Here's your pick me up for the day: the toddler daughter of Opens pro Miles "Sonar" Burghoff is cancer-free. Prayer-warriors please ask the Lord to keep her that way. Love to the Sonars! ✝️🙏

If you haven't read Clark's recent post about FFS – one of several letters he's apparently sent to B.A.S.S. – I recommend it. Whether you're pro, semi-pro, con, ex-con or neutral buoyancy 😁 on FFS, his position is articulated really well. Unusually well, which is why I called him for this Q&A. Here we go.

1. Wherever anyone is about FFS, your statement is one of the best-articulated I've ever seen or heard. How long did it take you to craft that?

> "Well I thought I had written my last letter to B.A.S.S. about this subject. I have written multiple letters. My wife and I wrote that on the way home from the St Lawrence River. I told her I didn't want it to be a perfect letter, where I considered every argument on the other side. I told her this is the sport I love, and this is my last opportunity to do something about it – a true threat to the sport of fishing.

> "I wrote it from that standpoint, she edited it. The whole key to me was it needed to go out quickly, after...the St Lawrence.

> "I want people to understand that isn't something I just thought about for 15 minutes. This is something I have literally mulled over, thought about, talked about at true nauseam with other people.

> "And I honestly – I can't see the other side. I don't believe there is another side. I think what people don't understand...they truly don't understand what the sport of pro bass fishing is. And that's our problem. Whether that's the management of the organizations, whether it's the media – I really believe...unless you've seen it in the boat and the power of it, you can't understand it, how strong it is. To me it feels like cheating when I'm doing it.

> "...the reason i'm doing it is I've got a grandson that I want to be able to do it one day, and I don't believe that FFS is in the best interest of this sport."

2. Why do you think a complete ban is needed vs something like a partial ban for now and seeing what happens?

> "I thought about that a lot. There's been a lot of different ways I've thought of or other people have presented to me...but I know what it was like before. If was pre-2019, and [bass fishing] was the most intriguing sport I paid attention to – and I love sports.

> "The reason [is] there are so many different ways to get to the best bag of fish. That's what makes it intriguing. A guy form OK, from South Africa, a Canadian...they're all gonna do it different. They're all gonna do it their own way. That's the spirit of the sport Ray Scott created.

> "If you have one thing that comes in and dominates, the organization...has to police that. They have to make it such that the competition is in the spirit of the way it was created."

Follow-up: Do you think that the fish will get wise to it and does that matter to you?

> "It absolutely does not matter at all. Not one bit. That is totally beside the point....

> "The whole key to the whole thing...the reason I'm strong on it, passionate about it...I've spent my life doing it and I do have a strong love for the sport. ...everything I've got is because of pro bass fishing – that I watched on Bassmaster when I was a 15-year-old kid...watching Bob Cobb....

> "In my opinion the competition has to be varied. It can't be everybody doing the same thing. That's why there's no argument that works for me – because this competition we're doing right now is everybody doing the same thing. We've got to look at that part of it. That's the part that can't happen."

3. It seemed like you were not against it at first. Has your opinion of it changed?

> "I first got the technology in 2019 and was sponsored by Garmin. ...I just started exploring it, I started using it. But I used it as a tool. If it could only be used as a tool, it would be just fine. It's not – it's not a tool.

> "...the guys that do the best with it, it's all they do. They literally put their trolling motor in the water, look around for a bass and cast at it. I'm not saying they don't pattern it [after they catch one]...it's just that that's all they do. There's a handful a of baits – a minnow, a dropshot, a jerkbait....

> "But the competition that we love is founded on people doing different things to get to the same point. It's what drives the entire industry. I loved watching Rick Clunn fishing the way he does, somebody else loved watching Tommy Biffle flipping muddy water, and somebody else was a fan of Denny Brauer that fished docks or ran 200 miles.... I mean that is what our sport is founded on. We cannot allow it to get away from that.

