Magic spot key for Hackney
Category: Tournament
Jun 8th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jun 8th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Greg Hackney is known as one the best shallow-water fisherman in the pro bass biz. On one of the legendary Tennessee River fisheries, Pickwick Lake, known for the need to fish deep ledges to win, The Mercury pro stayed shallow and took home his first victory on the FLW Tour since 2009.
Hackney brought in 21 pounds, 9 ounces today for a three-day total of (97-7) to hold off Yamaha pro Michael Neal who ended the event in second with (93-6).
Rounding out the Top 5, in third Luck Craft pro Brent Ehrler (92-11). In fourth Ranger pro Troy Morrow (86-5). Fifth went to Robbie Dodson (85-15).
Small area key for Hackney’s win
“Every fish I’ve weighed this week came off a 15-yard stretch,” said Hackney. “It’s just amazing how many fish were there. I knew every morning I could go out there and catch a wad of them.
“Yesterday I felt a little burned out. I wasn’t feeling that way today. This has been the best week I’ve had fishing since I don’t remember when.”
Hackney not sure of outcome early
“I was wondering if I was ever going to win another FLW event,” said Hackney. “Even today I felt that way. I went to swing a 5-pounder into the boat and my line broke. That could’ve cost me, but it didn’t. It was a lot slower today than the first three days of fishing.
“About 1:00 p.m., things started to get right. I caught almost all of the fish I weighed after that time.”
Shallow wins on a deep bite.
“Almost everybody else was fishing deep here,” said Hackney. “I went looking for those areas too, but everyone had anglers on them. I found my key area in the first 45 minutes of practice. Every fish I caught came in water less than 6-feet deep. There were three mussel piles that held the fish. I’d sit up shallow and cast to the slightly deeper water dragging my baits up to the fish. I had my Power-Poles down and anchored catching my fish.”
Hackney’s primary bait today was a ¾-ounce Strike King jig in green pumpkin with a Rage Tail crawfish trailer. A Strike King 2.5 square-bill crankbait was key earlier in the event as was a 5-inch Strike King swimbait rigged on a ¾-ounce head.