Bass Fishing 2014

[VAbacklash]

It's year 2014. You're off work and on the lake. Beautiful day for fishing. Conditions are just right for catching quality largemouth bass. You ease off the throttle of your 350hp, V8, turbocharged outboard and slip into your favorite cove.

As you instruct your computer controlled trolling motor the depth you wish it to maintain, your LCR has indicated several red icons, meaning that fish measuring 14" to 18" are stacked up on secondary points in the cove. You had hoped you would see the green icons for the 18" to 22"fish like the last time you were in there. Blues would be even better, 22" and above. Oh well, you have to fish for the little ones right now!

You wait a second or two as your LCR and GPS communicate with each other to pinpoint and seperate each fish by exact location. Your trolling motor then receives the info and goes into the stealth mode. It positions your boat into the proper distance, based upon your predetermined casting performance, and into the correct angle for you to present your lure to the intended target.

Of cource your lure has been preselected by the onboard computer condition sampler. Water temp, color, pH, clarity, wind speed, lake level, time, day, month, year, moon phase and the results of previous catches under similar conditions for the last ten years have been used to narrow down your choice. Not to mention if Avid caught any here yesterday.

You cast, right on target, set the hook and reel in your first one of the day. As you remove the hook, you thank those guys at Fisheries Department for all the hard work they did inserting those tiny computer chips into all those fingerlings at the hatchery. If it wasn't for them, none of this electronic stuff would be here. Ahhhhh! What a sport!!!

I guess you have figured out that I have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do tonight. But, I do ask this. How far away from this are we now and would bass fishing be as enjoyable to you if it became reality?

[RiskKid.]

I'd never be able to figure out how to use all those gadgets....I'm still learning how to use the DVD player  ;D ;D ;D

[Redlinerobert]

It sounds like you've played too many video games ;D

[Glenn]

Interesting thoughts.  The one thing you didn't mention was the livewell.  I strongly believe the next big area in line for a "technology upgrade" is the livewell system.  Automated temperature and oxygen control mechanisms, pH and toxin level monitors, automated injection of Catch & Release to maintain a preset level, protection around the latches to prevent injury during transit in rough water, etc.  

I forsee a lot of these innovations coming soon.

[Gatorbassman]

Interesting thoughts. The one thing you didn't mention was the livewell. I strongly believe the next big area in line for a "technology upgrade" is the livewell system. Automated temperature and oxygen control mechanisms, pH and toxin level monitors, automated injection of Catch & Release to maintain a preset level, protection around the latches to prevent injury during transit in rough water, etc.

I forsee a lot of these innovations coming soon.

You've been talking to Lane haven't you.

[cart7t]

A few things that I forsee though I think they may be farther out than 2014.

1. Boat design will move towards slightly smaller boats built with new ultra light but strong materials, vastly reducing overall weight.  The need for large OB's won't be needed.

2. Motor technology continues. More fuel efficient technology, quieter and more power packed within a smaller block.

3. TM technology continues.  Higher power motors needing less amperage to run.  The TM will be integrated into the boat, no more big ugly TM mounted on top.  MK power drive technology but far more advanced.  Possibly voice controlled.  Battery technology also continues with better, smaller batteries with higher power the norm.

4. Integrated electronic dashes. No more gauges. It's all built into 1 or 2 LCD dash units with touch pad push buttons.  We're not that far off from that now.

5. As Glenn said, improved livewell technology.

6. Trailer technology continues with newer, lighter, stronger trailer frame materials.

[Valascus]

I don't think fishing would be as *** for me if I had a computer to figure out everything for me. To me that takes away all the fun. That's oe of the reasons I enjoy going fishing...the challenge of YOU vs. fish, not computer vs. fish. I would be one of those old farts doing it the "way it was done in my day".  ;D

[ga_hawghauler]

I believe some new techonolgy would benefit the sport as mentioned earlier such as improved live well performance, better engine technology, boat design ect. BUT I dont think a computer chips in fish or computer used to determine lure choice and other junk is a good Idea I like the idea of me vs fish.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

All I know is I'll be here talking about all the new stuff with you guys.  Probably still using a spinning reel.  

[senile1]

Interesting thoughts.  The one thing you didn't mention was the livewell.  I strongly believe the next big area in line for a "technology upgrade" is the livewell system.  Automated temperature and oxygen control mechanisms, pH and toxin level monitors, automated injection of Catch & Release to maintain a preset level, protection around the latches to prevent injury during transit in rough water, etc.  

I forsee a lot of these innovations coming soon.

I wouldn't want technology to do everything for me regarding locating and catching fish, but I would welcome improved livewell technology.  

[VAbacklash]

Glenn, you're exactly right about livewell technology. I've often cringed at the sound of bass slapping hard against the sides or the lid of my livewells. You know that there is surely technology for "softwall" livewells avaliable today. Just the design needs to be worked out. If nothing else, some type of flexible bag material could be designed and used as livewells.

As for the other areas of improvement, all that is probably avaliable now. It just needs the proper design and market for it. It all boils down to the $$ factor. Who sees the need and is willing to pay for it when they purchase that already expensive boat. There are those that will argue the purpose of even having a livewell. Some fishermen believe in immediate release for all tournaments and the meateaters practice the catch and eat method. I'm sure there are many different views on this subject.

[BASS fisherman]

Interesting thoughts. The one thing you didn't mention was the livewell. I strongly believe the next big area in line for a "technology upgrade" is the livewell system. Automated temperature and oxygen control mechanisms, pH and toxin level monitors, automated injection of Catch & Release to maintain a preset level, protection around the latches to prevent injury during transit in rough water, etc.

I forsee a lot of these innovations coming soon.

You've been talking to Lane haven't you.

I was thinking the same thing!  ;D