Orange, Texas — On the final day of the B.A.S.S. Elite Series event on the Sabine River, Greg Hackney only brought 7 pounds 5 ounces to the weigh in stage, and that didn’t matter in the slightest.
The previous three days he’d dominated so thoroughly that it was enough to bring home the trophy, the $100,000 check, and the ticket to the Bassmaster Classic.
The win was his sixth career victory.
Hackney concentrated on canals, creeks, and backwater areas with a two-pronged topwater attack which included the Hack Attack Select Toadbuzz and a KVD Sexy Frog Stump Jumper (aff). But with dropping water temperatures on the final day, the approach did not stay as productive.
When that happened, Hackney switched to a flipping approach with a Strike King Rage Bug(aff). That produced just enough bites to keep the lead and take home the win.
“If we had to fish another day, I probably would have hunted and gone to some new water,” Hackney said. “But in the back of my mind, I knew I could pick up a flipping stick and catch a keeper anytime.”
And while some of the field went on crazy runs to find their fish, Hackney stayed close to the launch and only burned about 11 and a half gallons of gas all weekend.
Fan favorite and perennial contender G-Man Gerald Swindle took second with 43 pounds 11 ounces.
The next stop for the Elite Series pros will be the mighty Mississippi river on June 21st.