As the reigning Bassmaster Classic champion, Hank Cherry is automatically qualified to compete in the 2021 Classic. But that’s not good enough for him. As he expressed yesterday on the weigh-in stage, Cherry wants to help get another Elite Series angler qualified for the Classic. And he can do that by being double-qualified.
The top 39 Elite Series anglers in AOY points earn spots in the Classic. If Cherry finishes the season 39th or better, he would be double-qualified and the Elite Series list would extend to No. 40. Cherry came into this event ranked 43rd in AOY points. The revised AOY points, based on yesterday’s standings, have him in 39th place.
“I’m trying to get double-qualified,” Cherry said Friday. “That’s really important to me. To get a buddy in, I think that’s my responsibility.”
Cherry has three keepers today, which has him in 11th place on BASSTrakk at 11:45 a.m.