Casey’s Classic

Take a look back at all three days of Casey Ashley's winning Classic run.

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Dave Mercer interviews South Carolina native and leading contender Casey Ashley.
Dave Mercer interviews South Carolina native and leading contender Casey Ashley.
Backing the boat into Lake Harwell.
Backing the boat into Lake Harwell.
South Carolina pro Casey Ashley did a fantastic rendition of the national anthem.
South Carolina pro Casey Ashley did a fantastic rendition of the national anthem.
Casey Ashley speeds to his first fishing location…
Casey Ashley speeds to his first fishing location…
Local favorite Casey Ashley opened the Classic by singing the Star-Spangled Banner, and then went fishing with a spectator armada constantly on his trail.
Local favorite Casey Ashley opened the Classic by singing the Star-Spangled Banner, and then went fishing with a spectator armada constantly on his trail.
Casey Ashley hooks up with an early fish on Day 1.
Casey Ashley hooks up with an early fish on Day 1.
Casey Ashley leans over to take a look at one of his first fish of the day.
Casey Ashley leans over to take a look at one of his first fish of the day.
It’s a solid keeper for Casey Ashley.
It’s a solid keeper for Casey Ashley.
That’s a fish that would make any angler happy when $300,000 is on the line.
That’s a fish that would make any angler happy when $300,000 is on the line.
Ashley shows off the fish to ESPN cameraman Rick Mason.
Ashley shows off the fish to ESPN cameraman Rick Mason.
He had to break his line after hanging up on an unseen obstruction.
He had to break his line after hanging up on an unseen obstruction.
It’s back to fishing for Ashley.
It’s back to fishing for Ashley.
Staying on a sweet spot requires working the trolling motor and keeping an eye on your electronics.
Staying on a sweet spot requires working the trolling motor and keeping an eye on your electronics.
Davy Hite interviews local favorite Casey Ashley.
Davy Hite interviews local favorite Casey Ashley.
Casey Ashley, 15-3
Casey Ashley, 15-3
Casey Ashley's fans.
Casey Ashley’s fans.
Is that the smile of a Classic winner from Casey Ashley?
Is that the smile of a Classic winner from Casey Ashley?
Local favorite Casey Ashley gets off to a solid start on Day 2 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Local favorite Casey Ashley gets off to a solid start on Day 2 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The water may be down, but the temperatures are rising on Hartwell. The morning greeted anglers with 29 degree temps at blast off, nearly triple what the temps were yesterday.
The water may be down, but the temperatures are rising on Hartwell. The morning greeted anglers with 29 degree temps at blast off, nearly triple what the temps were yesterday.
Camera crew gets into position.
Camera crew gets into position.
Ashley hooks up.
Ashley hooks up.
Cameramen lock in.
Cameramen lock in.
In you go.
In you go.
A solid fish for Ashley.
A solid fish for Ashley.
He shows the spotted bass to the GoPro.
He shows the spotted bass to the GoPro.
Ashley keeps one eye on the graph and reaches for his spinning rod any time something looks a little too good to pass up.
Ashley keeps one eye on the graph and reaches for his spinning rod any time something looks a little too good to pass up.
He continues to work his bait constantly but very slowly.
He continues to work his bait constantly but very slowly.
Ashley loads his cast.
Ashley loads his cast.
He's very focused this morning, despite the 12-15 spectator boats braving the cold with him.
He’s very focused this morning, despite the 12-15 spectator boats braving the cold with him.
Another cast sails out.
Another cast sails out.
He removes his gloves long enough to retrieve a hand warmer from his pocket.
He removes his gloves long enough to retrieve a hand warmer from his pocket.
He flings his bait out...
He flings his bait out…
...loads up...
…loads up…
...fights what looks to be a solid fish....
…fights what looks to be a solid fish….
...tries to see if he can tell what it is...
…tries to see if he can tell what it is…
...but unfortunately never catches a glimpse of it as the fish comes unhooked.
…but unfortunately never catches a glimpse of it as the fish comes unhooked.
