Birmingham, Al – Lake Guntersville was stingy across the board, but Hank Cherry figured them out on day one, and never relinquished that lead.
Conditions were extremely tough for the 50th anniversary of the Bassmaster Classic. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, the area was overwhelmed with non-stop rain.
The downpour desisted long enough to allow for bluebird skies for the three day tourney, but that didn’t mean conditions were good. Gusting winds and choppy water were a concern for everyone at the launch.
I spoke with tournament director Trip Weldon briefly, and he was very candid.
“I was worried about getting that launch done safely,” he said.
Those difficult conditions made things tough from the first bell for everyone. Except for Hank Cherry.
He managed to bring in nearly 30 pounds on day one, giving him a commanding lead that he never let go.
Most of his success on day one came from using a Zman Jackhammer chatterbait and casting toward shore. Fighting the wind and difficult water, he was still able to grab two largemouth over 7 pounds.
Over the next two days, he varied his presentation with baits including his signature jig from Picasso (in green pumpkin of course) and a Megabass 110+1 jerkbait.
Cherry made a point at the first weigh-in that held true throughout the weekend. He told emcee Dave Mercer that he does not like to run in choppy water and windy conditions. So he essentially spent the whole time fishing one causeway and one grass flat.
I never put gas in the boat all week.
Hank Cherry
That “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” strategy proved to be the winning one.
Cherry takes home the biggest prize in bass fishing and drives his career earnings to just south of a cool million.