Everything you need to know about MLF’s 2026 forward-facing sonar rules

 

Starting in 2026, Major League Fishing will restrict the use of forward-facing sonar at all professional and boater/co-angler levels of competition, from the Phoenix Bass Fishing League to the Bass Pro Tour. The decision to limit the technology was made in response to positive feedback from fans and anglers about the forward-facing sonar restrictions implemented on the Bass Pro Tour in 2025 as well as feedback from participants at lower levels.

The goal of these restrictions is to promote multi-dimensional angling – allowing anglers to utilize the latest technology while also creating an environment in which traditional techniques remain highly competitive. MLF believes these rules will make for more dynamic, entertaining competitions and will drive tournament participation, thus enhancing payouts. The league strongly believes that the fracturing of the sport caused by forward-facing sonar is unhealthy and unsustainable. The goal of this solution is a compromise that brings everyone back together for the benefit of anglers, fans and sponsors.

The 2026 rules regarding forward-facing sonar for each circuit will be as follows:

Bass Pro Tour

• No changes from 2025
• Anglers will only be allowed to utilize forward-facing/360-degree sonar for one of three competition periods per day and must declare in advance which period they intend to use it.
• The technology will not be restricted during B&W Trailer Hitches Heavy Hitters or Fishing Clash Team Series competition, as anglers in those events compete in identical, league-issued boats.

Anaya leads the charge into the 2026 Elite Series

 

CLEWISTON, Fla. — It was only last July when Fisher Anaya wrapped up his final high school tournament. Now, the 19-year-old is achieving his dream of becoming a professional angler.

Anaya claimed the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops points race, earning 264 points during the three-tournament gauntlet. He and nine other Elite Qualifiers earned invitations to the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. 

“It’s awesome. I’m ready to go. I wish we started tomorrow,” Anaya said. 

Hailing from Eva, Ala., Anaya has been fishing as a boater in adult-level tournaments for several years, racking up impressive results in BFL’s and Toyota Series events as well as Alabama Bass Trail tournaments with his father Ryan. 

Even still, Anaya wasn’t quite sure how he would stack up against an impressive group of St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pros. Turns out, he was top of the class.

“I knew I had a chance,” he explained. “Like, if you are going to fish this stuff you have to bet on yourself. You have to have confidence. I told myself I could do it. I came out here, worked my rear end off daylight to dark every day and it paid off.”

Conditions for Division II, and the EQ schedule for that matter, were volatile. But each tournament, Anaya found one area that he felt could produce quality bites. Nothing seemed like it came easy, however.

“I would land on one area each tournament that would have big ones and I could bank on those to help me survive,” Anaya said. “Really and truly, it looks great on paper, but all my tournaments were super slow and were always a grind.

“I think it bettered me.”

The ability to fight through those grimy days will no doubt serve him well at the Elite Series level. 

Let’s take a look at how the Top 10 finishers in EQ points got to this point.

1st place - Fisher Anaya (264 points; $45,000)

Anaya was one of the 50 anglers who best navigated a tumultuous Division II schedule, finishing second in the regular season to Pake South by two points. He opened the season with a 9th place finish at Sam Rayburn, which he feels set the tone for the season. 

“After catching them in the first one, I was like, ‘I can do this,’” Anaya said. “I caught them at a place I’d never seen before. I just had to carry my momentum and keep going.”

Hudson Wins 2025 Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops.

 

Chris Decker, Bassmaster Press Release

CLEWISTON, Fla. — Last September, Caleb Hudson didn’t know what direction he wanted to take in life. He came just short of winning the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, what he assumed would be his best chance at qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic, at least in the foreseeable future. 

But with the support of his family and a few good sponsors, the USC-Union grad decided to fish Division I of the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN and it was the best decision he ever made. 

“I feel like I’m on top of the world right now,” he said. 

With a three-day total of 52 pounds, 6 ounces, Hudson claimed the victory at the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops. The win not only sends him to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, but it also vaults him into the Top 10 in Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops points. 

Opening the tournament in 25th with 10-9, Hudson brought 25-7 to the scales on Day 2 before landing 16-6, which was enough to outlast Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Robert Gee, who finished with 51-12. 

