Major League Fishing Latest News Tournaments Pro Angler Updates

As of April 16, 2026, Major League Fishing (MLF) continues to define the landscape of professional bass fishing through its innovative "every fish counts" format and high-stakes tournament circuits. Founded in 2011, the organization has expanded to become the world’s largest tournament-fishing entity, overseeing the premier Bass Pro Tour, the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, and the Phoenix Bass Fishing League.

The 2026 season marks a critical juncture for the league as it refines its technological regulations—specifically regarding forward-facing sonar—and visits iconic American fisheries. With a roster of the world's top anglers, including multi-time champions like Jacob Wheeler and Dustin Connell, the competition remains focused on speed, efficiency, and conservation through the "catch, weigh, immediate-release" model. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the current season's progress, upcoming venues, and the state of the professional field.

2026 Bass Pro Tour Tournament Schedule

The 2026 Bass Pro Tour season is characterized by a diverse selection of fisheries ranging from deep-water reservoirs to tidal river systems. Below is the official schedule for the current competition year:

• Stage 1: Lake Guntersville

  • Location: Guntersville, AL

  • Date: January 15 - 18, 2026

  • Host: Presented by Mercury

• Stage 2: Lake Hartwell

  • Location: Oconee County, SC

  • Date: February 19 - 22, 2026

  • Host: Presented by Lowrance

• Stage 3: Lake Whitney and Lake Waco

  • Location: Waco, TX

  • Date: March 5 - 8, 2026

  • Host: Presented by MillerTech

• Stage 4: O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood

  • Location: Early, TX

  • Date: March 26 - 29, 2026

  • Host: Presented by Plano

• REDCREST 2026: Table Rock Lake

  • Location: Springfield, MO

  • Date: April 17 - 19, 2026

  • Host: Presented by Mercury & Lowrance

• Stage 5: Beaver Lake

  • Location: Rogers, AR

  • Date: April 30 - May 3, 2026

  • Host: Presented by YETI

• General Tire Heavy Hitters: Orange Lake

  • Location: Ocala, FL

  • Date: May 16 - 21, 2026

  • Host: Presented by Bass Pro Shops

• Stage 6: Grand Lake

  • Location: Grove, OK

  • Date: June 18 - 21, 2026

• Stage 7: Lake Erie

  • Location: Sandusky, OH

  • Date: August 6 - 9, 2026

Latest Tournament Results and Standings

As the league enters the mid-season, the Angler of the Year (AOY) race is tightening. Performance in the Texas "swing" (Stages 3 and 4) proved pivotal for several veteran competitors.

Top Performers in Recent Stages:

• Jacob Wheeler: Continued his dominance in the early 2026 stages, maintaining a high average finish across Alabama and South Carolina.

• Zack Birge: Emerged as a primary contender during the Texas events, leveraging deep-water patterns.

• Drew Gill: One of the most consistent younger pros, Gill has remained in the top 5 of the standings throughout the first quarter of the year.

• Michael Neal: Noted for his efficiency on the St. Lawrence River in late 2024 and 2025, Neal carries strong momentum into the Northern stages of 2026.

Current Top 5 Standings (Projected Points/Earnings):

1. Jacob Wheeler - Leading in scorable weight and AOY points.

2. Zack Birge - High ranking following Stage 3 and 4 success.

3. Drew Gill - Consistent Top-10 finisher.

4. Justin Lucas - Strong performance on highland reservoirs.

5. Dustin Connell - Former REDCREST champion showing strength in southern waters.

Key Pro Angler Updates and Roster Changes

The 2026 field consists of a condensed, high-performance roster designed to maximize visibility for the sport's top personalities.

The roster features 66 elite professionals who qualified through a combination of lifetime AOY standings and recent performance in the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

Notable Anglers to Watch:

• Jacob Wheeler (TN): Three-time AOY winner and widely considered the most efficient angler in the league.

• Dustin Connell (AL): Known as "The Smallmouth King," Connell is a two-time REDCREST champion (2021, 2024).

• Ott DeFoe (TN): A multi-time winner across various circuits, DeFoe is recognized for his prowess in river systems and shallow water.

• Bryan Thrift (NC): The 2023 REDCREST winner, Thrift is often cited as the most "natural" angler in the field.

