Responding to claims that live forward-facing sonar (FFS) makes bass fishing less challenging, the Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society (B.A.S.S.) has updated its policy regarding FFS for its 2026 Elite Series tournament season.
On Sept. 2, B.A.S.S. announced it will not permit the use of FFS in nearly half of the events in its 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season. Under the change, the technology will only be allowed in up to five of the nine regular-season Elite Series events. The events in which FFS will not be permitted will be determined at random, according to a news release from Bassmaster.
According to the release, the use of FFS will be completely banned in the selected events, including during official practice. Additionally, restrictions set for 2025 — limiting anglers to one live sonar transducer and a maximum of 55 total inches of screen space — will remain in effect for 2026.
Bassmaster CEO Chase Anderson said in the release that the decision was made to balance new technology with traditional angling skills.
“Bassmaster competition has a long history of being the proving ground for new technology that enhances the sport,” Anderson said. “While innovation should remain part of bass fishing, no single technology should define it. Listening to anglers, members and fans, we believe this balanced approach keeps competition diverse, entertaining and true to the culture of our sport.”
For the 2025 season, the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) outright banned the use of FFS in all of its events. Major League Fishing (MLF) limited anglers to two FFS/360 transducers and limited the amount of time during each even that FFS can be used: anglers can only use the tech for one of three periods each day of a tournament event.
The 2025 regulations from B.A.S.S. that have now been expanded upon for 2026 included limiting cumulative screen size on each boat to 55 inches and the prohibition of more than one FFS transducer on each boat.
About FFS Technology
Garmin LiveScope and Lowrance ActiveTarget are forward-facing sonar units typically mounted to the shaft of the trolling motor at the front of the boat. When the user turns the trolling motor from side to side, the sonar sweeps the water, giving the angler a real-time digital view of anything swimming or suspended within the sonar beam’s width.
Anglers can also see their lures on the screen as well as a live view of the fish's location in relation to the front of the boat, including distance, depth, and the direction they face. Once you have this information, it’s just a matter of casting your lure, watching it sink to the fish’s level, and twitching it at the right moment to see, and hopefully get, a reaction.
Many competitors in bass tournament circles rely heavily on FFS, while others use it only occasionally. Critics argue that the tech favors younger anglers who grew up playing video games over more seasoned anglers who tend to be less tech-savvy.
In fact, some members of the Old Guard of bass fishing believe that the younger generation of “spotlighters” is relying on their “cheater box” to basically play a video game all day, without having to invest the many hours needed to learn and improve true angling skills, which can take decades to master.
When Will We Know Which Events Ban FFS?
According to B.A.S.S., the decision to limit FFS use follows two years of careful evaluation. In 2025, B.A.S.S. scheduled a diverse set of fisheries to naturally limit FFS dominance, and winners in nearly half of the season’s events relied primarily on traditional tactics. However, live sonar still influenced outcomes across the board.
To address this feedback and maintain competitive balance, B.A.S.S. will combine tradition with technology: a hybrid schedule that emphasizes innovation in bass fishing technology while keeping traditional techniques central to success. B.A.S.S. will announce which tournaments will permit FFS during a live show on Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. CST on Bassmaster.com.
Hosts Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and Davy Hite will learn the results in live alongside fans. Events will be paired according to the schedule, with a coin flip deciding which one allows live sonar and which will not. The St. Lawrence River, the final stop of the season, will receive its own coin flip, meaning as many as five events could end up being non-FFS tournaments.
“B.A.S.S. was intentional last year in scheduling diverse fisheries to balance FFS use,” said Davy Hite, former Bassmaster Classic champion and Elite Series pro. “But the technology still impacted the results in nearly every event.
This new rule is exactly what the majority of the ABP voted for — it creates amazing opportunities for fans to watch different skills shine, and it ensures our next Angler of the Year will be the most versatile angler on the planet. Whoever wins in 2026 will have to excel both with and without live sonar.”
Stops on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tour in 2026 include Lake Guntersville and Lake Martin in Alabama, the Tennessee River in Tennessee, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi, the Arkansas River in Oklahoma, Lake Murray and Santee Cooper in South Carolina, the Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound in North Carolina, and Lake Champlain the St. Lawrence River in New York.
Incidentally, the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic will allow FFS, since all qualifiers earned their spot under the 2025 rules.
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