For Immediate Release: January 20, 2025
WILKESVILLE, Ohio—The National Professional Fishing League has decided to take immediate steps to address potential changes to its 2025 angler roster. After announcing a field of 118 anglers on January 9th, three members of the NPFL family have shared news of significant personal challenges that may prevent them from competing this season.
“This was not an easy decision,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “We had previously remained steadfast in our enrollment deadline for the 2025 season, believing that we had finalized our field. However, life has a way of changing plans. When three of our anglers shared news of life-altering personal and family health issues, it became clear we needed to address this situation thoughtfully and with the best interests of everyone in mind. These are more than just anglers—they’re part of our NPFL family. We are here to support and love them, whether they’re fishing this season or not.”
In response, the NPFL leadership, in consultation with its entire angling field, has outlined a clear and decisive plan. The process to identify and add additional anglers will begin immediately, with the goal of concluding as quickly as possible.
“We recognize the importance of timing,” Fuller stated. “Our goal is to have the additional anglers fully integrated into the NPFL by the cutoff date for the Santee Cooper event (February 3, 2025). Ideally, we’d like to finalize everything well before then, but we understand that these processes often take longer than any of us would prefer. Regardless, we’re prepared to execute this plan swiftly and effectively.”
The process will involve strict adherence to the NPFL’s rules, particularly the “no information” rule, which ensures a level playing field for all competitors. Each potential angler will be required to answer a series of pointed and direct questions designed to uphold the integrity of the league and ensure compliance with its standards.
“I was genuinely taken aback by how professional, meaningful, and productive the conversation was,” Fuller shared. “This wasn’t just a decision made in isolation—it was a collaborative effort. I’m incredibly proud of this organization for having the ability to come together as a group and reach a consensus on what was best for the business, the anglers, the sponsors, and the fans. The level of respect and thoughtfulness from everyone involved was inspiring.”
The 2025 season includes six regular-season tournaments plus the 2025 NPFL Championship. The regular-season events will prohibit the use of real-time imaging units (commonly referred to as “forward-facing sonar”). This prohibition does not apply to the 2025 NPFL Championship, for which anglers qualified under 2024 rules.
About the National Professional Fishing League
The National Professional Fishing League was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.
For more information, visit our website or contact Ken Duke at (407) 574-1898 or ken@tnpfl.com.
