By Steve Chaconas
With heads tilted, todays’ techno-anglers maintain a constant gaze focusing on screens showing fish and angler lures. Video game fishing is on the rise as pro anglers rig boats with up to 6 video monitors.
Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) has changed fishing tactics and tackle. Spinning rods line bass boat decks, each with similar line setups, lead head jigs, and minnow imitators. Tackle and lures of bygone angling days are overlooked.
While trends are not specifically attributed to FFS, tackle tendencies appear to lean in that direction. Spinning rods are the preferred delivery tool of light jig/minnow set ups. Kipper Sticks Custom Rods pro staffer Scott Favors has seen an increase in demand for 7’ or 7’2” medium moderate action spinning rods, replacing 6’6” versions, for casting distance for lighter baits. While not specifically designing FFS rods, many anglers are requesting these rods for FFS. Favors says show and online spinning rod sales have dramatically increased, outpacing casting rod sales.
Ranger/Mercury pro Stephen Browning used to have only 2 spinning rods when leaving the ramp, one drop shot, one shaky head. With FFS he’s using more spinning than casting rods. Braided line, with monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders, has become the finesse fishing standard. Braid offers strong line with thinner diameters which puts out less vibration that might alert fish and allows a more natural presentation. But it’s casting distance the pro says is a real advantage when targeting pressured fish. When fishing in deeper water with jig/minnow baits, Browning gets away with thinner line with nothing to get hung up on. He uses the lightest line setup that doesn’t put him at a disadvantage when hooking up. He beefs up when fishing around heavier cover. Leaders compliment this line matchup with either 6, 8, or 10 pound GAMMA EDGE fluorocarbon depending on how he wants baits to fall. Thicker diameter leaders slow the fall, thinner makes baits more reactive. Watching the screen, he dials in on the presentation that looks the most natural, noting how fish react. He equips 3 or 4 rods with different sized line for varying presentations, with the same baits. His leader length is between 10-12 feet to keep knots in the reel when fish are close to the boat.
Watching the FFS movement closely, GAMMA Fishing owner Dale Black says it’s hard to determine how FFS is affecting line sales, but notes he sells a lot of GAMMA EDGE and TOUCH fluorocarbon used as main lines or leader, covering even and odd finesse fishing line sizes from 2 to 10 pound test. Black also sees sales increases in thinner diameter Gamma Torque braid.
Finesse fishing is expanding and FFS is spawning a broadening use of existing tackle. Winchester-based Jake’s Bait & Tackle Store Manager Jenny Myers is seeing a lot of sales of jig heads and minnow baits but adds these cross over to river smallmouth fishing. Myers adds that new FFS specific baits are selling. She also confirms that longer spinning rod and finesse baitcasting gear sales have seen an uptick.
As anglers demand, companies are creating FFS baits. Rapidly expanding ZMan introduced their exclusive FFS bait system. After working with highly decorated Bridgford Foods bass pro Luke Claussen for over 2 years, Z-Man’s Graph Shadz was unveiled. Created from the bottom up, Claussen had two goals in mind, a fast fall rate and, when the line was tightened, a horizontal presentation. Teaming up with one of the industry’s top bait developers Jose Chavez, a lot of prototypes were tested. Chavez sought to avoid a copycat or repackaged FFS bait.
FFS allows anglers to put baits in front of fish, but fish get a very good look at what is being presented. Chavez says they started with a natural profile, creating a jig head narrower at the top with the same profile for every weight. Different metals allow different sink rates. A soft plastic body mates seamlessly to the head, enhancing the natural profile and producing FFS returns with better screen visibility. A custom 3/0 hook with a line-thru tie under the head presents baits horizontally. A plastic sleeve insert protects line. Dual bait keepers, a friction and wire keeper, eliminate sliding.
There’s no afterthought in Z-Man soft plastic bodies. A hook channel allows perfect rigging alignment. A hollow chamber accepts worm rattles and enhances FFS visibility. A bulbous tail creates subtle action, moving continually to interest the most finicky fish. Photos of shad were used to design realistic eyes.
Extensively tested prototypes caught fish but had flaws. Claussen says adjustments resulted in an ideal body roll and appearance. He also sought a bait that wouldn’t helicopter when casting to enable accuracy and distance. The Graph Shadz pendulums horizontally when slack is taken out of the line and Claussen simply shakes the rod, watching his Lowrance Active Target FFS. Claussen says the Graph Shadz can be fished vertically as well.
Around for 6 years and recently dominating pro bass fishing events, FFS use is expanding to the weekend angler. Cost is a prohibitive factor restraining widespread use and angler reluctance to engage in “video-game” fishing is slowing the growth. However, as evidenced at this year’s ICAST show, many companies are branding many new and generic products as FFS, as they are betting on the increased acceptance and demand.
Potomac River Bassing in SEPTEMBER
It’s cooling, but fish are still in grass. Punching mats with 50 pound Gamma Torque braid and up to 1.5 ounce tungsten weights. Attach small craw imitators with a strong hook. Frog fishing is still a solid option.
As days cool, fat bodied crankbaits on 14 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line can be cranked over and at grass edges or remnants or any hard cover.
Pitch soft plastics like green pumpkin Mizmo tubes to grass at any tide.
When calm and cloudy, try popping baits around cover.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.