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.
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!
You seem excited!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Hank, remember me?!? You were really cool! pic.twitter.com/8uPUizhrzL
Hank Cherry
Thank you! Yes, I remember!
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
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.
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.
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
fave 110 color?
Hank Cherry
Ghost Table Rock
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1 rival you admire on the elite tour for their fishing skills?
Hank Cherry
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cold water softbait presentation?
Hank Cherry
I slam a grub.
Hank, favorite lake in the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas area?
Hank Cherry
Of course, Grand Lake. Falcon is just unbelievable.
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!
What’s your favorite bait for flipping wood?
Hank Cherry
A jig.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Hank, start a twitter account
I am working on it!!!
I been rooting for Hank all year!! Seems really cool. Check this from allstar wknd pic.twitter.com/8Gmhb1RIO6
That is funny!!
Do you prefer dogs or cats?
Jody, I am answering for Hank: He LOVES dogs!
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!
HC thanks for the Chat good luck next year on the tour!