Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Goodness, we have a lot to talk about this week. But before we go down that road, I promised you I’d tell you what was wrong with the truck.
Thankfully this was an easy fix. It acted like a battery issue except everything inside of the truck still worked. Diesels have 2 batteries in them. I can only assume they were strong enough to run everything but too dead to crank the engine. It took two different, very helpful people offering to jump it before it was running. Then off to the auto parts store to drop some $$ on new batteries.
Oh, but the fun wasn’t over yet! The next day on the way back to Arkansas, a torsion arm came completely off the trailer at about 80 mph! What does that mean, you ask? It means the tire, wheel and hub left—basically, everything from the axle out!
We were lucky it only broke one brake line in the process and the other line somehow kept it with the trailer until we could get stopped, beating the trailer fender up in the process, of course. But I’d rather beat it up rather than wipe out another vehicle. We proceed to pull it the last 500 miles on three tires.
Fun trip, huh?
Now that I’ve whined enough about the woes of a traveling angler, let’s get down to the craziness that ensued last week in the fishing world.
FFS. That’s probably all I have to say. But just in case you were vacationing in a sensory deprivation chamber, I’ll fill you in. All three professional bass tours released statements on what 2025 will look like for rules involving forward-facing sonar. In a nutshell, BASS rationed it for the Elite Series, MLF partitioned it for the Bass Pro Tour, and the NPFL prohibited it outright.
I’d love to give you my exact opinion on how I feel about the NPFL’s decision, but quite frankly, I’m not sure. I had the feeling this is how it would go for the last few weeks, but it didn’t sink in until it was official.
First thoughts? It’s scary. Sure, I have fished for years without FFS. In the last few years though it has been a critical tool we all use. I’ve really put the time in to learn it better in the last two years, too. And I absolutely love using it. So, the thought of showing up to a new lake without a “live” view under the water is scary. Of course, sitting in 80th place after four events with FFS in play, I’m thinking the change can’t hurt me too much.
Also, the League really stuck their neck out being the first to fully prohibit it. The possible repercussions from this decision could ultimately prove to be a fatal move. Without this organization, I lose the ability to promote myself. So, I could lose my job and be forced to go to another organization. Compare that to your career, and you realize how scary that can be.
However, here is what I do know. It has been over four years since I signed my first contract with the League. I have seen Brad Fuller and all the owners work tirelessly to make the correct decisions to better this organization. When I go to an event, seeing the NPFL staff is like seeing family. I trust them. I trust their decisions even if I don’t always agree with them. That means I know they are doing their very best to solidify the longevity of the NPFL. And that is enough for me.
One more thing I’d like to address. There is an extreme amount of negativity in our sport right now…much of it over FFS. Here’s what I can tell you. Crucifying an organization for their decisions doesn’t help anything. Fans of our sport now have lots of options on what they can watch live in 2025. I obviously can’t watch NPFL because I’m fishing, but I watch at least some live coverage from every tournament of the other tours. I suggest you watch all three. Each will give a different aspect, and I bet if you’re not griping about it. We might even learn something.
As for the anglers, no league can keep everyone happy. If you are unhappy with the decision of the tour you fish, I suggest you consider changing tours. Do it professionally, though. You don’t have to bash one tour if you leave for another. Just move on and support tournament fishing in your own way.
In the grand scheme of things there’s really not that many of us who love this sport. Let’s work together to be positive instead of bringing each other down. Positivity will bring more people into the sport we love. Negativity will turn them away.
Get happy, go catch some fish, and we will catch up next week.
