Hackney, Martens and Faircloth battle for AOY

The three men that are tantalizingly close to becoming the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

Greg Hackney starts this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Angler of the Year tournament on Lake Michigan with a cushion over his closest two competitors.
Greg Hackney starts this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Angler of the Year tournament on Lake Michigan with a cushion over his closest two competitors.
The closest is Aaron Martens, who is no stranger to the AOY.
The closest is Aaron Martens, who is no stranger to the AOY.
Martens pulled out an improbable title in 2013 on Lake Erie.
Martens pulled out an improbable title in 2013 on Lake Erie.
And close behind Martens is Todd Faircloth.
And close behind Martens is Todd Faircloth.
Faircloth has been close before, edged out of the title by Kevin VanDam.
Faircloth has been close before, edged out of the title by Kevin VanDam.
Since then, Faircloth has found the winner’s circle a couple of times,
Since then, Faircloth has found the winner’s circle a couple of times,
and his confidence has grown allowing him to handle pressure situations.
and his confidence has grown allowing him to handle pressure situations.
Hackney, though, is on a roll.
Hackney, though, is on a roll.
He just pulled off his second win in Elite competition.
He just pulled off his second win in Elite competition.
This one in the grass beds of Lake Cayuga.
This one in the grass beds of Lake Cayuga.
Hackney is at the top of his game in those grassy environments.
Hackney is at the top of his game in those grassy environments.
And it was easy to see at Cayuga why many anglers call him the Hack Attack.
And it was easy to see at Cayuga why many anglers call him the Hack Attack.
Pulling in a giant fish like this...
Pulling in a giant fish like this…
...just epitomizes his fierce competitive nature.
…just epitomizes his fierce competitive nature.
And Hackney would do it again.
And Hackney would do it again.
And again.
And again.
On his way to building an almost 10-pound margin of victory.
On his way to building an almost 10-pound margin of victory.
The strong finish sets him up for this final event.
The strong finish sets him up for this final event.
In the wings are Faircloth...
In the wings are Faircloth…
...and Martens.
…and Martens.
Martens is no stranger to big water...
Martens is no stranger to big water…
...or big smallmouth.
…or big smallmouth.
Some of them caught in crashing waves.
Some of them caught in crashing waves.
That could be a big deal on Lake Michigan where waves reach new heights.
That could be a big deal on Lake Michigan where waves reach new heights.
The end result will be whether Hackney can respond.
The end result will be whether Hackney can respond.
In 2004, he had his last shot at winning the AOY title.
In 2004, he had his last shot at winning the AOY title.
He had a stellar year, including a second place finish at an E-50 contest in Arkansas, ironically behind this year’s Classic champion Randy Howell.
He had a stellar year, including a second place finish at an E-50 contest in Arkansas, ironically behind this year’s Classic champion Randy Howell.
At Santee-Cooper he had to watch from the weigh-in stand as Gerald Swindle realized he had won the title.
At Santee-Cooper he had to watch from the weigh-in stand as Gerald Swindle realized he had won the title.
Swindle lifted the trophy that year and since Hackney has said he probably was too young to appreciate the title at the time.
Swindle lifted the trophy that year and since Hackney has said he probably was too young to appreciate the title at the time.
Things have changed since then, though. And Hackney’s hunger for this title is only matched by...
Things have changed since then, though. And Hackney’s hunger for this title is only matched by…
...Aaron Martens wanting to win another one...
…Aaron Martens wanting to win another one…
...and Todd Faircloth wanting to get his first.
…and Todd Faircloth wanting to get his first.