A look at Hartwell Classic

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It’s back to the Upcountry of South Carolina for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The championship, March 4-6, is visiting Lake Hartwell for the fourth time in its 52 years.
It’s back to the Upcountry of South Carolina for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The championship, March 4-6, is visiting Lake Hartwell for the fourth time in its 52 years.
The field of 55 anglers, qualifying through B.A.S.S. competition, are vying for the most coveted trophy in professional fishing and a share of the $1 million total purse, $300,000 of which goes to the winner in the three-day competition.
The field of 55 anglers, qualifying through B.A.S.S. competition, are vying for the most coveted trophy in professional fishing and a share of the $1 million total purse, $300,000 of which goes to the winner in the three-day competition.
Lake Hartwell, shown in this NASA satellite image with north to the right, is a 56,000-acre reservoir bordering Georgia and South Carolina. Hartwell extends 49 miles up the Tugaloo River and 45 miles up the Seneca River. It has 962 miles of shoreline, plunges to 185 feet deep with an average depth of 45 feet.
Lake Hartwell, shown in this NASA satellite image with north to the right, is a 56,000-acre reservoir bordering Georgia and South Carolina. Hartwell extends 49 miles up the Tugaloo River and 45 miles up the Seneca River. It has 962 miles of shoreline, plunges to 185 feet deep with an average depth of 45 feet.
One of the region’s largest and most popular recreational lakes, Hartwell has been the site of seven Bassmaster pro events, including Classics in 2008, 2013 and 2015.
One of the region’s largest and most popular recreational lakes, Hartwell has been the site of seven Bassmaster pro events, including Classics in 2008, 2013 and 2015.
Green Pond Landing and Event Center is site of the daily launches at 7 a.m. ET. The facility, at 470 Green Pond Road in Anderson, was built for hosting major events like the Classic.
Green Pond Landing and Event Center is site of the daily launches at 7 a.m. ET. The facility, at 470 Green Pond Road in Anderson, was built for hosting major events like the Classic.
Around 2012, the 30-acre grounds of Green Pond were undeveloped. After the 2008 Classic, community entities had foresight to put millions into developing the facility, adding a number of amenities in phases.
Around 2012, the 30-acre grounds of Green Pond were undeveloped. After the 2008 Classic, community entities had foresight to put millions into developing the facility, adding a number of amenities in phases.
Several stages of improvements had made Green Pond the jewel of the lake. There are now three ramps, 5,000 square feet of dock, a new amphitheater for around 1,300 spectators, a $600,000 restroom facility and paved parking for 100 cars and 200 trucks and trailers.
Several stages of improvements had made Green Pond the jewel of the lake. There are now three ramps, 5,000 square feet of dock, a new amphitheater for around 1,300 spectators, a $600,000 restroom facility and paved parking for 100 cars and 200 trucks and trailers.
The morning activities at Green Pond are a site to behold, with anglers launching their boats and Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer announcing each angler as they blast off in a pre-determined order.
The morning activities at Green Pond are a site to behold, with anglers launching their boats and Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer announcing each angler as they blast off in a pre-determined order.
Fans are admitted free of charge to attend launches as well as all B.A.S.S. venues. From Hartwell and Green Pond, the action moves 43 miles to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville for the weigh-ins.
Fans are admitted free of charge to attend launches as well as all B.A.S.S. venues. From Hartwell and Green Pond, the action moves 43 miles to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville for the weigh-ins.
Doors to the 15,000-seat arena, located at 650 N. Academy Street, open at 3 p.m. for credentialed B.A.S.S. Life and B.A.S.S. Nation members and 3:15 p.m. for the general public. Weigh-ins are expected to begin around 4:40 p.m.
Doors to the 15,000-seat arena, located at 650 N. Academy Street, open at 3 p.m. for credentialed B.A.S.S. Life and B.A.S.S. Nation members and 3:15 p.m. for the general public. Weigh-ins are expected to begin around 4:40 p.m.
The Classic attendance record was set in 2018 when 143,323 fans visited the venues in Anderson and Greenville, which earned a Sports Destination Management Innovation in Sports Tourism award for its ability to have two destinations work together to create a multimillion dollar impact to both.
The Classic attendance record was set in 2018 when 143,323 fans visited the venues in Anderson and Greenville, which earned a Sports Destination Management Innovation in Sports Tourism award for its ability to have two destinations work together to create a multimillion dollar impact to both.
A huge part of the fan experience is the Bassmaster Classic Expo presented by Marathon, which is at the Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. All the major players involved in bass fishing will have exhibition booths, selling a variety of merchandise and celebrating the sport.
A huge part of the fan experience is the Bassmaster Classic Expo presented by Marathon, which is at the Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. All the major players involved in bass fishing will have exhibition booths, selling a variety of merchandise and celebrating the sport.
While the anglers are on the water, fans can shop and take in the sights from the likes of Toyota and other major sponsors. The Expo opens on Friday with a preview for Media/B.A.S.S. Life & Nation Members from 11 a.m. to noon. The general public is invited from noon to 7 p.m.
While the anglers are on the water, fans can shop and take in the sights from the likes of Toyota and other major sponsors. The Expo opens on Friday with a preview for Media/B.A.S.S. Life & Nation Members from 11 a.m. to noon. The general public is invited from noon to 7 p.m.
Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 to 4, the Expo is also a great place to see bass fishing legends. Visitors might be fortunate enough to engage with icons like Jimmy Houston, who’s always up to share a few good stories.
Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 to 4, the Expo is also a great place to see bass fishing legends. Visitors might be fortunate enough to engage with icons like Jimmy Houston, who’s always up to share a few good stories.
Getting up close and personal with stars in the sport also allows a great chance to grab an autograph. Deals on tackle are also a big draw to the Expo.
