking of pollutants, I've heard rumors that Seneca Lake (one of the finger lakes in NY) is becoming a dead lake. People say it's because the nearby wineries industry uses pesticides on the grapes, which runs off into the lake and kills the baitfish.
I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium the other day. As an avid fisherman, it kind of makes you think twice when you see fish and marine life undisturbed and in their peaceful element. Pollution and human impact was an underlying theme.
Always got your hat in your hand
Great post.
I was with you until all the government regulations , filing for permits, etc.for fishing. I’m on board with the EPA stuff. Also on board with the tournament rule changes mentioned.
At a certain point, just drain the lakes and scoop the fish up with nets.
So while what I'm about to say is not directly related to this video it is still important WRT all the FFS haters out there and comments I've seen on this channel about the pros who use it .... Milliken, who is someone many on this channel have made disparaging comments about his character, was recently fishing a local small tournament where one of the participants passed away from a heart attack. Even though he didn't know the individual he donated his 1st place winnings to thge family as well as whatever YT money he gets from the video (currently at 97,000 views). This is about as stand-up an act as you'll ever see and I wonder how many of those of you out there who talk negatively about him personally would do what he just did? Time for a little introspective consideration ...
enjoyed fishing the saltwater area of the Big Bend (Yankeetown) for years with my 12 ft G3 Jon Boat I tie bed of truck. Since kayaks became huge I can't even slip my boat in anymore. I have basically quit trying too. Kayak clubs everywhere no less than 40 kayaks at a time any day of the week
Ill just float down the river in my jon boat during the week and catch and release a ton of nice fish.All while using my 99 dollar depth finder, 200 dollar foot trolling motor, no gas motor, 3 rods and a little cooler. Keep your 250k Truck and boat set ups next to your 200k worth off Snap-On tools you still owe 195k on. Keep on fighting Randy!
I have a 100k boat….that I own….and a 60k truck that I own. I have lots of expensive rods and reels. It’s my hobby. It’s where I spend my money.
I would love to have a little Jon boat….and a kayak. No room to store them. I’m glad you have fun with that little boat! That’s awesome! Have fun and take a kid with you.
Tight lines!
Here we go again. Randy, what's the criteria for deciding who gets the permit? First one in, first one to get permit? Unfortunately, there's no cut and dried way to determine what's right. You are right on about pollution, here in Ohio we are right in the middle of it, our DNR and the ag industry are at loggerheads re non-point source pollution. Ohio Farm Bureau has canned ads that suddenly appear whenever there's a question regarding ag practices and the pitty of it is, there's really no "family farms", it's all corporate anymore. As one of our professors noted, the farmers are America's biggest receipient of welfare.
Regulation is key I can agree.
Need legislation to allow FFS on the condition fish caught with it must be released; tournament or recreational. Fish caught using FFS must be weighed and released immediately. I don’t think it is possible to ban it now; too much money involved.
Fight fight fight Randy! 👍
✊
I really never seen kayak fishing back in the 90's and that sport has done more at adding pressure that never existed back then, our newest Lake in Randleman NC has the upper landing just for kayaks and a cut off at a bridge to keep big boats away. so, I have to pull my 8hp Yamaha to fish that side with my 14' jon boat that has to run numbers on the side and pay $14 to fish there.
Of our politicians, please list those whom are for clean water and air and those whom are against clean water and air.
I agree, except Randy is the great divider, and never responds to honest requests.
@@frankgilroy3189if electing “the right” politicians is “non-negotiable”, I’d like to know who and why.
Randy, pollution is not a problem in New England. Waters are much cleaner nowadays.
Are you kidding ?
Anyone who pays any attention to politics knows the answer.
But there may be a few individuals on either side that are different.
Their voting records are all listed on the League Of Conservation Voters website...
I travel a lot. The lakes and streams with no algea are no where near farms and ranches. Synthetic phophates are killing our water
Randy, I'm 77 years old and have been fishing longer than you have been alive. I can care less than a rats ass what these play for pay anglers do. If they want to spend $125,000-$150,000 on a boat let them. The same goes for $500-$1000 for a rod and $400 and up for a reel so they can throw their $15 chatter baits and $35 Mega-bass jerk baits. Eventually they will put themselves out of business and everything will go back to normal.
I highly doubt you have anywhere near the time on the water Randy has.
@@abelgomezjr9157 hey...you, uhhh...you got something brown on the end of your nose right there. Not sure what that is.... 😶
Maybe I just don’t see it because CO has smaller reservoirs compared to down south (our larger ones would probably be a creek arm in most of yours) but we have to put in an application to be approved with CPW and I can only think of one time where there were two tourneys going on at the same time and that was a kayak and bass club. I like the idea for smaller bodies of water but I feel like a lot of the mid to large lakes can handle multiple weekend tourneys depending on boat size. I don’t know if you need a National Committee to run the calendar though…feels like overkill and who would fund their salaries?
Fight the good fight. There is no good reason to have FFS 🤦♂️ it’s pathetic tech
Excellent idea Randy
Being that government intervention is the most objectively ineffective problem solver in the universe, I would love some suggestions for clean air and water without inducing the unintended consequences of government legislation. I bet if this group put their minds to it there could be some great ideas!
I agree with your electronic concerns, BUT THE LAST THING we need is another Federal Regulatory Agency. Why don't you follow your own suggestions and run for public office? You act as if business profit is a dirty word, it is not.
