Survey on Forward-Facing Sonar

Please answer three simple questions in this survey regarding Forward-Facing Sonar. Forward-Facing Sonar Survey It should take you less than one minute. Thank you!!

I've been asked why I created this survey.

Answer: My journalistic curiosity. I am Editor of www.CrappieNOW.com Magazine. I have inquired to numerous influential and knowledgeable sources as to the overall market penetration of Forward-Facing Sonar. Do 5% of all anglers have FFS or 50%? It seems NO ONE knows - at least no one I've contacted, including some heavy-hitter fishing equipment manufacturing representatives. Everyone wants to write about FFS these days, but with no information regarding market penetration, I am concerned that we could potentially be alienating many, or even most, of our readers who don't have it. This survey is NOT scientifically valid - and it will never be represented as such - but if we can get a significant number of responses, it will provide better information than anyone else has been able to provide so far. And help me have a better grasp of how many of our readers might be interested, or not. Of course market penetration will definitely increase in the coming years. I'm just trying to get a snapshot of where it stands now... at least folks in my social media network. I'll share results next week.

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I only answered the first question.

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Originally Posted by Centurion

I only answered the first question.

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Same here, if yes no need to answer the other two. Thanks

Done.

Same here


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Completed, will we be able to see results?

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

Same here, if yes no need to answer the other two. Thanks

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That is correct.

Survey done ... Yes on question #1 ... also saw it on the Crappie.com Facebook page, but did not answer on that one (as I assumed it was meant for C.c FB members that are not website members).

I answered the first one.

I also answered the first question.

answered one

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Survey done ... Yes on question #1 ... also saw it on the Crappie.com Facebook page, but did not answer on that one (as I assumed it was meant for C.c FB members that are not website members).

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If you try and take the survey on the same device, it will recognize your IP address and say, "Sorry, you have already completed this survey."

Completed

I'm interested to see some numbers....myself and all my fishin buddies have garmin ls units one has a lowrance but there are plenty of folks i fish around that don't have em and they all seem to ask the same basic question whats on tv or something to that effect so does that mean they are for or against ls?

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Originally Posted by bugman

I'm interested to see some numbers....myself and all my fishin buddies have garmin ls units one has a lowrance but there are plenty of folks i fish around that don't have em and they all seem to ask the same basic question whats on tv or something to that effect so does that mean they are for or against ls?

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The survey is going to remain active until at least Monday evening. I will cut it off at that point and ASAP, post results here. Thanks for all who have participated.

I literally just purchased Active Target and haven't even gotten it installed on the boat. What I find interesting is that the percentage of fishing boats WITH forward-facing sonar on our lake near my seasonal winter/spring home is VERY high, whereas the number of fishing boats with forward-facing sonar near my primary home in northern Pennsylvania (I do most of my fishing in upstate New York) is still pretty low I think. I'm actually shocked how many boats have it down here in the south. I've talked with lots of people who are fairly casual anglers and who acknowledge that they're not great or very successful anglers, yet they still pony up for the forward-facing sonar.

Done

Done. Foot note, I personally like the original PS-22TR Panoptix transducer over Livescope for fishing. I do not snipe with my units, just used to measure distance and direction to targeted structure.

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Originally Posted by Rojo

I do not snipe with my units, just used to measure distance and direction to targeted structure.

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But Structure with fish correct? :dono

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

But Structure with fish correct? :dono

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I let my jig and jig presentation skills determine that. If I don't catch a fish in 5 minutes I move on, its just like Speckled Trout fishing. If no Trout bites before the boat quits moving time to go.

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Originally Posted by Rojo

Done. Foot note, I personally like the original PS-22TR Panoptix transducer over Livescope for fishing. I do not snipe with my units, just used to measure distance and direction to targeted structure.

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I try and tell folks that you don't have to be a screen watcher to use livescope. Sniping is not the only method. I scan docks, confirm distance and depth of fish and start casting to them. I do the same for brush piles. I only check livescope every few cast to confirm the fish have not moved. I am a screen watcher when trying to catch open water fish but I seldom use this method to crappie fish.

Lots have them, some won't because of cost & then there are some like my buddy & his wife that are very good crappie fishermen that would rather blow their money on playing bingo & fighting chickens & complain saying you can't compete with the guys who have livescope even though they won the amateur side of two out of three crappie usa tournaments they fished with nothing but a 4" humminbird pihrana depth finder. :dono I know i wouldn't be fishing for them or trying different styles of catching them without livescope at all. I'm very happy with it myself & have officially became a perch jerker. :Rofl

Completed survey. Recently watched a video that compared the use of ffs with violating the tenets of fair chase per Boone & Crockett. Interesting comparison for sure.

I did it as well but had to fill out all 3 questions since I don't use one.
I would consider one for ice fishing, however.
If we ever get decent ice again:(

This survey will end tonight (Monday, Jan. 29) around 6 pm. I'll share results Tuesday or Wednesday.

It takes less than one minute, and more like 30 seconds. Thanks.

Forward-Facing Sonar Survey

I have been using livescope going on year #5. Even bought a second one just not installed it yet . I have 2 screens both 12''. Go big or go home. Most buying smaller screens go bigger if they fish much.

Most of my buddies have livescope of some version. I would like to have it just can’t get myself to pony up for the cost of it.

Answered yes to first one.

SURVEY RESULTS - Regarding the survey I posted last week asking how many people have Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS, such as Garmin Livescope or similar Humminbird or Lowrance brands), the survey has now been closed. Open image to see the results.

Albeit TOTALLY unscientific, I am absolutely astounded at the results! Basically HALF of all respondents indicate they do have forward-facing sonar.

I never imagined the percentage would be anywhere near that high. Perhaps folks were more inclined to answer if they do have FFS? But no matter what - even if it is off by a significant margin - it is clear to me that there are LOTS more people using FFS now than I ever would have imagined!

FYI, of the people who “Commented” on the reasons they do not have FFS (44 comments), a large percentage indicated they have concerns about the technology impacting the resource.

EXAMPLES OF RESPONSES (from people who don't have FFS):
• It is depleting a renewable resource at a rapid pace
• Should be outlawed
• They’re a crutch for lazy fishermen. I can’t imagine a duller way to fish.
• Not willing to lose knowledge it has taken me a lifetime to acquire.
• Unfair
• Will eventually lead to too many fish being removed from lakes. State agencies will need to reevaluate the number of fish that can be taken out
• Too much technology in the sport already.
• I think they are unfair for sport fishing.
• It's not fishing, it's spotlighting
• Taking the “fishing” out of fishing
• I think they negatively impact the fish harvest.
• I think it’s a detriment technology. Two reasons, most resources are struggling and this highly effective tool will only damage it further. Second issue is the angler. The technology is dumbing down anglers. I’ve fished for a living for almost 50 years. I’ve watched a steady decline in anglers that truly understand all the elements and those that are successful almost solely through tech. We are losing our skill sets. I blame tech for that. I’ve seen the full arc of electronics and use modern electronics in my business. This just crosses an ethical line for me. To each his own though.
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Interesting results. Thanks for sharing.

I think Richard did a great job with this survey. I wonder out of the yes replies how many are "Screen Watchers / Chasers" or using the FFS for Structure orientation and/or just affirming fish at the location.

Sold mine (1222 ) made fishing not what it once was .Pretty much have gone to red ear fishing . See how long it takes the State and tournament world to screw that up .

Thanks for this post.

Livescope is NOT the devil, Mama! Vicki Valencourt showed her black box and I liked it. - YouTube