All you can do in that situation is try again.
All you can do in that situation is try again.
Another cast sails out.
Another cast sails out.
Ashley keeps his composure as he methodically circles this school.
Ashley keeps his composure as he methodically circles this school.
Each cast takes nearly a minute so, he doesn't leave his bait out of the water for long. He's back in the water before the drops from his bait are.
Each cast takes nearly a minute so, he doesn’t leave his bait out of the water for long. He’s back in the water before the drops from his bait are.
He rares back.
He rares back.
Away you go.
Away you go.
Chunk...
Chunk…
...wind...
…wind…
...dip your rod in the water. Ashley fights the ice that's building in his rod guides. On Day 1, anglers had to do this every 3 to 5 casts. Today, it's only necessary every 20 or 30 minutes.
…dip your rod in the water. Ashley fights the ice that’s building in his rod guides. On Day 1, anglers had to do this every 3 to 5 casts. Today, it’s only necessary every 20 or 30 minutes.
Ashley hooks up.
Ashley hooks up.
Another solid keeper enters the boat.
Another solid keeper enters the boat.
“Where are the 3-pounders?”
Another cast heads out.
Another cast heads out.
He loads up again.
He loads up again.
This could be a good one.
This could be a good one.
The fish nears the boat.
The fish nears the boat.
Another solid fish across the gunnel...
Another solid fish across the gunnel…
...right in front of the GoPro.
…right in front of the GoPro.
A chunky one.
A chunky one.
He heads towards the livewell.
He heads towards the livewell.
In the well.
In the well.
Cameraman Rick Mason shoots the crowd.
Cameraman Rick Mason shoots the crowd.
Mason gets a little sideways.
Mason gets a little sideways.
He works to get the best shot possible.
He works to get the best shot possible.
Ashley tweaks his bait.
Ashley tweaks his bait.
Ashley hangs up for the first time in hours. He's been keeping his bait right near the bottom but never quite on the bottom. That can be a little tricky and sticky sometimes.
Ashley hangs up for the first time in hours. He’s been keeping his bait right near the bottom but never quite on the bottom. That can be a little tricky and sticky sometimes.
Time to re-rig.
Time to re-rig.
Ashley fires another cast out as we leave him.
Ashley fires another cast out as we leave him.
Casey Ashley, who was also having a productive Day 2, speeds by Ike and his flotilla of spectators.
Casey Ashley, who was also having a productive Day 2, speeds by Ike and his flotilla of spectators.
Casey Ashley (29-14)
Casey Ashley (29-14)
Casey Ashley, the local favorite, begins Day 3 in 5th place.
Casey Ashley, the local favorite, begins Day 3 in 5th place.
Casey Ashley is interviewed by Dave Mercer under the cloudy skies of Lake Hartwell.
Casey Ashley is interviewed by Dave Mercer under the cloudy skies of Lake Hartwell.
Local favorite Casey Ashley hopes to finish at the top in his home state of South Carolina.
Local favorite Casey Ashley hopes to finish at the top in his home state of South Carolina.
Wherever local favorite Casey Ashley went today, spectators followed, even on land.
Wherever local favorite Casey Ashley went today, spectators followed, even on land.
Ashley was fishing shallow near a launch ramp.
Ashley was fishing shallow near a launch ramp.
His every move today was chronicled by the new live streaming cameras.
His every move today was chronicled by the new live streaming cameras.
Soon after we arrived, Ashley hooked up.
Soon after we arrived, Ashley hooked up.
Cameraman Rick Mason moves in for the closeup.
Cameraman Rick Mason moves in for the closeup.
Ashley reaches deep for the bass.
Ashley reaches deep for the bass.
Please don’t drop that camera in the lake.
Please don’t drop that camera in the lake.
In these chilly waters it would be easy to lose a fish.
In these chilly waters it would be easy to lose a fish.
Come here fishy, fishy.
Come here fishy, fishy.
Ashley steadies the bass up against his boat.
Ashley steadies the bass up against his boat.
