GREENVILLE, S.C. — The anticipated record cold weather is generating a noteworthy media buzz for Day 1 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
At the official start of the 8:30 a.m., takeoff the forecast temperature is 10 degrees. Light and variable winds around 6 mph will make the wind chill factor less of a concern.
Or will it?
Push the throttle on a bass boat to 60 mph and the wind chill becomes -18.
The temperature warms to 29 degrees by weigh-in time. Even so, the early hours of this tournament might influence the outcome of who wins on Sunday. Gear can break. Rod guides will freeze and cut into casts-per-minute. Fingertips are subject to frostbite. The extreme cold will play games with the mind.
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney believes the weather will be an influencer even after the great freeze of Friday.
“On Saturday, it might be worse on the anglers than the gear,” he said. “What ice can do to your tackle on Friday, the weather will mess with your body the next day.”
That’s because another wintry mix of sleet and snow is in the forecast. Hackney spent the entire official practice day preparing for the unknown on Friday.
“We’ve never fished in such extreme conditions at this level,” he noted. “There is no room for mechanical or mental failure.”
Now two nuances exist when fishing under such extreme conditions: what the bass are going to do next and how equipment stands up to the test.
“I spent the day looking for ways to adapt my pattern for single digit temperatures,” Hackney added. “It’s more technique-related than anything else.”
Hackney admits to a solid game plan while making it clear he’s making mechanical adjustments for the weather. What he learned remains to be seen.
The same mindset applies to Stephen Browning. He prefers to go deer hunting in extremely nasty weather instead of any other conditions.
“I spent my practice learning how to make a bunch of consecutive casts without having to dip my rod into the water,” he said.
Frozen rod guides and reels cut into rapid-fire casts. Each one is important enough with a share of a $1 million purse on the line.
“It could get frustrating for a lot of guys in the first hour and there is no room for letting any mental enemies take over your mind,” he added. “They might eliminate themselves before noon.”
Browning still admits to a secret weapon and in his case that could be apparel related, due in part to his passion for cold weather deer hunting.
Chad Morgenthaler might have an advantage over his peers due to his former occupation as a firefighter.
“In fire fighting, you are taught to preplan for any situation and quickly assess and deploy what your options are going to be,” he said.
Firefighters by design have a knack for fixing problems on the fly. Tomorrow is not a life-or-death scenario but Morgenthaler’s boat is equipped with tools and extra gear.
“I am very confident that I can deal with whatever mechanical issues come my way,” he said.
One thing is certain regardless of the morning circumstances. Lake Hartwell is known for its quality bass bite throughout the water column during this season. Quality fish are being caught.
Meanwhile, the pros will find unique and creative ways to deal with the extreme weather conditions. The average angler will benefit by learning about those innovations through the written and digital media. And that’s what the Classic is all about.