B.A.S.S. Updates Its No-Info Rule For Classic, Elite Series, EQs and Opens

Move made to allow competitors more freedom outside primary restriction window

December 05, 2025 By Staff Report

This week, B.A.S.S. announced an update to its no-information rule that will apply across its marquee events and tournament trails. The revised rule was developed with input from the Association of Bass Professionals, a panel of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers that represent the Elite Series field, with an aim toward allowing anglers more freedom outside of the 28-day window where the competition waters are off limits. The collaborative effort to revise the rule stemmed from a series of disqualifications that occurred during the 2025 season and the results of an angler survey that indicated a strong appetite for changes.

Below is the statement released by B.A.S.S. outlining the updated rule:

B.A.S.S. has announced an update to its No-Information rule that will apply to the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops (EQs) and the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens in 2026. The new structure was developed in collaboration with the Association of Bass Professionals (ABP) — a panel of Elite Series anglers elected to represent the field — with the goal of preserving the integrity of tournament competition while giving anglers more freedom to enjoy the sport and discuss fishing outside of the primary competition window — the 28 day period where the water is off limits.

Under the revised rule, the No-Information period begins as soon as the Elite Series schedule is announced — or when an angler becomes definitively aware of a tournament location. From that point forward, anglers may not purchase or exchange goods or services for information or waypoints.

The traditional 28-day off-limits period remains in effect. During this time, anglers may not be on tournament waters and the information restriction tightens: in addition to the purchase/exchange ban, anglers may not solicit or intentionally receive information from anyone other than another registered competitor in that specific event. Anglers may continue to use publicly available information — such as printed maps, publicly available weather and water data, public websites, message boards and videos like those on YouTube.

In short, the new rule bans the purchase of information when the schedule is announced, but allows anglers to otherwise receive information until the 28-day off-limits period begins. Once the off-limits period begins, competitors remain free to engage with bass fishing fans, provided those discussions do not drift into specific details that could create a competitive advantage. When in doubt, anglers should discontinue any conversation that becomes overly specific.

Importantly, the update allows anglers to fish tournament waters outside the 28-day off-limits period (with family, friends, or in other tournaments) as long as they are not purchasing information or exchanging goods or services for waypoints or competitive insight. Under the previous rule, the tighter restrictions applied immediately upon schedule release or knowledge of tournament venue.

For the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, the full scope of the No-Information rule will take effect on Jan.1, rather than beginning 28 days prior to the championship.

“During the 2025 season, the sentiment of the anglers was that we needed a shorter window for the full scope No-Info rule,” said ABP president and Bassmaster Elite Series pro John Crews. “The previous rule was implemented and enforced via polygraph examinations to ensure the integrity of the sport, which was good, but the result created a lot of fear of unintentionally breaking it during the offseason. The ABP conducted a survey and 75% of the Elite Series pros preferred a 28-day full scope no-info rule window. The majority of the field also agreed that the purchase or exchange of goods or services for information or waypoints should be prohibited when the schedule is announced. We applaud B.A.S.S. for the change.”

B.A.S.S. officials emphasized that the refined rule preserves a level playing field while offering greater clarity and flexibility for anglers in the months leading into competition.

This updated No-Information rule will appear in the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series, EQs, and Opens official rules and will be in effect for this upcoming season.