The October 11th edition of The Fishing Wire had a story about a study by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which looked at live-imaging sonar and its impacts on catch rates of largemouth and smallmouth bass, collectively referred to as black bass. In the study published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, DNR biologist Ryan Gary and colleagues reveal how this cutting-edge fishing technology can help anglers catch more fish, while recognizing it doesn’t necessarily help them catch larger bass. The research finds the effectiveness of the technology depends on the specific waterbody, and its habitat.
The article noted how sonar has long been used by anglers to gain a better understanding of the waters they fish. Early versions relied on acoustic “pings” to show depth and display shapes representing fish. As technology improves and becomes more affordable, anglers now have access to advanced versions including live-imaging sonar which can be pointed in any direction, providing a constantly refreshing, video-like image beneath the surface. Under ideal circumstances, it allows anglers to clearly identify fish, underwater structure, and sometimes even their own lure.
As live-imaging becomes more accessible, anglers, fisheries managers, and tournament organizers have raised concerns about potential effects on fish populations. In response, researchers used data from Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour to evaluate the impact of live-imaging sonar (LIS), examining results from 73 professional anglers across eight different tournaments in 2025. The results showed that LIS significantly increased overall catch rates, but this advantage was not universal across all locations.
“For instance, anglers saw notable catch increases at events on Lake Conroe in Texas and Lake Murray in South Carolina,” The Fishing Wire noted, adding how the live-imaging technology conversely provided no statistical advantage in average catch rates on the Potomac River in Maryland or Lake Guntersville in Alabama. “Additionally, the study found that the anglers did not catch larger average fish during live-imaging sonar periods compared with nonuse periods,” the study found.
This research linked the success of live-imaging to specific environmental characteristics, noting how a greater percentage of black bass were caught using the technology in deep, open water with little habitat cover. “Anglers who caught fish in deep water (greater than 9 feet) had nearly three times the likelihood of using the technology,” the piece noted, adding “in contrast, use of the technology was not as prevalent in shallow areas with abundant structure and habitat.”
A few years ago while attending an American Sportfishing Association (ASA) summit in Florida, a state freshwater fisheries manager on the ASA Government Affairs Committee brought up the issue with forward facing sonar and LIS, seeking industry response to a potential problem. I was biting down hard on my tongue at the time while seated in the gallery. Luckily one committee member opposed the motion, matching precisely the thoughts in my head, which was at what point do we as an angling community draw a line in the sand on “new and improved” tackle and technology?
Sure, live-imaging sonar may make it easier to locate offshore congregations of fish in deeper waters – allowing anglers to find fish they might not have been able to target previously – but haven’t we already crossed a line in terms of electronics, quieter four-stroke outboards, suspending crankbaits, graphite rods, synthetic flies and smoother casting reels?
I hear folks blame emerging new trends and technologies for making anglers more proficient, on everything from black bass and blackfish, to striped bass and striped marlin; but it’s important to remember the many other innovations that have come before which have already changed the game. If we’re going to stuff that genie back in the bottle now, maybe we should also consider a return to paper charts, linen lines, and old “knucklebuster” conventional reels.
Anglers expect cutting edge tackle and gear to use, that’s how the history of recreational fishing is being made.
