Fair chase

J

jacobhunter16

Member
So I’ve been fishing since the early 80’s and fish finder’s have made a huge improvement since then and I was wonder how people felt about fair chase and modern technology and fishing. In my experience it seems like everyone is looking at a screen and not focusing on the task at hand which is hunting. We don’t and can’t use drones for hunting so why should we be able to use them for fishing?
 
We just troll along sometimes singing a song and marvel at the continuous beauty of LP ,we do have an old "bottom line" depth finder but only for avoiding those lurking " grief reefs "and to aid in landing. A few times we have actually had "visual contact" with schools of striper but you have to be looking down,normally we are looking up especially past mm 35.We always catch some fish with this method so Meesa tinken we'll stick with it,ha.
 
To use your hunting example, bait hunters griping about hound hunters, and bow hunters who gripe about rifle hunters, and meat hunters who gripe about trophy hunters is kind of a circular firing squad. There are catch and possession limits on the species that need them. Arguing about the rest is just food for thought for PETA and the antis. Having all the gadgetry doesn't keep you from getting skunked. Just my $0.02.
 
Meateater has a few podcasts about this very topic. Like most things I think there are good arguments on both sides depending on the situation.

One of the great things about fishing is there are many ways to do it and anglers have different interests, some fish for size, some fish for numbers, and some fish for specific species inly. The new technology can obviously help with all those types of pursuits.

The best thing is we can all choose for ourselves. I’ve yet to use even side imaging let alone any of the forward facing stuff. Fishing will be my passion no matter what.

Preston
 
I have been pontificating on this topic myself… I have come to the conclusion that, for me personally, the current mega technology is something that I don’t want to use, and something that I cannot afford. But hey if a guy or gal can afford it , and wants to go clean up with it , go for it. I know from folks that use it, there is a definite learning curve , and you still have to be a competent fishermen to be successful with forward facing sonar. I could see its absolute advantage on lakes that are much more technical to fish than LP. I’ll always hunt with a recurve and a rifle with iron sights , and fish with a 30 year old lowrance, and a flasher, but that’s what I like to do and that’s what connects me to the woods and water.. like someone mentioned before , and it rings so true , we need to stick together as outdoorsmen and women. There are many trying to destroy and disrupt our way of life, as a Coloradan, the fight is palpable. You see it every election year on the ballot out here, and even within our DOW Board. Anyway , live and let live as long as it’s ethical , legal, etc …
 
I do have a livescope, and also have mixed feelings about the technology. I think it has the potential to be harmful when targeting crappie, the fish really have nowhere to hide. I can also attest that seeing them on livescope does not equate to catching them🤣🤣🤣.

Last year we were hosting some bird dog people from Germany, who were also die hard anglers. They were opining that livescope was unethical, an unfair advantage. Later, during another conversation about their boar hunting in Germany, he revealed that he used night vision technology for his binoculars and scope for his rifle.🤔😂
 
It's been the same argument since the first green box!
I can remember my Grandfather getting his first paper scroll sonar, it was unbelievable at the time, and people were saying the exact same thing as now about FFS: cheating, unfair, unethical... Just like every aspect of our lives technology keeps advancing, education about conservation, what to keep, what to release, when to leave fish alone, etc. all should be the point of this conversation. Infighting only helps the anti groups, just look what Oregon is trying to get on the ballot.
 
Dungee said:
Meateater has a few podcasts about this very topic. Like most things I think there are good arguments on both sides depending on the situation.

One of the great things about fishing is there are many ways to do it and anglers have different interests, some fish for size, some fish for numbers, and some fish for specific species inly. The new technology can obviously help with all those types of pursuits.

The best thing is we can all choose for ourselves. I’ve yet to use even side imaging let alone any of the forward facing stuff. Fishing will be my passion no matter what.

Preston
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I have been pleasantly surprised with Rinella's ability to navigate conversations. One of the only podcasts worth listening to anymore.

I for one, don't have to worry about live scope hahaha. Overall too much for my broke a$$ boat (I am thankful for my rig, don't wanna make it sound that otherwise). I haven't seen this on Powell that much, but on Guntersville or Lay Lake, it wasn't uncommon to see dudes chase a school for hours into deep water and never look up to acknowledge any type of safety or other craft. And not look up means literally, not ever physically lifting their heads up to look around. It was like watching terminator machines. If us normal people want to use it, I don't care. It may actually help curb striper populations. The pros though . . . I don't know. I don't wanna watch a dude that can see fish on a screen. I want to see them actually figure it out based on knowledge and feel and not harass the "resource" as Greg Hackney puts it.
 
Notcatchinem said:
There are many trying to destroy and disrupt our way of life, as a Coloradan, the fight is palpable. You see it every election year on the ballot out here, and even within our DOW Board. Anyway , live and let live as long as it’s ethical , legal, etc …
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Palpable is a great way to put it. When we moved back last year I was quickly reminded of what I didn't miss about the DOW, which was basically all of it.
 
When I fly fish, I certainly want to throw the fly where the fish are, it is cool to see them take it. Of course, the do call it "Fishing" and not "Catching" for a reason. I do think if it can help focus on a species more it is a good thing. The randomness in deep sea fishing is weird to me.
 
You still have to be able to fish. Modern electronics may help tell you where and what depth to fish, but they they can't present the lure for you. I know guys who own the most expensive boats with the most state of the art electronics available, and they still can't catch a cold - let alone a fish. If we avoided all technological advancements we'd still be hunting with spears and fishing with willow sticks and string.

Ed Gerdemann
 
Dungee said:
Meateater has a few podcasts about this very topic. Like most things I think there are good arguments on both sides depending on the situation.

One of the great things about fishing is there are many ways to do it and anglers have different interests, some fish for size, some fish for numbers, and some fish for specific species inly. The new technology can obviously help with all those types of pursuits.

The best thing is we can all choose for ourselves. I’ve yet to use even side imaging let alone any of the forward facing stuff. Fishing will be my passion no matter what.

Preston
Click to expand...
And judging from some of your posts, your "old school" approachworks pretty well!
 
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