Josh Jones on Facebook

[Big Swimbait]

14 minutes ago, Cdn Angler said:

I don't much care for fish caught using FFS as I don't use it. I'm sure it requires a great deal of skill to maximize the technology, but to me it is a step beyond what fishing is supposed to be about. 

 

If one guy can figure out how to target Double Digit Bass using FFS then you can be sure others will as well. Ultimately that likely means fewer big fish or that it'll become increasingly hard to catch them without FFS. 

 

For me 95% of fishing is finding fish by working areas that might have them. Knowing that they are there and watching them react to your bait in real time takes away most of the magic of the sport. 

 

If someone went and caught DDB at a tiny stocked pound where they stuff the bass with caught bait I'd think the same way. 

 

This isn't progress IMO, it's regression. 

 

Same as baseball bats and golf clubs, there need to be limits. Even more so in fishing as it is a finite resource. 

Valid points that I can not disagree with. But to play Devil's advocate, the great unknown has for years been how to find and catch the offshore fish. Those fish were not being caught with any regularity. I truly believe that's why they are giants - they have never been targeted before. So I do not think FFS will affect the fish that 95% of us normally fish for. Now if the technology gets to the point that a Hackney can scan shallow cover to flip and pitch to, that would be a game changer.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

57 minutes ago, Cdn Angler said:

I don't much care for fish caught using FFS as I don't use it. I'm sure it requires a great deal of skill to maximize the technology, but to me it is a step beyond what fishing is supposed to be about. 

 

If one guy can figure out how to target Double Digit Bass using FFS then you can be sure others will as well. Ultimately that likely means fewer big fish or that it'll become increasingly hard to catch them without FFS. 

 

For me 95% of fishing is finding fish by working areas that might have them. Knowing that they are there and watching them react to your bait in real time takes away most of the magic of the sport. 

 

If someone went and caught DDB at a tiny stocked pound where they stuff the bass with caught bait I'd think the same way. 

 

This isn't progress IMO, it's regression. 

 

Same as baseball bats and golf clubs, there need to be limits. Even more so in fishing as it is a finite resource. 

I have no doubts these same things were said when flasher sonar hit the scene.

 

I think folks who dislike FFS are more in line with Trout fisherman or Fly Fishing honestly.  If you are just now being bothered by tech advancements in Bass fishing, then you aren't being honest with yourself.   How is using GPS to lock a boat down in 15mph wind directly over a bunch of boulders you identified on Side Scan and Down Scan sonar any different than scoping structure or fish in front of you?   

 

The only thing that regresses the sport is killing the fish, giving 13lb+ fish to the state of Texas's ShareLunker program is progress imho.    For every FFS monster fish these guys catch, an untold amount will be created in the future with it's DNA.    Josh is a victim of his own success when it comes to FFS.   People view FFS under the lens of Josh, not the dozens of local guys in my high end tackle shop talking about how they waste half their fishing days staring at FFS.    The majority of anglers don't even know how to effectively utilize their Down/Side Scan.  

 

There is a handful of anglers in the world that produce stunning results from FFS, I think the big fish are safe for now.   

 

I say all this as somebody who fishes out of a $500 Jon boat, a 50lb thrust TM, and a Garmin Striker 9SV.   I understand your opinion, but I can't agree with it.    

 

[WRB]

It’s not the Josh’s fishing skill or use of available technology that bothers me, it’s his or anyone else that uses success to self promote themselves $2K an outing with JJ is ridicules. I don’t know a single trophy bass angler who fishes with a partner, most are loners, let alone charge to watch them catch bass. 

Just my opinion.

Tom

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

It’s not the Josh’s fishing skill or use of available technology that bothers me, it’s his or anyone else that uses success to self promote themselves $2K an outing with JJ is ridicules. I don’t know a single trophy bass angler who fishes with a partner, most are loners, let alone charge to watch them catch bass. 

Just my opinion.