“This was never in my 2025 bingo card. It is the best kind of blindside. This is the last event on the schedule I would have ever thought I would win,” Hudson said. “God is the reason for this. Day 2 I was blessed, and it carried me the rest of the way. This is exactly what needed to happen to get me into the Elite Series. I sent it and it worked out.”

Despite warming temperatures, the final day proved to be just as difficult as the previous two. Only one 20-pound bag hit the scales on Saturday, while five limits under 10 pounds were brought in. 

6 Trolling Motor Accessories You May Need

Minn Kota has a compiled a great list of 6 trolling motor accessories you may need. Most think that once they buy a reliable Minn Kota motor that it. That's true but there are few key upgrades that make your motor work better and last longer. 

LINK HERE TO CONTINUE TO LEARN

DAIWA’s versatile 2025 TATULA X TW 100 baitcaster

 DAIWA’s versatile 2025 TATULA X TW 100 baitcaster offers legacy TATULA performance at a price that’s right for the times

Consider the new 2025 TATULA X TW 100, the least expensive model in the TATULA reel family. It maintains the series’ key genetic building blocks and is priced with a sharpened pencil. “It’s a pretty special baitcaster at its price – really, any price,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. 

The centerpiece of the new TATULA X TW 100 is DAIWA’s storied HYPERDRIVE System, previously found on only more expensive models. “Our HYPERDRIVE System is a suite of advanced technologies that enhance overall performance, durability, and smoothness,” said Martin. “It starts with our HYPER Armed Housing – a durable, lightweight, precision tooled, and corrosion-resistant aluminium frame and sideplates that provide a forcefield for our famous HYPDERDRIVE DIGIGEAR.”

HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR grants a three point interaction between the pinion and drive gear to provide continuous gear contact, spread the load to eliminate chatter, and extend the life of the reel. Besides the TATULA X TW 100, three-point gear contacts are otherwise unheard of at this price.

Fitzpatrick takes 2025 Toyota Series Championship by tiebreaker on Grand Lake

Fishing near home, Roger Fitzpatrick had family on hand for the win. Photo by Rob Matsuura

By Jody White, Toyota Series 

GROVE, Okla. – The final day of the Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake will go down as one of the tightest of all time. Entering Championship Saturday, four Ozark stalwarts were ounces apart – in theory shooting it out with jigs and spinnerbaits for the win. Then, the power fishing bite crumbled, and Drew Gill, Tucker Smith and Riley Harris blitzed up the leaderboard, picking off fish after fish with forward-facing sonar.

At weigh-in, Smith and Gill both weighed over 14 pounds, by far the biggest bags of the day. But, with 11 pounds, 7 ounces, Roger Fitzpatrick had just enough to hang on, moving up from second to first with 41-1 and beating Gill for the win via tiebreak, which is previous day’s standing first and then heaviest single-day catch, both of which favored the veteran angler.  

For the win, which is his 13th with MLF in nearly 250 events, Fitzpatrick took home $200,250 plus a berth in REDCREST 2026 – which just to happens to be at Table Rock Lake, where he’s won twice before with MLF. Though Fitzpatrick had come oh so close many times in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American, he’d never won it or a Toyota Series event until now. Throw in a Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title in the Plains Division, and it’s clear that Fitzpatrick waited until age 61 to have his best year yet.

Fitzpatrick is sure the win was meant to be

As someone who has been cashing checks with MLF/FLW since 1995, Fitzpatrick has plenty of experience when it comes to winning, but he’s probably going to need to fish for another 30 years or so to replicate this one.

TOP FINISHERS BELOW

Minn Kota® Introduces the All-New Riptide Kayak Terrova for Saltwater

Anglers can command the motor from anywhere on the boat using the Micro Remote, connected Humminbird® fish finder, or the One-Boat Network® App, providing effortless kayak control for every fishing situation. The motor comes standard with an advanced GPS trolling system—including Spot-Lock®, Autopilot, Drift Mode, and Follow Mode—so users are ready to fish right out of the box and can instantly hold their exact position on the water. Integration with Humminbird fish finders ensures seamless navigation and total system control. With an extremely durable composite 36” Shaft, and a weedless prop, this motor is built to handle whatever the day throws at you.

