Lake Hartwell, South Carolina may not seem to have anything in common with the west coast, but it sure does. It has deep and clear water with spotted bass and it set up nicely for the eight western anglers who qualified for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic.
The western states were well represented. In the field were anglers from California, Arizona, Idaho, Washington as well as two Cali-to-Alabama anglers that the west coast will always count as their own. Here is how each of them did at the event.
Brent Ehrler
2nd, 46lb - 1oz
Once again, Brent Ehrler (Redlands, Calif.) was right in it at the Classic. It is only a matter of time before he wins one. He has a strong history on Lake Hartwell from his FLW Tour days. During those events, he both won and placed 2nd here. Because of this, he was one of the favorites to win the event and he came very close. He was exactly one pound behind Jordan Lee and said that he did all of his damage with a Gary Yamamoto Senko rigged on a Neko rig.
Aaron Martens
9th, 42lb - 9oz
Before the event, Aaron Martens (formerly Southern Calif.) said that Hartwell fishes much like Lake Mead. It is a vast lake that sets up for pattern fishing and also allows anglers to fish their strengths and still have a chance to win. He was confident going into the tournament and finished in the Top 10.
He did occur a two-pound penalty the first day for casting with six fish in the livewell. Martens broke off a fish and then caught the line and hand lined the fish in. In that excitement, he forgot to cull. He did most of his damage with a football head and shaky head.
Normally a spotted bass guru, he admitted on stage that he could not figure them out this week. One thing he mentioned was that he has been using light braid and a fluorocarbon leader on baitcast gear to get better distance from his casts and a different way to present his lures.
Clifford Pirch
13th, 41lb - 5oz
If the lake sets up like Lake Mead like Aaron Martens says, it is no surprise that Clifford Pirch (Payson, Ariz.) would be in the hunt. He was and was very consistent during this tournament with three similar bags that all weighed between 12 and 15-pounds.
Mark Daniels Jr.
15th, 40lb - 10oz
Mark Daniels, Jr. (formerly Richmond, Calif.) was fishing his very first Classic and was able to catch the biggest bass of the whole tournament on the first day. It was a 6 pound, 11-ounce fish that carried him to a Top 15 finish for the event. He was using a finesse approach and caught most of his fish on a wacky-rig.
Brandon Palaniuk
22nd, 35lb - 4oz
Brandon Palaniuk (Hayen, Idaho) has had some very high finishes in Classics and coming off of his Angler of the Year title he was one to watch. This year he went for it and came up short. He weighed 13lbs even both of the first two days and knew that on the final day he would need a monster bag to have a chance and it didn’t materialize. He weighed in 9-pounds and change and finished in 22nd.
Josh Bertrand
28th, 23lb - 14oz
Josh Bertrand (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) loves to fish offshore and clear water and this lake really fits his style. Leading up to the event he noted how well western anglers do here and that he thought he had a good shot to compete. He had a decent start to the event with over 13-pounds and then was only able to follow it up with a little over 10-pounds and he fell short of the cut line.
Luke Clausen
32nd, 23lb - 9oz
This was Luke Clausen’s (Spokane, Wash.) first trip to the Classic since he won in 2006 and his hopes were high going into the event. Before it started he was cautiously optimistic after having a good practice. This event is unlike others are most of the practice is held days before the event. During the spring, things change quickly and what is found in practice can easily go away and that is what happened to the fish he found in deep water.
Skeet Reese
52nd, 11lb - 5oz
Skeet Reese (Aurbun, Calif.) did indeed blank the first day at the Bassmaster Classic. Around the Classic expo, many were wondering if there was a mechanical breakdown or disqualification. That was not the case the first day and Skeet owned it. He said he was fishing to win with a swimbait. During practice, he was confident as that approach was working well for larger fish and he was convinced it could lead to a win, but it was not meant to be.
Overall, the west had a great showing in this year’s Classic. With two anglers in the top 10 and five fishing on the final day, they all made western anglers proud.
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