A look at Elite venues

A look at Hartwell

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Welcome to South Carolina is right. The 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is back in The Palmetto State for the 48th championship of bass fishing. This is the third Classic to be held on Lake Hartwell.
Welcome to South Carolina is right. The 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is back in The Palmetto State for the 48th championship of bass fishing. This is the third Classic to be held on Lake Hartwell.
Lake Hartwell is a 56,000-acre reservoir on the South Carolina-Georgia border. Its 962 miles of shoreline were created by damming the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers. It is in the northwest corner of the state, also known as The Upcountry.
Lake Hartwell is a 56,000-acre reservoir on the South Carolina-Georgia border. Its 962 miles of shoreline were created by damming the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers. It is in the northwest corner of the state, also known as The Upcountry.
The 2018 competition begins Friday, March 16, at Green Pond Landing and Event Center in Anderson, which was built to host the 2015 Classic launches. Takeoffs begin at 7:30 a.m. ET and fans are welcome to come out and watch the proceedings. Admission to all B.A.S.S. venues are free of charge.
The 2018 competition begins Friday, March 16, at Green Pond Landing and Event Center in Anderson, which was built to host the 2015 Classic launches. Takeoffs begin at 7:30 a.m. ET and fans are welcome to come out and watch the proceedings. Admission to all B.A.S.S. venues are free of charge.
The anglers will take out at Green Pond, have their fish checked by officials then drive the 36 miles to the weigh-ins in Greenville.
The anglers will take out at Green Pond, have their fish checked by officials then drive the 36 miles to the weigh-ins in Greenville.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville again hosts the weigh-ins. Friday through Sunday, doors open for B.A.S.S. Life and Nation members are 3 p.m. and at 3:15 for the general public. Entry is free. Please be aware that the arena has a strict policy of items that can be brought in. If you have questions, check the arena web site.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville again hosts the weigh-ins. Friday through Sunday, doors open for B.A.S.S. Life and Nation members are 3 p.m. and at 3:15 for the general public. Entry is free. Please be aware that the arena has a strict policy of items that can be brought in. If you have questions, check the arena web site.
The folks line up outside to get in and find the best seats for the weigh-in shows, which are quite spectacular. The weigh-ins will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET each day.
The folks line up outside to get in and find the best seats for the weigh-in shows, which are quite spectacular. The weigh-ins will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET each day.
After launches, fans who don’t follow their favorite angler on the water often choose to spend their day at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. It will be held at the 250,000-square-foot TD Convention Center near the airport, in close proximity to the arena.
After launches, fans who don’t follow their favorite angler on the water often choose to spend their day at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. It will be held at the 250,000-square-foot TD Convention Center near the airport, in close proximity to the arena.
On Thursday, Fan Appreciation Day will be held at the TD Convention Center from 2-4 pm. ET. Fans can meet the competitors, check out their rigs, take photos and get autographs.
On Thursday, Fan Appreciation Day will be held at the TD Convention Center from 2-4 pm. ET. Fans can meet the competitors, check out their rigs, take photos and get autographs.
The Expo, which offers great deals from virtually every company in the bass fishing realm, opens Friday for Life and B.A.S.S. Nation and Dick’s Scorecard Members at 11 a.m. ET and at noon to the general public. Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday’s are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Expo, which offers great deals from virtually every company in the bass fishing realm, opens Friday for Life and B.A.S.S. Nation and Dick’s Scorecard Members at 11 a.m. ET and at noon to the general public. Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday’s are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It all starts back at Green Pond, where a terrific crowd came for the Day 1 launch in 2015. The anglers took off under sunny but frigid conditions from the new $3.1 million facility that was built for the Classic.
It all starts back at Green Pond, where a terrific crowd came for the Day 1 launch in 2015. The anglers took off under sunny but frigid conditions from the new $3.1 million facility that was built for the Classic.
Skeet Reese’s breath condenses into a mini cloud at the Day 1 launch in 2015, which at 9 degrees stands as the coldest ever for a Classic.
Skeet Reese’s breath condenses into a mini cloud at the Day 1 launch in 2015, which at 9 degrees stands as the coldest ever for a Classic.
The cameramen in the helicopter circled for quite some time in 2015, not knowing what was taking so long at the ramp to get all the boats in the water.
The cameramen in the helicopter circled for quite some time in 2015, not knowing what was taking so long at the ramp to get all the boats in the water.
The delay was caused as a number of boats, like Randall Tharp’s, were frozen to trailers and required extra efforts to launch.
The delay was caused as a number of boats, like Randall Tharp’s, were frozen to trailers and required extra efforts to launch.
Kevin VanDam is interviewed by Mike Bettis of the Weather Channel, which reported from Green Pond during the 2015 Classic. VanDam failed to qualify to compete in 2015, ending his 24-year streak. He was relegated to expert analyst for news media, as well as on the newest feature, Bassmaster LIVE.
Kevin VanDam is interviewed by Mike Bettis of the Weather Channel, which reported from Green Pond during the 2015 Classic. VanDam failed to qualify to compete in 2015, ending his 24-year streak. He was relegated to expert analyst for news media, as well as on the newest feature, Bassmaster LIVE.
On the water, Casey Ashley of nearby Donalds, S.C., was the prohibitive favorite, although he started in fifth place after Day 1 as two anglers weighed in bags of more than 20 pounds.
