Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
(Note: In this series, we talk with National Professional Fishing League pros about the traditional techniques they’re most excited to use or bring back in 2025 now that real-time imaging—”forward-facing sonar”—is prohibited in League events.)
With the NPFL season about to kick off—and the first season without forward-facing sonar—the focus is shifting back to the techniques that have defined bass fishing for generations. In recent years, cranking, flipping, dragging a Carolina rig, and other time-tested patterns have taken a backseat to offshore, electronics-driven fishing. As anglers adjust to the new playing field and regulations on “scoping,” NPFL fans can expect to see a resurgence of classic techniques.
First up is Will Harkins—an NPFL Champion and one of the best forward-facing sonar anglers in the league. Despite being a young gun, Harkins grew up fishing shallow with his grandfather, learning how to pick apart cover and break down structure.
He is one of the few anglers who embraces both styles equally. He enjoys targeting specific fish offshore with sonar but also loves skipping a jig around laydowns. While he acknowledges that forward-facing sonar makes him more efficient, he’s ready to adapt.
“For starters, half of the checks I’ve cashed in the NPFL were using FFS, and half were without it. I definitely like to mix it up,” Harkins said. “FFS helps me learn more about a fishery and break down new water faster. Without it, the field is going to have to figure out what’s working through time on the water and paying close attention to small details throughout practice.”
With the first event at Santee Cooper just weeks away, Harkins predicts a shallow water beatdown, where classic shallow techniques will shine.
“I’m excited for Santee because the fish will be shallow, and it’s fun knowing you won’t really need graphs at all,” he said. “Saginaw Bay was the same for me last year—I loved getting up in the vegetation and just going fishing with flipping baits, swim jigs, and power-fishing techniques.”
Harkins also expects Lake Norman to fish similarly, where, due to the time of year and fish positioning, FFS wouldn’t have been a major factor anyway. He’s also looking forward to Douglas Lake, another event where shallow-water tactics should play a big role.
“At Douglas, someone could go way up the river or tuck into a creek and do well with a wacky rig, Pop-R, or spinnerbait,” he said. “The cool thing about the new rules is that guys don’t have to feel forced to scope just to compete in the event.”
Favorite Old School Techniques
Harkins thrives in the May-June summer window, where 90% of the time, he’s got a spinning rod in his hands, skipping a wacky rig to docks, standing timber, and laydowns.
“I love that time of year because it’s all about getting bites,” he said. “I’m a numbers guy. I’d rather catch 100 fish in a day than just five. Anytime we’re in the spawn, post-spawn, or summer period, that setup is staying on my deck.”
Harkins’ Wacky Rig Setup:
Rod: 7’1” Ark Invoker, medium-action, extra-fast
“This rod is super awesome and very sensitive; It works great for fishing a wacky rig with smaller hooks.”
Reel: Ark Fishing Gravity 5, 2500 series spinning reel
Line: 15-pound braid mainline to a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader
Bait: Yum Dinger, 5 or 6-inch, with a #1 Owner Mosquito hook
“I want to match the bait to the hook as best as possible, and I need a hook just big enough to hook and land big fish.”
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Will Harkins – Angler Profile