Getting up close and personal with stars in the sport also allows a great chance to grab an autograph. Deals on tackle are also a big draw to the Expo.
Expo visitors won’t have to miss out on the fishing as Bassmaster LIVE will keep fans up on all the action on Hartwell. The crew, including Tommy Sanders, Davy Hite and Mark Zona, will broadcast from the Expo floor, with monitors set up for fans. LIVE is in its eight year, with the first broadcast at Hartwell in 2015. The shows are on Bassmaster.com as well as FOX Sports and its digital platforms.
Expo visitors won’t have to miss out on the fishing as Bassmaster LIVE will keep fans up on all the action on Hartwell. The crew, including Tommy Sanders, Davy Hite and Mark Zona, will broadcast from the Expo floor, with monitors set up for fans. LIVE is in its eight year, with the first broadcast at Hartwell in 2015. The shows are on Bassmaster.com as well as FOX Sports and its digital platforms.
Hank Cherry will be going for an unprecedented three-peat after winning the past two Classics at Ray Roberts Lake and Guntersville. In previous Classics on Hartwell, Alton Jones Sr. found a deep pattern to win in 2008, Casey Ashley won on his home lake in 2015 with a record low 9 degrees, and Alabama pro Jordan Lee became only the then-third angler to win back-to-back titles in 2018.
Hank Cherry will be going for an unprecedented three-peat after winning the past two Classics at Ray Roberts Lake and Guntersville. In previous Classics on Hartwell, Alton Jones Sr. found a deep pattern to win in 2008, Casey Ashley won on his home lake in 2015 with a record low 9 degrees, and Alabama pro Jordan Lee became only the then-third angler to win back-to-back titles in 2018.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., won an Open on Hartwell in 2020, and Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., won the 2019 Elite there in wire-to-wire fashion. Cobb grew up less than an hour from Hartwell and fished collegiately at Clemson University on the upper end of the lake.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., won an Open on Hartwell in 2020, and Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., won the 2019 Elite there in wire-to-wire fashion. Cobb grew up less than an hour from Hartwell and fished collegiately at Clemson University on the upper end of the lake.
The anglers experienced cold, rainy conditions through much of practice, but conditions will warm and stabilize for competition days Friday through Sunday. The water levels are up from when the lake went off limits, and Cobb offers the following assessment.
The anglers experienced cold, rainy conditions through much of practice, but conditions will warm and stabilize for competition days Friday through Sunday. The water levels are up from when the lake went off limits, and Cobb offers the following assessment.
“I really think one of the main things that’s going to determine this Classic is how hot and cold it gets leading up to the first day of the tournament,” Cobb said. “I think warmer conditions make some fish easier to catch, but honestly, I think it would take more weight to win if it were extremely cold. Warmer weather scatters them, but cold weather concentrates them.”
“I really think one of the main things that’s going to determine this Classic is how hot and cold it gets leading up to the first day of the tournament,” Cobb said. “I think warmer conditions make some fish easier to catch, but honestly, I think it would take more weight to win if it were extremely cold. Warmer weather scatters them, but cold weather concentrates them.”
Hartwell features an array of habitat and a good population of both largemouth and spotted bass that are likely to be in the prespawn phase. Offshore habitat includes humps, rocks, islands, points, channel swings and standing timber, while the shallow to mid-depth range has a mix of docks, bushes, laydowns and brushpiles.
Hartwell features an array of habitat and a good population of both largemouth and spotted bass that are likely to be in the prespawn phase. Offshore habitat includes humps, rocks, islands, points, channel swings and standing timber, while the shallow to mid-depth range has a mix of docks, bushes, laydowns and brushpiles.
“I think you’ll see groups of people fishing certain areas just because of past history, and they tend to be the most productive parts of the lake,” Cobb said. “Over my years of fishing Hartwell, I really think you could probably win the tournament in any 5 miles of the lake. In my opinion, I think it would be hard to win with straight spots; I think you’d need a heavy largemouth or a mixed bag. It’s only been in the last three to four years that the spots have been anything that you would even worry about in a tournament. That’s what has changed — the spots have gotten a lot bigger.”
“I think you’ll see groups of people fishing certain areas just because of past history, and they tend to be the most productive parts of the lake,” Cobb said. “Over my years of fishing Hartwell, I really think you could probably win the tournament in any 5 miles of the lake. In my opinion, I think it would be hard to win with straight spots; I think you’d need a heavy largemouth or a mixed bag. It’s only been in the last three to four years that the spots have been anything that you would even worry about in a tournament. That’s what has changed — the spots have gotten a lot bigger.”
“I think you’ll see some 20-pound bags, but I would be greatly surprised too if it took 60 pounds to win,” Cobb said. “I think it will be more in that 17- to 18-pounds-a-day range (to win). I would say 14 to 15 a day to make the Top 10.”
“I think you’ll see some 20-pound bags, but I would be greatly surprised too if it took 60 pounds to win,” Cobb said. “I think it will be more in that 17- to 18-pounds-a-day range (to win). I would say 14 to 15 a day to make the Top 10.”
The field features 55 qualifiers who earned berths through the Elite Series, the St. Croix Opens, the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation circuit, the Strike King Bassmaster College Series and the Bassmaster Team Championship, plus the defending Classic champion and winner of the final Elite Series event of the 2021 season. There have been 40 Classic champions in the 52 years, and all but Cherry will be trying to become the 41st.
The field features 55 qualifiers who earned berths through the Elite Series, the St. Croix Opens, the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation circuit, the Strike King Bassmaster College Series and the Bassmaster Team Championship, plus the defending Classic champion and winner of the final Elite Series event of the 2021 season. There have been 40 Classic champions in the 52 years, and all but Cherry will be trying to become the 41st.