When Alton Jones first visited Lake Hartwell in December to practice for February's Bassmaster Classic, he hardly fished at all. Instead, seeing that the impoundment was 12 feet low, he spent his time with a video camera, filming potential structure and cover that might, if the lake level were to rise, become prime bass holding areas. He marked them with his GPS, and catalogued more than 130 locations.
When the veteran Texas pro returned to Hartwell for the final official practice, he realized immediately the lake had not risen and his waypoints were still high and dry; nonetheless, he studied his videos anyway. This time, he searched for clues that might tell him what lay below the surface in those same areas.
"I've always said bass fishing is first about location, location, location," emphasized Jones, who after three tough-weather days on Hartwell made winning the 38th edition of bass fishing's biggest show look easy. He finished with 15 bass weighing 49 pounds, 7 ounces, more than 5 pounds ahead of runner-up Cliff Pace, who brought 44-5 to the scales. Kevin VanDam finished third with 43-8 —his fifth Top 5 Classic finish in the past five years; Florida pro Bobby Lane grabbed fourth with 42-7; and Greg Hackney slipped into fifth with 41-7.
DAY 1'S SLUGFEST