PHOTOS: Hackney's Day 1

$Greg Hackney, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader going into the event, was disqualified Friday after he fished in an off-limits area. The following gallery is a record of his day, including the infraction. But for the most part it will reflect how his day went, while pointing out the times when he inadvertently violated the rule. Until that time, and even after, Hackney had a pretty slow morning, but as the temps warmed up and the sun came out, things started to happen.$

Greg Hackney, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader going into the event, was disqualified Friday after he fished in an off-limits area. The following gallery is a record of his day, including the infraction. But for the most part it will reflect how his day went, while pointing out the times when he inadvertently violated the rule. Until that time, and even after, Hackney had a pretty slow morning, but as the temps warmed up and the sun came out, things started to happen.

Like many of the anglers he was doubling up his efforts; casting to cover, but also keeping an eye out for bedding fish or areas where beds might be.

When we caught up with him he had one keeper in the livewell.

And nearby, John Murray would tell us how many he had in the first hour of the day.

Hackney was fishing well away from the take-off point. The area was close to a marina and almost all of Hackney’s weight were caught around the grass beds and sailboats outside of the area.

Hackney was his typical meticulous self, slowly working his area. He felt like the cold and clouds of the morning had things slowed down as well. And he started hitting stuff that he hadn’t hit in practice.

Like a couple of weeks ago at Texoma, he knew he had to slow down. At that event, Hackney would often catch one and get it in the livewell before a photo could be taken.

After a little bit of gigging by the photographer, Hackney made it a point to show off the fish on Day 1. Unfortunately this fish would be caught inside the off-limits area, which was in the back of a marina about 100 yards long.

The marina didn’t have many, if any, big fish in it. But Hackney was able to build part of a small limit there.

A few minutes later, he would add a 2-pounder for his third keeper.

He was obviously unaware of the off-limits area, making sure the camera got to see every catch.

He caught three fish in the area including his smallest of the day.

And again showing it off a bit for the camera. Hackney was unaware that the small marina was off-limits. At this time he had four fish in his livewell that weighed a collective of about 6-pounds. By the end of the day, each of them would be culled but the damage had been done.

Unaware, Hackney kept working, alternating his approach from daubing around like a flipper to casting.

And he caught fish both ways.

This would have been his limit fish.

It was obviously hooked well enough to get into the boat.

And it was obviously bigger than some in his livewell.

But after Hackney studied it a moment, he felt like he might have injured the fish.

Rather than chance losing it in his livewell, he let the fish go giving the fish its best chance of survival.

He would soon catch his fifth anyway, bringing in the limit fish with very little fanfare.

This one was smaller than the one he let go, but he had his limit by about 9 a.m.

The limit didn’t change Hackney’s tactics. He kept casting and daubing around his area.

He did feel like the cold front that had passed through the area was slowing things down.

The water temperature was warmer than it was in practice. But the air temperature had taken a big drop.

Hackney would stick with his plan, intently working over key areas.

And every once in a while slipping into joking with those watching.

Making sure he was doing a good job showing his fish.

His seventh fish of the day would take him to the side of the boat.

Forcing him to dig into the water for his best fish thus far.

The fish was one of several Hackney had been seeing that morning. When it bit, he felt like things might start happening.

And in some ways they were. A few minutes later he would go on point on a bedding fish.

And after a dozen casts, he had it hooked up.

When this one poked its head above water, it was easy to see it was of the caliber Hackney was looking for.

Instead of toying with the fish, Hackney quickly pulled it into the boat.

The hefty largemouth would bring a large spray of water with him.

The bigger the fish, the more the water it brings.

And this one carried with a full spray on its trip from lake to boat.

The fish would cull for Hackney, adding a couple of pounds to his total.

Hackney would unhook the fish.

Then provide everyone a good look.

And he would provide the same good look with the next fish.

He would mix in a couple of keepers that wouldn’t help the cause.

But keep him busy and glued to the area.

He would stay in the area for most of the day, casting and flipping around everything that could hold a fish.

And every 30 to 45 minutes he would hook up again.

This one would cull for him, bring him close to the 15-pound mark.

And again he would show it off, although he was more lackluster on this one. At this point, Hackney had culled every fish he had caught in the early morning hours.

The cull would be flipped out quickly and Hackney would get back to work.

At noon, he hooked up with his first smallmouth.

Like all smallmouth, it would put up a big fight.

Forcing Hackney to dig the fish out of the water from the back of the boat.

Another quick show to the camera and he culled with this fish.

$By noon, he had over 16 pounds and was looking for heavier fish. The day, though, would go to the dogs, literally and figuratively, after it was discovered he'd spent 20 minutes in a marina that was off-limits. The infraction ultimately forced Hackney's disqualification.$

By noon, he had over 16 pounds and was looking for heavier fish. The day, though, would go to the dogs, literally and figuratively, after it was discovered he’d spent 20 minutes in a marina that was off-limits. The infraction ultimately forced Hackney’s disqualification.