Day 4 with AOY leader Greg Hackney

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Greg Hackney took over the lead in the Bassmaster Toyota Angler of the Year standings this week. He started the day in 6th place, with no shot of winning, no chance to lose the lead in the AOY, but an opportunity to hang on to points and possibly move up a point or two.
Greg Hackney took over the lead in the Bassmaster Toyota Angler of the Year standings this week. He started the day in 6th place, with no shot of winning, no chance to lose the lead in the AOY, but an opportunity to hang on to points and possibly move up a point or two.
He fished way up the Elk River. His goal for the day:
He fished way up the Elk River. His goal for the day: “I’m just out having fun,” he replied. “I’d really like to catch a big one.”
By the time we reached him, he had two keepers in the boat and a not long after he added a third.
By the time we reached him, he had two keepers in the boat and a not long after he added a third.
This one actually bit on the other side of the boat, but Hackney’s hookset sent it flying to the other side.
This one actually bit on the other side of the boat, but Hackney’s hookset sent it flying to the other side.
The normally intense angler was much more laid back during the morning.
The normally intense angler was much more laid back during the morning.
Taking a moment to find new ways to pose with keepers.
Taking a moment to find new ways to pose with keepers.
It was decided it was his best side.
It was decided it was his best side.
A few minutes later he would add his fourth keeper.
A few minutes later he would add his fourth keeper.
This one caught on his signature Strike King Hack Attack jig out of the yellow flowers common in many places along the Tennessee River.
This one caught on his signature Strike King Hack Attack jig out of the yellow flowers common in many places along the Tennessee River.
And again, he tests new ways to pose with it, making sure he got it in front of the GoPro camera on his dash.
And again, he tests new ways to pose with it, making sure he got it in front of the GoPro camera on his dash.
Hackney typically likes to get away from the crowds and this spot certainly fits that bill. He said some a few Elites have fished in the area this week, but none were doing the same thing.
Hackney typically likes to get away from the crowds and this spot certainly fits that bill. He said some a few Elites have fished in the area this week, but none were doing the same thing.
Much of the area was extremely shallow, forcing Hackney to adjust his trolling motor up to minimize kicking up too much mud.
Much of the area was extremely shallow, forcing Hackney to adjust his trolling motor up to minimize kicking up too much mud.
And he stayed loose, until right before this moment when he lost a fish that could have been in the 4-pound range.
And he stayed loose, until right before this moment when he lost a fish that could have been in the 4-pound range.
With mud peeling away from the bottom of his boat, Hackney began to bear down a little more.
With mud peeling away from the bottom of his boat, Hackney began to bear down a little more.
His demeanor changed a bit and it was evident that the lost fish, plus another big fish that missed his bait wasn’t taken lightly.
His demeanor changed a bit and it was evident that the lost fish, plus another big fish that missed his bait wasn’t taken lightly.
While most of his casts were flips and pitches, he occasionally picked up a buzzbait or frog and worked the shallow cover.
While most of his casts were flips and pitches, he occasionally picked up a buzzbait or frog and worked the shallow cover.
The mud trail behind his boat shows just how shallow he fished.
The mud trail behind his boat shows just how shallow he fished.
But he left no stone, log or yellow flower untouched.
But he left no stone, log or yellow flower untouched.
The yellow flowers on the water lilies on the bank were perfect cover for spawning fish, both bass and shad.
The yellow flowers on the water lilies on the bank were perfect cover for spawning fish, both bass and shad.
And when he would move short distances, he would have to do it with his motor trimmed up.
And when he would move short distances, he would have to do it with his motor trimmed up.
And as the morning wore on, Hackney seemed to bear down even harder, working to get his final fish.
And as the morning wore on, Hackney seemed to bear down even harder, working to get his final fish.
In the previous three days of the event, he had been able to catch his limit much earlier.
In the previous three days of the event, he had been able to catch his limit much earlier.
But the final morning was much tougher, including some hang ups that forced new jigs to be brought out.
But the final morning was much tougher, including some hang ups that forced new jigs to be brought out.
By mid morning, he was ready to move. Which wasn’t too easy in the skinny water.
By mid morning, he was ready to move. Which wasn’t too easy in the skinny water.
But a strong enough push and eventually he was able to get going.
But a strong enough push and eventually he was able to get going.
Up on pad, he heads further up the Elk River.
Up on pad, he heads further up the Elk River.
Running by a bed of yellow and looking to see how those following were making it out of the shallow water.
Running by a bed of yellow and looking to see how those following were making it out of the shallow water.
While the blowing water created a ruckus, it didn’t bother the wildlife too much. Although it almost seems as if the lead goose is looking back and asking the other, “did you see that?”
While the blowing water created a ruckus, it didn’t bother the wildlife too much. Although it almost seems as if the lead goose is looking back and asking the other, “did you see that?”
Further up the Elk River, Hackney digs in, slipping behind green trees looking for feeding bass.
Further up the Elk River, Hackney digs in, slipping behind green trees looking for feeding bass.
And not long after he arrives, he hooks up with his limit fish.
And not long after he arrives, he hooks up with his limit fish.
The keeper comes flying into the boat.
The keeper comes flying into the boat.
He confirms our expectations on the earlier lost fish. Hackney said, “After losing those last two fish, I’m laying the wood to the ones that bite from now on.”
He confirms our expectations on the earlier lost fish. Hackney said, “After losing those last two fish, I’m laying the wood to the ones that bite from now on.”
He was true to his word on his sixth keeper of the day.
He was true to his word on his sixth keeper of the day.
But this one was stout enough to put up a tussle, instead of just flying in.
But this one was stout enough to put up a tussle, instead of just flying in.
And it was big enough to produce a huge splash.
And it was big enough to produce a huge splash.
Before Hackney could get him under control.
Before Hackney could get him under control.
The hefty keeper easily came aboard…
The hefty keeper easily came aboard…
With a splash.
With a splash.
That put a smile on Hackney’s face.
That put a smile on Hackney’s face.
That fish gave him somewhere over 11 pounds by noon. With room to grow, he pushed further into the shallows, hoping to gain some pounds that could lead to a point or two in the AOY standings.
That fish gave him somewhere over 11 pounds by noon. With room to grow, he pushed further into the shallows, hoping to gain some pounds that could lead to a point or two in the AOY standings. “I came in today thinking if I had 15 pounds I could move up to 4th. Now I’m just trying to salvage the day. Worst case scenario, I don’t want to fall back in AOY.”