By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor


So what will make a competitor a contender this week at Lake Hartwell?

It depends on what you deem to be the most important characteristics needed for a tournament being held in – let’s be honest – the dead of winter. It’s safe to assume that as much as the 56 men competing this week enjoy the sport of fishing, few, if any, would opt to be out on the water if there wasn’t $300,000 and a career-defining achievement on the line.

Here are some traits to ponder for this week’s Bassmaster Classic when considering who the so-called favorites are:

> Previous experience or success at the massive reservoir along the Georgia-South Carolina border is a plus, but not a necessity. By now, everyone in the field has at least 4 days on the water and has at least some semblance of a game plan in mind. The past is, well, just that.

> Having a keen understanding of deep, clear-water fisheries and how bait and fish move (or don’t) and react under near- or sub-freezing conditions. The sense is these bass are still locked in their winter mode, but they’re a bit scattered from nothing banks with not even a twig out to 50-plus feet. It sounds like being the right place at the right time will be a theme this Classic.

> Possessing the patience to fish slowly and the confidence that a methodical approach could yield five quality bites. The 45-degree water will require a deliberate approach and maintaining the “focus on five” will be a must.

> Displaying the mental toughness to block out the cold (and rain later in the event) along with all the attention and pressure associated with the Classic. Now that all the pre-tournament functions and face time with media are done, the anglers can start shifting into game prep mode. Everybody has to deal with the same set of conditions and last we checked, there’s still going to be a winner come Sunday evening.

Hartwell is shaping up to be a different, colder animal than it was back when the Classic was here in 2008 when Alton Jones won slowly working a jig around some wood in ditches. That tactic could prove productive again this week as will moving baits.

With all that in mind and more, here's a look at BassFan's recommendation on the Top 10 to watch at this event.

1. Casey Ashley: Even if he hadn’t had won the FLW Tour event here early last March, he’d probably still be the prohibitive favorite this week. He knows this lake incredibly well and should have a decided advantage in this cold weather in terms of having the confidence to switch gears when he senses a change.



BassFan
Photo: BassFan

Aaron Martens is always in the conversation as a Classic contender, regardless of season or setting.

2. Jacob Powroznik: Last year’s Elite Series Rookie of the Year has proven he can flat-out catch bass – all species – on all kinds of lakes. Remember, he won the Toledo Bend Elite Series last year sight-fishing largemouths, then went to Lake Michigan and topped the field at the Angler of the Year Championship in a smallmouth derby. He stocked up on cold-weather gear earlier this week so he seems ready to take on whatever Mother Nature throws at him. Fishing wise, his versatility and knack for just being around good fish will serve him well this week.

3. Brett Hite: He’s got momentum on his side coming off a dynamite 2014 campaign that saw him collect two tour wins. He has a firm understanding of Hartwell’s bass and their late winter/early spring tendencies, a product of having fished three FLW Tour events here in the past. Some peg him as a grass fishing maven, and rightly so, but he’s also quite capable on deep, clear lakes, especially where spotted bass are part of the mix.

4. Aaron Martens: His boat wrap and jersey have a much different (and brighter) look to them now, but his skills and ability to break down water haven’t wavered one bit. His versatility to be able to pick off deep fish, then go clean up shallow will be pivotal this week. He’s won two AOY titles now and has multiple Elite Series trophies on his mantel. The Classic remains the missing piece to the puzzle for the four-time Classic runner-up.

5. Mike McClelland: Cold, clear water. Check. Fish in their winter and pre-spawn patterns. Check. Sounds like a jerkbait scenario, which will always bring McClelland into the picture. If there’s a jig bite going, too, count him in as well. The winner at Table Rock Lake last year should be unfazed by the conditions on day 1, when a good start is going to be imperative.

6. Andy Montgomery: He came off the water Wednesday sounding confident in his assessment that the fish are still locked in their winter pattern. It’s hard to argue with him. The Clemson grad has spent a good bit of time over the years on Hartwell and Lake Keowee, Hartwell’s northern neighbor. Like Ashley, he’ll have a leg up in terms of local knowledge and knowing when to zig and zag.

BassFan
Photo: BassFan

After qualifying for the Classic based on points, Brandon Palaniuk could be poised to take a quantum leap forward in his career this week.

7. Todd Faircloth: He’s batting pink eye and a head cold, but his health issues will only make for a better storyline when the even-tempered Texan finds his way into contention this week. With five straight top-10 finishes at the Classic, it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that he’ll be in the mix come Sunday. He’s not used to this cold, but he always seems to find a way to put good fish in the boat.

8. Jason Christie: Don’t expect to see the world’s top-ranked bass angler dropping a jigging spoon over the side of his boat this week. He’s banking on a shallow-water pattern and if he’s able to get into a comfort zone, look out. After fishing his first Classic just two years ago at Grand Lake, he seems poised to cement his place among the giants in the sport with a win here this week.

9. Brandon Palaniuk: One of the sport’s young guns is unfazed by the big stage (and the cold) and actually seems to thrive on it. He seems to have a few things working this week, but time will tell how Thursday night’s deep freeze will impact his key areas.

10. Ott DeFoe: He’s turned into a consistent performer at the Classic and is never one to shy away from trying something a little different. He says he’s narrowed down his bait choices to a handful of options, which could mean he’s starting to get dialed in.