Casey Ashley’s career highlights

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<p>Casey Ashley, showing his fish during an 11th-place finish in last year’s Classic, is itching for this year’s event on Lake Hartwell.</p>
Casey Ashley, showing his fish during an 11th-place finish in last year’s Classic, is itching for this year’s event on Lake Hartwell.
Ashley lives in Donalds, S.C., only a half hour away from Lake Hartwell, and he said he’s been waiting for the Classic to return to Lake Hartwell for six years.
Ashley lives in Donalds, S.C., only a half hour away from Lake Hartwell, and he said he’s been waiting for the Classic to return to Lake Hartwell for six years.
Thinking it might come back because of the success of the 2008 event, Ashley said he’s been preparing, better familiarizing himself with Hartwell.
Thinking it might come back because of the success of the 2008 event, Ashley said he’s been preparing, better familiarizing himself with Hartwell.
This will be Ashley’s sixth Classic since joining the Bassmaster tour in 2006.
This will be Ashley’s sixth Classic since joining the Bassmaster tour in 2006.
Although he missed competing in the 2011 Louisiana Delta Classic, Ashley sang the national anthem.
Although he missed competing in the 2011 Louisiana Delta Classic, Ashley sang the national anthem.
Along with his fishing, Ashley is a recording artist and has performed at a variety of Bassmaster events.
Along with his fishing, Ashley is a recording artist and has performed at a variety of Bassmaster events.
In 2008, Ashley stood in fifth place after Day 1 of the Classic with 18 pounds, 10 ounces.
In 2008, Ashley stood in fifth place after Day 1 of the Classic with 18 pounds, 10 ounces.
It was his first Classic, and he admits to being somewhat starstruck.
It was his first Classic, and he admits to being somewhat starstruck.
Learning to fish on Clarks Hill, which is two dams down the Savannah River from Hartwell, Ashley has since become more knowledgeable about the 2015 Classic fishery.
Learning to fish on Clarks Hill, which is two dams down the Savannah River from Hartwell, Ashley has since become more knowledgeable about the 2015 Classic fishery.
Ashley said now he might know Hartwell better than any angler in the 56-man field.
Ashley said now he might know Hartwell better than any angler in the 56-man field.
With almost a decade of pro experience under his belt, Ashley said he’ll be able to handle the Classic atmosphere and concentrate on his fishing.
With almost a decade of pro experience under his belt, Ashley said he’ll be able to handle the Classic atmosphere and concentrate on his fishing.
Ashley, greeting a nice fan base for the weigh-ins in Greenville, said he can’t wait to return. “I’m super excited, and the closer it gets the more excited I get… ”
Ashley, greeting a nice fan base for the weigh-ins in Greenville, said he can’t wait to return. “I’m super excited, and the closer it gets the more excited I get… ”
His hopes in the 2008 Classic were dashed when he only brought in two fish on Day 2, but his smile was constant.
His hopes in the 2008 Classic were dashed when he only brought in two fish on Day 2, but his smile was constant.
Ashley started young on the Elite Series, and was 23 when he won the 2007 Blue Ridge Brawl on Smith Mountain Lake.
Ashley started young on the Elite Series, and was 23 when he won the 2007 Blue Ridge Brawl on Smith Mountain Lake.
Ashley began fishing with B.A.S.S. in 2006 at 22 years old.
Ashley began fishing with B.A.S.S. in 2006 at 22 years old.
In 101 events, Ashley has been in the money 64 times, including 16 Top 10 finishes.
In 101 events, Ashley has been in the money 64 times, including 16 Top 10 finishes.
His B.A.S.S. career earnings are $850,262.
His B.A.S.S. career earnings are $850,262.
The Carolina Clash on Lake Murray in 2011 was his second Elite win, and he followed that up by winning the All-Star semifinal on Lake Jordan that year.
The Carolina Clash on Lake Murray in 2011 was his second Elite win, and he followed that up by winning the All-Star semifinal on Lake Jordan that year.
He’s always possessed a big smile, maybe because he’s doing what he loves.
He’s always possessed a big smile, maybe because he’s doing what he loves.
Ashley posted a photo of his freshly wrapped rig on his Facebook page recently, showing he’s ready to compete in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Ashley posted a photo of his freshly wrapped rig on his Facebook page recently, showing he’s ready to compete in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.