®
Fall 2024
H
aving been a tournament angler since the ‘90s with his first
B.A.S.S. event in 1997 on the California Delta, professional
bass angler Ish Monroe has decades of experience in the sport. He has been through many advances in the gear and improvements
in technology. He has over $2.4 million in career winnings.
Here, he tells us in his own words how he feels Forward Facing Sonar
will impact industry where he makes his living.
First of all, I will start with I am not 100 percent for or 100 percent
against Forward Facing Sonar. Personally, I see it as another tool that we
as anglers must use to capitalize on catching more bass.
Over the years our tools have changed, they have gotten better and
made us better anglers, but like with all things, evolution continues to
happen and just like our tools change and adapt, so do the fish.
If you think back to the Alabama rig. This was another tool that caused
a lot of talk within the sport. Should it be allowed? Will it be allowed? How
will it be regulated? Now, that 10 or 15 years have passed, how often do
you even hear about an Alabama rig? It is used and sometimes it even
accounts for the fish that make the difference; but it was not and is not
the end of tournament fishing.
I believe that Forward Facing Sonar will be no different. It came in
hot, like all trends, but it will cycle through its own evolution. Right now,
not everyone can afford it, or even wants to have one, but that was also
the case with past advancements within the fishing electronics market.
Just this past July, Lowrance debuted an all-in-on sonar solution that had
affordability in mind, and this will change the expense factor.
The Lowrance Eagle Eye which will be available at Fisherman’s
Warehouse will retail for $999, basically $1,000 which is in the realm of
what anglers pay now will put Forward Facing Sonar in the hands of most
everyone.
The Fish LO-K-TOR, sold from 1959 to 1984 Photo: Lowrance
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