On the water, Casey Ashley of nearby Donalds, S.C., was the prohibitive favorite, although he started in fifth place after Day 1 as two anglers weighed in bags of more than 20 pounds.
Ashley did know the fishery better than everyone else, however, and he held fifth after two cold days. He said the conditions benefited him and not many disagreed.
Ashley did know the fishery better than everyone else, however, and he held fifth after two cold days. He said the conditions benefited him and not many disagreed.
Ashley brought in the biggest bag on Day 3, the only one topping 20 pounds, to total 50-1 and hold off Bobby Lane by more than 3 pounds.
Ashley brought in the biggest bag on Day 3, the only one topping 20 pounds, to total 50-1 and hold off Bobby Lane by more than 3 pounds.
The year before, Randy Howell won on his home lake of Guntersville, and Ashley continued the home fishery advantage -- receiving raucous ovations from the crowd and a confetti shower. The home-state angler streak continued in 2016 with Edwin Evers winning on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake.
The year before, Randy Howell won on his home lake of Guntersville, and Ashley continued the home fishery advantage — receiving raucous ovations from the crowd and a confetti shower. The home-state angler streak continued in 2016 with Edwin Evers winning on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake.
In the 2008 Classic on Hartwell, Charlie Hartley led after Day 1 in what he called the pinnacle of his fishing career. His best of times turned into a worse time as he fell to finish 15th.
In the 2008 Classic on Hartwell, Charlie Hartley led after Day 1 in what he called the pinnacle of his fishing career. His best of times turned into a worse time as he fell to finish 15th.
Alton Jones wasn’t scratching his head for long, as he figured out the deep fish and took the lead after he landed the second heaviest bag on Day 2.
Alton Jones wasn’t scratching his head for long, as he figured out the deep fish and took the lead after he landed the second heaviest bag on Day 2.
Kevin VanDam was in the thick of things after a 20-3 bag on Day 1. However, fishing got tougher and he didn’t top 12 pounds the next two days to fall to third.
Kevin VanDam was in the thick of things after a 20-3 bag on Day 1. However, fishing got tougher and he didn’t top 12 pounds the next two days to fall to third.
Alton Jones weighed one of the larger bags on Championship Sunday at 13-7, and his total of 49-6 topped Cliff Pace by 5 pounds.
Alton Jones weighed one of the larger bags on Championship Sunday at 13-7, and his total of 49-6 topped Cliff Pace by 5 pounds.
The Jones family takes its victory lap around the arena, a Classic tradition. Jones also received an invitation to visit the White House.
The Jones family takes its victory lap around the arena, a Classic tradition. Jones also received an invitation to visit the White House.
Back at Green Pond, there has been more work to improve the facility for large tournaments. The Classic is estimated to bring around $25 million of economic activity to the area, so the investment at Green Pond is expected to reap rewards.
Back at Green Pond, there has been more work to improve the facility for large tournaments. The Classic is estimated to bring around $25 million of economic activity to the area, so the investment at Green Pond is expected to reap rewards.
Recently, the original dock was moved to the other side of the ramp to make room for a new, 250-foot-long dock that has another 100 feet in the L. The $870,000 dock extension will accommodate all 52 competitors.
Recently, the original dock was moved to the other side of the ramp to make room for a new, 250-foot-long dock that has another 100 feet in the L. The $870,000 dock extension will accommodate all 52 competitors.
A frigid start to winter has given way to warming, and shallow water experts like Greg Hackney, bundled up in 2015, like how things are setting up. He wrote as much in his column, saying fans should see a shootout with the top 10 or so within just a few pounds. He also said he believes the winner will be one of the experienced pros who qualified.
A frigid start to winter has given way to warming, and shallow water experts like Greg Hackney, bundled up in 2015, like how things are setting up. He wrote as much in his column, saying fans should see a shootout with the top 10 or so within just a few pounds. He also said he believes the winner will be one of the experienced pros who qualified.
Competitors like Caleb Sumrall, who won the B.A.S.S. Nation championship on Hartwell, hope to prove Hackney wrong. It is a rather stout field, with 11 Classic champs who have 14 titles. There are 15 anglers in the field with more than 10 Classic appearances, and there are 19 Toyota Angler of the Year titles represented.
Competitors like Caleb Sumrall, who won the B.A.S.S. Nation championship on Hartwell, hope to prove Hackney wrong. It is a rather stout field, with 11 Classic champs who have 14 titles. There are 15 anglers in the field with more than 10 Classic appearances, and there are 19 Toyota Angler of the Year titles represented.
The anglers practiced over the weekend and have one final day to figure out Hartwell. Wednesday serves as a dress rehearsal, then Thursday is media day. The 48th Classic gets under way Friday. Stay with Bassmaster.com for all the coverage.
The anglers practiced over the weekend and have one final day to figure out Hartwell. Wednesday serves as a dress rehearsal, then Thursday is media day. The 48th Classic gets under way Friday. Stay with Bassmaster.com for all the coverage.
The Bassmaster LIVE TV, (from left) tournament emcee and roving reporter Dave Mercer, analyst Mark Zona, host Tommy Sanders and Classic and AOY champ turned analyst Davy Hite, will do their best to put you in the anglers’ boats. LIVE begins daily at 8 a.m. ET, and B.A.S.S. will offer Facebook Live each morning at 7:15 a.m. and at 11:15 a.m. as the Toyota Mid-day report during the 1-hour break.
The Bassmaster LIVE TV, (from left) tournament emcee and roving reporter Dave Mercer, analyst Mark Zona, host Tommy Sanders and Classic and AOY champ turned analyst Davy Hite, will do their best to put you in the anglers’ boats. LIVE begins daily at 8 a.m. ET, and B.A.S.S. will offer Facebook Live each morning at 7:15 a.m. and at 11:15 a.m. as the Toyota Mid-day report during the 1-hour break.

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