The Impact of Modern Equipment
Technology in sports, especially fishing, has garnered a lot of attention over time. Recently, live sonar has significantly impacted the fishing world, especially in the techniques and skills anglers use with it. This high-tech equipment has caused some anglers to question its impact on the fishery. Is the technology destroying our fish populations or is a high level of harvest the issue?
When I started fishing in the sixties, we fished from the bank, canoe, or jon boat with bamboo or stick poles, steel rods and reels, and cord for the line. Electronics did not play a role in our fishing and catching. We had to use instinct and lessons learned over time to fit the conditions and the waters we fished. We caught a lot of fish.
Then along came improved boating accessories and equipment, including electronic flashers. And, bam, our world changed. With this new equipment, we could tell how deep it was and where the fish were between the boat and the bottom. Our fish catching abilities aided by the technology improved.