August 18, 2025
By Shane Beilue
No singular topic has dominated the freshwater fishing scene in the past five years like forward-facing sonar (FFS)—and for good reason. This technology is an incredibly powerful tool for locating and catching bass when they’re positioned offshore. While there are numerous ways to utilize the technology, let’s focus on two of the more prominent ways to use it: targeting bass that are suspended in deep water and targeting bass located within offshore brush piles. In each case, FFS is a considerable step change in efficiency and effectiveness.
FFS BASICS It never hurts to start with the basics. So, what is FFS, and how does it work?
FFS is a sonar that shoots a directional sonar beam of roughly 20 degrees in whichever way the transducer is pointed. It gives the angler the ability to see out as far as 120 feet in front of and around the boat. However, adding to the appeal of FFS is the “live” component, which means it shows the underwater world in real time. If the bass we’re viewing on screen move up, down, left or right, we can track their movement as it happens.
New lures made for FFS use can pinpoint your offering, along with the bass. SUSPENDED BASS FFS has opened the door to a population of bass that we always knew existed but had no effective means of targeting. Bass that suspend over water as deep as 60 feet aren’t relating to any bottom change or cover but simply following schools of baitfish out in open water. Because they are constantly on the move, we had no way to effectively present a lure to the bass before the advent of FFS. We can now track their movement in real-time and make an accurate cast to them.
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There are a variety of ways to target and catch these fish, depending on how deep they’re positioned. However, the simple jig-head minnow has risen to prominence in the last couple of years for its ability to be fished at a variety of depths.
The jig-head minnow is a simple design: a ball-head jig weighing from 1/8 ounce to 1/2 ounce, depending on the depth of the bass, joined to a short, tapering, soft-plastic body. The lure has very minimal action, which perfectly imitates the shad the bass are chasing in open water.
As the distance and direction of the bass are noted on screen, the angler should cast just beyond the fish so the jig-head minnow starts to descend to their depth. The key is to hover the bait over the bass rather than let it descend amongst them. It’s very unnatural for a shad to wander into a school of bass, so we want to make the bass rise to chase the bait. As the bass is seen rising to investigate the minnow, the angler begins a cat-and-mouse game by reeling the lure away from them. This is the expected movement of a forage species being pursued by a predator, which often causes the bass to chase further and close on the bait.
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It’s a unique and fun way to fish, but it can also be frustrating, as not every bass you see falls for the shad imitation. Nonetheless, watching the action unfold on screen can be mesmerizing.
BRUSH PILE BASS Bass in offshore brush is a staple for many anglers across the country. The “old-school” way of locating these brush piles involved dropping a waypoint or marker buoy near the brush, then making multiple casts from the front deck to find the pile with a worm or jig.
The process is “point and shoot” with FFS. As the direction and distance of the pile are evident from the FFS screen, the angler can cast to the brush and hit it on the first cast. This is an incredible efficiency advantage.
The lures used with FFS remain unchanged. A heavy Texas-rigged worm or jig, a drop shot or a crankbait all remain effective. The difference, as noted, is the ability to see where the lure is in relation to the brush at all times.
I realize the topic of forward-sonar has its critics, and the goal of this video and article isn’t to proselytize. However, I’ve found that I can learn a great deal about the bass and how they interact with their environment in real-time with FFS. Furthermore, I can catch more bass while making fewer casts and ultimately have more fun on the water. To me, that’s what fishing is all about.
