More than 50,000 fans tuned in live on Bassmaster.com to watch a first-of-its-kind show where the venues for the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series were paired and a coin flip determined which events will allow forward-facing sonar (FFS). The new format limits the use of FFS to a maximum of five regular-season Elite tournaments.
On the live show, hosted by Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and Davy Hite, the results of the random coin flips created a mix of technology-driven and traditional fishing events:
- Lake Guntersville — Non-FFS
- Lake Martin — FFS
- Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway — Non-FFS
- Arkansas River — FFS
- Lake Murray — FFS
- Santee Cooper Lakes — Non-FFS
- Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound — FFS
- Lake Champlain — Non-FFS
- St. Lawrence River — FFS
The 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will remain an “all-tech” event, allowing forward-facing sonar since all qualifiers earned their berths under the existing rules.
Elite Series pros Gerald Swindle, Drew Benton, John Crews and Bryan Schmitt joined the live show and applauded the move. Swindle emphasized that the hybrid approach “keeps the sport grounded in tradition while still letting technology shine.” Benton added that the new format “will test versatility like never before,” while Crews noted that “fans are going to love the diversity of tactics showcased from one event to the next.” Schmitt may have summed it up best: "There's gonna be something to love for every fan out there."
“Forward-facing sonar has been a game-changer for the sport, but our anglers, members and fans asked us to find the right balance,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson earlier this week when announcing the rule. “The coin-flip format was designed to create transparency in choosing the venues, parity in fishing styles, and to highlight a wide range of skills to keep Bassmaster competition exciting for everyone.”
With nearly half the schedule prohibiting live sonar, the 2026 Elite Series promises a Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race where competitors must prove themselves both with and without technology — a season-long storyline that fans can follow from the first cast on Lake Guntersville to the final weigh-in on the St. Lawrence River.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
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