"The Riptide Kayak Terrova is built to elevate the saltwater kayak fishing experience," said Hannah O'Connor, Brand Manager at Minn Kota. "With Minn Kota’s trusted precision control, plug-and-play Humminbird integration, and Spot-Lock to hold your kayak in place, anglers can fish longer and more efficiently, keeping their kayak exactly where they need it."

Key Features & Benefits:
• 12V, 55 lb Thrust Motor with 36" Shaft – Powerful, reliable performance designed for optimal kayak control
• Advanced GPS Trolling System – Includes Spot-Lock, Autopilot, Drift Mode, and Follow Mode for precise boat control and hands-free navigation
• Advanced Corrosion Protection – Riptide motor lower unit housings are grit-blasted and coated in aluminum to prevent rust and oxidation
• Effortless Stow & Deploy – Simple lever  for smooth stow-and-deploy action
• Humminbird Integration – Seamlessly connects with select Humminbird fish finders out of the box

MSRP: $1,899.99
Available: October 15, 2025

No Idea What to Get the Angler in Your Life? Berkley’s Got You Covered.

 Great Gifts for the Angler 

This holiday season, Berkley is making it easy to shop for the anglers who are impossible to buy for. The Berkley Haul of Fame and Tool Kits are ready-to-go packages built to make any angler grin, from bait and tool-specific kits to clever drink sets for celebrating the day’s biggest catch. Packed with high-quality gear, practical tools, and a few playful extras, these kits take the guesswork out of gifting, letting gift givers easily cross names off their shopping list.

From essential tools to popular species-specific baits, Berkley has a kit for every type of angler. The Angler Essential Tool Kit and the Plier Kit provide must-have gear for day-to-day fishing. The Catch & Cook Fillet Kit makes prepping your catch a breeze. Topwater, Swimbait, Froggin’ and Crankbait Haul of Fame kits feature award-winning baits, while the Swigs for Bigs sets pair select lures with fun drinkware to celebrate your biggest catches.

Angler Essential Tool Kit – $49.99

• 50lb digital scale
• XCD scissors (stainless steel, ergonomic handles)
• 6” chrome-plated pliers

Angler Essential Plier Kit – $49.99

• 11” XCD pliers
• 6” XCD pliers
• XCD Superline cutters (braided/nylon line)

Catch & Cook Fillet Kit – $49.99

• 7” XCD fillet knife (stainless steel, semi-flex)
• Portable rubber fillet mat (textured for grip)
• Bonus maintenance kit: handheld sharpener + micro-fiber towel

Advanced Tech Meets Everyday Performance as Abu Garcia Expands the Max Series

 New Max reels and combos deliver Revo-inspired technology, refined design, and unmatched value across five performance tiers

“The Max Series represents a complete evolution of the Max lineup,” said Andrew Wheeler, Director of Brand and Product at Abu Garcia. “By bringing Revo-inspired technology into a more accessible platform, we’re giving every angler the chance to experience true Abu Garcia top-end performance at a competitive price point that fits their needs.” Max X Low Profile Reels and Combos

Delivering proven Abu Garcia performance at an incredible value, the Max X low profile reels feature a lightweight asymmetric body design, Duragear brass gear, and the dependable MagTrax braking system. The Power Disk Drag System offers up to 15 pounds of smooth drag, while a 90mm aluminum handle with co-molded soft touch knobs ensures comfort and control all day long. The Max X Combos feature rods with lightweight graphite composite construction and an EVA split grip design in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of every angler. ABU GARCIA MAX X KEY FEATURES: Max X LP Reel Specs • 5+1 bearing system • Lightweight A-Sym body design • Graphite frame and side plates • Duragear brass gear • 90mm aluminum handle • MagTrax braking system • Power Disk Drag – 15lb max drag • Co-molded soft touch knobs • Gear Ratio - 6.8:1 Max X LP Combo Specs • Lightweight graphite composite construction • High density EVA split grip handle • PVD coated one-piece guides for increased durability MSRP: $69.99 - Reel | $89.99 - Combo Available: October 2025