“Happy Birthday America…Milestones…and a Few Good Men”
“Happy Birthday America!” As we write this most recent episode of, “Take the Fifth,” a blog series highlighting the return of the Bassmaster Classic to Lake Hartwell for a record fifth time, we do it on a week where we are preparing for the July 4th holiday weekend in which we will celebrate the 250th birthday of our great nation.
Tournament anglers will likely trade in the rod & reel this weekend for their favorite grilling tools and cold beverages, surrendering the lakes and waterways to the pleasure boaters and white-knuckle drivers destined to congest every boat ramp East of the Mississippi. We urge you to celebrate responsibly, wear your life jackets, and drive with patience and caution, both on and off the water.
Milestones
The 250th Birthday of the United States of America isn’t the only milestone taking place between now and March. Green Pond Landing and Event Center will celebrate its 12th birthday in December. The host facility of the 2015, 2018, and 2022 Bassmaster Classics has generated an estimated economic impact to the upstate of South Carolina that exceeds $110 million since hosting the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, which celebrates the distinction of hosting the ‘Coldest Classic’ in history. Visit Anderson, the Destination Marketing Organization for Anderson County and the City of Anderson will celebrate our 22nd birthday in early December.
With the completion of the most recent Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the summer break is on for the Elite Series Pro’s. With only two events remaining in August, the picture of who will be fishing the Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell in March 2027 is beginning to offer some clarity. Now, a lot can happen in two events, especially given the Champion of the St. Lawrence River, the final event of the season, receives an automatic qualification to the Classic.
The cut-off line for the Classic typically falls in the low 40’s in points. The Top 40 in points are in the Classic; however, with the Opens winners and double qualifiers, we typically see that number creep into the low 40’s for a Classic qualification.
‘A Few Good Men’
The last two editions of the Bassmaster Classic have been won by college anglers. Dylan Nutt (2026) will be on hand to pursue another Classic Title, and Easton Fothergill (2025), currently sitting in 27th in points, is all but assured an opportunity to pursue another Classic Trophy at Lake Hartwell, a fishery he calls his, “Favorite Lake in the country.”
As of this writing, there are five former Bassmaster Classic Champions outside the Classic Cut. Cliff Pace (42), Mike Iaconelli (46), and Justin Hamner (49) can still work their way in with solid events to close the year; however, guys like Hank Cherry (60) and Randy Howell (79) have a long row to hoe if they want to launch at Green Pond in March.
Speaking of Mike Iaconelli, the former Angler of the Year, Classic Champion, and B.A.S.S. Nation Champion is retiring at the conclusion of the season, but I can’t help but think how awesome it would be to have Ike fish his final Classic at Lake Hartwell.
Jordan Lee (2018) and Jason Christie (2022) have won Classics at Lake Hartwell. Jo-Lee (16th) and Jason Christie (11th) in AOY points have all but secured their opportunities to pursue another Hartwell Classic for their mantles.
There are two former Bassmaster Elite Series Champions, Brandon Cobb (2019) and Paul Marks (2025) looking to return to Lake Hartwell to compete in the Classic. Cobb (6th) and Marks (13th) are well on their way to a March derby on a lake they both have a great deal of experience.
There are two former B.A.S.S. Nation Champions, Caleb Sumrall (2017) and Will Davis, Jr. (2023), working to have an opportunity to relive some Hartwell magic. Sumrall (77th) and Davis (63rd) have a difficult climb with only two events left.
Fisher Anaya, the 2025 Bassmaster Team Champion, a title he claimed on Lake Hartwell last December, currently sits 12th in AOY points and is chasing Caleb Hudson for the Elite Series Rookie of the Year. Caleb Hudson hasn’t won a major championship at Lake Hartwell but has plenty of Hartwell experience going back to middle and high school.
Patrick Walters (2020) and Tristan McCormick (2022) have won Bassmaster Opens at Lake Hartwell. Walters (18th) will be fishing the Hartwell Classic in March, and McCormick (50th) has some more work to do to return to the lake he fished his first Classic (2022) as the Bassmaster College Champion.
There are three very special anglers to me, not only because I consider them a friend, but because they represent the only three anglers to fish the previous four Bassmaster Classics at Lake Hartwell. They are John Crews, Gerald Swindle, and Greg Hackney. As of this writing, Hackney (69th), Crews (83rd), and Swindle (87th) have the most difficult of roads ahead of them to fish the next Hartwell Classic.
Win that last event on the St. Lawrence River and you’re in.
Happy Birthday America! Lots of milestones left unsettled. We’re still looking for a few good men.