Lake Norman, NC – Greg Hackney secured an impressive win at the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) event on Lake Norman, bringing in a total weight of 47 pounds, 11 ounces across the three-day competition. This victory marks Hackney's first NPFL win and solidifies his reputation as one of the sport’s foremost competitors.
Hackney’s winning strategy capitalized on isolated structures between boat docks in the southern section of Lake Norman. “The biggest key this week was my spotlight lens sunglasses,” Hackney stated. “I was targeting stumps and rocks between boat docks in Main Lake pockets, where the bigger fish were spawning. The sunglasses allowed me to clearly see the stumps and rocks the fish were spawning on, which made all the difference.”
Hackney’s techniques incorporated two configurations of the Strike King® Finesse Worm in the green pumpkin color. “I was fishing with a 4-inch green pumpkin Strike King Finesse Worm on a 1/8-ounce Strike King Tour Grade® Jig Head, and wacky-rigging a 6-inch green pumpkin Strike King Finesse Worm. My setup included a 300 Lew’s® Hyper Mag spinning reel paired with the Team Lew’s Signature Series Mark Zona Multi-Purpose spinning rod,” Hackney added.
The tournament showcased Hackney’s resilience and adaptability. He led after Day One with 16 pounds, 6 ounces but faced challenges on Day Two, managing a limit of spotted bass weighing 14 pounds, 5 ounces. On the final day, Hackney rebounded strongly, landing his biggest bag of the week at 17 pounds, which included a decisive four-pound fish caught in the championship round.
Hackney’s ability to read the conditions and adapt his strategy proved pivotal. He identified key pockets where bass were spawning. The two-pronged approach of fishing the Strike King Finesse Worms on both shaky head and wacky rigs enabled him to target fish effectively as conditions evolved.
This marked Hackney's second top 10 finish in the NPFL this season, following an 8th-place showing at Santee Cooper. His win, witnessed by thousands of spectators, further cements his legacy in professional bass fishing.
The National Professional Fishing League continues its trail next month on Douglas Lake, Dandridge, TN, from May 22-24, 2025.
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