For the second year in a row Hank Cherry has earned an automatic berth in next year’s Bassmaster Classic by winning this year’s Bassmaster Classic. And for the second year in a row Cherry will be a double-qualifier for the Classic, as he’s going to earn a Classic spot based on his Angler of the Year points as well. Cherry was 26th in the AOY standings coming into the final event of the season. He’s well within the Classic cutline on the AOY points list, and he will stay there after this. Cherry was 30th on Day 1 at the St. Lawrence River, and he’s currently 23rd on BassTrakk with a limit weighing 13-5 today.
The point is how much pride Cherry feels about double-qualifying. Cherry could have coasted last year, with his Classic berth assured, after he had to leave the St. Clair tournament early due to illness. He finished 85th and was well outside the cut in AOY points. But Cherry closed the season by finishing 29th or higher in the final four events and finished 38th in AOY points. That double-qualification allowed the AOY list of Classic qualifiers to go down one more place. Last year, it extended down to fellow North Carolina pro Shane LeHew.
This is Cherry’s ninth season on the Elite Series. He enjoys the camaraderie among the anglers on this circuit. By double-qualifying, Cherry feels like he’s helping out a buddy. Last year it was LeHew. Who will it be this year?