Tom

To be fair you are unique among your own generation of epic big Bass hunters.......I never read about you growing up like Bob Crupi who was constantly plastered across Bass rags in the grocery stores growing up.

 

I think Bob Crupi and Josh Jones are quite comparable as they parlayed their fishing successes into profitable guide services.    I know Butch Jones does it for the love of the game, but even he was promoting baits especially by Huddleston and was sponsored.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you never earned money from catching the big 5 in your avatar, correct?   I know you said you have tourney fished some, but I'm specifically talking about the period of your fishing career where you thought you were pursuing the WR.

 

If that's correct, you are the only person with that level of big Bass history who hasn't capitalized on in on via guiding, sponsors, starting a bait company, having a huge Youtube channel with Adsense, etc. 

 

That's quite the noble and purist path, ultimate respect, but again you are very rare in that regard.  

[WRB]

I think you met Butch Brown not Butch Jones.

We had anglers like Gary Harrison, Danny Kadoda, Gary Sampson, Bill Seimantel, Bob Crupi, all trying to catch the world record LMB at Castiac during the 90’s. Castiac is only a 2,000 acre small, but very deep, lake located a few miles off the I5 freeway. It’s hard to imagine the circus this time period was. People set up 200 power spotting scopes to watch anglers fishing. The last thing I wanted was notoriety, my thought was the whale the surfaces gets harpooned!

So, no I stayed under the radar as much as possible.

Tom

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

I think you met Butch Brown not Butch Jones.

We had anglers like Gary Harrison, Danny Kodada, Gary Sampson, Bill Seimantel, Bob Crupi, all trying to catch the world record LMB at Castiac during the 90’s. Castiac is only a 2,000 acre small, but very deep, lake located a few miles off the I5 Instate freeway. It’s hard to imagine the circus this time period was. People set up 200 power spotting scopes to watch anglers fishing. The last thing I wanted was notoriety, my thought was the whale the surfaces gets harpooned!

So, no I stayed under the radar as much as possible.

Tom

Yeah my bad. 

 

I get it, if I ever found a place where I could catch those type of fish, I wouldn't even tell my mother.  

 

Ironic that it all happened in CA, as it was truly the gold rush of Bass fishing.   The fact it happened on a 2000 acre lake is mind boggling. 

[WRB]

Merry Christmas 

Tom

[Cdn Angler]

10 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I have no doubts these same things were said when flasher sonar hit the scene.

 

I think folks who dislike FFS are more in line with Trout fisherman or Fly Fishing honestly.  If you are just now being bothered by tech advancements in Bass fishing, then you aren't being honest with yourself.   How is using GPS to lock a boat down in 15mph wind directly over a bunch of boulders you identified on Side Scan and Down Scan sonar any different than scoping structure or fish in front of you?   

 

The only thing that regresses the sport is killing the fish, giving 13lb+ fish to the state of Texas's ShareLunker program is progress imho.    For every FFS monster fish these guys catch, an untold amount will be created in the future with it's DNA.    Josh is a victim of his own success when it comes to FFS.   People view FFS under the lens of Josh, not the dozens of local guys in my high end tackle shop talking about how they waste half their fishing days staring at FFS.    The majority of anglers don't even know how to effectively utilize their Down/Side Scan.  

 

There is a handful of anglers in the world that produce stunning results from FFS, I think the big fish are safe for now.   

 

I say all this as somebody who fishes out of a $500 Jon boat, a 50lb thrust TM, and a Garmin Striker 9SV.   I understand your opinion, but I can't agree with it.    

 

 

All sports have technology and all, at some point, draw a limit as to where the tech should end because it changes the essence of the sport. For me FFS is that limit, if not even Down/Side scan. I don't think the whatabout argument you make, which is that using any other fishing technology makes you a hypocrite if you criticize FFS, hold water. Just because a baseball player wears shoes doesn't mean you can't critique a hitter geeked out PEDs with an aluminum bat that hits the ball 40% further. Why? It changes the essence of the sport, where homeruns are supposed to be hard, not easy. Same with fishing. The sport is supposed to be about finding fish based on knowledge and intuition, not scanning the lake for them. You aren't supposed to even know the size of a particular fish until it bites your line. Is that anti-change? Yes it is. 

