Major League Fishing (MLF) just dropped the details for the 2026 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine, and the news is big: lower entry fees, higher payouts, and expanded opportunities to qualify for the All-American, Toyota Series Championship, and even REDCREST.
Set to be the most rewarding season in the BFL’s 46-year history, these changes continue MLF’s grassroots mission — bringing professional-quality bass tournaments to weekend anglers at a price that makes sense.
What’s New for 2026
- Lower Entry Fees:
- $200 for boaters (down from $250)
- $100 for co-anglers (down from $125)
- Bigger Payouts:
- 29% more for winners in regular events
- 25% more for last checks in qualifiers
- Super Tournaments see a 27% payout increase at both ends
- All-American payouts also jump by 33% across the board
Standard Qualifiers (96 total)
- $4,000 top boater payout (100 boats), scaling up to $7,750 (200 boats)
- $2,000 top co-angler payout (100 boats), scaling to $3,875
- 20% of the field paid, with guaranteed minimums:
- $250 (boater) / $125 (co-angler)
- Phoenix MLF Bonus: $500 to $7,000
- Entry Fee: $200 boater / $100 co-angler
Super Tournaments (24 total)
- $6,000 top boater payout (100 boats), scaling up to $11,450
- $3,000 top co-angler payout, scaling to $5,725
- 20% of the field paid, with bigger checks:
- $400 (boater) / $200 (co-angler)
- Entry Fee: $300 boater / $150 co-angler
Regional Championships (6 total)
- Return to six Regionals
- Top Boater wins a Phoenix 819 Pro w/ 200HP ($50K value)
- Top Co-Angler wins a Phoenix 518 Pro w/ 115HP ($33,500 value — up 67% from 2025)
- Top 7 boaters & co-anglers from each Regional advance to the All-American
- Entry Fee: $350 boater / $175 co-angler
Wild Card
- For anglers who fish a full division but don’t qualify via points
- Same payouts as Super Tournament (up to $11,450/$5,725)
- Top 7 boaters & co-anglers advance to the All-American
- Entry Fee: $300 boater / $150 co-angler
2027 BFL All-American Highlights
- $100,000 top boater prize + $20,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus
- $50,000 top co-angler prize
- All Regional winners advance to:
- Toyota Series Championship (shot at $235K boater / $33.5K co-angler)
- REDCREST (boater champ only – shot at $300K)
- Every All-American angler earns a check:
- $2,000 minimum for boaters / $1,000 for co-anglers
- $2,000 minimum for boaters / $1,000 for co-anglers
Angler of the Year Awards
- $1,000 AOY prize per division (boater)
- $500 AOY prize per division (co-angler)
Electronics Rule Change
To level the playing field, all BFL events will limit forward-facing and 360-degree sonar to three hours per day. Expect strategy and skill to take center stage in 2026.
Pathway to the Pros
The BFL remains the most accessible qualifying route in tournament bass fishing:
- Fish locally, qualify nationally.
- Earn your way to the Toyota Series, Pro Circuit, and Bass Pro Tour.
Key Dates – 2026 BFL Regionals & All-American
- All-American: May 28-30 | Lake Murray, SC
- Regionals:
- Oct 8–10: Potomac River & Lake Eufaula
- Oct 15–17: Clarks Hill Lake & Kentucky-Barkley Lakes
- Oct 22–24: Grand Lake & Watts Bar Lake
For full schedules, rules, and payouts, visit majorleaguefishing.com.
