“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” — Prominent author and leadership expert John C. Maxwell.
As B.A.S.S. announces a new standardization of equipment initiative for Bassmaster Elite Series competition, anglers and fishing fans alike may naturally be polarized about changes introduced to tournament fishing as they know it. This was no knee-jerk decision — the standardization was discussed, options were weighed and ramifications of the standardization were considered for a year, long before any changes or tweaks to the longstanding system were implemented.
Speaking of the longstanding system, previous equipment restrictions were minimal, and some were open to interpretation. The restrictions included:
• 16-foot minimum boat (no jet boats, surface drive or tunnel hulls), 250-horsepower limit, mandatory bilge pump and livewells capable of holding a limit of fish.
• Anglers must wear a PFD when the big engine is running and a kill switch when the engine is in gear.
• No portable gas tanks.
• One rod (10-foot maximum), one reel, one bait while casting.
• No nets or grippers.
Now, in addition to those restrictions, B.A.S.S. has created a standardization of equipment to level the playing field, so to speak, for all Elite Series anglers. The new standards include:
• The number of Live Sonar transducers will be regulated to one and it must be mounted on the bow trolling motor. B.A.S.S. will provide a list of acceptable Live transducers from all major electronics manufacturers. Equipment not on the list will be banned from usage in Elite Series competition. The list will be vetted and updated annually.
• Elite competitors will be limited to a total of 55 inches of screen, including bow and dash head units. The standardization of screen size will help address safety concerns concerning bigger screens creating blind spots and obstructing the safe piloting of boats.
• Elite competitors may now have only one electric motor mounted to their boats. With the rise of electric motors being mounted to shallow-water anchors, enforcement of possible rules violations was impossible. The new standardization will eliminate the challenges of rules enforcement while requiring anglers to demonstrate more boat control skill with a single electric motor.
Anglers need to remember that this is not a rule change focused on live sonar, rather a standardization of equipment across the board. Live sonar is just one aspect of the fishing game affected. The standardization of live sonar usage, along with a more diverse schedule (read: traditional FFS bodies of water mixed with waters where FFS may not play a major role) is designed to relegate the use of live sonar as another tool in the angler’s arsenal, much as flipping wood, deep cranking, frog fishing, etc., are tools.
If you think the standardization is unprecedented, let’s take a look at other professional sports and some standardization rules that have been implemented. Keep an open mind and notice the constants in these changes — many were met with resistance, but over time they have been accepted as the norm. And many would say the changes made the sport better.
2024
In 2018, the NFL introduced a rule that saw any kick that landed in the end zone become an automatic touchback. In 2023, the league announced the returning team would be able to signal for a fair catch to advance to the 25-yard-line. In 2024 the new kickoff rule was implemented to “address the lowest kickoff return rate in NFL history during the 2023 season and concern for player health and safety.”
Now the kicking team’s players can’t move until the ball is touched by the receiving team.
It’s odd to watch this season, and the jury is still out on the rule change. Many hate the new rule. Many like it. Time will tell.
2023
Major League Baseball announced a few changes to the game, most noticeably the addition of a time clock (used in minor league games since 2015) to shorten lengths of games, getting rid of the shift to increase batting averages, bigger bases in an attempt to create more stolen base attempts and changes to pickoffs, where pitchers must make their throws to bases to keep runners in check count for something.
Many baseball purists complain these changes have ruined the game. Others see the benefits. But game times have decreased, and it could be argued the action and pace has made it more fun to watch. Major League Baseball is continuing to monitor the rules implemented for future adjustments.
2023 also saw the USGA introduce a universal golf-ball rollback for all skill levels — pro to amateur — to reduce distance. The change involves a revision to the way golf balls are tested to see if they conform to the rules that state the maximum distance a golf ball can fly is 317 yards. Specifically, it was expected that the test for the Overall Distance Standard would increase the swing speed at which golf balls are tested from the current standard of 120 mph to 125 mph. While increasing the swing speed, the test would not change the distance limit of 317 yards.
In simple terms, if a golf ball is currently close to the Overall Distance Standard, as a high majority of golf balls used in elite competition (and popular in the marketplace) are, then raising the speed by 5 mph would make them fly 15 yards farther, or well past the current distance limit. Balls would then have to be made to stay within that 317-yard standard.
Also in 2023, the Pro Bowlers Association announced a rule stating all traditional urethane balls must be made on or after August 1, 2022. Why, you ask?
A minimum hardness rule was put in place by the American Bowling Congress (ABC) in the early 1970’s. The reason it was implemented was certain balls had been soaked in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and/or other softening chemicals. Soaking a ball made it softer and thereby created an obvious amount of additional hook (it was obvious to bowlers at the time).
The rule was implemented to standardize competition bowling balls to put more emphasis on the bowlers’ skills.
2022
NASCAR implemented new regulations to the Next-Gen Car in the interest of controlling costs and increasing parity. Again, NASCAR attempts to level the playing field for competitors.
2004
NASCAR changed to a green-white-checkered format, hoping all Nextel Cup and Busch series events will end with the cars racing under green flag.
This format change was implemented after fans were particularly enraged with the finish under caution in spring 2004 at Talladega Superspeedway.
1997, 1994
In 1994 the NBA 3-point line was shortened to a uniform 22 feet around the basket, then in 1997 the 3-point line was lengthened to original 23 feet, 9 inches, except in the corners where the distance remained at 22 feet. Has it affected the game? Does anybody remember these changes and the game before?
Just as B.A.S.S.’s recent equipment standardization may be seen as a radical addition to the tradition of the sport by some, a glance at the other major sports shows that those sports do experience evolution as time and technology advances. In most cases, the older rules changes in the other major sports have been accepted and those sports continue to thrive and evolve.
It is important to remember the standardization has been put in place to maintain the integrity of the sport and to ensure the future success of professional bass fishing.
It’s important to also remember the words of B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson: “B.A.S.S. is, and always has been, the keeper of the culture of our sport. We believe these new standards will ensure both the present and future competitive landscape of the Elite Series will remain above reproach. We remain committed to being the leaders in our industry and making decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our sport.”