> "I changed [his opinion on FFS] because I started understanding how truly powerful it was. It is not just a tool, like side imaging or a great bait or something great on your boat. It is not a tool. It is a full on 'that's all you do' technique.

> "And I do believe you should be able to change your mind as you look at, learn and become more familiar with something.

> "I think that's why what B.A.S.S. did, with forming the [FFS] committee, was literally spot on. I thought they should have banned it last year, but was not that upset with their decision [to study it instead]. Because I didn't know – is this is truly gonna totally dominate our sport? But I do know now. It is."

4. I've always said it's impossible for even diehard weekend warriors to know how truly great you top-tier guys are without being in the boat with you. "Live" coverage doesn't even begin to do it justice. Do you think that's one reason a lot of folks might not understand what a big change FFS is?

> "First of all, I have fished with many, many great anglers. And I'm literally amazed by every one of them because of how good, how efficient, how dialed in – how they work, how they move. I've learned from every one of them.

> "I think it's the hardest sport...because...you've got all these variables but you've also got a live creature that you're trying to tame. It's hard. It's a hard sport and it's hard to figure out.

> "So to answer your Q: I do believe – and it's what I stressed in the letter...I can't imagine that people can't see this, it seems so blatantly obvious to me – that this way to fish should not exist in tournaments. Unless you've seen it in the boat with someone who is truly great at it, you can't understand it. And that's the problem. That's the reason we're not having more momentum going that way [toward a ban]."

5. What's one thing you want all us regular bass fishermen to understand about all this?

> "I want people to understand...that great fishermen are truly amazing. I can't even put that into words better than that – they're just amazing. When you put this technology in their hands, it's not fishing anymore. It's literally finding one on your Scope and casting at it. And you've got just a couple of baits. But there's just not sport in doing it.

> "...you just can't understand it unless you've been out there [with the pros].

> "When I came into the sport, the sport was defined for me. There was Ray Scott, then Helen Sevier, Trip Weldon, Dewey Kendrick – those were the people at the top making decisions. Or it was the older fishermen I was literally in total awe of – who would I be to ever question them, who have put their whole lives into this? ...who would I be to ever question that they know what the best thing for the sport truly is?

> "That's why I come into it this way. I've got nothing to gain from this other than I am passionate about the sport and I love it, and I do not want to see it ruined by this."

As many of you might know, Zona started on TV with yours truly. The short story is – he was a natural on camera from day 1. (I wasn't and still am not!) I mean he was a crazy natural, like he was born to do it, which as you know now – he was.

[Guess I've always been the black fish...😁]

We knew each other before that from me covering Opens in the early BassFan.com days, which he used to fish. Z was and is a sho-nuff stick. But we became bros on Loudmouth Bass...and found ourselves to be strangely similar in some ways.

Saying all this because I could ask him 100 questions. But I won't...yet. Here's 7 with him.

1. After 20 years with B.A.S.S., am I still the only guy you almost got in a fist-fight with in the studio?

> "No [laughs]. Let me rephrase that – are you ready – you were just the first [laughs]."

2. Do you think Kevin retired so he could say he retired first – like he won the retirement race?

> "[Laughs] There actually was conversation that we were gonna try and coincide it together until the jihad [MLF] happened, which fractured that plan.

> "...he announced it for like 12 straight months, I did not – I did it for 5 straight minutes at most. He had a really kick-a** retirement party, mine is gonna be all of my friends, which would be Karin [his wife]. My budget for my retirement party – I think we are looking at about a $70-$90 budget [laughs]."

> "Here's what's weird – we now work side by side basically, in content, television and social...."

3. Okay – why now?

> "I didn't know what the right time was – because I thought it was gonna actually be a lot earlier...5 years ago. I've always wanted to devote – especially in the last decade, I've talked about this with [Mike] McKinnis and Tommy [Sanders] too – to devote 100% of my attention and energy to my business: Zona world and Zona content. I've never been able to do that, ever. I did not want it to get too late in my life....

