Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Day One Begins on Hartwell
ANDERSON, South Carolina – After a practice of changing conditions and warming weather, anglers launch on day one with mostly cloudy skies with highs expected to reach the mid 70’s. With fish reportedly on the move daily, anglers will have to fish the conditions and hope to land on the magic spot. Winds today are expected to be South at 5 to 10 MPH.
Similar to Cumberland, anglers will have the ability to targeting spotted bass and largemouth bass this week with fish being caught at three different phases of the spawn. Anglers know it’s probably going to take some sort of mixed bag of fish (spotted and largemouth bass) and it’s to be determined if sight fishing can win the whole thing. Consistency will be key and catching solid limits daily will put you in contention for the final day of competition on Saturday.
What is it going to take?
Taylor Watkins
“I don’t know, my practice has been horrible and I am guessing 33 pounds will get a check and maybe 48 pounds to win. Someone will catch a big bag but I don’t know if they can back it up. Things are changing thought and it very well could get really good.”
Buck Mallory
“I am guessing around 36 pounds for a check and I’d say 56 to take the win this week – that’s my best guess.”
Adam Savage
“I would say the person that wins this event is going to have to fish open minded and be able to adapt to change. These fish are in all three stages, and weight wise, I do think someone is going to crack 20 plus pounds but I don’t see it three days in a row. I think 16 to 17 pounds average will win. To get a check, probably 11 to 12 pounds a day.”
David Gaston
“I’d say probably 16.5 pounds to win and 10.5 pounds to get a check per day average.”
Brandon Perkins
“I’d say 36 pounds for a check and 55 pounds for the win.”
How to Watch
Tune in daily April 21th through the 23th to thenationalprofessionalfishingleague.com to follow along daily.
Follow along with the unofficial Weigh Live Tracker, LIVE Blogs, and daily on the water photo galleries of the anglers on Lake Hartwell. LIVE Coverage is available on Friday and Saturday.
Under the Go Live Tab, choose the Weigh Live Tracker to see estimated weights entered by the anglers throughout each day of competition. Watch the Live Weigh In from Lake Hartwell all three days!
