Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
We’re getting close to opening registration for the 2026 NPFL season, and before we do, I wanted to take a few moments to address the one question I get more than any other this time of year:
“What are you looking for in an NPFL angler?”
Let me be clear. That’s the wrong question.
If you want to fish the NPFL, ask yourself what kind of person is the NPFL looking for?
Because that’s where this all starts.
The People Are Everything
In my previous life, I traveled to some of the most beautiful places on the planet and I’ve been absolutely miserable. I’ve also found myself in some of the most miserable, godforsaken corners of the world and laughed until it hurt, slept like a rock, and felt a real sense of joy.
What made the difference? The people I was with.
It’s no different here.
I want to build this League alongside people I enjoy working with. People I want to spend time with. People I want to work for. Because that’s what this really is. The League exists to serve the fans, the anglers, and our partners. But we’re not serving names on a spreadsheet. We’re serving people. That means who you are matters more than you think.
I want to share this experience with people of integrity, humility, accountability, and gratitude. Good human beings who happen to be great anglers … not the other way around.
The Competition Will Be Fierce
Let’s also talk about the obvious. It’s getting tougher to get in. And that’s a good thing.
Every year, the field gets stronger. The talent gets deeper. The resumes get longer. I believe the competition level in 2026 will once again take a step up, and that’s by design.
As the NPFL grows, we have to raise the bar. Not just to be competitive, but to remain sustainable, respected, and relevant in a crowded space. Professionalizing the NPFL from production to payout to performance isn’t a slogan. It’s a promise.
And that impacts selection. Not everyone will get in. Not everyone should.
But I also want to be clear on this. The NPFL has always been a place for those who aren’t full-time touring pros. We’ve got business owners, military veterans, tradesmen, schoolteachers, and hard-working men and women who hustle Monday through Friday so they can chase a dream on Saturday. And you know what? Some of them are absolute hammers.
That diversity is part of our identity. It makes us different. It makes us better.
Commitment Matters Financially, Too
This next part might not be popular, but it needs to be said.
Every year, we get applications from anglers who have no intention of following through. If you’re applying just to get the invite so you can then start trying to “find” a way to fish, you’re doing it backwards. And it hurts everyone.
We all struggle to make ends meet from time to time. That’s life, and I respect the grind. But there’s a clear line, and I’ve seen it crossed too many times, where anglers apply with no viable plan to complete a full season. When that happens, the whole League suffers. Your fellow competitors, the staff, and the fans.
So if you’re thinking about applying, do it with intention. Do it with a solid financial plan. Understand what this commitment means and be prepared to honor it.
I tell every prospective angler the same thing:
“Don’t let a dream become a nightmare.”
Because if you commit and then can’t fulfill it, It’ll be your nightmare. That’s the promise I make to every angler who does things the right way. That I’ll protect the integrity of the field and this League.
A Look Ahead
So, as we get ready to open registration for 2026, know this. It’s not only about what you’ve caught. It’s about what you bring to the League.
We’re building something special here. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still work to be done. What I can promise is this.
The competition will be strong.
The expectations will be high.
The commitment must be real.
And the people will be everything.
Let’s make 2026 the best season yet with the right folks in the boat.