 

Why not just electrocute the water and then grab one? Are the GPS companies going to use satellites and drones to track every fish in the lake, in real time, then you go to the exact log you know has a 10.5 lb fish? Why not just fish from a robot boat and rod from your living room with a remote control? Surely there is a limit somewhere? It isn't like fishing is a free for all, there are tons of restrictions on how you can fish. FFS is just another area that requires regulation. 

 

I'm not impressed by this dude or anyone else using FFS. I'm sure they are great fishermen, but would he have caught those fish without the tech? Nope.  He's an advertisement for Garmin, nothing more. 

[Drew03cmc]

Personally, I see the skill in interpreting the data on the screen, not in strolling a swim jig and watching the fish pursue. His videos aren't like Butch, rather his are more "look-at-me". Butch wanted to showcase the fish and the bait, but JJ wants to self promote as much as anything.

 

If you use down scan correctly, you can do similar stuff just in the cone under your transducer, not 100 feet in front of you. 

 

[king fisher]

As long as the technology does not harm the resource, make it more difficult for those that don't choose to use that technology , or in any way interferes with an angler who doesn't have said technology, than why would  any a fisherman care, what fish finder another angler uses? 

      If you don't think using the latest live scan sonar is fair, sporting, or for any reason something you don't want to use, than don't buy or use it.  As long as fish population, or other anglers experience isn't negatively effected, than I say it's a free country.

      Using dynamite, or electroshocking bass are methods, that are very effective, while universally considered unsportsmanlike, but are illegal because of the effect they have on the fishery.

      Using new technology in tournaments is a completely different topic.  Everything that is allowed to be used or not used in a tournament effects all the anglers in that tournament.  For example. Not allowing the use of nets gives an advantage to younger more athletic anglers.  There are many other examples of limiting or not limiting gear that can have an effect not only on the angler who is using the gear, but also effects his competition, who may not have the new gear, or the ability to utilize it to full potential because of financial, or other reasons.  Then the argument must be made to the organization that is organizing the tournament weather to allow a certain new technology.  These are not issues that need to be addressed by those in charge of managing the fisheries of a state or a particular body of water in a state.

      If a person doesn't like the way JJ uses new technology to catch big bass and don't like the way he makes videos, than don't watch his videos, or use the same technology.  The technology he uses is available to any one who wants to purchase it, and the lakes he fishes are open to the public.  He has zero advantages over any other angler.  He has purchased equipment that is on the market, taken the time to learn how to use it, traveled to the public lakes, follows the laws of the State, fishes in extreme weather, and goes through all the work and expense involved making videos of his catches.  Anyone who doesn't believe that is a fair way to catch big bass, then fish the way you think is fair, but don't say he catches bigger fish than you because he cheats, or isn't a true sportsman.  He is playing by the rules, and you too could play by those same rules and catch the same fish.  If you chose to play by your own rules while commendable on your part, does not mean others should be bound by your personal beliefs.   

      My only complaint about him would be charging $2000 a day for a guided trip, and only letting the client have first crack at the fish.  Any reputable guide puts his clients first, and does what ever he can to get his clients fish, regardless of the clients skill level.  The guide should not be concerned with catching fish himself.  If he is upfront, tells the client when booking the trip, that he plans on fishing for any big bass the client wasn't able to hook, or if he asks the client if he minds if he takes a shot at a fish, and the client agrees than I have zero complaints. 