2026 Rookies and Recent Promotions:

Invitations are strictly performance-based. The newest additions to the Bass Pro Tour earned their spots via the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, including:

• Marshall Hughes (TX)

• Jake Lawrence (TN)

• Colby Miller (LA)

These anglers represent the next generation of professionals transitioning into the league's unique "period-based" scoring format.

Official Rules and Format Evolution

For the 2026 season, Major League Fishing has maintained strict regulations regarding Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) and 360-degree technology to balance modern tools with traditional angling skills.

Key Rule Implementation:

• Technological Limits: All boats are limited to two transducers for forward-facing or 360-degree sonar.

• Screen Height: Bow-mounted screens cannot extend more than 18 inches vertically from the deck, and console screens are limited to 16 inches.

• Restricted Usage: In the Bass Pro Tour, anglers are only permitted to use FFS technology during one of the three periods of the competition day. Anglers must declare which period they will use the technology prior to the start.

• Scoring: The "every fish counts" format requires all scorable bass (typically 1.5 to 2 lbs minimum, depending on the venue) to be weighed and immediately released.

What is Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing (MLF) is a professional bass fishing organization that utilizes a "catch, weigh, immediate-release" format. Unlike traditional tournaments where anglers keep fish in livewells for a final weigh-in, MLF uses an on-boat official to weigh fish instantly. Results are tracked via the SCORETRACKER® live leaderboard, providing real-time updates to fans and competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between the Bass Pro Tour and the Invitationals?

   The Bass Pro Tour is the top-tier circuit with a limited field of 66 pros.

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   The Tackle Warehouse Invitationals serve as the qualifying circuit for the Bass Pro Tour.

2. How do anglers qualify for the Bass Pro Tour in 2026?

   Qualification is based on the previous year's Bass Pro Tour points, lifetime AOY averages, and the top performers from the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

3. What is the payout for a Bass Pro Tour Stage win?

   Regular season stages typically award $150,000 to the winner, representing one of the highest individual payouts in the sport.

4. Where is REDCREST 2026 being held?

   REDCREST 2026 is scheduled for Table Rock Lake in Springfield, Missouri, from April 17 - 19.

5. Who won REDCREST in 2025?

   The 2025 REDCREST title was contested at Lake Guntersville, with the championship trophy going to the top-performing angler of that four-day event.

6. What are the rules for Forward Facing Sonar in 2026?

   Anglers on the Bass Pro Tour can use FFS for only one out of three periods during a competition day.

7. How many fish can an angler catch in an MLF event?

   There is no limit. The "every fish counts" format encourages anglers to catch as many scorable bass as possible during the allotted time.

8. Where can I watch Major League Fishing live?

   Events are broadcast on MLFNOW! and streamed via MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app, and platforms like MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) and Rumble.

9. What is the "Heavy Hitters" event?

   General Tire Heavy Hitters is an all-star event focusing on big-bass catches, with specific bonuses for the largest fish caught in each round.

10. How long are the competition days?

    Competition days are divided into three periods, typically lasting 2.5 to 3 hours each, with breaks in between.

11. Who is the current Angler of the Year?

    As of the start of the 2026 season, Jacob Wheeler remains a dominant force, having won the title in three of the last four completed seasons (2021, 2022, 2024).

12. Are co-anglers allowed on the Bass Pro Tour?

    No, the Bass Pro Tour is a pro-only circuit where every angler has an official in the boat. Co-anglers compete in the Toyota Series and BFL.

13. What is the minimum weight for a scorable fish?

    The minimum weight is determined by the MLF Fisheries Management division for each specific lake, usually ranging between 1.5 and 2 pounds.

14. Is Major League Fishing televised?

    Yes, episodes air on the Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, and CBS Sports Network.

15. What is the "Catch, Weigh, Release" philosophy?

    It is a conservation-first approach designed to reduce stress on fish by eliminating

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    the need to transport them in livewells to a central weigh-in location.

Major League Fishing 2026

The Major League Fishing 2026 season continues to emphasize high-efficiency angling and technical skill. With the implementation of new sonar restrictions and a return to legendary fisheries like Table Rock Lake and Lake Erie, the league provides a distinct alternative to traditional tournament formats. The race for the Angler of the Year remains the focal point for the 66-pro roster, while the "every fish counts" scoring ensures that the leaderboard remains fluid until the final minutes of every period. Fans can expect continued transparency through live telemetry and real-time scoring throughout the remainder of the 2026 circuit.

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