Today’s Top 5

After the world’s longest bass tourney ever in history – with less than 50% of the time spent actually fishing – Greg Hack Attackney won Toyota/Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Really no surprise because he was red hot this year, winning two derbies (one Elite, one FLW) plus a few top 10s and 20s.

Not only that:

> His worst finish of the season: 48th at the Delaware.

> Only Elite to get a check (top 50 finish) at every tournament. He’s RICH!

But here’s the beeg one:

> …the fourth angler to claim AOY in both B.A.S.S. and FLW – along with Denny Brauer, Kevin VanDam and Jay Yelas.

Brauer, KVD, Yelas – those are STICKS yo! (Please come back to B.A.S.S. Jay!!)

If Hack now wins the Classic, he’ll be the first to win both championships and AOYs.

Reminds me of when I first met some new guy named Hackney back in 2002. Here’s a shot from that time:

Readin’ it here first! Click the pics to see them on Tackle Warehouse:

Strike King KVD 1.5 crankbait (yellow perch)

Strike King KVD J300 (4.75″) jerkbait (ayu)

Dropshotted a Strike King Shim E Stik (green pumpkin)
He also threw a Strike King spinnerbait, a Strike King KVD Swim N Shiner and pitched a worm.

Dude! How ’bout Jacob Powroznik. Dude won the world’s longest bassin’ derby, even though it didn’t count – his second Elite victory as a “rookie.” Guy has been an FLW stick, shows his stuff this year on the Elites. Biggest change I’ve seen in him: confidence. If it stays there and doesn’t become ego, good.

It kind of felt like we were in jail though.
– JPow talkin’ ’bout the 3-day delay.

Smallmouth have done this to me twice in my career, and both times I was in AOY contention.
– Todd Faircloth, who finished an emotional 2nd to Hack.

It seems like I’ve been hunting that my whole life. I didn’t know that ’til now.
– An also emotional Hack on winning AOY.

Pelicans hang out in freezing cold Michigan??

> Platinum Equity has put Ranger Boats up for sale, three sources said. Harris Williams is advising on the process, the sources said.

> Ranger Boats produces $25 million EBITDA, one of the sources said. Platinum is seeking bids of 10x, a second person said.

> The auction has held a first round, which included strategic and financial sponsors, the first source said. The process has moved to the second round with bids due in October, the person said.

News

1. Ott didn’t fish yesterday.

From Facebook:

> I’ve never left an event early but I have other commitments that have been scheduled early this week that I can’t miss.

Technically he wasn’t leaving early…and is in the Classic already.

2. TN: PAA Douglas postponed.

Because of world’s longest bassin’ derby at Bays de Not.

3. CA: T-Roy Linder at BPS…

…this weekend, plus other bass talkers.

4. TX: New rez near Houston?

> Rather than the traditional dam on a creek or river, the new design will essentially be a holding pond surrounded by embankments 40 feet high.

So…no boat ramp?

5. Win Mercer stuff!

Tip of the Day

Mark Davis on waypoints.

For you waypoint crack-heads:

> “Waypoints are just where you’ve either caught fish or there’s potential there. Doesn’t make them good or bad, and I’m not saying you need to get rid of them. You need to check them, but don’t be reluctant to scrap all of that and try something new in whole different part of the lake, a whole new deal.

> “Fish change. Seldom is it ever the same, even when you go back at the same time of year, the same date, even the same hour. Fish move, they get pressured, other anglers find out about them: If you have a waypoint, chances are you’re not the only one with it. So you’ve got to be real careful not to rely too heavily on them.”

Shot of the Day

Texted in by Z – what you do while you’re waiting for a derby to re-start:

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Jay Kumar is the guy who created BassFan, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a whole lot more in bassin’. His BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best in bassin’, and is the #2 or #3 daily read on any given day in the wide world o’ bass. Also available as an app: