On this podcast (from March 2025), I offered my opinion on the latest social media banter regarding forward facing sonar, fishing tournaments and just overall disrespect in social media engagements. What I said is listed after the podcast link here:

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Was Easton Fothergill’s Win Actually Controversial?

The recent controversy involves Easton Fothergill using LiveScope. A 22-year-old angler from Grand Rapids. Someone who overcame an infected abscess on his brain a couple years ago to win the Bassmaster Classic this year. Yet, all you hear from people today is that he won because of LiveScope. If LiveScope was so great, why didn’t everyone who had one win. Easton not only won, but set a new record. 

He won by 8.5 pounds, beating 55 other anglers. 

When people say LiveScope is making young anglers win, remember that the youngest winner was Stanley Mitchell, a 21-year-old back in 1981. No LiveScopes back then.

While Easton was using LiveScope, he also used his smarts to win, switching baits, switching spots and breaking off on a log 4 times trying to catch his biggest bass. He found the fish using his tech, then got snagged trying to catch it. Instead of trying to save his lures, he tried not to spook the big bass by breaking off.

Is LiveScope to Blame?

If you want to blame tech, blame mapping, blame side scan, blame 2D. Where do you draw the line. For people saying, “Watching the fish live is cheating,” tell me you haven’t done that on 2D? Or what about sight-fishing? I guess if you spot a giant in shallow clear water, you should just move along.

What Easton did was completely legal and the gear he used was available to all competitors. Think back to when you were 22. You fished hard, practiced, perfected all the available tools and reached the biggest stage of your life: The Super Bowl. And you win it. You’re at the top of the mountain and suddenly, your phone starts vibrating. Messages are coming in, some are full of congratulations and some are accusing you of cheating. Then, the bashing starts, “You didn’t earn it!” etc. Think about how you would take that. 

Is Social Media The Biggest Problem Today?

The internet has turned the world into a bunch of jealous, hate spewing trolls who think they have all the answers. Even if you disagree with someone, you don’t have to be a jerk about it. The world progresses with civil dialogue. Name calling and finger pointing just make people look petty. Instead of moving forward, wheels spin in the mud and you get stuck. Problems aren’t solved.

To be fair, there are people who enjoy creating havoc online. But, let’s not stoop to their level.

Instead, congratulate Easton on his amazing accomplishment and then take up your issue with the governing body who sets the rules. If the majority of people want something, rules will usually change if the data and research supports it.

The mob mentality of social media is ugly. Outdoors men and women are better than that. You can disagree without being disrespectful. It’s ok to want different things in the outdoors but you won’t get them by acting like a 2-year-old.

LiveScopes, crossbows, trail cameras and other technology in the outdoor world will always be up for debate and that’s ok. We all want successful hunting and fishing adventures. We also want gear that helps us. Some of us have brands we work with to promote that gear. There are ethics to consider. 

Crossbows vs Vertical Bows

I had a discussion on Facebook with a guy the other day about crossbows. I was discussing, he was yelling. He didn’t think it mattered what he used to kill his deer. He believed it was acceptable since he had a license for it. While I understand his point, we have to have laws and regulations. The DNR manages seasons for opportunities, not 100% successful harvest. If they did, we’d be able to use rifles for 3.5 months.

My opinion on crossbows is that they shouldn’t be considered archery since there is no draw to hold and the distance and accuracy is much higher compared to vertical bows. Creating a special season for crossbows, similar to muzzleloaders, would raise needed funds for the DNR, keep crossbow users and companies happy and keep the pressure on deer limited early in the year.

Research has shown that more deer are killed early in the season when crossbows are allowed and the buck harvest is higher. Minnesota had it’s second highest archery harvest ever last year and crossbows attributed for 48% of kills, compared to 20% the year before. In my opinion, this will increase the number of hunters in the woods earlier in the year, putting more deer on edge and sending them to their refuges before the gun season. This could negatively impact the gun harvest leading to negative experiences in the woods.

But, back to my point about the need for limits and regulations….

Should We Have Hunting and Fishing Regulations?

If you go back to the 20’s and 30’s in Minnesota, pre-DNR, animals were getting wiped out, mostly by market hunting. When hunters stepped up and demanded game management agencies, we created the greatest wildlife conservation model in the world. Populations rebounded and management policies were refined. They continue to change with the times to ensure protections and opportunities alike.

Does the DNR get it wrong sometimes? Of course. Have politics seeped into management? Unfortunately. But without laws, limits and regulations, we wouldn’t have the opportunities we have today.

Should there be changes in the way LiveScope is used?

My short answer: No. LiveScope doesn’t automatically catch fish. I’ve sat on a pod of fish before dropping every lure in my boat unsuccessfully coaxing a bite. I’ve heard the phrase, “It’s almost worse to see them and not catch them,” more than once. Angler ethics should still be considered. Pressuring fish will change their behaviors. Catching them too deep and releasing them will kill fish that are physoclistous. Muskies are particularly susceptible to harm and LiveScope has made them easy to find.

BUT, that doesn’t mean we ban the tech. The learning curve is much smaller when it comes to having Forward Facing Sonar in the boat. The ability to see how fish react is priceless when it comes to fishing success. If we’re truly concerned about the next generation, giving them the tools to learn and be successful on the water is important. We also need to teach them the proper ethics, because if we don’t, the DNR will look into regulating us further and I don’t know anyone that wants more laws and rules to follow.

Easton Fothergill using LiveScope isn’t the problem. People who fish carelessly are.

I don’t think Easton Fothergill using LiveScope will change any rules for anglers. Will Bassmaster make adjustments down the road? Possibly, but I don’t foresee a complete ban in the future.