Cherry’s last run at the Classic

Go on the water with third place finisher Hank Cherry on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic.

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<p>As an angler tears across the lake, the ESPN helicopter is there to capture every bump and bounce in the ride.</p>
As an angler tears across the lake, the ESPN helicopter is there to capture every bump and bounce in the ride.
<p>Hank Cherry casts strictly with his right arm.</p>
Hank Cherry casts strictly with his right arm.
<p>Once Cherry rocketed up to the top on the strength of two big fish, he was immediately phoned for an interview for the War Room.</p>
Once Cherry rocketed up to the top on the strength of two big fish, he was immediately phoned for an interview for the War Room.
<p>Cherry knelt to fight each fish, lessening the chance they might jump and throw the hooks. This fish pulled hard ...</p>
Cherry knelt to fight each fish, lessening the chance they might jump and throw the hooks. This fish pulled hard …
<p>... but unfortunately it was a drum, making Cherry react.<br />  </p>
… but unfortunately it was a drum, making Cherry react.
 
<p>He unhooks the rough fish and tosses it back.</p>
He unhooks the rough fish and tosses it back.
<p>Cherry slung this bass into the boat immediately knowing it wouldn’t help him.</p>
Cherry slung this bass into the boat immediately knowing it wouldn’t help him.
<p>These might have been Cherry’s most adamant fans.</p>
These might have been Cherry’s most adamant fans.
<p>Cherry carefully fights another big fish ...</p>
Cherry carefully fights another big fish …
<p>... but it was also a drum! Fish of all sorts were on his spots, and they were eating.</p>
… but it was also a drum! Fish of all sorts were on his spots, and they were eating.
<p>He unhooks it then releases it.</p>
He unhooks it then releases it.
<p>Cherry fights yet another fish! His spots were red hot.</p>
Cherry fights yet another fish! His spots were red hot.
<p>With nearly 20 pounds in his livewell, this one wouldn’t help, either.</p>
With nearly 20 pounds in his livewell, this one wouldn’t help, either.
<p>This is the beginning of the fight that might have lost the Classic for Cherry. He hooked it and immediately knelt, knowing it was a good fish.</p>
This is the beginning of the fight that might have lost the Classic for Cherry. He hooked it and immediately knelt, knowing it was a good fish.
<p>The bass led him up to the front of the boat ...</p>
The bass led him up to the front of the boat …
<p>... then to the middle, where he lunged for it, but he missed.</p>
… then to the middle, where he lunged for it, but he missed.
<p>It led him up to the front deck again where it came unhooked. Cherry lay devastated on the deck of his Skeeter, knowing that he might’ve just lost the Classic.<br />  </p>
It led him up to the front deck again where it came unhooked. Cherry lay devastated on the deck of his Skeeter, knowing that he might’ve just lost the Classic.
 
<p>He had fifteen minutes of fishing left, but he was frazzled and didn’t get another bite before he had to get in.</p>
He had fifteen minutes of fishing left, but he was frazzled and didn’t get another bite before he had to get in.