Should LiveSope be Used in Professional and Regular Bass Fishing Tournaments?

Credit to On The Water for the photograph

Some people say Forward Facing Sonar, also called LiveScope, has changed bass fishing, while others argue it has ruined competition. The technology allows anglers (fisherman) to see fish in real time and follow their movements under the water. Supporters view it as a tool that rewards skill and precision in tournaments. Critics see it as an unfair shortcut that removes the need to read the water or rely on experience. The debate now shapes both professional and local events, leaving the future of tournament fishing uncertain.

            Supporters of Forward Facing Sonar argue that it raises the standard of competition. Fishing has always been about using the tools available to locate and catch fish, from wooden paddles to high-powered trolling motors. LiveScope is simply the next step. Instead of wasting hours casting blind, anglers can target fish more efficiently, focusing on presentation and decision-making. A skilled angler must still cause the fish to react to a bait and eat it, and no screen can guarantee that. In the eyes of some pros and weekend anglers banning sonar would be like banning GPS from cars or calculators from math classes, it would ignore progress and restrict the sport to old methods. For younger anglers like myself entering the tournament scene, LiveScope also creates a bridge between traditional fishing knowledge and new technology, opening doors to innovation and excitement.

Critics argue that Forward Facing Sonar takes away the core of competitive fishing. The sport has long been built on patience, knowledge of seasonal patterns, and an understanding of fish behavior. When anglers can watch fish react to their lure in real time, that challenge disappears. Instead of reading the wind, water clarity, or habitat, competitors rely on a screen. This creates a skill gap not based on talent but on access to expensive technology. Many local anglers cannot afford units that cost thousands of dollars, and this makes tournaments feel less about ability and more about equipment. Opponents also worry that constant pressure from sonar-equipped anglers could harm fish populations, since fish no longer have the same chance to remain hidden. For them, LiveScope is not progress but a shortcut that undermines fairness and tradition.

The debate over Forward Facing Sonar is about more than just electronics—it is about identity. Is bass fishing a sport that honors tradition, or one that evolves with every new tool? Some tournament organizations such as B.A.S.S are already restricting the use of forward facing sonar. Others believe the market will balance itself, with anglers deciding how much technology they want to rely on. What is clear is that the conversation cannot be ignored. Fishing is both a competition and a tradition, and both matter to the future of the sport. I believe Forward Facing Sonar should remain legal but regulated. I also believe that tournament organizers should embrace innovation, but they also must set rules that protect competition and keep entry fair for all. Fishing has always been about balance, between skill and luck, patience and action, tradition and progress. LiveScope now forces the sport to decide where that balance will rest.