By BassFan Staff
Back in 2008, when Alton Jones dragged a Booyah jig along the inside edges of flooded timber in creek channels at Lake Hartwell, BassFan was there.
Seven years later, as record cold gripped the area around Anderson, S.C., and the start of day 1 was delayed two hours, in part due to boats being frozen to trailers, local favorite Casey Ashley used an underspin jig head his dad poured for him to capture a Classic win his back yard. BassFan was there, too.
This year, when the bass fishing universe descends again on the Greenville/Anderson area, BassFan will be there to chronicle one of the sport's premier events.
If you're looking to catch up on how the two previous Classics at Hartwell played out, we've got you covered. Below is a collection of links to BassFan's Classic coverage from 2008 and 2015, from previews and scouting reports right through to how the winners and top finishers caught their fish. Enjoy.
2015 Classic
> FLW anglers break down Hartwell
> Former Hartwell winner's assessment
> Practice recap - It's darn cold!
> Photo gallery - Final practice day
> Bundle Up! It's going to be chilly
> Day 1 - Rojas, Reese surge to front
> Day 2 - Omori leads, but many in hunt entering day 3
> Day 3 - Ashley sacks 20 pounds for home lake triumph
> Winning Pattern: Conditions Played Into Ashley's Hands
> Patterns: Dropshots, Jigs, Underspins Were Prominent
> VanDam stayed busy on sidelines at Classic
> Ashley taking Classic win in stride
Alton Jones lands a fish during the 2008 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell.
2008 Classic
> Practice report (part 1): Lethargic fish make the hunt difficult
> Practice report (part 2): Quality not a problem, but quantity is for most
> Q&A: Some confident, others cautious as day 1 looms
> Day 1 - Hartley Seizes Early Lead
> Day 2 - Jones Takes Lead With 18-Pound Average
> Day 3 - Jones Rides Rock-Solid Pattern To 5-Pound Win
> Winning Pattern: Jones Figured Out Ditch-Bottom Fish
> Classic Champ Jones Gets Invite To White House
> Patterns: Jigs, Cranks, Dropshot Worked For Other Top Finishers