Ffs , sucks, and bass tournaments ( bass ) is a joke now, with out that stupid sonar's,on the boat, these jokers would not no what to do, my 45 years of 🎣, all ways put me on good bass, today 5 lb and 4 1/2, fishing grass on California delta, no cheater box🍼😢😢😢, just years of Tow. Noing patterns, and noing how bass set up 💯🎣
Randy, I agree with most of what you have said but you cannot turn it around at this point because of so many powerful greedy, and dollar-conscious people. We have to hit rock bottom and I mean rock bottom before you will see any changes in our fisheries across the country. Brace yourself because it's going to take place in the very near future. You know it and I do too. Hopefully, someone is now preparing a recovery program so that we don't lose everything.
Dark side comment is right....We are on Spaceship Earth. Do you think they let our astronauts piss in to the ship? Hell No they don't why do we?
I agree with you but please stop whining.
It's not fishing anymore. In my opinion if live scope is used and you catch a record fish it should not count. People thought fishing was hard before. Well every bass in the lake will have a sore ilp.
Fishing is to easy now with the tech including spot lock, the latest hooks lines rods reels lures, just makes it way to easy
Yes. We need less fish to make it more challenging 😂
You don’t have to fish my shitty lakes😂
@@405bassin7 not sure why u woild respond with that
@@AaronS-ml1bh you said fishing is easy now. I was saying, not on the crappy lakes around me. Fishing is hard here because the lakes suck.
@@405bassin7 dang sorry, maybe to many ppl eating em? Lakes will only get worse
Amen
The thing about technology is that it is taking the need to learn about fishing out of the sport, it was that it was one fisherman’s skill against another fisherman’s skill and what they have learned over years of fishing, now it is anyone can find the fish it just comes down to who lands on the biggest bass. In my opinion that’s not fishing it’s a race to find the biggest bass with the cheat box, no skill or experience needed. It’s stupid
It's gonna take Legislation and Enforcement. Taxes Revenues must fully benefit the State first. Until then the shows (this one and the enablers) will go on. Unless of course you can demonstrate, and to the State, passing legislation sooner than later make more sense for it/them.
Hear! Hear!
Randy, I appreciate your passion,I wish you would add all the issues to your fight. You’ll bring in more people. In order to get anything done you need more people. Period. Stop being the divider and fight for all issues. We need more people.
well..what happend down at Lake Fork this year! Left a very bad taste in the locals mouth! Even though B.A.S.S. and DM tried or succesfully jumped the shark with it!
What happened? I didn’t hear and I live an hour away from Fork .
Yeah I’m curious too. Tell us what happened
So in the southern states you don't already have permit requirements for tournament activities? It's already in place in the northern states. Surprised you don't have a more active Game and fish, or DNR in all states. There gets to be a balance point as these waters are public resources, and we can't have rules to the point that the only people that get to enjoy our public waters are the super rich that can buy the lake homes while us poor folk ate too busy working for the man to put food on the table.
Livescope needs banned. I can already tell a difference in how fishing has gotten worse since June 2023 and 2024 completely sucks. I don’t even wanna go anymore. It’s not enjoyable. I fish a 1740 acre lake with a slot limit. You can’t even catch slots anymore. People are having trouble getting crappie limits daily with livescope . They say crappie is hard to get out of a lake. Not taking long to take its toll on the lake I drive an hour to fish. Won’t take long before the bigger lakes the elite fish start seeing a difference. But, oh well, the electronic companies and Bassmaster will be rich. Who cares about anything else, right? Sad world we live in.
Truth is this country is ran on who can make government the most money and corporate greed is getting worse in every aspect of life. Workers make les money corporations make more than ever before. For example my daughter works at restaurant and makes same hourly rate as I did in the industry 25 years ago but the company has three times as many customers. There products are shit in most places compared to then.
Maybe next, they will develope a small boat drone that can cruise the lake all day and all night with a sonar attatchment that records where schools of fish are located. Then come tournament day the angler can upload the coordinates to his GPS and go directly to where the fish are. No practice needed.
football and baseball are solely reliant on athletic performance however those sports have banned a lot of technology. from steroids to growth hormones to aluminum and cork core bats. this was done however to keep the athletic playing field level. fishing as a sport is reliant on technology in order to even exist. every rod, line, lure, boat, and hook is a piece of technology crafted to put the angler in the best position to catch and release bass. the sport has always been reliant on technology. randy you need to have more than anecdotal evidence sir your audience deserves it. reach out to your local wildlife resources agent talk to them about the data they see and bring that data back and share it honestly with your audience. heck do a podcast with them share that information live. other wise you are only presenting opinion, conjecture and theory and asking your audience to support regulating every angler in America based on your opinion. that in my opinion is a terrible way to even begin to discuss regulation or legislation. you have an opinion some conjecture and a theory. get some information and evidence and then form your opinion.
asking people to support regulation from a place of ignorance is disgusting.
Consume consume consume
Now a lazer pointer for rods. WTF Lazy lazy lazy
Money or the love of money ruins everything.
There are way too many tournaments on lakes now it’s disgusting . Bass and mlf suck s;:t
They will lose the market to all the traditional fisherman who are tired of the price point for fishing equipment. The late comers who use tech will end up getting tired of it once they keep just chasing casting and catching the same thing over and over again. The fishing industry will price out the true anglers of the sport. The industry is going to crash and the bigger companies will just buy up all the little guys like Platinum equity
Make it illegal for everybody to use not just in tournaments for everybody records will fall because of this technology and a lakes and rivers will be overfished
Randy, I have been a subscriber for a long time and commend you for being neutral on political issues. But, fishing has become political, If big money is involved then politics becomes part of the equation. I agree with your cause 100% and hope you keep fighting. Politics is endless. God Bless
Get excited about pro anglers pulling pregnant fish off their beds. Doubtful because that’s a paycheck for anglers.
One thing that will help the air. STOP CUTTING THE DAMN TREES DOWN!