Modern anglers planning to keep up with technology may reconsider their fishing gift list for 2025.
Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher
In a historic decision announced yesterday (Sept. 2) by the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL), Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) will be banned from competitive use for the 2025 season.
The league will closely monitor the effects of this decision through the 2025 NFPL season of six competitive fishing tournaments. The NFPL aims to ensure that the focus for anglers remains on promoting traditional fishing skills above the role of advancing technology. With the reduction in fishing gear costs, more anglers can now compete, potentially making fishing circuits more competitive and thrilling for amateur anglers.
With the ban on advanced fish-finding sonar like FFS, anglers will need to rely on more traditional fishing techniques. These include boat position, casting skills, lure selection, and ordinary sonar. The good news for competitive anglers is that it will reduce the cost of competition, opening the door for less financially capable anglers, making the competitive bass fishing sport more inclusive and more fair for all.
It levels the playing field because anglers with FFS have a significant advantage in seeing fish and underwater structures in real-time. Banning FFS ensures that traditional skills and methods will remain more about expertise and strategy than technology.
Whether it’s a positive or negative change, the NPFL has taken a firm stance by making an exceedingly difficult decision. The question of using FFS for competitive and recreational fishing has sparked numerous opinions from anglers and manufacturers. The NPFL’s decision has put the NPFL on the global map in just one day. For more information, visit the NPFL website. It may affect the bottom line for manufacturers of modern technology.
Gotta love the NY outdoors.
Outdoor Calendar:
Sep. 7-8: NYS Hunter-Safety course for Bowhunting (Sep. 7) and Firearms (Sep. 8), West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls; Register online: https://register-ed.com. Must register separately for Bowhunter and/or Hunter Education (firearms).
Sep. 14-22: NYS Early Antlerless 2024 Deer Season (firearms allowed), check specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Sep. 14: 4th Annual Chautauqua Lake Falleye Classic, Prendergast Point Boat Launch, 6AM-2PM. Open to all. Register on site.
Sep. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.
Sep. 21-22: WNY Walleye Association Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.