In a move that no one saw coming — but somehow makes perfect sense in 2026 — Major League Fishing (MLF) has officially announced the creation of a brand-new, influencer-only tournament circuit set to launch next season.
Dubbed (at least for now) the “MLF Creator Series,” this new trail will feature an exclusive field of 50 of the sport’s top social media personalities. Entrants will be selected not by points standings or tournament resumes, but by follower counts and engagement metrics.
A New Kind of Qualification
Boyd Duckett, MLF president and CEO, tells Wired2fish that the anglers won’t qualify through traditional methods like the Toyota Series, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit or Bass Pro Tour. Instead, invitations will be sent to the top 50 fishing influencers across platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
“We’re looking for anglers who can catch fish and catch attention,” says Duckett. “At MLF, fishing comes first. But we wanted to give fans an exciting new format that emphasizes showmanship — and really turn it up a notch.”
Qualification criteria will include:
- Total follower count
- Average video views
- Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)
- “On-camera fish landing enthusiasm” (yes, really)
No Entry Fees, Big Payouts
Perhaps the most shocking element of the new circuit is its structure: there will be no entry fees for competitors. Instead, payouts will mirror the Bass Pro Tour model, with a hefty purse spread across the entire field. There will be $125,000 to win, with $15,000 through 25th place. The guaranteed payouts are designed to lure influencers that are used to grinding out brand deals and ad revenue, providing incentive to put fishing first.
The format is expected to blend traditional competition with content creation requirements. While full rules haven’t been released, insiders hint at bonus incentives for:
- Viral moments during competition hours
- Creative edits posted within 24 hours
- Viewer engagement during live streams
There’s even speculation about a “Most Shareable Catch” bonus, though that remains unconfirmed.
As for the elephant in the room, MLF says the Creator Series will follow the same forward-facing sonar rules as the Bass Pro Tour. Duckett says this will allow those that favor the tool to use it when it makes sense to them, but will keep the playing field level. From the rulebook:
“Each day of competition is comprised of three (3) 2.5-hour periods with two (2) 15-minute lines out breaks. Use of forward facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to one period each day. Each angler must declare his use period during the preceding break.”
There’s also talk of an “Intuitive Angler Bonus” for the biggest bass caught outside of a forward-facing sonar period.
The Future of Fishing?
As you might expect, reactions have been… mixed. Some touring pros have expressed curiosity, while others are reportedly scrambling to revive dormant YouTube channels. Meanwhile, up-and-coming anglers are now faced with a new reality: learning video editing might be just as important as learning how to fish structure.
On the flip side, many fans are intrigued by the potential for more behind-the-scenes access and personality-driven storytelling during events.
Though MLF has not yet announced an official schedule, the inaugural season of the MLF Creator Series is expected to kick off next fall. For more details, or to submit your application for the new Creator Series, click here.
