Last practice before the Classic

The Classic competitors make the most of their final day of practice before the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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Classic Practice Day was marked by cold temperatures in the 20s that forced anglers to bundle up, including Jacob Powroznik.
Classic Practice Day was marked by cold temperatures in the 20s that forced anglers to bundle up, including Jacob Powroznik.
The cold, though, didn’t mean the fish weren’t biting.
The cold, though, didn’t mean the fish weren’t biting.
This keeper was hooked by Powroznik,
This keeper was hooked by Powroznik,
And quickly brought to the boat.
And quickly brought to the boat.
Just as quickly, it was unhooked.
Just as quickly, it was unhooked.
And posed with,
And posed with,
Then released back to Lake Hartwell.
Then released back to Lake Hartwell.
Most of the anglers assumed a familiar pose. Hunched over their electronics with rods angled down, looking for fish as Brett Hite is doing.
Most of the anglers assumed a familiar pose. Hunched over their electronics with rods angled down, looking for fish as Brett Hite is doing.
All the anglers were bound, head to foot, in warm clothes.
All the anglers were bound, head to foot, in warm clothes.
And most of them were looking more than casting.
And most of them were looking more than casting.
Chad Pipkens gives a look around before going back and focusing on his electronics.
Chad Pipkens gives a look around before going back and focusing on his electronics.
Long minutes of that were interspersed with idling around looking for more arches on their electronics.
Long minutes of that were interspersed with idling around looking for more arches on their electronics.
Not all anglers were focusing on ultra-deep water, though. Brett Preuett, the college contender, was found casting and moving.
Not all anglers were focusing on ultra-deep water, though. Brett Preuett, the college contender, was found casting and moving.
And other anglers, like Cliff Crochet, were running to and fro.
And other anglers, like Cliff Crochet, were running to and fro.
Preuett, though, stayed relatively shallow casting.
Preuett, though, stayed relatively shallow casting.
He shared the standard bundled up look.
He shared the standard bundled up look.
And covered water.
And covered water.
Nearby, Brian Snowden assumes the standard position over his electronics.
Nearby, Brian Snowden assumes the standard position over his electronics.
Many of the anglers focused more on what was taking place under their boat than what was in their hands.
Many of the anglers focused more on what was taking place under their boat than what was in their hands.
Snowden had a deck full of rods, ready for just about anything.
Snowden had a deck full of rods, ready for just about anything.
The same was true for Andy Montgomery.
The same was true for Andy Montgomery.
And of course bundled up.
And of course bundled up.
He would occasionally pick up and make a long cast.
He would occasionally pick up and make a long cast.
The wind would pick up drastically and make casting a must.
The wind would pick up drastically and make casting a must.
Seeing waves crash against boats started becoming common place by mid-morning with 20 mile per hour winds with heavy gusts.
Seeing waves crash against boats started becoming common place by mid-morning with 20 mile per hour winds with heavy gusts.
The strong winds made it difficult for those trying to focus on deep targets.
The strong winds made it difficult for those trying to focus on deep targets.
It forced many anglers to get to the lee side of islands.
It forced many anglers to get to the lee side of islands.
And others, like Chris Lane, to hit docks.
And others, like Chris Lane, to hit docks.
Casting and moving.
Casting and moving.
Or going down banks where the hillsides were still covered in ice.
Or going down banks where the hillsides were still covered in ice.
And if you decided to move, the ride was rough through crashing waves
And if you decided to move, the ride was rough through crashing waves
And over rollers.
And over rollers.
And then back into the waves
And then back into the waves