Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
I’ve had a little time to reflect on the reaction following our recent announcement regarding the prohibition on live forward-facing sonar (FFS) during official practice and competition days for the 2025 season. Needless to say, it’s sparked a fair bit of conversation. But in all honesty, this kind of passion is exactly what we love to see.
Passion is the lifeblood of professional fishing, and whether you’re for or against the decision, the fact that it’s creating this much dialogue is a testament to how much you all care.
First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the media outlets who covered the announcement fairly and gave it the thoughtful consideration it deserves. They’ve helped create a space for open discussion, and I believe that’s where progress comes from. It’s not always about unanimous agreement, but about the respect we give the conversation. For that, I’m grateful.
It’s been encouraging to hear from so many anglers and fans who understand and appreciate what we’re trying to do. The feedback, by and large, has highlighted a shared belief in preserving the essence of the sport. At the NPFL, we’re constantly trying to stay true to what makes competitive fishing such a special and challenging sport. By moving forward without FFS, we’re giving ourselves the opportunity to showcase a broader range of angling skills and allow for a greater diversity of competition. This decision wasn’t made lightly. It came from a genuine desire to honor the traditional values of the sport while ensuring that the integrity of our competitions remains intact.
Many have expressed that this decision will challenge anglers in new ways, bringing back a level of competition that rewards instinct, experience, and adaptability. In a world where technology seems inescapable, it’s important to remember that fishing is as much an art as it is a science.
We want to maintain that balance between skill and strategy.
Beyond the sporting reasons, this decision was also made with the business of the NPFL in mind.
Our goal is to grow this league for the long haul, ensuring it thrives and continues to be a platform where anglers can compete at the highest level. While technology plays a role in modern sports, we must be mindful of how much it influences outcomes. The FFS prohibition is a way for us to balance modern advances with what’s best for the League as a business and for the overall fan experience.
By offering something distinctly different from what else is out there, we keep the NPFL unique and exciting—qualities that attract anglers, fans, and sponsors who believe in our vision. It’s not just about making waves with new rules, but about doing what’s best for the long-term success and sustainability of the League.
Every decision we make reflects our desire to see the NPFL grow, while still honoring the roots of the sport.
Of course, we’ve also heard some criticism, and that’s fine. Criticism is part of the process.
Some feel that we’ve taken a step backward, that technology is part of the natural evolution of the sport. I understand that perspective. There’s no denying that FFS has changed the way we fish. But as stewards of the League and the sport, we have to balance innovation with the preservation of what makes fishing so deeply compelling.
The cardinal virtues of Stoic philosophy have been a personal guide for me. These virtues—Courage, Wisdom, Justice, and Temperance—have been a grounding force not only in my time leading the NPFL but also in my personal journey, especially during my transition from military service to the public sector. I found myself needing a framework that provided balance and direction. Stoicism gave me that anchor, and these virtues have continued to shape how I approach leadership and difficult decisions, including this one.
Courage is doing what’s hard, what’s necessary, even when it’s uncomfortable. Making decisions like prohibiting FFS takes that same kind of courage, knowing it’s the right move for the integrity of the sport, even if it’s not the most popular choice.
Wisdom is the ability to see the bigger picture, to understand that decisions made today must reflect the long-term health and sustainability of the league. We aren’t just thinking about this season, but about the future of the NPFL and the legacy we’ll leave for the next generation of anglers.
Justice has always been a guiding principle for me, rooted in the belief that fairness should be at the core of all decisions. In fishing, justice means upholding the integrity of the sport by ensuring that competition remains true to its essence. It’s about maintaining a standard where success is defined by intuition, knowledge, and preparation. We owe it to the anglers, fans, and the future of this sport to make decisions that protect the artform of competitive fishing.
Finally, Temperance is the discipline to remain measured and thoughtful, to not be swayed by immediate reactions but to remain steady in the face of both praise and criticism. It’s a lesson that has served me well and, admittedly, one I continually struggle with.
As Ryan Holiday wrote in Discipline is Destiny, “We can’t control the world around us, but we can control how we respond, what we make of it, and how we make it.” This has been a foundational element in my approach to leadership and decision-making. I can’t control every reaction or outcome, but I can ensure that we act with integrity and with the best interests of the NPFL at heart.
In the end, this isn’t just about the NPFL. It’s about all of us who love professional fishing and want to see it continue to grow. The decision to prohibit FFS wasn’t made to hold anyone back; it was made to push the sport forward in a way that honors its roots while ensuring a fair and balanced competition for all anglers.
We’ll continue to listen to feedback—both positive and negative—and we’ll always strive to do what’s right for the League, the anglers, the sport, and the fans. It’s not about making everyone happy all the time—that’s impossible. It’s about making sure we protect the sport we all care about so deeply and ensuring that the NPFL continues to grow as a business and a community.
Thank you for your continued passion and support.
