By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor


For the third time in the last 11 years, Lake Hartwell will play host to the Bassmaster Classic.

The difference this time around will be where the event falls on the calendar. In 2008, when Alton Jones won, it was in late February. In 2015, when native son and overwhelming favorite Casey Ashley captured the title, it was also in February, but the record cold temperatures anglers and fans endured that week - remember single-digit temperatures and how boats were frozen to their trailers on day 1 and the 90-minute delay the conditions caused? - prompted B.A.S.S. to rethink the whole February Classic endeavor.

This will be the third straight Classic in March and if the final day of the last two Classics, when Edwin Evers and Jordan Lee caught 29-03 and 27-04, respectively, to win, BassFans making the trip to Greenville/Anderson, S.C., could be in for a treat.

The long-range forecast for Anderson doesn't indicate any sort of freak winter blast for the week of the Classic, which means the fish should be in their typical early spring/pre-spawn phase. The 52-man field is loaded with talent, experience and plenty who know what winning a Classic feels like.

In all, there are 11 past Classic champs in the field and five who've won the Forrest Wood Cup (Luke Clausen has won them both). For 13 competitors, this will be their first taste of the Classic experience.

Starting today and continuing Friday and Monday, BassFan will take a closer look at this year's Classic field with snapshot profiles of each competitor (listed alphabetically) in an effort to get fans ready for what will transpire on the water at Hartwell on March 16-18.

Casey Ashley - Donalds, S.C.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 8
> Best Classic finish: 1st (Lake Hartwell - 2015)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 17th (2008 Classic), 1st (2014 FLW Tour), 1st (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 14
> Insight: He'll be considered by many the man to beat again by virtue of his triumph three years ago and his 2014 FLW Tour victory, which also occurred in February. It's hard to argue with that thinking seeing that he'll enter Classic week with a lot going in his favor, even though he thinks his local knowledge edge won't be as broad as it was in 2015. He had a dynamite 2017 season and kicked off '18 with a 15th-place showing at Lake Martin.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Josh Bertrand - San Tan Valley, Ariz.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 35th (Grand Lake - 2016)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: None
> Current world rank: 56
> Insight: Bertrand has operated under the radar for much of his Elite Series career, which is now in its sixth season. He's got four top-12 finishes to his credit and has made the Classic in two of the last three years, a testament to his consistency. This will be his first taste of Hartwell in a big event and he could very surprise some people if the conditions are to his liking.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Ryan Butler - Blue Eye, Mo.
> Qualified through: Bassmaster Team Championship
> Classics fished: None
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: None
> Current world rank: N/A
> Insight: Will be among the longshots at Hartwell, simply due to his lack of experience at the upper levels of competition outside of the Ozarks. He's embracing the underdog role, though, and trying to make an impact even if Hartwell doesn't treat him well. He's partnered with Catch A Dream, a non-profit charity that organizes hunting and fishing trips for children battling life-threatening illnesses. Who can't root for that?

Hank Cherry - Maiden, NC
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 3
> Best Classic finish: 3rd (Grand Lake - 2013)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: None
> Current world rank: 61
> Insight: A veteran of many tournaments on the spotted bass lakes of South and North Carolina. If the water's on the cooler side, his prowess with a jerkbait could keep him in the hunt. If not, he could blend in with the rest of the field. Had a middling year in 2017 with one top-12 and four cuts made. Opened the '18 season with a 57th at Lake Martin.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Jason Christie - Park Hill, Okla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 5
> Best Classic finish: 2nd (Grand Lake - 2016)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 1st (2011 FLW Tour), 25th (2012 FLW Tour), 31st (2014 FLW Tour), 24th (2015 Bassmaster Classic)
> Current world rank: 1
> Insight: Hartwell will always hold a place in Christie's heart as it was the scene of his first major win as a professional in 2011. He'd love nothing more than to make it the scene of his first Classic triumph. He's on top of his game - and the World Rankings - right now and if he's within a few pounds of the lead entering day 3, beware.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Luke Clausen - Spokane, Wash.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 3
> Best Classic finish: 1st (Lake Toho - 2006)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 47th (2011 FLW Tour), 36th (2012 FLW Tour), 68th (2014 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 30
> Insight: Clausen's return to the Classic will serve as an interesting storyline to watch. One of the best natural talents in the sport, a lot has changed since his win at Lake Toho 12 years ago. He's married and has a daughter now and has plenty of experience at Hartwell this time of year. After a solid season in his second year on the Elites in 2017, he kicked off this year with a top-5 at Lake Martin, so confidence will be in ample supply in a couple weeks.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.



FLW
Photo: FLW

John Cox has two top-5 finishes, including an FLW Tour win, at Lake Hartwell.

Keith Combs - Huntington, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 6
> Best Classic finish: 9th (Grand Lake - 2016)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 25th (2015 Bassmaster Classic)
> Current world rank: 9
> Insight: He'll enjoy not having to endure the spotlight that comes with being the Classic favorite this year. He's developed into one of the most consistent point-getters on the circuit, but spotted bass fisheries are not his forte'. He made the day-3 cut at the 2015 Classic at Hartwell, but if conditions indicate a warming trend and more fish are shallow this time, he could make some noise. He's looking to rebound from a 98th at Lake Martin a few weeks ago.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Dustin Connell - Clanton, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: None
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: None
> Current world rank: 39
> Insight: The reigning Elite Series Rookie of the Year got the season started with a top-12 finish at Lake Martin in his home state and is poised to make a splash in his first Classic. He's highly proficient on spotted bass fisheries, spends a ton of time on the water outside of competition and seems to have a knack for figuring out fisheries in short order. He's no stranger to high-pressure, high-stakes atmospheres, but the Classic is another animal. Managing his emotions will be an X-factor, for sure, but it's not inconceivable to think another former college angler could make some noise at this year's Classic.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Brandon Coulter - Knoxville, Tenn.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: None
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 28th (2011 FLW Tour), 33rd (2012 FLW Tour), 130th (2014 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 70
> Insight: The veteran pro finally cracked the code to get into the Classic with a steady season in 2017. He had mixed results at Hartwell during his FLW Tour days, but there's very little he hasn't seen in competition. His lack of high-end finishes over his career probably puts him in the longshot category, but the atmosphere around the event shouldn't faze him.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

