Entry 269-1

Greg Hackney Squeaks into the Classic, Thanks to the Zero, the Finesse Worm and the Red Eye Shad

Part 1: I Almost Missed the Train

Question: Greg, how close was your run for a berth in the Classic?

Hackney: It was never even close, John. *grin* I finished in 36th place, and I actually made it into the Classic on the last event of the Elite Series, which was the tournament on Lake Oneida in Syracuse, New York. This is the first time in my professional career that I’ve come that close to missing the Classic. Going into that tournament, I was in 41st place, and I knew that only 37 of the Elite Circuit anglers would make the Classic. So, I barely squeaked into the Classic for 2009.

Question: What happened at Lake Oneida to get you into the Classic?

Hackney: Well, it was really the last two tournaments that put me in the Classic field. I came in 12th in Buffalo, New York, and then I finished in the top 30 at Lake Oneida. I had to just keep my head down and keep grinding out each bass that I caught.

Question: How were you at the halfway point of the race for Angler of the Year?

Hackney: I had three good tournaments consecutively, and then we took a break from the circuit. When we came back from the break, I had a couple of bad tournaments, but I had a good tournament at Old Hickory in Tennessee and both of my New York tournaments were good. But I was in a dogfight for those last four spots in the 2009 Classic with about 14 fishermen. But thankfully I made the Classic.

Question: What does making the Bassmasters Classic again this year mean to you?

Hackney: You know, in years past, I’ve always been in good shape coming into the last tournament of the year. I’ve also gone into every end-of-year tournament thinking I’ll win the tournament, and knowing I don’t have to worry about my spot in the Classic. So, for me, making the Classic in that last tournament at Lake Oneida was very-nearly as good as winning the tournament. This year has been very humbling for me, and I think that’s been very good for me. This year I’ve learned not to take making the Classic for granted.

Making the Classic can really be a tough deal, and I feel like I’ve had to work harder this year to get into the Classic than I have any other year in my career. So I’m very excited about making the Bassmasters Classic, very humbled that I’ve fished well enough to make the Classic, and very excited that I’m going to the big show again.

Next: Beefed-Up Finesse Fishing

Contents:

• Part 1: I Almost Missed the Train
• Part 2: Beefed-Up Finesse Fishing
• Part 3: The Finesse Worm Saves the Day at Lake Oneida and Lake Erie
• Part 4: Don’t Be Afraid of the Red Eye Shad
• Part 5: The Classic Comes Home