Summerville professional fisherman Patrick Walters said that Bassmaster Elite anglers, especially those from South Carolina, were excited by the news on March 30 that the Bassmaster Classic is returning to Palmetto State and Lake Hartwell.
The 2022 event will be the fourth time the Bassmaster Classic has arrived at Lake Hartwell, a 56,000-acre reservoir that is situated along the border between South Carolina and Georgia. No other body of water has hosted the Classic so many times. The tournament will be held March 4-6 at the Green Pond Landing & Event Center in Anderson, with daily weigh-in at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be held at the Greenville Convention Center.
Texas professional Alton Jones Senior won the first Classic caught in Hartwell in 2008. South Carolina professional Casey Ashley of Donalds won in 2015. Jordan Lee, from Alabama, won in 2018, his second consecutive Classic victory, which is considered the Super Bowl of bass fishing.
In 2018, a record crowd of 143,323 fans attended all events related to the classic. That event won the Innovation Award in Sports Destination Management in Sports Tourism for its ability to have two destinations working together for such a huge economic impact.
“We are all very excited about this. It feels good to be close. You can really go up and practice a little. When the Classic is in Texas, it is difficult to find time for that. Being close, you can stay in tune with the fish one little more, “said Walters, a third-year Elite professional who will be fishing for his second classic in June at Lake Ray Roberts, near Fort Worth, Texas. This year’s event was originally scheduled to be fished in March, but delayed in the hope that the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided enough that bass fishing fans can attend the event.
Walters said he did not spend much time at Lake Hartwell in March, which must be in a pre-spawning stage for the largemouth and low-spotted population. He won a Bassmaster Open title there last September.
“I spent a lot of time up there. I feel that if you spend time in a body of water in general, you know the lake and how it forms. The time of year doesn’t matter much. It’s nice to be in a body of water. familiar water, especially with the way the Classic is set up, “he said.
“You have three days of practice, then two days off, one day of practice and then another day off and the tournament.”
But there is a lot of work to be done before even thinking about the 2022 Classic. Walters is coming out of a big 2020 in which he not only won the tournament at Hartwell, but also scored a record victory at the Texas Fest tournament on Lake Fork, with a four-day catch of 104 pounds and 12 ounces.
He got off to a good start this year, finishing fourth, 23rd and 12th in the Elite Series and currently leads the Angler of the Year race. He also took third place at an Open event.
Walters is on the road to an Elite event on the Sabine River in Texas, an Open tournament in Douglas Lake in Tennessee, an Elite event in Lake Fork in Texas and then back to Pickwick Lake for an Open tournament.
“This is consecutive. I will not miss a day. It will be very busy,” he said. “Keep the ball rolling. The timing has been good. Just fishing. Every tournament this year has been different. We had a strange weather. We had fog delays and crazy water level conditions where the water level went up almost two meters, then canceled the tournament for two days. The first day was like a training session. “
The 2022 Classic will feature 55 Elite Series qualifiers, Open, the BASSNation circuit, Bassmaster College Series and Bassmaster Team Championship. Current champion Bassmaster Classic and winner of the Elite Series final event of the 2021 season will also qualify. They will compete in the event with no entry fee for their share of a $ 1 million grant, with the champion winning $ 300,000.
America’s Boating Club
America’s Boating Club Charleston will conduct boat safety classes on May 10, 24 and 15 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. Classes start at 9am and end around 4pm. Successful participants receive the Educational Card from the Department of Natural Resources of SC. The cost is $ 25 for adults and youth ages 12 to 18 are free. Call 843-312-2876 or send an email to [email protected].
Brady Bates Redfish Open
The Brady Bates Youth Redfish Open Scholarship Tournament is scheduled for April 10 at Buck Hall Landing. The tournament is part of the Student Angler League Tournament Track. Last year’s tournament saw $ 15,000 in scholarships awarded. The tournament is free for all members of the SALTT (Student Angler League Tournament Trail). Visit salttfishing.com for information or send an email to [email protected].
Charleston Sheepshead Tournament
The Charleston Inshore Anglers’ 28th annual “Big Ed” Sheepshead tournament will be fished on April 17th. The captain’s meeting and registration will take place on April 15 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the American Legion Post 147 located on Folly Road. The weigh-in for the tournament will also be held at the American Legion Post 147 from 4pm to 5pm. The entry fee to the tournament is $ 40.
Contact Kevin Mischke at 843-324-1006; Robbie Zetrouer at 843-709-0650; Nick Kvestad at 843-557-2811; or Gene Broderick at 843-224-6826