Hank Cherry, of Lincolnton, won the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Photo by Chris Brown

June 14. A professional angler from Lincolnton has won the top prize—$300,000 in cash—at a tournament in Texas. Hank Cherry caught five bass Sunday that weighed 13 pounds, 1 ounce and won the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 15 ounces.

He is only the fourth angler in the 51-year history of the Super Bowl of Professional Bass Fishing to win the event in back-to-back years.

Another North Carolina pro, Matt Arey, of Shelby, finished second with 49-1.

The 2021 Bassmaster Open comes to Lake Norman Sept. 23-25.

Cherry on top: How he did it

Cherry used a 3/4-ounce tungsten weight with a 4/0 flipping hook and a variety of soft-plastic baits, including a Berkley Pit Boss, a craw lure and a beaver-style bait. With 99-degree heat Sunday, he switched to a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight with a 3/0 hook.