Hunter Sales Breaks Down the Upcoming NPFL Tournament on Douglas Lake
I couldn’t be more excited to compete in the NPFL event on Douglas Lake May 22-24. This will be an excellent time of year and everyone in the field should see plenty of action. Historically, late-May sees some of the best weights of the year and I imagine this event will be no different. The National Professional Fishing League does differ a bit as our anglers are not allowed to utilize forward-facing sonar, making for an interesting tournament as multiple techniques could shine!
The lake will likely be full pool by late-May and most of the fish will be done spawning. Full pool on Douglas Lake means plenty of structure will be in play. Boulder rock, slate, laydowns, docks, bushes, and even grass will be productive. The river section of the lake features more vegetation and bushes while the lower end is dominated by hard-cover. I look for nearly every angler in the 117 angler field to have upwards of a 10-pound limit. Douglas is an extremely healthy fishery, and finding kicker bites is the key to success. A three-day total weight of 36 pounds is likely to draw one of the 37 checks, and 45 pounds should be in contention for the win.
Another factor in this event will certainly be the smallmouth bite. In recent years, the smallmouth population has exploded and nearly every winning bag will feature a couple of nice smallmouth. I would look for the winner of this event to have no less than 6 smallmouth over the three days of competition. The lower-end of the lake seems to have a more stable smallmouth bite, but the river section sees the biggest smallmouth caught each year. There will be action from one end of the lake to the other, so getting away from the fishing pressure will be an important differentiator.
Baits and techniques that are likely to be featured on the live coverage will be all over the map. Spinnerbaits, topwater baits, swimbaits, Carolina-rigs, and big crankbaits could all play a role in the winner’s arsenal. The event’s broadcast should be a fishing fan’s dream, as this time of year will feature a wide variety of techniques with one thing in common – a lot of fish catching! I hope to see you all out at the Dandridge Boat Ramp in for weigh-in at one of the most exciting events of the year in Jefferson County, TN!
About Hunter Sales
Hunter Sales is a dedicated professional angler known for his precision, perseverance, and deep knowledge of bass fishing across the Southeast and beyond. With years of competitive experience under his belt, Hunter has built a reputation on both regional and national circuits for his consistent performances, strategic thinking, and passion for the sport.