> "Look man – I have not liked, I have loved my time with Bassmaster. I respect the company, I love my co-workers I worked with there. From a selfish standpoint, this was something Karin and I want it to do.

> "I owe our partners of Zona world – [his sponsors] across the board – I owe them for sticking with me for 2 decades and they're gonna get that back now. 100% of my attention.

> "I didn't know when the right time was, and this was a decision that Karin and I made together. It was thought out. To be able to walk away and high-5 everybody that I work with – there's no hard feelings, there's nothing severed – that meant the world to me. Because a lot of jobs, that doesn't happen.

> "The feedback since Sunday has been eye-opening, humbling. I've heard from my friends, I've heard from people I don't know, I've heard from enemies. That has been humbling."

Foller-up: Does any of this have to do with your newfound love of carp fishing? 😆

> "Yes. Yes. I have a fairly addictive personality and I...put myself in one of the top 1,800 carp fishermen in the country right now. And I'm slowly going up the leaderboard.

> "I have to balance life out, and my carp fishing – I manage 3 fantasy football teams along with hunting...I can't fit it all in in a year."

4. Can you describe how or why Tommy is a literal genius at what he does? Because I think most people don't see it.

> "Wow. Here's what's really funny about Tommy – this is hard to put into words – a lot of people don't see the Tommy I see. He is one of the most hilarious human beings I've ever been around in my entire life. You don't see a lot of it [on Live], but if you listen closely, it's there.

> "From our days on Largemouth Bass together, you know that the biggest thing in commentary is chemistry. I've never met a person next to Karin...I know the end of his sentences, his timing and vice versa.

> "But you're right – he's literally a genius. Many times I would be starting at him and thinking, Wow he is so smart and I am so dumb.

> "The other side – he didn't know he did this – he taught me so much about tone, about timing. Timing's a big one. I'll ramble on for 4 hours...he taught me how to be concise....

> "Tommy and [producer] Mike...they always let me be me, which meant a ton. Because...full well knowing he was smarter than me, he had to sit there for hours on end and listen to my BS.

> "You gotta fill a lotta time on Bassmaster Live, and one day we were in the studio...the fishing was slow...I said. 'Tommy, you gotta be killed by one of these – Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th.' ...he never missed a beat...he said, 'Freddy Krueger. You can't beat somebody who's all up in your nightmares.' [Laughs] Mine was Michael Myers because he just keeps coming. He doesn't even run and he's all up on ya.

> "...dude, I am so thankful for that company. I'm so thankful for that opportunity, the privilege, the relationships that I made across the board, from the fans to the majority of the angers [laughs] to the minute I walked out of JM [Bassmaster production in AR] and hugged Mike and Tommy. I'm a lucky dude...."

5. What does this mean for Z's Awesome Feesh Show? More shows or what? I mean I'm pretty sure Karin doesn't want you around the house more??

> "Actually, while we're doing this for the BassBlaster, I've been home for 36 hours and I'm telling you it's been 34 hours too many already [laughs].

> "There's a lot more coming. I've been in many, many meetings the last 3 weeks with partners. Obviously the Zona show will continue to be on the Outdoor Channel and MyOudoorTV, but there's a lot of other projects and content that won't be on network television...content that will ramp up. ...crushed my schedule...which is what I wanted to do.

> "...I try to go to places that are either very well-known or that are so off the beaten path, and I always say this...those places off the beaten path are some of the country's best fishing...and I'm gonna keep finding them. I think that's what's special about this country...there are still secrets.

> "...Bassmaster and the Zona Show and the industry as a whole, it's our life. It's our lifestyle and our passion – it's what we eat and breathe every single day. But I also know my hourglass isn't as big as it was a decade ago. I've gone hard doing this, and I know when I climb in my boat with my crew I love it more today than I did 2 decades ago. And that's the direction I'm going.

> "Lately you hear a lot of negativity in the fishing world and that bothers me – you and I talk about it every month. Fishing is still the most kick-a** fun thing in all of our lives. I'll do my best to keep showing what it is because that's what it is – it's the best."

