Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Festus, MO (July 15, 2022) — The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) announces its 2023 season schedule with a stop in Texas at Lake Amistad to kick things off March 2nd through March 4th in Del Rio, Texas.
“The City of Del Rio, Texas is excited to host the quantity and quality of people coming in with the NPFL next spring. In addition to the financial impact to the local economy, we look forward to the NPFL showcasing all that Del Rio has to offer, on and off the water,” said Quote Blanca Larson Executive Director Explore Del Rio Amistad Oasis. “We want to ensure Anglers from all over see the value of coming to Del Rio, TX to fish historic Lake Amistad.”
Following stop one, the NPFL returns to Texarkana, Texas for its second trip to Wright Patman April 20th through the 22nd. In 2021, Florida pro Keith Carson went wire-to-wire to take the victory at Wright Patman in route to winning the Progressive Angler of the Year Title.
“The City of Texarkana and Wright Patman Lake will always be special to our organization,” said Brad Fuller of the NPFL. They are great partners and provide an extremely welcoming environment for ‘the League’ and our anglers. This year will prove different with a new location for the weigh-in for spectators to attend. We are looking forward to strong ‘Texas Start’ for 2023.”
From Texas, stop three brings the anglers and their families to big bass factory of Santee Cooper Lakes, May 25th through May 27th, hosted by Clarendon County. Santee Cooper continues to host several of the top bass fishing trails and the anglers never seem disappointed.
“Anyone who fishes for bass knows about the Santee Cooper Lakes,” says Justin Marlowe, Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce. “This place has a long history of being one of the best big bass factories in the world, and the NPFL is coming in at one of the prime times for great fishing. We expect the shallow bite will be in play on both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie with plenty of big bags and even a few limits around the 30-pound mark – It will be a fun event for sure.”
One of the draws for the hosting an NPFL event is the approach ‘the league’ takes to highlight the uniqueness of the of City’s and show viewers what makes them great besides the bass fishing.
“Fishing is a top attraction for Santee Cooper and its lakes, but it’s all of the other things that work together to make it a true destination. With their help, we hope to give the anglers, staff and fans a taste of our outdoor lover’s paradise,” said Jesse Surette, Director of Tourism at Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce. “This is great chance to partner with an evolving league to broadcast Clarendon County and the Santee Cooper Lakes to a new potential audience.”
For stop four, the league returns North to Bay City, Michigan and the big water of Lake Huron, July 20th through the 22nd. In 2021, Saginaw Bay showed out with over 80 anglers brining a tournament limit to the scales all three days. In the end, Gary Adkins took the victory with all smallmouth narrowly beating Trent Palmer with a mix of both smallmouth and largemouth.
“The City of Bay City could not be more excited to welcome back the NPFL in July of 2023. The fishing in the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay should be spectacular at that time and provide an awesome event for the pros and spectators,” said Ed Clements, Bay City Fishing Committee. “We also look forward to showcasing our beautiful Wenonah Park for the weigh-ins in our beautiful downtown; it will be a festival atmosphere enjoyable for all.”
After its Northern swing, stop 5 of NPFL season heads to Eufaula, Oklahoma to Eufaula Lake on September 28th through 30th. The giant reservoir is part of the Canadian River and sits just 27-miles North of the Arkansas River. Returning to Oklahoma after visiting Grand Lake in 2021, the NPFL anglers will have the choice to target both small and largemouth bass on Eufaula.
“The Eufaula Conservation & Fishing Association is extremely excited to bring the professional bass anglers of the NPFL to our great fishery next September. Our 106,000-acre lake fishes so strong in the fall months and these anglers are going to love the diversity “the Gentle Giant” provides,” says Zach Bandi – President Eufaula Conservation & Fishing Association. “Good luck to all the anglers for the upcoming 2023 season and be ready for a great event here on Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma.”
2023 National Professional Fishing League Schedule
Stop 1 – Lake Amistad: Del Rio, Texas, March 2 – March 4
Stop 2 – Wright Patman: Texarkana, Texas, April 20 – 22
Stop 3 – Santee Cooper: Clarendon County, South Carolina, May 25 – 27
Stop 4 – Saginaw Bay: Bay City, Michigan, July 20 – 22
Stop 5 – Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Oklahoma, September 28-30
Stop 6 – TBD
Stop number 6 will be announced when details are finalized.
Learn more about the NPFL, here.
About the National Professional Fishing League
The NPFL was designed to bring simplicity back to professional bass fishing. One lake, 120 anglers, and three days of fishing with the heaviest combined three-day weight winning. The full field will compete all three days with one in three anglers getting paid at each event. The goal of the NPFL is to put the anglers first and build a trail that gets back to what the founders of bass fishing intended it to be.
Media Contact: Paul Benson: paul@tnpfl.com