"It was a tough event," said a smiling Hackney after the final weigh-in. "I had the location dialed in - current breaks and mayfly hatches - but I was clueless about baits.

Several of my keepers were caught with a Tru-Tungsten Flea Flicker and a 4-inch Strike King Ocho. After that I used some of everything I had in the boat."

Everything means he caught three bass the first day on three different baits; five bass the second day on four different baits; four bass the third day on three different baits; and, five bass the final day on four different baits.

"There's no question this is the highlight of my career. You think you know what it means to win a big one, but you really don't until it happens. This is awesome."  

Fellow Tru-Tungsten, pro staffers Mike Iaconelli and Scott Suggs finished second and fourth respectively.