Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
In my time with the NPFL, and really throughout my life, I’ve found that leadership always comes with tough decisions. Some days, those choices are clear-cut, but most of the time, they require wrestling with uncertainty, different perspectives, and yes, the inevitable pushback. This isn’t just true in bass fishing; it’s true across any field that involves passion and competition.
And for many of you reading this — whether you’re an angler, a fan, or someone supporting this great sport — this struggle is probably something you can relate to. Think about the decisions you make during a tournament. You’re out there on the water, wondering whether to stick with the area you’ve been fishing or make a move to new territory. Should you stay patient with the lure that’s been working, or switch it up for something different? You’ve got to weigh your options, take the risks into account, and then commit to a plan. It’s not much different from what we do every day at the NPFL.
I’ve been fortunate to wear many hats over the years — from my early days as a Sensor Operator on board the AC-130U Spooky gunship and throughout the seven years I spent overseas as a U.S. contractor working directly for USSOCOM. These experiences taught me the value of clear decision-making under pressure and the importance of staying grounded in your mission, no matter how chaotic the environment around you becomes. Whether it was in the military or now leading the NPFL, one principle has always kept me moving forward: you can’t be paralyzed by the fear of making a decision. The consequences of doing nothing are often far worse than the potential fallout from making a tough call.
Embracing Fear Without Letting It Control You
As anglers, many of you know what it’s like to face uncertainty. Whether it’s reading the weather, wondering if the fish will bite, or trying to time your decisions perfectly — being afraid or experiencing fear is okay. It’s natural. Fear is just another emotion, no different than joy, sadness, or anger. In the right context, fear can even be useful, alerting us to risks or challenges ahead. But just like any other emotion, you cannot allow fear to influence your decision-making. The moment you let fear envelop you, it takes control.
You know what that feels like when you’re on the water. Maybe you lose a fish early in the day, and suddenly, doubt creeps in. Do you let it shake your confidence and cloud your decisions, or do you steady yourself, reset, and get back to the plan? That’s what we do here at the NPFL. Instead of letting fear take over, we identify the risks, develop a plan to mitigate them, and then focus on executing that plan to keep the train on the tracks.
The Weight of Decisions In an Ever-Changing Landscape
Just as many of you have seen how technology, equipment, and tactics have changed the fishing world, so too have we at the NPFL. Professional bass fishing isn’t the same as it was a decade ago. Heck, it’s not the same as it was five years ago! We’ve seen a rise in new technologies, growing pressure to cater to diverse fan bases, and the constant need to balance the sport’s traditions with innovation. Each new development presents its own set of challenges and, yes, opportunities.
Just like you might find yourself wondering whether to embrace the latest tech or rely on the methods that have always worked for you, we at the NPFL are constantly navigating those same waters. Sometimes, the decisions we make may not sit well with everyone … and that’s okay. Not every call will be popular, but they will always be made with the future of the sport, the league, and our anglers in mind. One thing is for certain: we will not be paralyzed by the fear of making a decision.
The Role of Culture and Integrity
At the NPFL, culture is our cornerstone. Every decision we make is filtered through the lens of what we stand for as a league. This isn’t just about making the most profitable choice or the one that gets the loudest applause. It’s about doing what’s right for the long-term integrity of the game. We are responsible for protecting the very essence of what professional bass fishing means, not only for the anglers but also for our fans.
Take, for example, the recent decision to ban forward-facing sonar during official practice and competition days. It was no small decision, and it stirred up quite a bit of conversation. But it was a call rooted in our belief in offering something unique, protecting the spirit of the sport, and maintaining competitive integrity — all the while staying true to who we are and what we are about.
That leads me to another crucial point: we’re not here to simply go along with the parochial mindsets or traditions just because “that’s the way it’s always been.” Just like you wouldn’t keep casting into an empty hole just because it worked in the past, we can’t stick with traditions that no longer serve us. The NPFL was never meant to follow the status quo. We’re here to push the sport forward, to innovate where it makes sense, and to question old habits when they no longer serve the best interests of the game.
Leadership Requires Empathy and Humility
Whether you’re leading a league or leading a boat during competition, good decisions don’t happen in isolation. I’ve learned in both my military career and my time with the NPFL that leadership isn’t about always having the right answer or being the smartest person in the room. It’s about approaching every decision with empathy and humility. Listening to your team and gathering as much insight as possible are just as crucial out on the water as they are in running this league.
At the NPFL, we try to lead with that same openness and understanding. Every decision we make affects not just the anglers, but our entire NPFL family — our staff, sponsors, and fans. It’s why we take the time to consider the long-term impact of every move we make. Sometimes people may not agree with where we stand. That’s okay. After all, I’m not for everyone, and frankly, neither is the NPFL. We’re here to stay true to our values and to make decisions that set us up for long-term success.
Adapting Without Losing Our Soul
The fishing industry is full of noise right now — technology, media, and fans with diverse opinions. But at the NPFL, we don’t let the noise dictate our direction. If you want to survive and thrive in today’s world, you have to be flexible and open to change, but not at the expense of who you are. Just like you wouldn’t sacrifice your style or your approach on the water for short-term gains, we aren’t chasing trends. The NPFL is committed to being a league where integrity and culture matter as much as the next big innovation.
At the end of the day, we’re building something special—a league that stays true to its roots while preparing for the future. Each decision is a step toward achieving that goal. Some days, the road feels smooth, and other days it’s more like fighting a headwind in rough waters. But every step we take is in the right direction, guided by our core values. And along the way, we will not be paralyzed by the fear of making a decision. Leadership is about action, even when the path forward isn’t crystal clear.
So, to all of you — anglers, fans, sponsors, and staff — I want to say this: the NPFL is committed to making decisions that serve the greater good of the sport. We’re not here to follow trends or bend to outside pressures. Our choices will reflect what we believe is right for the future of bass fishing, even when they’re tough or unpopular. After all, leadership is about more than just making decisions — it’s about making the right ones.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this ever-evolving world of professional bass fishing. The challenges may be great, but the opportunities are even greater. Together, we’ll keep pushing forward.
