Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) has taken the competitive bass fishing tournament world by storm in recent years, but now one of the pro circuits has banned its use. (NPFL)

It’s hard to tell if the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) banning of forward facing sonar in their tournaments next year is the first leak in the dike, or only a temporary hiccup in the seemingly unstoppable march of tournament fishing into advanced technology.

This week the NPFL released a statement saying this:

“Starting with the 2025 season, the NPFL will prohibit the use of real-time imaging units—commonly referred to as “live forward-facing sonar”—during official practice and competition. Other sonar (e.g., 2D, side imaging, 360, et al.) will continue to be permitted. The use of future technology will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”

The NPFL is obviously not B.A.S.S. or MFL, the two major big money tournaments in pro bass fishing. But it has attracted some well-known anglers to its ranks. Guys like Kyle Welcher, Patrick Walters, John Cox, David Fritts, Zack Birge, and Tommy Biffle are among the 121 angler roster, all respected pro’s with years of competing on the top circuits behind them.

Here’s the heart of the NPFL statement:

NPFL anglers fish venues from the deep South to upstate New York, and over 120 anglers are regular competitors in the top circuit. (NPFL)

“Every sport has equipment rules to protect the players and the integrity of the game. As examples, Major League Baseball does not allow aluminum bats so as to protect certain players on defense and to preserve the game’s legacy. Auto racing has restrictions on engines and other equipment to protect drivers and ensure competitiveness. The Professional Golfers’ Association prohibits balls that use technology to overcome shortcomings of skill.

“Tournament bass fishing is not different from these other sports in its need to protect the integrity and appeal of the game.

“At NPFL, we do not want competitive bass fishing to become a technology arms race where anglers stare at a screen, targeting pixels and losing their connection to the fish we love so much. Forward-facing sonar is changing the ways that anglers approach competition and the ways that fans consume content. It’s also reducing the methods and baits that anglers use to compete.”

It would be hard to disagree with any of that. But of course Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance are unlikely to be made gleeful by any part of it. And given their part in providing sponsorships for both tournament circuits and the anglers who fish them, there are clearly going to be some interesting conversations between NPFL and these companies in the coming months.

Does this mean the beginning of the end for FFS in tournaments? 

NPFL awards major cash prizes for its major events, and has attracted a number of anglers from BASS and MLF over the years. (NPFL)

Not likely. 

Both BASS and MLF have extended business relationships with FFS makers and the newly established stars of both circuits rely heavily on the technology except during the spring largemouth spawn.

But the NPFL rules will provide another way to go for anglers who just don’t want to do video-game fishing, as well as for the many part-time anglers who just can’t afford the ante to buy the FFS gear. 

It should be a welcome return to traditional methods for many anglers who have come up prior to FFS, and hopefully tacklemakers who don’t specialize in FFS lures and gear will support the circuit and the anglers to maintain another venue for fishing competition.

Learn more about NPFL here: https://thenationalprofessionalfishingleague.com.

— Frank Sargeant