Crazy amount of electronics

[huntingteacher]

It is becoming silly the amount of electronics on a bass boat in a tournament. Giant screens littering the boat. When is it not "fair" to the fish? If I could compare this to hunting, most states have laws to make it more fair for the animal. Shotguns for turkeys, no hunting over corn for turkeys too. Can't use electronic calls, drones, ect...
With devices that give such a clear and long range view of the underwater landscape and fish, is the advantage going too far? If we have not gotten there yet, is there a point that fishing could be too easy?? If the only point is to catch the fish, hell, just get a net. The "fun" is the patience and luck and unpredictability of it all. My point is I'd like to see tournaments where the pros can't use electronics. I'm in front of a large flat screen too much in my life, dam if I want 2 or three more on my boat. Please don't crucify me, there are days I'd do anything to catch a fricken fish, but just posing the hypothetical question, is there a line fisherman don't want to cross when it comes to technology. If you have every bell and whistle, fine. For example, I don't use a long bow to hunt, I have a fancy compound bow, so I'm either hypocritical or just see things differently in different situations. Anyway, seeing the monitors on the bass tournament boats got me thinking.

[GeoFisher]

Electronics are only a tool.............you still need to figure out QUITE a bit to catch them.

If you don't like them, don't use them.

I have electronics, but will not spend the top dollar on those products because fishing is fun for me, not a job.

But folks betting their lively hood on catching fish to cash a check or those that guide for a living can significantly increase their odds by using quality electronics, and I'm not going to say right or wrong, based on that.

Computers allow stock markets to be more accurate and allow for much quicker transactions. BUT a side effect is lots and lots of artificial noise that can cause stocks to rise and fall based on a "glitch". Should computers not be allowed in the market.

Range finders allow hunters to better calculate distance and make a "shot" but a side effect is hunters are now making longer and longer shots.........should electronic range finders not be allowed?

Like I said.......electronics are only a tool.

Later,

Geo

[bigwormy]

the last 4 tourneys I fished last year we had no depth finder or temp gauge. We took 2nd in 2 of those and big bass in 2 of those. We also knew the place we were fishing well. I guess my point is no matter how much you use the electronics, you still have to know how to catch them.

[slackdaddy]

I have an 898 side imaging on my bass boat and have seen some very detailed underwater images but have not caught one single fish because of it. I am putting my money on the line in the pondhoppers with the cheapest depthfinder I could find. I'm not convinced that electronics are worth all the hype

[Whitski]

I'd imagine that for most Bass fishing one doesn't need all the amazing side, down imaging. Sure it helps, but most bass fishing is done fishing sight cover, stuff you can already see. Now for deep fish during cold months, finding deep breaks, deep stump fields, etc. probably helps, but then again, so does my 12 year old Eagle unit that I can find on Ebay for $120 now. GPS, etc.
I'd also guess that a fairly decent number of the boats in the big tourneys have gear that was given or loaned to them by sponsors.
They are, as GEO said, a tool. Some people get into a sport for the sport itself, some for the periphery such as the gear. I am a photographer, and I can tell you from experience, it's not always the dude with the most and newest gear in his camera bag that takes the best photos.
Everyone enjoys things differently, and for some, having the newest gadgets, sweetest boat, etc is the fun of the deal, not me, but some. Keeps the pseudo economy rolling I guess.

[MagikSmallie]

The electronics as several have already said are a tool. They in no way give an "unfair" advantage. My electronics have not caught a single fish. Its still about lure, line, rod, reel and human input that catches fish and that will never change. Electronics catch as many fish as an outboard motor, trolling motor...etc. claiming that electronics are becoming "unfair to the fish" is a ridiculous statement really. Is a modern centerfire rifle unfair to a deer compared to a flintlock muzzle loader?