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B.A.S.S. Tournament League Will Limit Amount of Livescope Fish-Finding Devices Allowed on Boats

The announcement comes after a different bass fishing league banned all forward-facing sonar devices for the upcoming 2025 season

By Travis Hall

B.A.S.S. Tournament League Will Limit Amount of Livescope Fish-Finding Devices Allowed on Boats

In a press release issued this morning,  the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) announced new equipment standards that will curtail the use of emerging technologies in the world of professional bass fishing. Among other changes, the new B.A.S.S. rules will limit the amount of live sonar devices allowed on bass boats and reduce the amount of on-board display screens.

“The use of live sonar at the Elite level has sparked tremendous debate,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Our technology committee spent a tremendous amount of time reviewing post-event surveys, comparing equipment on Elite boats to success rates and considering both fan engagement and bass community feedback related to the use of new technology."

The B.A.S.S. announcement comes just a few days after the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) banned live sonar altogether (more on that here). Live sonar—also known as forward-facing sonar or livescope technology—lets anglers use display screens to target specific fish in real time.

n contrast to NPFL's all-out ban on the sometimes controversial tech, the new B.A.S.S. rules will limit each boat to "one live sonar transducer [which] must be mounted to the trolling motor at the bow of the boat." In the past, anglers in both Elite Series events and the Bassmasters Classic were given free rein on live sonar with "an unlimited number of live transducers mounted on their boats in any location," B.A.S.S. states.

The second major change concerns the amount and size of fishing-finding display screens that anglers can employ during tournament fishing. Calling the trend to add more and bigger head units to boats a "safety concern," the organization said it will now limit anglers to 55 inches of on-board screen. According to B.A.S.S., bigger screens create blind spots, impacting the safe piloting of boats."

A third rule outlined in the press release will limit B.A.S.S. anglers to just one electric motor per boat. That change is aimed at stopping a rise in the use of electric motors mounted on shallow water anchors. These sort of trolling motor setups "make the enforcement of current rules (like long-lining and trolling) very difficult," B.A.S.S said.

Lastly, B.A.S.S. officials said they'll be rescheduling the Elite Series—which takes place on lakes across the country from mid-September to late August—to focus on fisheries where forward-facing sonar isn't as useful for finding and catching bass. "While live sonar technology will remain a consistent tool used at the very highest level of competitive bass fishing," the release reads, "experience and a deep-seeded understanding of fish behavior, movement and patterns will also be needed for success moving forward on the fisheries scheduled."

"B.A.S.S. is, and always has been, the keeper of the culture of our sport," Anderson said. "We believe these new standards will ensure that both the present and future competitive landscape of the Elite Series will remain above reproach." The new rules will go into effect at the start of the 2025 Elite Series season.

Walleye, Sauger Bite

Remains Hot 

On the South End... The walleye and sauger bite remains hot across the lake, with anglers enjoying consistent action. As the days progress, fish are still holding in the deeper mud, with 28 - 32 feet of water being the sweet spot this week.

Jigging has really picked up in recent days. Jig colors that are producing well include gold, orange, chartreuse, and pink.

Spinners and trolling crankbaits continue to yield good results, offering multiple effective strategies for anglers targeting walleyes and saugers.

For those pulling spinners, a two-hook crawler harness with spinner blades in gold, pink, orange, glow red, or glow white has been successful. Adjust your weights to 2 - 3 ounces to match the depth and breezy conditions.

Trolling crankbaits remains a strong option for covering water, especially with walleyes spread across the mud flats in Big Traverse Bay.  Areas with structure, such as rock reefs, or fish adjacent to these spots, are also holding fish. 

Good numbers of walleyes along the south shore with some big schools and some big fish.  The bite has been excellent and is really shaping up nicely for the fall jig bite both on the lake and in the Rainy River.

On the Rainy River... A variety of species continue to be caught on the Rainy River. The presence of decent current is still drawing extra fish into the river, and there have been positive reports from anglers targeting walleyes and sturgeon alike.

Sturgeon fishing remains productive, with anglers anchoring up and using a combination of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners. The key is patience—let the bait soak and wait for that big bite.

Walleye anglers are also having success on the river, with some nice-sized fish reported. There are already signs of emerald shiners in the river, which typically draw in walleyes. Jigging, trolling spinners with crawlers, or trolling crankbaits are all working well and will continue to be effective as the fall run approaches.

Up at the NW Angle... Walleye fishing at the NW Angle remains excellent. Fish are being found on the structure as well as on the flats. As always, different forage in various areas influences where these predators are focused.

The deep mud east and northeast of Little Oak Island holds numbers of walleyes with mixed in perch.  Good fishing around Four Blocks, and north of Garden Island as well, continuing to produce solid walleye catches.

Spinners with crawlers and trolling crankbaits are ideal for covering water and locating active fish in these areas. Anglers are finding success in 15 - 32 feet of water.

The cooler temperatures, with some days dipping into the 40s, are beginning to slowly lower water temperatures, which will only increase the walleye bite as we move deeper into August.

Fall and winter lodging and fishing packages are all available at LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.