Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
WILKESVILLE, OH — The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) announces its 2024 season that kicks off in early February with a stop in Alabama at Lake Logan Martin. The schedule brings anglers to new venues as well as some constants for the NPFL.
With stops ranging from Alabama to South Carolina, and Tennessee to Michigan and Florida, as well as a trip to the Midwest, the League is excited to continue to expand its reach in the fishing industry.
Said Brad Fuller, President of the NPFL. “We dedicated tremendous effort to preserving the essence and identity of The National Professional Fishing League in our 2024 schedule. This is a truly diverse schedule that covers the full spectrum of bass fishing throughout the entire year and the angler who secures the title of Angler of the Year will undoubtedly prove themselves as the most consistently well-rounded contender on our circuit. We’re thrilled to revisit some of the cherished stops from our history while also exploring exciting new venues. It’s of utmost importance that we leverage our schedule to continually expand the League’s brand and introduce ‘The League’ to bass havens around the country.”
Stop number one kicks off in February on Alabama’s Lake Logan Martin where the anglers get the season started on the Coosa River. The 49-mile playing field features over 26 square miles of Spotted and Largemouth bass-filled waters.
Following stop one, the 2024 season pauses briefly for the 2023 NPFL championship. Lake Amistad and the City of Del Rio, Texas, play host to the top anglers from the 2023 Progressive Angler of the Year race on March 7-9. With a $200,000 total purse and a $100,000 first-place prize, the event in Texas will make for a fun tournament.
“The City of Del Rio, Texas is excited to host the quantity and quality of people coming in with the NPFL Championship next spring,” said Blanca Larson, Executive Director of Explore Del Rio Amistad Oasis. “In addition to the financial impact on the local economy, we look forward to the NPFL showcasing all that Del Rio has to offer, on and off the water. We are excited to showcase the value of coming to Del Rio, TX to fish historic Lake Amistad.”
After the 2023 NPFL championship in March, the season resumes, and the anglers return to Anderson, South Carolina for stop number two, and the second trip to Lake Hartwell for ‘The League,’ on May 16 through 18. In 2022, Drew Six took the victory with a three-day total of 51 pounds, 5 ounces, edging out Patrick Walters who weighed 46 pounds, 14 ounces.
“We are thrilled to welcome the NPFL back to Anderson County’s Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell! The leadership of Anderson County has provided us with the necessary resources to bring high-level events to our facilities that create an economic impact in our community, and the NPFL delivers,” said Neil Paul, TMP, Executive Director of Visit Anderson. “From their Angler Roundtables, their Community Spotlights, and their Community Service Projects, they go above and beyond in leaving their mark on a host community, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to welcome them back to Anderson County in 2024!”
From South Carolina, stop three brings the anglers and their families back to the Tennessee River and Pickwick Lake. The City of Counce, Tennessee plays host July 11 – 13, and this marks the third trip to the Tennessee River in four seasons. In 2021, Brandon Perkins took the victory with 55 pounds, 11 ounces. To begin this season, Perkins also took a win on Pickwick with a total of 66 pounds, 3 ounces.
For stop four, the league returns to the North to Bay City, Michigan, and the big water of Lake Huron, on August 29 – 31. This will mark the third consecutive trip to Bay City for the NPFL with Gary Adkins taking the victory in 2022 with 51 pounds, 13 ounces, and this season, Trent Palmer claimed the victory with 62 pounds, 12 ounces.
“Bay City is excited to welcome back The National Professional Fishing League in 2024,” said Ed Clements, Bay City Fishing Committee. “The end of August should provide an excellent event for competitors and fans; weights should be close and the winner will come right down to the wire. Look for largemouth to play a bigger role than ever on Saginaw Bay and river.”
After the trip to the North, the anglers will head South to none only than the St. Johns River. The City of Deland, Florida plays host for stop five on the famed river in the early fall, September 26-28. The NPFL returns to Florida for the third time in four years for the 2024 season. In 2021, the league visited the Harris Chain of Lakes in June with John Soukup winning his second trophy of the season with a total weight of 61 pounds, 15 ounces. In 2022, Taylor Watkins took the victory on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in November with 69 pounds, 14 ounces.
The season finale of the NPFL season brings the anglers and their families to the Midwest on October 24-26 for a Lake of the Ozarks showdown. Hosted by Central Missouri’s Tri-Country Lodging Association, the Chompers National Professional Fishing League Stop Six at Lake of the Ozarks Presented by Bait-WRX is sure to be a great way to end the season.
“The Lake of the Ozarks is thrilled to partner with The National Professional Fishing League for a fall 2024 event,” says Lagina Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Central Missouri’s Tri-County Lodging. “We are blessed with one of the best fisheries in the county and enjoy welcoming new events and anglers to our little piece of paradise. We know everyone will enjoy their time here and can’t wait to welcome all next fall.”
2024 National Professional Fishing League Schedule
Stop 1 – Lake Logan Martin: Oxford, Alabama, February 1 – 3
2023 NPFL Championship – Lake Amistad: Del Rio, Texas, March 7-9
Stop 2 – Lake Hartwell: Anderson, South Carolina, May 16 – 18
Stop 3 – Pickwick Lake: Counce, Tennessee, July 11 – 13
Stop 4 – Saginaw Bay: Bay City, Michigan, August 29 – 31
Stop 5 – St. Johns River, Deland, Florida, September 26-28
Stop 6 – Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, Missouri, October24-26
