B.A.S.S. Nation state team qualifiers will gather at Lake Hartwell in Anderson County April 28-30 as Visit Anderson hosts one of five regional events where anglers will be competing for cash prizes and a spot in the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to host the B.A.S.S. Nation Southeast Regional Championship at Lake Hartwell, Green Pond Landing and Anderson County,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson. “Our local leadership has invested significantly in our lake and facilities and our community has seen, firsthand, the significant economic impact that comes with hosting B.A.S.S. events of all levels in Anderson County. We look forward to hosting the anglers, families and spectators in our community as well as the staff from B.A.S.S. for what will be another first-class event.”
Daily takeoffs for the 2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Southeast Regional Championship will be at 6:30 a.m. from Green Pond Landing & Event Center. Weigh-ins will be held each day at Green Pond Landing at 2:30 p.m.
Coverage of the event will be available at Bassmaster.com.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro and South Carolina native Jason Williamson says participants should expect fish in a couple of different places on Lake Hartwell during April.
“Normally towards the end of April, you’ll have a few spawners that get around the bank,” he said. “You’ll have some postspawners that are going to sit under docks. You’ll also have some fish that are going to start chasing blueback herring on hard-bottom points. There will be three things going on there.”
Wacky rigs will be a key to catching spawning fish and postspawn fish around the numerous docks on Lake Hartwell, as well as a shaky head and a jig, according to Williamson. While they are up around the docks, the bass will feed on bluegill.
For the blueback herring eaters, walking topwater baits and flukes have historically been productive lures, as well as a Carolina rig and a drop shot.
“In April, your flatter points that are in pockets and creeks will start to see some blueback spawning activity and schooling activity,” Williamson said. “Those will be the red-clay points and hard-bottom points.”
Located on the border of Georgia and South Carolina, Lake Hartwell has been the site of several historic Bassmaster events, including three Bassmaster Classics. It recently was named the host fishery for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
Lake Hartwell is made up of two rivers, the Seneca and the Tugaloo, which meet seven miles above Hartwell dam. The lake offers both quality largemouth and spotted bass fishing, and for most of the year, the bass chase blueback herring.
