Why Hank Cherry feels like every day is Christmas

In his first B.A.S.S. Twitter chat, the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year told fans that now that he and his family have everything they need, every day is like Christmas.

For Hank Cherry, every day is like Christmas.

He’s had a stellar year, including a third-place finish in the Classic, a Rookie of the Year title and a Toyota All-Star Week win.

Today, he participated in his first B.A.S.S. Twitter chat, and a fan asked him what he wanted for Christmas.

“We went from being tight financially as a family to getting what we needed,” he answered. “Now we have everything we need, and it’s like Christmas every day.”

A full transcript of the chat is posted below. Also, read transcripts from previous Twitter chats with such pros as Kevin VanDam, Cliff Pace and Mike Iaconelli here.

Keep up with the pros, bass fishing news and the hottest techniques all year long by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter.

 

Bassmaster@BASS_nation

Welcome, fans! We appreciate you joining us today for the Hank Cherry #basschat. Hank, thanks for being with us!

Hank Cherry

I am so glad to be here. I feel so blessed to have won ROY and the All-Star event. I’m ready to answer any questions! 

Frank@drlecter79

You seem excited! 

 

Kris Steele@KristofordHayes

Bama or Oregon? Who wins?

Hank Cherry

Bama! 

 

P.J. Pahygiannis@Bassfishinboy

What’s the best bait for fishing small acreage farm ponds the rest of 2013 from the bank? 

Hank Cherry

I would use is a Bayou Boogie. It’s older than I am, but if you can find it, you’ll catch some big ones! 

 

P.J. Pahygiannis@Bassfishinboy

What’s the best bait for fishing dead, submerged grass that’s fallen to the bottom of a lake or pond? 

Hank Cherry

Just swim a swimbait over it in the fall. In the spring, pull a Rat-L-Trap through it. 

 

Jennifer Dome@BhamJen

How does it feel to win All-Star after already being named Rookie of the Year? 

Hank Cherry

It’s an unbelievable feeling – right up there with getting married and the birth of my two kids.

 

JT@jtflynlow

Cherry congrats on your All-Star win!

Hank Cherry

I appreciate it! The fans were a big help to me this year. I’ve had a lot of support from people I’ve never even met! 

 

Hayden Giannini@FishnHayden

I’m a high schooler with a passion to fish and I’m trying to convince my parents into letting me fish tournament. Any help?

Hank Cherry

First thing, go to college & get your education. Second, earn your parents’ trust & do chores for money to enter. 

 

Dominic Turcott@Dturcott27

Hank, remember me?!? You were really cool! pic.twitter.com/8uPUizhrzL

Hank Cherry

Thank you! Yes, I remember!

 

Craw Daddy@trilaTEQUILA

Hank, if you were to go out and fish today where would you start and what would you throw?

Hank Cherry

Lake Norman: @LivingstonLures Dive Master Jr. and a 1/2-ounce jig. 

 

Bass Fishing Tips@BassFishnTips

If limited to 5 rod/reel combos to fish entire season, what would they be?

Hank Cherry

Abu MGX for the reel, rods: two 7-3 Denali Norwood slop rods, three 7-foot medium-heavy Denali Rosewoods

 

hunter goad@Hunter_Goad

How did you make it and what was your biggest obstacle you had to overcome?

Hank Cherry

I made it through hard work. I put in my time. The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was learning to believe in myself. 

 

Bass Fishing Tips@BassFishnTips

If limited to 5 baits to fish entire season, what would they be?

Hank Cherry

Damiki Anchovy Shad, Vision 110, Divemaster Jr., E.R. Lures 9/16 jig and Paycheck topwater bait.

 

Bass Fishing Ops@BassFishingOps

What is the technique for the Bayou boogie?

Hank Cherry

I use a slow steady retrieve or you can yo-yo it back. 

 

Tyler Reed@twreed

How do you feel now about your classic performance: jazzed that you finished 3rd or frustrated that you lost that big fish?

Hank Cherry

Both. I wouldn’t say frustrated, more ticked off. I was happy on one side and ticked off on the other. 

 

JT@jtflynlow

I love jerkbaiting! Tip you do for keeping them button up better? 

Hank Cherry

First thing, get KVD’s triple grip hooks, put them on there and you won’t lose a thing. 

 

spencer barnett@bassfishinsb

What did you do hank before fishing professionally?

Hank Cherry

I worked as an alcohol broker in North Carolina. 

 

Destin DeMarion@Destinedtofish

Hey Hank, what was your set up for fishing those suspended smallies at White Lake? 

Hank Cherry

MGX 7:1, 15-lb fluorocarbon, 7-3 Temple Fork Outfitters rod medium-heavy, 4 1/2 inch Damiki Anchovy 

 

JT@jtflynlow

fave 110 color? 

Hank Cherry

Ghost Table Rock 

 

Spotmonkey@sptmnky

If you had your own farm pond, what types of fish would you have in it?  Also, do you need a social media manager? =)

Hank Cherry

I’ve got a social media person! If I had a farm pond, it’d be full of big carp. I love carp fishing. 

Spotmonkey@sptmnky

What’s your twitter handle?! 

Hank Cherry

I don’t have a Twitter. I haven’t gotten to the Twitter part yet. I’m hoping my wife will get me set up. 