[Dang straight! 💪💪]

6. What's the biggest change you've seen at the top level of bass fishing over these 20 years?

> "The current state of where we're at. Kids come out of college and immediately are factors. Yeah there were anomalies before – a KVD or a Jordan Lee – but the biggest difference now is that young men come out of the Opens and they are instant factors, where generally, up til 3 years ago, that wasn't the case. It usually takes 3-5 years to get traction as a rookie, and that doesn't happen now. That traction happens immediately.

> "That's the biggest change...the last couple years and I think technology has a lot to do with that – positive or negative, however you want to perceive that."

7. Now that you're outside the fence line, can we expect raw Z opinions on various bass fishing topics? Because I'll slap my money down right now to buy a ringside seat for that deal!

> "Dead honest with you – I think I did that in that [Bassmaster] role. I think I was critical with the company, I think I was critical with anglers and rule violations. I don't have a filter – you know that Jay....

> "If I had an opinion on Live, I said it. There's not any time where I held that in. So yeah, I'll still be that way."

Bonus Q: Are we seeing a new era of power finesse fishing? Or are we seeing it go even lighter than in times past?

> "That's really hard to answer right now. I made this comment during this last event: What we're starting to see...currently is the conditioning of these offshore, pelagic fish.

> "2 years ago on lakes I fish, if I saw 10 bass [on FFS] I could catch 9. Now a success is catching 2 out of 10 bass. Even though the weights were astounding at Lake Ontario, they were catching 6-7 bass a day. Just 2-3 years ago with FFS these guys were catching 20-40 big bass a day.

> "The effects of conditioning will have a direct impact on the way our techniques go moving forward – because anglers will start cracking the code of how to catch those conditioned fish. I don't know that it's right now.

> "I think we'll see 2 things. We'll see really extreme finesse baits, and we'll see the presence of really oversize baits."

You know Michael "Top 10" Neal modded a piece of Big Bite Baits Scentsation Quarantine Craw with precisely 8 skirt strands to get fish to commit at the St Lawrence MLF BPT, like such:

Bet he wasn't the only guy to do that – and Drew Benton did the same deal with a SPRO Sakura Worm and SPRO CJ Smasher at the St Lawrence Elite where he finished 7th:

Just 2 examples of what we know as the "fuzzy dice" phenomenon, which is a deal in Japan and came here with the Japanese Elites, like such:

Since the dice bait is literally a do-nothing deal without the strands/whiskers – just a plastic cube – I gotta assume that if there is an action, the strands give pretty much all of it.

So is it the action of the strands? Do the strands maybe obscure the outline of a "regular" bait that the fish have seen a bunch? Any other ideas?

Whatever it is, both Michael and Drew said they were getting more bites – from smallmouths that had been pounded on – with their doctored baits than without. Bear in mind that to my knowledge these baits were developed in Japan for largemouths – or maybe any highly-pressured bass.

Whole deal makes me wonder whether Tightlines UV – which has been adding skirt material to all kinds of soft-plastics for 10 years – will see an uptick in biz or get the last laugh or...?

Cool factoids about that deal:

Sounds like Tightlines and an Okie named Greg Dorris were working on the "whisker" baits idea at the same time, and decided to join forces in 2014. Get this – Greg's mom was a tournament angler (who had to see the bait in action before loaning him money to patent it) and his dad JE was a bass guide, designed a spinnerbait and his college roommate was OK B.A.S.S. legend Don Butler.

Gonna say – Greg must know bass baits so....

I personally wonder if skirt strands can be made with...MaxScent?

1. Randall Tharp won UMF for the 2nd year in a row

UMF = Joe Thomas' Ultimate Match Fishing. Congrats man!

2. Brent Ehrler likes the Scope Shad on a dropshot

Quick YT video with his new hook, allows the hook point to be farther back which = more hookups with short-strikers. Check Yammy Scope Shads here on TW.

