BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Years ago, Greg Hackney famously said, “Godzilla ain’t got nothin’ on me!”
Today, in a B.A.S.S. Twitter chat following Hackney’s win on Cayuga, he said he’d take on Sasquatch, too.
“I’m definitely the guy for that job,” said Hackney with a chuckle when a fan asked him if he could take on Bigfoot.
Hackney answered a variety of questions during the #basschat Twitter chat, telling fans how to fish warm waters, what he calls Kevin VanDam and that he’ll choose LSU over any other team.
Below is the transcript in its entirey. Check out the transcripts of chats with other pros here, and keep up with top fishing news, the pros, and shared bass pics by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter.
Welcome, Greg Hackney, to the Twitter chat, and congratulations on your win at Cayuga!
Greg Hackney
I’m just happy to be here!
I’m fishing Tuesday, but want to know if Hack’s ever tried a heavy spinning setup for deep grasslines, for better vertical fall
Greg Hackney
I’ve used a 1/2 and 3/4 oz drop shot in deep grass, but I was targeting smallmouth not largemouth.
What is Hackney’s Favorite color jig to flip in deep grass at Rayburn or Toledo in the fall?
Greg Hackney
Based on water color, I have 3 favorites. I hate to be specific but early in the day I like Okeechobee Craw. Later in day, sexy craw or blue craw.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
For Greg Hackney via #basschat, Question 1: If limited to 5 baits to fish entire season, what would they be?
Greg Hackney
All Strike King – 1. Hack Attack Jig 2. DB Structure jig 3. Rage Craw 4. Rodent 5. KVD 1.5
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
For Greg Hackney via #basschat, Question 2: If limited to 5 rod/reel combos to fish entire season, what would they be?
Greg Hackney
7-11 Quantum Hack Attack w/EXO 7:1; KVD 7-4 crankbait rod w/EXO 200 reel; KVD 6-10 jerkbait/spinnerbait rod w/200EX0 6:1; 7-0 medium KVD crankbait rod w/200 EXO 6.3:1; EXO spinning reel 50 on 7-0 medium EXO spinning rod
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Do you think your pattern would have worked well at similar spots on #CayugaLake or were u on a 1 in 100/special spot?
Greg Hackney
I feel like I found a spot on the spot, but I do think other spots on the lake had that same scenario. I fished a few similar spaces and caught them. Those were the only places I found in practice.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
It is incredible how you can dissect a lake. Congrats on the W.
Hey GH, what weight do you think you’ll need to win AOY at Escanaba?
Greg Hackney
I’ve set my goals high for there. I don’t know how much it will take to win AOY, but I think 65-68 to win the tournament, so that would be my goal. That is the best 50 to be fishing. They’re going to catch them.
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
Does the pressure of being a pro ever overwhelm you?
Greg Hackney
Every day! It’s overwhelming pressure. Honestly I do better under pressure; it needs to come down to the wire. Our anglers are the best they’ve ever been. I feel more pressure now than when I started. You put more pressure on yourself to do well the longer your career goes.
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
Greg, what is your personal fishing strength when it comes to fishing a softbait?
Greg Hackney
Probably patience. I can let the lure sit there a really long time w/out moving it if I think that’s the deal.
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
What style in topwater fishing do you think would be most productive in a cooler water autumn situation?
Greg Hackney
A popper, like a KVD popper. In the fall I lean toward the bigger one, the senior. No. 2 would be a buzzbait.
What jig trailers/colors do you suggests for fall?
Greg Hackney
I pick jig colors for the forage & water color. I stick with dark colors in cold water & bright colors in warm water
Thanks!
When fishing a giant grass flat what is the key you are looking for to find that spot within the spot?
Greg Hackney
The first thing is follow the edge, I’m looking for an irregular feature, maybe where deeper water comes in. If a lake has a large population of muskie or pike, then the largemouth especially relate inside the grass. On lakes that don’t have the large predator fish then I’ll look for a turn or a point or isolated grass patch.
When you say ‘inside the grass’ you mean not right on the edge, a few feet inside the grass line but still on edge?
Greg Hackney
Maybe it could be 50 yards out in the grass. You’re looking for depressions in the grass, sandy spots.
Greg did you see the new Godzilla movie, and does it have anything on you?
Greg Hackney
That’s funny! I have not had the opportunity to see it yet, but I have a feeling it might be a hair too much for me.
Are you scared of sasquatch? Could you take him 1 on 1?
Greg Hackney
You know, I believe I could take sasquatch. I’m definitely the guy for that job.
Casting Carter @CastingCarter
Congrats GH! How old were you when you started? Any advice for (really) young wannabes? I’m 7!
