JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. – High water and bushes to flip is perhaps the dream scenario for fun when the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech starts Stop 4 Presented by Phoenix Boats on Douglas Lake. However, barring some monumental rains, the pros will be starting the event on a lake that’s 10 or 12 feet lower than it usually is this time of year, and about 13.5 feet below full pool. While that may not be exciting for folks bent on a flipping bite, it doesn’t mean shallow fish won’t play, and the event should still be action-packed.
Shallow bite doesn’t need high water
A local and the coach of the Carson-Newman University fishing team, Hunter Sales has kept tabs on the lake and thinks the shallow bite is absolutely still in play.
“There will be some shallow fish caught, but it’s certainly not going to be full, and they won’t be catching them out of bushes,” he said. “The offshore bite certainly benefits from the water not being as high, but the shallow bite, it will still play.
“In some of the shallow, flat pockets, the wood cover that’s in the water, you’ll have shad spawning on that. And, you’ll see an actual bank bite – guys catching them on a ChatterBait – and up in the river, you’ll see guys make that river bite work.”
Offshore bite should be popping
This field is loaded with high-caliber offshore anglers, and they should have plenty to work with.
“Without exaggeration, there are 200-fish schools on 10 to 15 places right now,” Sales said. “They get smart after the first five or 10 casts on a place, then the ‘Scope helps you to keep them fired up. With MLF allowing long-lining, it gets the boat away from those fish and helps you cover water – I don’t think catching those fish will be too much of an issue for those guys.”
The ability to longline (or stroll) should be one of the tournament highlights. Though offshore fishing may not dominate, some pros will make it their standby, and super long “casts” with crankbaits will definitely account for some quality bass. If you haven’t seen it done before, expect to learn a thing or two on MLFNOW!.
How will it be won?
According to Sales, 16 pounds a day should get the job done, and there will be plenty of fish caught.
“It’s fishing really good,” he said. “Everybody should have 13 pounds.”
Now, how that daily 16 pounds comes is anyone’s guess. While the offshore bite is consistent, it may not be the way to win.
“I would say out of the Top 10, four to five of those guys are going to be catching them shallow, at least some every day,” Sales said. “Numbers-wise, offshore will be the way to catch a bunch of fish, and I think that’s the more consistent approach. But a lot of bigger bags and bigger fish will come on the bank.”
Follow along
You can follow the action at Stop 4 Presented by Phoenix Boats at Douglas Lake during all three days of competition, May 8-10, on MLFNOW! and stay locked to MajorLeagueFishing.com for on-the-water galleries, daily stories and more.