Story by Hunter Sales | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
The 2025 NPFL season has concluded, and off-season work has begun. I was pleased with the way the season went for the most part. I finished 16th in AOY, cashed checks in four out of six events, and learned a lot on some new bodies of water. Regardless, this off-season is going to be full of work. Most fans of the sport think the off-season is full of rest and deer hunting, but for me it’s probably the busiest time of the year. Today I want to talk about all the things that need to happen to prepare for a successful new season.
Time away from tournament fishing is important. While I’m not one to put the rods away and avoid fishing altogether for a few months, I do try to limit the number of tournaments I fish. Tournaments can add a level of stress to fishing that can easily burn you out and make it hard to remember why you got into the sport in the first place. I try to go to fun places, try new techniques, fish with old friends, and enjoy the sport I fell in love with years ago.
The area that takes up the bulk of my time is related to sponsorships. Whether I’m fostering existing relationships, seeking out new opportunities, or just planning ways to increase my digital footprint, the off-season provides time to refocus and redesign this part of my business. Between NPFL and college events, some things will fall through the cracks, and this is when I attempt to make sure things are buttoned up and ready to go.
As we enter December, I’ll start planning for the actual tournament season. Making housing arrangements, doing research on the fisheries, buying tackle, and rigging my boat are all on the to-do list. The way my boat is rigged will vary each year based on the tournament schedule and the equipment I need to be competitive, so this also takes time to evaluate, order, and install. I believe that by getting some of the work done early, I’m able to fish more, have a clear mind, and focus on the tasks at hand once the tournament season gets underway.
You can expect to find me pushing out more content over the next few months both here and on my social media platforms, and I hope you’ll join me. 2026 is going to be an exciting year featuring multiple new fisheries for me. I’m excited to get the preparation process started and to keep you all in the loop!
Hunter Sales – Angler Profile
