When forward-facing sonar (FFS) first hit the water, anglers initially embraced the space-age technology.

What’s not to love about a fish finder that can find fish up to 200 feet from the boat? Forward-facing sonar allows anglers to see fish and structure on all sides of their boat. By turning the transducer, the angler gets a real-time image of fish and structure—he can see a fish dart out and hit his lure or watch a bass look at his lure and balk.

The love affair with forward-facing sonar didn’t last long. Social media is alive with criticism. One side supports the technology as a way to unlock the fish’s secrets. The other side of the debate protests against the changes forward-facing sonar has brought to tournament fishing. Anglers across the platforms have rallied to support either side of the debate.

Garmin's new 48-inch Kraken trolling motor rigged to a fishing boat's bow at ICAST Demo Day First Look: Garmin Force Kraken 48 And Panoptix PS22-IF

Is Forward Facing Sonar Destroying Fishing?

One of the most vocal critics of forward-facing sonar in tournaments is legendary bass pro Randy Blaukat. On his YouTube channel, Blaukat says, “Using forward-facing sonar to catch your fish is cheating, that’s what it is.” He goes on: “The only reason forward-facing sonar is legal is because of the money the electronics companies are shoveling into the tournaments.”

One of the main points against FFS in tournaments is the effect on tackle companies. Blaukat explains, because anglers are focusing on tactics that complement FFS, companies that make tackle that doesn’t fit in the trend are losing money.

man lifts a fish out of a net that he caught using forward facing sonar
“Just like anything else, the fish will eventually outsmart us.” —Casey Reed | Feature photo: Casey Reed

Blaukat is not alone. The Professional Musky Tournament Trail and the Touring Anglers Association banned forward-facing sonar. Since these tournaments award payout for the largest single fish, the organizers reason that forward-facing sonar allows a competitor to simply drive around searching for the largest fish.

As for the big three kayak fishing tournaments, forward-facing sonar is accepted. Kayak Bass Fishing tournament director Chad Hoover says, “Forward-facing sonar isn’t just another tool, it’s the most effective tool of our time.”

Hoover adds, “People say forward-facing sonar isn’t fair, but the definition of fair is equal competition for everyone.” Since everyone can go to the store and buy forward-facing sonar, the technology doesn’t offer anyone an advantage, he reasons.

Steve Owens, tournament director for Bassmaster Kayak Series, agrees, “There was never a question, we didn’t even have a conversation about banning forward-facing sonar.” Tournament anglers must master any new technology or tactic to stay on top. “Just because you have forward-facing sonar, doesn’t mean you will win.”

Owens lists off the names of tournament winners who weren’t using forward-facing sonar. “In last weekend’s tournament, the bite was shallow where forward-facing sonar wouldn’t help.”

Even the Hobie Bass Open Series, which recently lifted a ban on electric motors, approves forward-facing sonar. Tournament director AJ Mcwhorter says, “At any level of competition, people want to advance their abilities, and forward-facing sonar gives them every available advantage.” He points to armchair anglers making the most noise. “People always want to drag others down,” he says.

two fish finders rigged on a fishing kayak
Using forward-facing sonar and an accurate GPS leaves the fish nowhere to hide. | Photo: Bailey Eigbrett

As for the competitors, Jake Suvak, a pro angler from Vibe, uses forward-facing sonar and doesn’t have any complaints. “Even pro anglers on the cutting edge of the sport have a lot to learn when it comes to forward-facing sonar.” Suvak does admit to a downside. “I get it, driving around with the trolling motor and looking for fish takes some of the excitement out of the competition.”

But, he says, the challenge is choosing the right lure and presenting it correctly. “Even if I see a fish on the sonar, I still have to get it to bite.”

Lowrance Eagle Eye fish finder on display at ICAST 2024 The Best New Lowrance Gear For 2025

Casey Reed, a pro angler for Old Town, also has concerns. “I don’t want to see anything hurt the fishery,” he says. Since the new sonar allows anglers to find fish they might have missed, some pundits predict the heavy pressure will have a negative effect. “Just like anything else, the fish will eventually outsmart us.”

In fact, anglers say FFS has made tournament fishing more challenging. Bailey Eigbrett, a Old Town pro, says, “If they banned it tomorrow, I’d be bummed.” Not because he can’t use the forward-facing sonar, but because he’s invested time and effort into learning how to apply the technology.

When it comes to forward-facing sonar in kayak fishing tournaments, Eigbrett sums up the feelings of most competitors and tournament directors, “If you’re afraid to lose the tournament because of technology, then maybe you had better stay home.”

Cover of Kayak Angler Magazine Issue 53This article was first published in Issue 53 of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

“Just like anything else, the fish will eventually outsmart us.” —Casey Reed | Feature photo: Casey Reed

 

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Ric Burnley
Kayak Angler editor Ric Burnley has been kayak fishing since the dawn of the sport. In 2007, Burnley wrote The Complete Kayak Fisherman, with chapters on how-to make a PVC rod holder and glue a fish finder transducer to the hull. In 2013, he landed his dream job as editor of Kayak Angler magazine. Burnley is a regular contributor to Salt Water Sportsman, Sport Fishing, Outdoor Life, In the Bite and other print and online publications. Burnley lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, adult daughter, daughter’s boyfriend and daughter’s two cats. Experience In 2004, Ric Burnley stole his first milk crate from behind a 7-Eleven and fashioned it into a gear crate for his Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. Many years and many milk crates later, Burnley has witnessed the rise of kayak fishing from a bastardized fringe element to a legitimate industry with millions of devotees. The journey to becoming an angler started early in Burnley’s life. His father, Eric Burnley, is a renowned outdoor writer and former fishing guide, so the boy grew up in the cockpit of a charter boat and in the pages of national magazines. After college, Burnley lost easy access to his father’s boat, but not his passion for fishing. Once he had exhausted the limits of land-based angling, Burnley decided to try out a new thing called kayak fishing. About the same time, Burnley was looking for extra work to pay for his expensive addiction. His father, editor of the Mid-Atlantic Fisherman Magazine, offered him freelance assignments for the weekly publication. That led to a position as regional editor at Salt Water Sportsman, publication of The Complete Kayak Fisherman and editorship of Kayak Angler. Meanwhile, Burnley and his partner-in-crime, “Kayak Kevin” Whitley were exploring the boundaries of kayak fishing. With the bountiful Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean as their playground, the two anglers were the first to target big red drum, cobia, trophy striped bass, monster black drum, sheepshead and many other species. Once inshore species were exhausted, Burnley loaded his kayak onto motorboats and fished for bluefin tuna, blackfin tuna, king mackerel and amberjack. All the while, Burnley shared his experiences and knowledge with anglers through print, photos, video, radio, seminars and online. Almost 20 years later, Burnley continues to fish obsessively and share the stories. His recent projects for Kayak Angler cover the latest trends in forward-facing sonar and remote-controlled electric motors. Over the past two decades, kayak fishing and Ric Burnley have come a long way from PVC rod holders and stolen milkcrates. Education ● Radford University: BA English; Virginia Teacher’s License. Highlights ● Other Interests: Mountain biking, traveling, hiking, surfing and skateboarding ● Day Job: High School English teacher at an alternative school for at-risk students Fun Fact Ric’s name is a contraction of Eric. Ric is named after his father, Eric Sr. To differentiate between the two Erics, Mrs. Burnley removed her son’s E. To this day, she writes the boy’s name ‘Ric, with an apostrophe replacing the E.

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