 

Wes May@Wes_May

Hank, is the circuit board with electronic baitfish sounds in the Livingston Lure a big advantage for you?  

Hank Cherry

I think anything that you can put extra on a bait gives an advantage. I think it gives you an extra mode of attack.

 

Josh Warfel@j_warfel

What kind of rubber would you recommend when fishing a pumpkin/green football jig?

Hank Cherry

I don’t know. I’m not a football jig fan, but I try to stay w/ the flat rubber. I don’t like the big, round stuff.

 

hunter goad@Hunter_Goad

what steps did you take, what tourneys did u start out fishing and what is your favorite lake?

Hank Cherry

I fished the weekend tournaments & progressed forward as I got better. My favorite is probably Smith Lake in Ala. 

 

JT@jtflynlow

1 rival you admire on the elite tour for their fishing skills?

Hank Cherry

@AMartFishing 

 

Wes Johnson@WesContageous

On Wylie the other day the bait fish had already moved up but the bass were still mostly suspended what’s the deal? 

Hank Cherry

It’s just the fall. It’s all about the transition. You gotta catch the big ones on the bank under the piers. 

 

JT@jtflynlow

Longest run you’ve done in a tourney to fish a spot? 

Hank Cherry

This year, 12 minutes, shortest run was 1 minute. Longest ever was 63 miles. 

 

Dominic Turcott@Dturcott27

Hank, what are good cold water tactics such as ones you used in the classic?

Hank Cherry

Any jerkbait in cold water is probably about unstoppable. You can catch numbers & size on a suspending jerkbait.

 

Tristen@T_rodriguez1122

What is your favorite fall bait? 

Hank Cherry

It would have to be a jig or a swimbait.

 

Scotty ‘Bud’ Melvin @ScottyBudMelvin

Hank what did you REALLY think of Muskegon Lake? 

Hank Cherry

I really liked Muskegon Lake. I liked both those lakes up there. The best thing about fishing up there are the people. 

 

Dominic Turcott@Dturcott27

Cold water softbait presentation?

Hank Cherry

I slam a grub. 

 

Wes May@Wes_May

Hank, favorite lake in the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas area? 

Hank Cherry

Of course, Grand Lake. Falcon is just unbelievable.

 

Dominic Turcott@Dturcott27

Hank, just want to say thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! You’re one of my favorites! #Fish-On

Hank Cherry

I appreciate the support! 

 

sheldon rogge@srogge84

What’s your favorite bait for flipping wood?

Hank Cherry

A jig. 

 

Tristen@T_rodriguez1122

What kind of structure do you key in on to find fish in the fall? 

Hank Cherry

Two places: docks in the back of the creeks on flats and actual channel swings. 

 

Jennifer Dome@BhamJen

Are you doing any practice on Guntersville for the Classic? 

Hank Cherry

I’m actually going to visit twice. I’m going to visit week before Thanksgiving and the week after Christmas.

 

Jennifer Dome@BhamJen

Do you have an techniques in mind that you may use on Guntersville? 

Hank Cherry

To tell you the truth, I’m hoping the water is really clear so I can use my jerkbaits. Otherwise, I’m going to keep an open mind and figure it out when the time comes.

 

Jennifer Dome@BhamJen

Anything special you’re hoping to get for Christmas this year? 

Hank Cherry

We went from being tight financially as a family to getting what we needed. Now we have everything we need, and it’s like Christmas every day. 

 

JT@jtflynlow

HC @ the classic. after you lose that fish. you lying on the deck. I cried bro. feel ya! 

Hank Cherry

I appreciate it! But no need to cry. It’s fishing. There are bigger tragedies in the world. 

 

chris @ditchell

Hey Hank do you listen to music while you fish? What kind do you like on and off the water? 

Hank Cherry

I listen to some sometime when I’m making runs. I talk to myself when I’m fishing.

 

Tyler Reed@twreed

How often do you take your wife @jaclynpcherry fishing? 

Hank Cherry

My wife used to go fishing all the time. But when we got married, she miraculously stopped.

 

JT@jtflynlow

HC fave jig trailer?

Hank Cherry

I pretty much use a Zoom Big Salty Chunk.

 

Destin DeMarion@Destinedtofish

Are you excited the Opens are going back to Smith Lake? Looking for the repeat?

Hank Cherry

I’m very excited! They’re also coming back to Lake Norman so I’m looking forward to the Opens!

 

Andy @slumpgumpy

Hank, start a twitter account 

Jaclyn Cherry@jaclynpcherry

I am working on it!!!

Andy @slumpgumpy

I been rooting for Hank all year!!  Seems really cool. Check this from allstar wknd pic.twitter.com/8Gmhb1RIO6

Jaclyn Cherry@jaclynpcherry

That is funny!!

 

Jody White@vtbasser

Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Jaclyn Cherry@jaclynpcherry

Jody, I am answering for Hank: He LOVES dogs!

 

Bassmaster@BASS_nation

Thanks for your questions, fans! Hank, we appreciate you joining us. Good luck in the Classic!

 

Hank Cherry

Thanks for the support! I’m looking forward and greeting everyone in 2014! 

JT@jtflynlow

HC thanks for the Chat good luck next year on the tour!