Maximizing FFS

[TheBaitMonkey]

I'm still pretty new to FFS but from the research I've done and from watching guys like Josh Jones, Millikin, and watching pros in tourneys it appears one of the most productive ways to catch them with FFS is to - 

 

1. Graph first using your side imaging to mark different cover like brush piles, rock piles, etc
2. Scan around with FFS and find some shad/baitfish in the area near those brush piles
3. Keep the foot on the trolling motor following those baitfish around for as long as it takes
4. When those baitfish you're following coincide with the structure make the cast to the brush pile
5. Repeat

 

What ways have you found to maximize FFS and how have you been using it?

[InfantryMP]

I will definitely use side and down scan to locate good structure. Instead of chasing the bait fish, I would probably just move to the next piece of structure I have on a waypoint and see if fish are on it. I think a lot of bass like to use the structure to ambush bait fish, so odds are there will be bass on the structure regardless if the bait ball is there or not. 

 

If you graph enough, you will have enough waypoints to go cycle through.  Also if you have a couple pieces of structure near by, it may not be long before new fish or the same group of fish come along and check it out. Also another thing I have been doing lately is not always looking for physical structure, but also abnormalities in the bottom contour. If there is a deeper hole out there, it may be a spot for bass to hang out. I have caught some real good bass lately in those types of holes in 30ft of water.

 

Now if I randomly see a bait ball with bass around, I will throw my stunna in there to see if any of them want to bite, but definitely will not spend my day chasing em. 

[Dogface]

18 hours ago, TheBaitMonkey said:

I'm still pretty new to FFS but from the research I've done and from watching guys like Josh Jones, Millikin, and watching pros in tourneys it appears one of the most productive ways to catch them with FFS is to - 

 

1. Graph first using your side imaging to mark different cover like brush piles, rock piles, etc
2. Scan around with FFS and find some shad/baitfish in the area near those brush piles
3. Keep the foot on the trolling motor following those baitfish around for as long as it takes
4. When those baitfish you're following coincide with the structure make the cast to the brush pile
5. Repeat

 

What ways have you found to maximize FFS and how have you been using it?

 

I just bought a Lowrance unit with the FFS capability. I originally wanted the FFS technology but I have done some research and watched some videos and come to the conclusion that FFS is more of a video game than a fishing experience. 

 

It would be an advantage in a few places I fish like the St. Lawrence but not in the majority of the water I fish. 

 

I may change my mind in the future but right now the expense and how it needs to be used to be successful is not for me. I want to fish not play an arcade game on my boat. ?

 

 

[WIGuide]

I think you've got a good start there, but I wouldn't wait for the bait to make their way to the cover or structure you're fishing. Bass are opportunistic feeders, yes if the bait make their way to that spot there could be a feeding frenzy, but you can create your own by triggering a bass to bite. That's what many refer to as "firing up the school". Once you get them going you try to ride the flurry for as long as possible. FF sonar can tell you if the fish are there to begin with and where the school is. 

[TnRiver46]

On 2/22/2023 at 10:37 AM, Dogface said:

 

I just bought a Lowrance unit with the FFS capability. I originally wanted the FFS technology but I have done some research and watched some videos and come to the conclusion that FFS is more of a video game than a fishing experience. 

 

It would be an advantage in a few places I fish like the St. Lawrence but not in the majority of the water I fish. 

 

I may change my mind in the future but right now the expense and how it needs to be used to be successful is not for me. I want to fish not play an arcade game on my boat. ?

 

 

I’ve been in the boat with my buddies that have forward sonar, it’s a lot harder than any video game I’ve ever played. Not for me haha

[HenryPF]

It depends on WHERE you fish also - one of the lakes I fish has high, high dozens of baitballs. I have counted up to 60 I could see at one time all over the lake when it was calm. I use perspective and forward at the same time, perspective to find the baitball and forward to see if there was a school underneath the ball feeding.