      I fish for bass from a kayak, with what gear I like to use, and can afford.  I like the way I fish, and get great enjoyment from catching bass close to the water with limited gear.  I do not expect any one else to fish the way I prefer to fish, and greatly admire anyone who is has the ability to use whatever gear they have, to the highest level.   I simply don't see a need to ban the technology he uses, simply because he is very good at using it.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, Cdn Angler said:

 

All sports have technology and all, at some point, draw a limit as to where the tech should end because it changes the essence of the sport. For me FFS is that limit, if not even Down/Side scan. I don't think the whatabout argument you make, which is that using any other fishing technology makes you a hypocrite if you criticize FFS, hold water. Just because a baseball player wears shoes doesn't mean you can't critique a hitter geeked out PEDs with an aluminum bat that hits the ball 40% further. Why? It changes the essence of the sport, where homeruns are supposed to be hard, not easy. Same with fishing. The sport is supposed to be about finding fish based on knowledge and intuition, not scanning the lake for them. You aren't supposed to even know the size of a particular fish until it bites your line. Is that anti-change? Yes it is. 

 

Why not just electrocute the water and then grab one? Are the GPS companies going to use satellites and drones to track every fish in the lake, in real time, then you go to the exact log you know has a 10.5 lb fish? Why not just fish from a robot boat and rod from your living room with a remote control? Surely there is a limit somewhere? It isn't like fishing is a free for all, there are tons of restrictions on how you can fish. FFS is just another area that requires regulation. 

 

I'm not impressed by this dude or anyone else using FFS. I'm sure they are great fishermen, but would he have caught those fish without the tech? Nope.  He's an advertisement for Garmin, nothing more. 

The purity line is decided by the collective Irregardless of both our opinions, and the collective is okay with using FFS in Bass fishing.     

 

My main concern is the Bass's health, FFS is certainly not hurting that, rather it's vastly improving it.   I hate they killed the 10lb SM on Erie, but they will no doubt learn a ton from that fish.   In Texas, all these lunkers caught using FFS will create amazing fisheries for our children and grandchildren.      

 

Hate or love Josh Jones, the fish he's contributed to the Shared Lunker program alone merit his place in Bass fishing history, and why regardless how much self-promotion he does, it's outweighed by the good he's doing.      

 

I said it earlier in the thread, but in 5-7 years, FFS will look poverty tier.

6 minutes ago, king fisher said:

As long as the technology does not harm the resource, make it more difficult for those that don't choose to use that technology , or in any way interferes with an angler who doesn't have said technology, than why would  any a fisherman care, what fish finder another angler uses? 

      If you don't think using the latest live scan sonar is fair, sporting, or for any reason something you don't want to use, than don't buy or use it.  As long as fish population, or other anglers experience isn't negatively effected, than I say it's a free country.

      Using dynamite, or electroshocking bass are methods, that are very effective, while universally considered unsportsmanlike, but are illegal because of the effect they have on the fishery.

      Using new technology in tournaments is a completely different topic.  Everything that is allowed to be used or not used in a tournament effects all the anglers in that tournament.  For example. Not allowing the use of nets gives an advantage to younger more athletic anglers.  There are many other examples of limiting or not limiting gear that can have an effect not only on the angler who is using the gear, but also effects his competition, who may not have the new gear, or the ability to utilize it to full potential because of financial, or other reasons.  Then the argument must be made to the organization that is organizing the tournament weather to allow a certain new technology.  These are not issues that need to be addressed by those in charge of managing the fisheries of a state or a particular body of water in a state.

      If a person doesn't like the way JJ uses new technology to catch big bass and don't like the way he makes videos, than don't watch his videos, or use the same technology.  The technology he uses is available to any one who wants to purchase it, and the lakes he fishes are open to the public.  He has zero advantages over any other angler.  He has purchased equipment that is on the market, taken the time to learn how to use it, traveled to the public lakes, follows the laws of the State, fishes in extreme weather, and goes through all the work and expense involved making videos of his catches.  Anyone who doesn't believe that is a fair way to catch big bass, then fish the way you think is fair, but don't say he catches bigger fish than you because he cheats, or isn't a true sportsman.  He is playing by the rules, and you too could play by those same rules and catch the same fish.  If you chose to play by your own rules while commendable on your part, does not mean others should be bound by your personal beliefs.   

