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.
