Story by Todd Goade | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Well before the last cast of the 2025 NPFL season, I was already planning for the 2026 season … as most of us do. There is a lot that goes into playing this game behind the actual fishing that keeps us running wide open that most people don’t see. All these moving parts are what keeps the hamster wheel turning!
As the owner of Pulse Fish, that—all by itself—is a full-time job. My daughter helps a few days each week, and it also means I get to spend time with her and my grandson, who will be a year old in January. The business has grown a lot, and we’ve got several new products coming out soon.
I also work for my title sponsor, Save Haven Avian Group. Having close to 25 years of experience in commercial pest control, I introduced the folks at Safe Haven to some of my clients back in the day that resulted in business for them and started the relationship. The bonus was that the owner is a bass fisherman, and people in our industry know how valuable that is. A non-endemic sponsor that fishes and understands our sport is the recipe for a great long-term partnership, and it has become just that. They are great people and great friends.
The not-so off season also involves trying to find new partners that share the same passion for the sport as we do and to begin conversations with those that hopefully result in new opportunities, relationships, and long-term partnerships where both sides can create value for each other. With the continuing surge of the NPFL in both the public fan sphere and the fishing industry, several of these new conversations have started off with “I really like what the NPFL is doing, and it looks like there’s a great culture there.” They are exactly right. Hopefully a couple of these will turn into new partnerships and I can create the value they want and need.
One of those exciting new partnerships for me in 2026 is that I will be running a Falcon Boats F21 Predator, and with the continued support of Yamaha Outboards it will be outfitted with the 250 V-Max SHO. The folks at Falcon felt like family from the first interaction and I’m looking forward to representing them for many years to come. Yamaha has been there for every step of my NPFL career, and they make products that have performed flawlessly for me.
I’ve been very blessed to have some long-term partners as well, and every one of them has renewed their contracts for the 2026 season. What started most of these business conversations years ago has turned into great friendships that will last a lifetime, and we’ve helped each other along the way from promotions, new product innovations, and communication. I’m proud to work with them!
So, in short, the “off” season really isn’t off, and it’s wide open from now until the last rod and tackle box is loaded in the boat and the truck is packed and ready to head out for Stop 1 of the 2026 NPFL season at the Harris Chain in Leesburg, Florida.
I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s the dance we all do in some form or fashion that creates memories, friends, and partnerships that last a lifetime.
Here’s to a safe and prosperous 2026!!
Tight Lines!
Todd Goade – Angler Profile