      My only complaint about him would be charging $2000 a day for a guided trip, and only letting the client have first crack at the fish.  Any reputable guide puts his clients first, and does what ever he can to get his clients fish, regardless of the clients skill level.  The guide should not be concerned with catching fish himself.  If he is upfront, tells the client when booking the trip, that he plans on fishing for any big bass the client wasn't able to hook, or if he asks the client if he minds if he takes a shot at a fish, and the client agrees than I have zero complaints. 

      I fish for bass from a kayak, with what gear I like to use, and can afford.  I like the way I fish, and get great enjoyment from catching bass close to the water with limited gear.  I do not expect any one else to fish the way I prefer to fish, and greatly admire anyone who is has the ability to use whatever gear they have, to the highest level.   I simply don't see a need to ban the technology he uses, simply because he is very good at using it.

Couldn't have said the 3rd paragraph better!

[txchaser]

IMO there's more to it than just the tech. And these particular fish would be unfindable without the FFS anyway.

I'd guess legacy-class fish (13lbs) in texas are caught about one for every few thousand FFS sold.

[Basswhippa]

On 12/25/2022 at 12:55 PM, WRB said:

It’s not the Josh’s fishing skill or use of available technology that bothers me, it’s his or anyone else that uses success to self promote themselves $2K an outing with JJ is ridicules. I don’t know a single trophy bass angler who fishes with a partner, most are loners, let alone charge to watch them catch bass. 

Just my opinion.

Tom

But if he didn't self promote, he'd have to go get a real job.  Someone paying $2,000 for only the first cast per fish sounds fun, if you are the guide and get the dough and the second cast!

[WRB]

5 minutes ago, Basswhippa said:

But if he didn't self promote, he'd have to go get a real job.  Someone paying $2,000 for only the first cast per fish sounds fun, if you are the guide and get the dough and the second cast!

Short lived career ? 

Tom

[Big Swimbait]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Short lived career ? 

Tom

He has been a highly paid crappie guide for many years…

[Choporoz]

Horizontal Jigging 2022?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Is it confirmed that he's charging $2000 to watch him fish, or for him to specifically let the client take a single cast and then the fish is Josh's.   

 

I can see him charging $2000 but can't see him doing it with all those stipulations, and those stipulations make him sound quite bad.   

 

 

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

Horizontal Jigging 2022?

Pendulum Jigging ? 

[Team9nine]

[AlabamaSpothunter]

19 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

It's a Rorschach test lol.    Knowing his background and how he has taught numerous big name pros FFS, I can see that aspect.        

 

If he is truly showing you a glimpse into his highly unique FFS technique, and you care about that.....who cares if you catch a fish on his boat or not.   The whole give a man a fish or teach a man to fish deal.  

 

I'm not carrying his water, but I also think value is in the eye of the beholder, if I had a FFS equipped boat, I'd be dying at the chance to learn from this guy whether he's catching a DD on my dime or not.   I want his knowledge, not a "canned" slam dunk on a DD fish.   

[Cbump]

On 12/25/2022 at 9:13 AM, Cdn Angler said:

I don't much care for fish caught using FFS as I don't use it. I'm sure it requires a great deal of skill to maximize the technology, but to me it is a step beyond what fishing is supposed to be about. 

 

If one guy can figure out how to target Double Digit Bass using FFS then you can be sure others will as well. Ultimately that likely means fewer big fish or that it'll become increasingly hard to catch them without FFS. 

 

For me 95% of fishing is finding fish by working areas that might have them. Knowing that they are there and watching them react to your bait in real time takes away most of the magic of the sport. 