Greg Hackney
The best thing is to spend as much time fishing with your family as possible & have fun with it!
Casting Carter @CastingCarter
Thanks! That’s what I do!
Chicken or steak?
Greg Hackney
Steak!
I should’ve known. #manchild
GH, Does it feel like you’re seeing the fish in the water right? It must feel like you’re making the hot spots maps.
Greg Hackney
It’s one of those deals where you can’t explain it, you just go along for the ride!
What is your favorite @BASS_nation Elite Series Angler nickname, besides your own? #hackattack
Greg Hackney
My favorite nickname is for @kevin_vandam and I call him Monkey On A String because that’s the way he fishes!
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
Greg, after being on the tour for a little while, what has been your favorite lake to fish?
Greg Hackney
Cayuga! (haha!) We go to so many great places. My favorite places are the places we haven’t been.
Hey Greg, I know you fish shallow when a lot of people fish deep because of comfortability, so what baits do you like when it’s hot?
Greg Hackney
Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig, KVD Sexy Frog, Strike King Cutter Worm & KVD 2.5 are my favorites for hot water
What trailer for the swim jig? A rage tail menace?
Greg Hackney
It depends, either a Rage Craw (70% of the time) or Rage Menace (30%). I switch to Menace when fish are smaller.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
Thanks for the great answers and have a fantastic time at the AOY event Greg!
Greg Hackney
Thank you, and I’m planning on being there with bells on.
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
You have been one of my favorites for a while, & it was a pleasure meeting you last year. Thank you for your time!
Greg Hackney
Well that’s great! Thank you – it was an honor to meet you!
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
And BTW congrats on your win on Lake Cayuga! #HackAttack #bassmafia #strikeking pic.twitter.com/qhsnC9YBV7
Jennifer Dome King @StellarJennifer
Hi Greg! Are you looking forward to the @BASS_nation AOY Championship or are you feeling a lot of pressure?
Greg Hackney
Yes, I feel pressure at every event. I’m nervous about the weather. The fishing will be through the roof!
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
Now that you’ve qualified for the @BASS_nation Classic, what are your thoughts on fishing Lake Hartwell?
Greg Hackney
We’ll see big bags of fish. The only problem is we could have some really cold weather. I think Hartwell is better than the last time we were there. I think it’s a great time of year to be there.
When fishing a texas rig how do you decide when to peg your weight and when to leave it unpegged? % of time on each?
Greg Hackney
99% I peg my weight, 1% I don’t. That way I know when I pick up, I know my weight isn’t hung & where my bait is.
Dominic F. Turcott! @Dturcott27
Mr Hackney, you probably dont remember but you gave me a dip of grizzly at lake st clair last year and i barfed lol
Greg Hackney
I think you’re thinking of the wrong guy – I’ve never dipped in my life.
Dominic F. Turcott! @Dturcott27
Dang it, that was shaw grigsby lol my apologies
Dominic F. Turcott! @Dturcott27
GH, when not chasing bass, what do you like to fish for?
Greg Hackney
Pretty much any hard-pulling, bone-crushing saltwalter fish when I’m not bass fishing!
Dominic F. Turcott! @Dturcott27
Big thanks to Greg Hackney for Joining us today on #basschat!
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
Just cuz I like you, you get my 900th tweet, keep fishin buddy!! #HACKATTACK #goGreg
Greg Hackney
I really appreciate that one.
GH I bet you hate grass lakes huh.. ? Lol
Greg Hackney
If I could only fish one way, I would fish grass! Deep, shallow, in-between, I’m confident around vegetation.
Greg, who would you put on your Fantasy Fishing team for the AOY Championship?
Greg Hackney
Fantasy Fishing for AOY: Greg Hackney (never count myself out), @AMartFishing, Chris Zaldain, Todd Faircloth and @OttDeFoe
Have you ever had any luck slow rolling/swimming baits like a biffle bug? If so, any tips?
Greg Hackney
Honestly, no, I’ve never caught a fish on that, only because I don’t spend a lot of time fishing the Biffle Bug. I spend a lot of time swimming a jig deep. You have to change trailers, but I’ve had a lot of success with that.
What is the scariest thing you’ve gone through on the water?
Greg Hackney
I was saltwater fishing at home and we saw a waterspout, a tornado that forms over the water & it was touch and go.
Congratulations on the win Greg. And good luck at the AOY event.
Greg Hackney
Thanks, Jake!
OU or OSU?
Greg Hackney
I can’t answer that question without insulting somebody, so I won’t. I’ll just say LSU.
Thanks for joining us today, Greg, and good luck at the AOY Championship!
Greg Hackney
I think it’s been a very productive chat and I hope to be back here after the AOY championship!