Hackney hauls in the lead on Kentucky Lake

Greg Hackney of Oak Ridge, La., used an 18-pound, 8-ounce catch to capture the top spot in the Pro Division after the first day of competition on Kentucky Lake. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Greg Hackney.

April 30, 2003 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Cramer cruises to first place in Co-angler Division

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – Greg Hackney of Oak Ridge, La., has always loved to fish Kentucky Lake. And today he showed why. Using a catch of 18 pounds, 8 ounces, Hackney not only took control of the Pro Division, but also placed himself in perfect position to qualify for tomorrow’s all-important top-20 cut.

“I never thought my lead would hold up today, so I’m kind of surprised,” said Hackney. “But this lake has always been good to me. And now, I feel like I have a couple of pounds as a cushion over some of the other guys. It feels pretty good to be leading though. I’m on Cloud Nine right now.”

Hackney said that he fished shallow thoughout the day, targeting both prespawn and spawning largemouth bass.

“This tournament is usually won flipping the bushes, and that’s what I normally do when I come here,” said Hackney. “But we normally come here a week later. Right now I’m having success flipping shallow cover and sight-fishing because both fish are reacting the same way.”

Tomorrow, Hackney sees no reason to change strategies.

“I’m going to keep flipping soft plastics and fish wide open until I feel that I’m in a comfort zone,” he said. “I’m just going to go out there and try to catch five keepers and make the cut.”

Best of the rest

David Dudley of Manteo, N.C., won $750 for landing the day (Photo by Gary Mortenson)” BORDER=”1″ ALIGN=”left”>In second place was Trey Morgan of Goldonna, La., with a total catch of 18 pounds, 3 ounces. Meanwhile, third place belonged to David Upchurch of Columbia, Ky., with a catch of 17 pounds, 15 ounces.

Rounding out the top five pros were Bobby Curtis (fourth) of Siloam Springs, Ark., with a catch of 17 pounds, 9 ounces; and David Dudley (fifth) of Manteo, N.C., with a catch of 17 pounds, 8 ounces.

Dudley also won $750 for landing the day’s big-bass award in the Pro Division after netting a 7-pound, 2-ounce largemouth.

Cramer storms into co-angler lead

Using a catch of 15 pounds, 5 ounces, Daniel Cramer of Van Wert, Ohio, snagged first place in the Co-angler Division, outfishing his nearest rival by more than 3 pounds in the process.

“It was a great day,” said Cramer. “I really felt confident coming into this tournament and I still do. I’m doing exactly what I set out to do.”

Cramer, who boasts more than 20 years of fishing experience on Kentucky Lake, has been trying for years to crack the top 10 in this tournament. And if things keep going his way, this could finally be the year.

“I’ve fished here the last five years and my best finish was 11th place,” he said. “The top 10 has always eluded me here and I’d love to finally make it this year.”

Cramer said that he fished in 1 to 5 feet of water using a flipping technique with soft plastics.

“Basically, we targeted side pockets just off the main-bay pockets all day,” he said. “It was a really light bite and the key was to fish everything really slowly. The bass are coming in shallow and there are some good-sized fish out there. But you just have to be patient.”

Despite his hefty lead in the division, Cramer said he is taking nothing for granted.

“You always have to catch fish no matter what place you’re in after the first day,” he said. “Anyone of these guys can bust a 15-pound sack easily. So it’s important for me to stay focused.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top finishers in the Co-angler Division Mark Fuller (second) of Bloomington, Ill., with a catch of 12 pounds, 4 ounces; Ron Bricker (third) of Indianapolis, Ind., with a catch of 11 pounds, 15 ounces; Richard Wyrick (fourth) of Frankfort, Ill., with a catch of 11 pounds, 13 ounces; Keith White (tied for fifth) of Lewisville, Texas, with a catch of 11 pounds, 4 ounces; and Billy Yelverton (tied for fifth) of Baton Rouge, La., with a catch of 11 pounds, 4 ounces.

Rick Selsor of Glenpool, Okla., won the day’s big-bass award in the Co-angler Division after netting a 6-pound, 10-ounce largemouth. Selsor, who finished the day in 54th place, won $250 for his efforts.

Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 7 a.m. at Moors Resort located at 570 Moors Road in Gilbertsville, Ky.

Click here for a preview of day two.