 

If someone went and caught DDB at a tiny stocked pound where they stuff the bass with caught bait I'd think the same way. 

 

This isn't progress IMO, it's regression. 

 

Same as baseball bats and golf clubs, there need to be limits. Even more so in fishing as it is a finite resource. 

It was already increasingly hard to catch fish like this before FFS. Has nothing to do with that. You weren’t seeing this happen like It is now before FFS. Most of these fish would have never been caught by anyone anyway. 

On 12/25/2022 at 8:58 PM, Cdn Angler said:

 

All sports have technology and all, at some point, draw a limit as to where the tech should end because it changes the essence of the sport. For me FFS is that limit, if not even Down/Side scan. I don't think the whatabout argument you make, which is that using any other fishing technology makes you a hypocrite if you criticize FFS, hold water. Just because a baseball player wears shoes doesn't mean you can't critique a hitter geeked out PEDs with an aluminum bat that hits the ball 40% further. Why? It changes the essence of the sport, where homeruns are supposed to be hard, not easy. Same with fishing. The sport is supposed to be about finding fish based on knowledge and intuition, not scanning the lake for them. You aren't supposed to even know the size of a particular fish until it bites your line. Is that anti-change? Yes it is. 

 

Why not just electrocute the water and then grab one? Are the GPS companies going to use satellites and drones to track every fish in the lake, in real time, then you go to the exact log you know has a 10.5 lb fish? Why not just fish from a robot boat and rod from your living room with a remote control? Surely there is a limit somewhere? It isn't like fishing is a free for all, there are tons of restrictions on how you can fish. FFS is just another area that requires regulation. 

 

I'm not impressed by this dude or anyone else using FFS. I'm sure they are great fishermen, but would he have caught those fish without the tech? Nope.  He's an advertisement for Garmin, nothing more. 

 

What you mean is that is the way the sport is “supposed to be” TO YOU. It’s no skin off your back if it’s not the way it’s supposed to be to someone else. 
 

Josh Jones is a genius for making a killing while the getting is good doing something he loves to do. Better than most poor schmucks working the 9-5 and getting to fish twice a month. 

[thediscochef]

the guy I fish on Ray Roberts with knows JJ a little bit. While it is expensive to fish with him, he knows how do to what he's doing better than just about anyone, and he's a nice enough guy. The price thing is just a filter though I understand why some would be upset with that. If I were among the best in the world at something, I would charge appropriately for my time and I think he does that.

Personally I think anyone who really wants to see what ivie can do would get to know that hydrological system really well, and wait for a flood. When the pool rises significantly at ivie it tends to crank out records the following winter.

20 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I want his knowledge, not a "canned" slam dunk on a DD fish.   

this is what you're paying for, not the fish. give fish a man, a day eat. teach a fish the man, future. or whatever

[TnRiver46]

On 12/25/2022 at 11:38 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

 

 

 in 5-7 years, FFS will look poverty tier.

 

Hey that’s my tier!! Alright!! Lemme hold a FFS!!! I can wait……..

 

my head unit is actually capable, just don’t have the transducer. It’s mounted at the console tho, guess I would have to re rig

[AlabamaSpothunter]

So this just happened on Ivie as well......the biggest factor in catching trophy sized fish is without question is the lake itself.    Easy to forget this until a lake booms as hard as OH Ivie is.    

 

 

[Big Swimbait]

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

So this just happened on Ivie as well......the biggest factor in catching trophy sized fish is without question is the lake itself.    Easy to forget this until a lake booms as hard as OH Ivie is.    

 

 

Brady caught the 17+ last year. I truly think we will see an 18+ by the end of February. This lake is just amazing right now.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 minute ago, Big Swimbait said:

Brady caught the 17+ last year. I truly think we will see an 18+ by the end of February. This lake is just amazing right now.

You aren't that far away, I'd be fishing it brother ?

 

Seems to be the hottest Bass lake in the country if not world atm.