More and more boats have a forward-facing sonar on the vow these days, but exactly how many? CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms set out to find some answers himself but it seems some researchers are finding different results. (Photo: Richard Simms)
Forward-Facing Sonar Survey Follow-up
by Richard Simms
Last month, I (CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms) shared information about forward-facing sonar.
Unable to find reliable information about the market penetration of FFS, I conducted my own survey using the well-known SurveyMonkey.com platform in an effort to create a snapshot of how many people own the advanced fish-finding electronics.
The effort was TOTALLY UNSCIENTIFIC. Albeit totally unscientific, I was truly shocked by the results. More than 500 people took the survey and of that number, nearly HALF indicated they do own forward-facing sonar.
I suspected that perhaps folks were more inclined to respond to the survey if they do have FFS? Or perhaps my social media network includes a higher ratio of more advanced anglers more inclined to take advantage of the newest technology? And perhaps it was also biased by the distribution method (primarily social media) and perhaps anglers in a younger demographic were more likely to see the survey?
Regardless, even if the survey is way off, I now believe the percentage of FFS owners is significantly higher than I ever would have expected.
I heard feedback from Nick Rydell, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Specialist. Rydell has actually been doing scientific research on FFS use in his home state of Minnesota.
Rydell said based upon his SCIENTIFIC research, the level of FFS use is much lower than my survey indicated.
Rydell writes, “The data I am working with so far is from seven lakes across Minnesota collected from creel surveys between 2021 and 2023 is still somewhat limited, but data collection is still on going over the next few years.
“I only included boat anglers during open water, no shore anglers or bow fishers. Similarly, I did not included spear (fishermen) during hard water, only permanent, portable and open-ice anglers. This inflates my estimate compared to all anglers but I did not feel these groups would likely be using any sonar and only wanted to include those that had the capacity.
“Once filtered this left me with a little under 7,000 angler interviews, of which 10.17 percent had FFS, 10.26% used no sonar and 79.56% of anglers used some type of sonar other than FFS.”
Based upon Rydell’s research my survey numbers were grossly inflated, at least when compared to anglers in Minnesota.
Rydell said to-date, they have no data on whether FFS anglers are more successful than those who do not use the advanced technology.
He did add, “The Minnesota DNR has also recently formed a technology workgroup this winter, which includes DNR staff as well as members of the public (guides, anglers, industry reps, etc.). They are working on getting data on FFS sales data by state, but I don’t believe they have acquired it yet either.”
So, the jury is still out.
But I stand by what I wrote last month. FFS is here. Accept it.
It doesn’t mean you have to use it. But it does mean FFS-use must continue to be included in the information we are sharing with our readers. We will never forget those of you who do not embrace the technology. But hopefully those who are anti-FFS won’t forsake us as we try to straddle the fence as best we can.
Capt. Richard Simms is the Editor of CrappieNOW magazine as well as owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. Formerly he was a game warden for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before becoming a photographer and PR guy for TWRA. That lead to a 30-year career as a broadcast journalist and freelance outdoor writer. Follow Capt. Simms other writings on his “Richard’s Ramblings” Facebook page.