Ashley finally lifts the fish out of the water.
Ashley finally lifts the fish out of the water.
And holds the fish up proudly for all to see.
And holds the fish up proudly for all to see.
Rick Mason gets another closeup once the fish is out of the water.
Rick Mason gets another closeup once the fish is out of the water.
Ashley takes moment to pause and estimate the bass’ weight.
Ashley takes moment to pause and estimate the bass’ weight.
Ashley had a strong day today. BassTrakk estimated him at 16 pounds, 11 ounces toward the end of the day.
Ashley had a strong day today. BassTrakk estimated him at 16 pounds, 11 ounces toward the end of the day.
And into the livewell she goes for safe keeping.
And into the livewell she goes for safe keeping.
He tags this one as a 3-pounder, so he can remember the weight later.
He tags this one as a 3-pounder, so he can remember the weight later.
Gradually, Ashley built up a strong bag.
Gradually, Ashley built up a strong bag.
Ashley gets his tackle ready for the next cast.
Ashley gets his tackle ready for the next cast.
And he quickly gets back to work.
And he quickly gets back to work.
Nice form there, Casey, for a long cast.
Nice form there, Casey, for a long cast.
Back in the Ashley boat, he studies the lure for any damage.
Back in the Ashley boat, he studies the lure for any damage.
Ashley sends up a spray with a quick-fire cast.
Ashley sends up a spray with a quick-fire cast.
This man appeared out of the woods, almost like a Sasquatch, to watch Ashley fish.
This man appeared out of the woods, almost like a Sasquatch, to watch Ashley fish.
Ashley hooks up again.
Ashley hooks up again.
This one puts up a nice fight.
This one puts up a nice fight.
Fighting fish puts a smile on Casey’s face.
Fighting fish puts a smile on Casey’s face.
This one is small. Will he cull?
This one is small. Will he cull?
It’s decision time. Rick Mason is there to capture it either way.
It’s decision time. Rick Mason is there to capture it either way.
This one won’t make it into the livewell.
This one won’t make it into the livewell.
He didn’t think long before tossing this one back to the drink.
He didn’t think long before tossing this one back to the drink.
Ashley quickly hooks up with another fish.
Ashley quickly hooks up with another fish.
He’s not getting too excited about this one either.
He’s not getting too excited about this one either.
Great shot, Steve Bowman!
Great shot, Steve Bowman!
Shaye Baker arrives to trade out the GoPro’s memory card.
Shaye Baker arrives to trade out the GoPro’s memory card.
Casey Ashley. The sun came out when he pulled up.
Casey Ashley. The sun came out when he pulled up.
Casey Ashley was the local favorite going into the Classic, and the crowd was crazy for the young angler from South Carolina.
Casey Ashley was the local favorite going into the Classic, and the crowd was crazy for the young angler from South Carolina.
Taking the stage, he shows off one lunker from his livewell.
Taking the stage, he shows off one lunker from his livewell.
Ashley gets pumped for his Day 3 weight of 20-3.
Ashley gets pumped for his Day 3 weight of 20-3.
Casey Ashley (1st, 50-1)
Casey Ashley (1st, 50-1)
Pumped up and showing off his fish to the
Pumped up and showing off his fish to the “splash well.”
Ashley gets a little help from Trip Weldon and Dave Mercer to show off his full limit.
Ashley gets a little help from Trip Weldon and Dave Mercer to show off his full limit.
Mercer takes a little time to make Ashley squirm.
Mercer takes a little time to make Ashley squirm.
Ashley is feeling the hot seat pressure.
Ashley is feeling the hot seat pressure.
Randy Howell (16th, 37-2)
Randy Howell (16th, 37-2)
Randy Howell offers up a little fun during his time on stage.
Randy Howell offers up a little fun during his time on stage.
With the final competitor weighed-in, Ashley knows he's clenched the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic championship.
With the final competitor weighed-in, Ashley knows he’s clenched the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic championship.
A quick celebration...
A quick celebration…
A new champion is crowned.
A new champion is crowned.