Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
As we wrap up what has undeniably been our biggest and most impactful year yet, I can’t help but reflect on how far this league has come in just five short seasons. 2025 was a year of growth, direction, and confirmation—growth in our audience, growth in our partnerships, and growth in our belief that what we’re building is working. The trajectory of the NPFL isn’t just upward—it’s forward. We’re not chasing trends; we’re setting our own course.
We took bold steps this season—in production, in structure, and in culture—and each one has moved the League closer to where it belongs: among the premier stages in professional bass fishing. That trajectory continues into 2026 as we build on what’s working, fix what isn’t, and protect what makes the NPFL special.
The “No Info” Rule: Getting Back to Common Sense
Let’s talk about the rule change everyone’s been buzzing about—our update to the No Information Rule.
I’ll start here: I want our anglers back in tackle shops. I want them visible, accessible, and connected to the communities that support this sport. I don’t want to see professionals hiding under a hoodie, sending a family member into a store to grab a bag of plastics because they’re scared of accidentally breaking a rule. That’s not the kind of sport we’re trying to build.
Over time, the only people who’ve really been punished by the No Info rule are the ones who actually follow it. The gray area around what’s “too much,” what’s “too little,” and what’s “technically allowed” has become unmanageable, so we’re cutting through the noise and getting back to common sense.
Here’s the new standard … plain and simple:
- At no time—ever—is an NPFL angler allowed to hire a guide on a tournament body of water.
This is the highest level of our sport. Any angler who even considers hiring a guide to gain an advantage should be ashamed of themselves, and—in my opinion, should never fish professionally again. - No angler shall buy, barter, or exchange for information.
That includes other pros, guides, or anyone with intimate knowledge of a fishery. Period. - The No Information window will now begin 30 days prior to the start of official practice.
Thirty days means 30 days—no gray area, no bending, no “I didn’t know.”
The reality is that under the previous system, polygraphs and enforcement mechanisms became nearly impossible to apply fairly because of all the loopholes and confusion. We’re simply removing the gray area. No information 30 days out. No buying, bartering, or trading for info … ever.
And let’s be honest—is there really any information you can get 30 to 45 days before an event that truly changes the outcome of a tournament? No, there isn’t. One of the oldest sayings in this game is “It’s tough to catch someone else’s fish.” If we truly believe that—and I do—then 30 days is more than sufficient. This isn’t about limiting opportunity; it’s about protecting the purity of competition.
Perspective: Why Some Push Back
When rules like this change, emotions run high—and that’s understandable. Fans need to recognize what’s really happening beneath the surface. Many of these anglers have spent years operating in systems where small groups—sometimes four or five anglers renting the same house—shared notes, waypoints, and patterns all season long.
That’s not illegal, and under most rule sets it doesn’t technically break any guidelines—but let’s be honest, it’s a clear advantage. I’ve seen it happen firsthand. We also have anglers in our own field who operate that way, and within the current framework, that’s allowed.
But when you start to level the playing field and take some of that advantage away, well … guys don’t like it when you start playing with their cash flow.
So, when we talk about leveling the playing field, people get edgy. Habits are hard to break, and any rule that closes the gap between collaboration and competition will naturally create discomfort.
You might hear folks say things like, “This is the dumbest rule ever” or “It’s ruining the sport.” But when you strip away the noise, what’s really happening is accountability. True professionals adjust, adapt, and compete with what’s in their own head and heart, not in someone else’s GPS.
We’re not here to micromanage conversations. We’re here to protect competition. We’re restoring the spirit of fair play and the pride that comes from figuring it out yourself. That’s how the great ones were made, and that’s how the next generation will be, too.
At the End of the Day
At the end of the day, every decision we make comes down to one simple question:
Is it good for the NPFL?
Sometimes that means making tough calls that not everyone agrees with. But leadership isn’t about doing what’s popular—it’s about doing what’s right for the long-term health of the league, the anglers, and the sport itself.
And here’s what I know: This rule change, this growth, this direction, it’s all good for the NPFL. It’s good for our anglers who compete with integrity. It’s good for our fans who deserve a fair fight. And it’s good for the future of a league that refuses to compromise on what’s right.
None of this happens without the incredible people who make the NPFL what it is—our staff, our anglers, our sponsors, and the loyal fans who believe in what we’re building. You’ve all poured your hearts, your time, and your energy into something that started as an idea and has become a movement.
To everyone who stood behind us, believed in us, and helped carry this banner—thank you.
The work continues. The standard remains high. And the NPFL—your league—is just getting started.
