Cherry’s wind-blown start

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Defending Bassmaster Classic champ Hank Cherry started the morning working wind-blown points with a jerkbait. He almost immediately began catching bass, with his first three keepers coming within 30 minutes of leaving the dock.
Defending Bassmaster Classic champ Hank Cherry started the morning working wind-blown points with a jerkbait. He almost immediately began catching bass, with his first three keepers coming within 30 minutes of leaving the dock.
Cherry ignored pockets between the points, idling quickly across to target the high-percentage stretches of water.
Cherry ignored pockets between the points, idling quickly across to target the high-percentage stretches of water.
He put his jerkbait skills to work, sticking exclusively with that lure. He would switch lures, but every lure he used was of the jerkbait variety.
He put his jerkbait skills to work, sticking exclusively with that lure. He would switch lures, but every lure he used was of the jerkbait variety.
His fourth keeper came when he saw bass schooling off a point and fired his jerkbait into the fray. Two jerks resulted in a hookup.
His fourth keeper came when he saw bass schooling off a point and fired his jerkbait into the fray. Two jerks resulted in a hookup.
The back-to-back Classic champ had a couple of spectators, which was surprising. I assumed he would be surrounded by anglers trying to learn how Cherry targets bass.
The back-to-back Classic champ had a couple of spectators, which was surprising. I assumed he would be surrounded by anglers trying to learn how Cherry targets bass.
Cherry’s deck was pretty much clear of rods, illustrating his confidence in the jerkbait pattern.
Cherry’s deck was pretty much clear of rods, illustrating his confidence in the jerkbait pattern.
Riprap added structure to some of the points Cherry targeted.
Riprap added structure to some of the points Cherry targeted.
That paid off with keeper No. 5, rounding out a limit and allowing Cherry to start focusing on upgrading.
That paid off with keeper No. 5, rounding out a limit and allowing Cherry to start focusing on upgrading.
After boxing his fifth keeper, Cherry took the time to retie to ensure he didn’t break off on the next bite.
After boxing his fifth keeper, Cherry took the time to retie to ensure he didn’t break off on the next bite.
He then went back to work, but not for long.
He then went back to work, but not for long.
Cherry pulled up his trolling motor and headed across to the lee side of the lake.
Cherry pulled up his trolling motor and headed across to the lee side of the lake.
Cherry switched from focusing on windblown points to working a ditch in a small pocket off the main lake.
Cherry switched from focusing on windblown points to working a ditch in a small pocket off the main lake.
He was rewarded with yet another bass.
He was rewarded with yet another bass.
That catch sent Cherry to the livewell to cull out a fish.
That catch sent Cherry to the livewell to cull out a fish.
Cherry’s eyes stayed glued to his electronics, allowing him to cast at known targets.
Cherry’s eyes stayed glued to his electronics, allowing him to cast at known targets.
With an early limit weighing just less than 10 pounds, Cherry headed out to look for bigger fish to add to his livewell.
With an early limit weighing just less than 10 pounds, Cherry headed out to look for bigger fish to add to his livewell.