John Cox - Debary, Fla.
> Qualified through: Lake Chickamauga Southern Open winner
> Classics fished: None
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 76th (2011 FLW Tour), 57th (2012 FLW Tour), 5th (2014 FLW Tour), 1st (2016 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 52
> Insight: Folks who only closely follow the Elite Series are in for a treat with Cox, the former Forrest Wood Cup champion and FLW Tour winner at Hartwell. He's adept at finding a shallow-water bite just about anywhere and making himself a contender where others thought it impossible. He'll face challenging logistics in that the Lake Lanier FLW Tour overlaps with the first three days of Classic practice. If he makes the weekend cut at Lanier, his time to prepare at Hartwell could be reduced to one or two days, but don't be surprised if come day 3 of the Classic, his seat-of-the-pants mindset has him in contention.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

John Crews - Salem, Va.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 10
> Best Classic finish: 16th (Lake Hartwell - 2008)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 16th (2008 Classic), 33rd (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 92
> Insight: The Classic has been a thorn in Crews' side his whole career. He's yet to crack the top 15, but this will be his third shot at Hartwell in the marquee event. Eventually, he's going to figure it out and the breaks will go his way. Had a so-so showing (65th) at Lake Martin in opener.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Mark Daniels, Jr. - Tuskegee, Ala.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: None
> Best Classic finish: N/A
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 57th (2014 FLW Tour), 30th (2016 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 43
> Insight: The former TBF national champion makes his Classic debut on a lake where he has some experience from his FLW Tour stint. Originally from California, the personable Daniels' pro career is off to a solid start - he was 3rd in rookie points in 2017 - and a strong showing at the Classic would increase his profile tenfold.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito

Brent Ehrler had last year's Classic in his grasp, but fell short on the final day.

Mark Davis - Mt. Ida, Ark.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 19
> Best Classic finish: 1st (High Rock Lake - 1995)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 20th (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 71
> Insight: Only Kevin VanDam has competed in more Classics than Davis among this year's field. He has the makeup to fish extremely slow should the conditions call for it and won't be fazed by the bright lights. Stumbled out of the blocks with a 105th at Lake Martin, so look for a strong bounce-back effort in the Palmetto State.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Ott DeFoe - Knoxville, Tenn.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 6
> Best Classic finish: 4th (Lake Guntersville - 2014)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 11th (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 5
> Insight: If not for a 99th-place finish at the St. Lawrence River last year, DeFoe would've collected a check in every event. He took 5th at Conroe and always seems to be a factor in the Classic. He's inventive (he used a float-and-fly at Hartwell in 2015) and figures to be among the favorites again this year.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Brent Ehrler - Redlands, Calif.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 3rd (Lake Conroe - 2017)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 2nd (2011 FLW Tour), 1st (2012 FLW Tour), 29th (2014 FLW Tour)
> Current world rank: 15
> Insight: Held the lead after the first two days at Conroe a year ago and caught the event's biggest fish, so it was a bitter pill to come up short in the wake of Jordan Lee's day-3 heroics. Ehrler is a dynamo with his electronics and if there are suspended fish that he's found, expect many of them to wind up in his livewell. His early spring track record at Hartwell is Ashley-esque, so he has to considered a favorite this year.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

James Elam - Tulsa, Okla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points & Grand Lake Central Open winner
> Classics fished: 2
> Best Classic finish: 4th (Lake Conroe - 2017)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: None
> Current world rank: 22
> Insight: One of the rising stars in the sport, Elam quietly finished 4th last year at Conroe. He had two bombs during the Northern swing late last summer, but rebounded with a runner-up showing at the AOY Championship to seal his Classic berth. Coming off a 17th-place finish at Martin, he could be a sleeper to keep a close eye on at Hartwell.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Edwin Evers - Talala, Okla.
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 16
> Best Classic finish: 1st (Grand Lake - 2016)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 11th (2008 Classic), 32nd (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 18
> Insight: Two years ago, Evers joined the exclusive club of Classic winners. Now, he wants to move into the multiple-winner category, which has just five members. He's a threat coast to coast and border to border and he's another one preparing for his third Classic at Hartwell. He'll definitely want to shake off the 61st-place showing at Lake Martin last month with a strong effort in South Carolina.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

Todd Faircloth - Jasper, Texas
> Qualified through: Elite Series points
> Classics fished: 15
> Best Classic finish: 3rd (Lay Lake - 2010)
> Tour-level finishes at Hartwell: 25th (2008 Classic), 23rd (2015 Classic)
> Current world rank: 36
> Insight: Steady as they come, Faircloth is waaaaaay overdue for a Classic title. He owns five Elite Series trophies, is a perennial AOY contender and has a collection of six top-10 finishes in the Classic. Getting close is getting old for one of the most consistent performers of this era. He gets his third swing at Hartwell. Sooner or later, he's going to deliver on the big stage.
> View his BassFan Angler Profile here.

End Part 1