“Almost every question I get these days is related to [forward-facing sonar],” notes Z-Man walleye pro Dylan Nussbaum, a sonar sight fishing prodigy. “Anglers want to know how to set it up, how to trigger ‘sonar fish’ to bite, and especially which lures to use with FFS—and how to retrieve them.”

As Nussbaum and other FFS specialists suggest, going one-on-one with big fish, flipping a jig and Jerk ShadZ on their snouts is an absolute adrenaline rush.

“We watch videos and read so much about fishing with sonar these days. But I think there’s a lack of content really explaining how and why we do what we do when we’re up front, crouched over a screen, flicking baits and setting hooks. Sure, I use FFS to catch big fish and win tournament money, but the truth is, it’s also an awesome learning experience—and honestly, one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to catch ‘em.”

Cory Schmidt: It seems like the power of FFS has really been on display at recent walleye tournaments. Most eye raising are the big-water tournaments, like on Lake Erie, where trolling methods that cover large swaths of water are gradually being supplanted by casting a single lure to a single fish spotted on sonar. Why are anglers adapting?

Dylan Nussbaum: Beyond the fun factor, of course, it all boils down to the fact that FFS helps us pinpoint and cast to individual big fish, one-on-one with a favorite lure; as opposed to towing lures around the general vicinity of a school, hoping one will eventually eat. In tournaments, we’re looking to put five big fish in the boat each day, rather than seeking limits of smaller, eater-sized fish.

So, even in inland seas like Erie, we’re able to use electronics to find general fish-holding zones—often well off-structure—and then zero in on larger, individual walleyes. We saw it at the last two national tournaments on Lake Erie, where many of the top-ten anglers opted to go ‘scoping rather than trolling. Even amid infinite volumes of potential fish-holding water, a single angler wielding FFS and the right skills can sometimes catch more big fish than the trollers, who cover ten times more water, faster.

Schmidt: Tell us about the baits you’re casting when FFS fishing.

Nussbaum: Right now, it seems like everyone’s throwing a jig and Scented Jerk ShadZ, which has become the default FFS lure, especially early and late in the season. The 4-inch Jerk ShadZ delivers the perfect bait-sized profile. I’ve thrown it at every tournament this year. The ElaZtech material is so soft, and it’s buoyant, too; it moves differently than any other fluke-minnow bait I’ve used. Get it nice and straight on a jighead and watch the bait as you reel in. If it’s rigged right, you’ll get this killer crankbait-like action, a subtle wobble and shimmy that can’t be duplicated because of its superplastic material.

Schmidt: Any guidelines on your preferred bait colors for FFS fishing?

Nussbaum: In clear water, I’m throwing natural baitfish patterns like Bad Shad, Disco Cisco or Perfect Perch. If the water’s stained to dirty, I do especially well with Pro Yellow Perch or plain old Pearl.

Schmidt: What’s the longest you’ve followed and cast to a single fish before provoking a bite?

Nussbaum: If it’s the one I need, as long as it takes (laughs). Last week at Lake Erie, I worked one fish for 15 minutes. I finally got her to turn and nip the bait. When that happened, I knew I had her. It looked like an 8-pound walleye on screen, and she was.

Schmidt: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned by using FFS?

Nussbaum: Well, it’s entirely changed the way I think about walleye behavior. The craziest thing is witnessing just how much the fish are moving. On the Great Lakes, they’re swimming non-stop, often travelling faster than you can run even with the trolling motor set at 10. On Kinzua Lake, near my home, I’ve discovered that even if you don’t see fish on a favorite point where you’ve been catching them, a quick move down along the break or over to the next point can put you back on ‘em. Walleyes on structure often set up travel routes, so they’ll often visit the same certain points every day, but not always at the same time.

Active Target has also taught me a ton about walleye feeding and that sometimes, you need to put a lure right in a tiny little sweet spot, or with a certain specific action, before they’ll even take notice.

As more and more anglers adopt the technology and related techniques, they quickly discover the need to retrain or refine existing fishing skills. Most learn that catching fish with FFS requires the ability to “find” their lure on screen and then to hit virtual fish targets in space with pinpoint accuracy—a little like dropping a football right on the hands of a wide receiver, sprinting 30 yards downfield. All the better with baits that sink slower, hover in space and stand up to endless strike shots. Done right, fishing with FFS is not only invaluable as a learning tool, but it also delivers strong surges of adrenaline—anticipation, frustration and the inevitable excitement of bent rods.

For more fishing insight from the pros who know, check out the next issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.