3. Jared Lintner shows the new Jackall Counterback Spoon

IG vid, I dig the eye being at the bottom:

They are on TW....

4. James Elam likes the KastKing MG12 reel too

He likes it for jerkbaits, small cranks, smaller topwaters – bunch of KK pros like that reel (I do too!).

5. Props to Carl Jocumsen...

...for putting a spotlight on the positive with his Fear My Heart Elite Incentive and other stuff. Good!

6. ON: New Quinte limit record is 28.53

Quinte Fishing Series tourney:

Do they look Canadian to you? 🤔😁

7. TX biologists want scales from your bass

> Anglers who submit scale samples from qualifying fish receive an official ShareLunker Catch Kit including a Lew’s baitcasting reel, cap, fishing tackle, a cap and a 3-month subscription to Bass University....

8. Quick underwater look at the BOOYAH Flash Point Jerkbait

IG vid, you can see the L to R "darting" action ^. TW says it will be available mid-Sept.

9. The Berkley Juke, another salty bait good for fresh??

Just look at it! Coffin bill and flattish sides, Berkley site says it comes in 85, 100 and 128:

10. Good vid of the Rapala PXR Jowler walking bait

Warning: watch it and I think you will want one!

11. Good vid on why Carolina-rig with a football weight

Specifically the very well-designed one made by Jewel Baits, IG vid by NPFLer Doug Chapin.

12. MN: Gitcha Vexus ride this weekend

> The Revolution Tour is coming to Leech Lake, MN! In conjunction with J & K Marine, we’ll be giving demo rides near the Walker Public Dock during the afternoons [today], Friday and Saturday. Come out and see the brand-new VXs21 and AVX1985s!

Same warning: You'll want one...so bring the Mrs so she will too! 😁

13. Get half off the Aqua-Vu Quad HD system

Ott DeFoe talks about why he prefers that system and gives the code for $1,000 off 🤯 which I assume you use on the Aqua-Vu website. Aqua-Vu folks really seem to be trying to earn bass-heads' business!

Reminder that they have an "entry-level" cam system (also HD) for $350 too.

14. How many colors is a bullfrog?

This many! More than I remembered I guess:

Believe that's a custom-painted Scum Frog?

15. Cool-looking Amphibia wood-grain shades!

Gotta look the part! 😁 Can get 'em on the TW.

16. Looks like those rotary FFS sonar control pedals...

...are selling pretty good? ^ Website is here.

17. MN DNR surveying anglers about FFS for ice crappie

Proposed regs survey:

> One set of proposed regulations is in response to growing angler concerns about crappie and the increased stress on these fish populations from winter fishing, exacerbated by advanced technology that lets anglers to easily find and catch fish.

18. WV considering new OH River launch...

...down river from the Washington Works plant.

19. KS opposing NE river plan because of Asian carp

> If the Platte-Republican diversion is allowed, this species could reach KS fishing lakes.

20. IL: A bunch of fish/waters found with PFAS

Real bad pollutant being found in a bunch of states/fisheries.

21. OH is picking the walleye for their new state fish

22. WA: Spawned out, dead shad clogging salmon ladders

Headline of the Day

The Best Bass Fishing in America Is Happening on the College Circuit

It's real good for sure but not the best...which I'm sure those young men know....

Quick dock-fishing tips from Jacob Wheeler

From an IG video:

> "..a lot of time the dirtier water...the fish will really set up on these posts. Your strike zone is a lot smaller when the water is dirtier, so they set up on the actual bases of the dock a lot of times...

> "...I take a little more time in that stained water to pick things apart and fish a little more thoroughly because you might miss that bite if you don't slow down.

> "But as the water's cleaner, those fish set up in the actual shade, whether that's under a pontoon or anything like that. The strike zone is bigger and they can always roam around...."

Little more juice in there too....

😬 Youch! Posted by @booyah_baits on IG – hope he's okay!

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