Samples’ Saturday Bass Holds for Victory at Douglas Lake
Published on 10-05-2026
DOUGLAS LAKE, Tenn. — The AVIX Tire Big Bass Classic presented by Visit Jefferson County TN brought the Big Bass Tour back to East Tennessee for the opening stop of the fall schedule, delivering three days of competition on Douglas Lake.
When the final scales closed Sunday afternoon, Derek Samples stood atop the leaderboard with a 5.07-pound largemouth. Samples brought the eventual winning fish to the scales during hour two on Saturday, the second day of competition, and watched it hold through the remainder of the weekend.
The win earned Samples the keys to a brand new Nitro Z18 powered by Mercury Marine, closing out a weekend where ounces made the difference at the top of the standings.
Saturday Move Makes the Difference
Friday set the early mark when Jack Wright weighed a 4.96-pound bass, but Samples changed the leaderboard Saturday morning with his 5.07-pound largemouth.
From there, the target was set. Anglers had the remainder of Saturday and all of Sunday to find something bigger, but Samples’ fish remained untouched through the final weigh-in.
Top Overall Weights
- Derek Samples – 5.07 lbs
- Jack Wright – 4.96 lbs
- Grayson Cook – 4.44 lbs
- Jerry Johnson – 4.34 lbs
- Jeff Ledbetter – 4.14 lbs
Just 0.11 pounds separated first and second place, showing once again how every ounce can make the difference in the Big Bass Tour format.
Consistent Action Across Three Days
Douglas Lake produced 522 total fish weighed throughout the weekend, with an overall average weight of 2.42 pounds. The daily average remained remarkably consistent across all three days of competition.
Friday: 190 fish | 2.42 lb average | 4.96 lb big bass
Saturday: 180 fish | 2.40 lb average | 5.07 lb big bass
Sunday: 152 fish | 2.44 lb average | 4.34 lb big bass
Saturday: 180 fish | 2.40 lb average | 5.07 lb big bass
Sunday: 152 fish | 2.44 lb average | 4.34 lb big bass
With fish coming across the scales throughout the weekend, anglers had plenty of opportunities to earn hourly payouts while chasing the one bite that could take over the overall leaderboard.
National Reach and Local Impact
Anglers traveled from 20 different states to compete at Douglas Lake, continuing the Big Bass Tour’s ability to draw competitors from across the country.
The Fall Swing Continues
With Douglas Lake in the books, just two events remain on the 2026 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Big Bass Tour schedule. The tour now heads to Lake Guntersville, Alabama for the final event of the 2026 season.
For full results, photos, and upcoming tournament information, visit BigBassTour.com.
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