Practice Day 3 Live Blog updates brought to you by Garmin will be added throughout the day! Check back for photos, reports from the water, and more.
Tuesday, May 23 – Lake Hartwell waters higher than normal
Lake Hartwell’s water level is currently sitting at 661.05 which is slightly over 1 foot higher than normal.  Anglers knowing this can take advantage of the features that Garmin Mapping provides by actually typing in the current water level and then use depth shading feature to easily identify key areas.
They also can study Lake Hartwell maps on their phones via the Active Captain App back in their hotel rooms or on their units in the parking lot where their staying after practice is over for the day.   This map study allows them to mark key spots, set up how their charts look to easily identify key areas when running down the lake and find those areas they want to spend time on for the last day of practice on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 23 – THE TROPHY has Arrived

It’s a big week here at Lake Hartwell | Anderson, SC and Championship Week is always one of our favorites of the year!  The traveling trophy has arrived and we’re ready to roll.  Follow along with this week’s schedule:

  • Tuesday, May 23 – Official Practice
  • Wednesday, May 24 – Official Practice, Anglers must be off the water by 3:00pm EST
  • Wednesday, May 24 – Angler Check-In and Sponsor Meet & Greet at Green Pond Landing from 2:30pm-5:00pm EST; Meal served from 5pm-6pmWednesday, May 24 – Mandatory Meeting beginning at 6pm – at the Amphitheatre at Green Pond Landing; Guest Speaker:  Andy Montgomery
Tuesday, May 23 – Predictions Continue to Come in from Anglers
Predictions continue to come in from the field of college anglers who are saying the Lake Hartwell is fishing great for numbers.  Shaky Heads, Swimbaits, and Soft Plastic Jerkbaits have all have been topics of discussion among some of the anglers.  Another key for some of the anglers has been the usage of Garmin Livescope which is allowing anglers to target schools of fishing both chasing herring or that have set up on specific spots. The collegiate anglers are using Livescope in a variety of modes to help see how the fish are setting up in certain areas as well as to be able to see how the bass are reacting to what baits they are using.
Quite a few of the anglers say they are trying to build a milk run of spots that they will rotate through in an effort to land on the perfect spot to generate a few of the 4 to 5 pounds bites to help distance themselves from the other teams.
Tuesday, May 23 – We caught up with Missouri State at Green Pond Landing

The early reports from a lot of teams practicing on day three here at Lake Hartwell are that limits are easy to come by in the eight to ten pound range.  However, finding those better fish to put you into contention have been elusive so far.    Most teams we’ve talked to are predicting it will take 18 pounds per day to win the championship this week.

Watch this clip to hear how this week of practice has been going on the water for Missouri State’s Wyatt Montle.

Catching Up with Missouri State
Tuesday, May 23 – WHO’S NEXT???

As we embark upon the 18th annual BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell | Anderson, SC, we know that there are nearly 400 of the best collegiate bass fishing anglers in the nation longing to be the next National Champion team. And they’re putting the work in to get there – qualifying for this tournament was a big accomplishment.

Who will join these schools and anglers on our ACA Wall of Champions?

2022 – Wallace State Community College | Chambers & Blackwood

2021 – Texas Christian University | Skolnick & Torres

2020 – Bryan College | Fain & Kenderick

2019 – Bethel University | McNeil & Floyd

2018 – Bethel University | McNeil & Floyd

2017 – University of North Alabama | Pennington and McCarty

2016 – Auburn University | Burdeshaw & Jennings

2015 – Northern Kentucky University | Houston & Knapmeyer

2014 – University of Georgia | Kenney & Treadwell

2013 – Bethel University | Parker & Roberts

2012 – North Carolina State | Dziwulski & Cox

2011 – University of Central FL | Burghoff & O’Donnell

2010 – University of Georgia | Page & Cleary

2009 – Murray State University | Tippett & Campisano

2008 – Arkansas University | Drake & Kitajima

2007 – Texas A&M University | Rackley & Knight

2006 – North Carolina State | Craven & Freeman

Tuesday, May 23 – Angler Reports from the Water

They know the big bass are out there, but the trick is figuring them out during practice days. Reports and shares will roll in all day from anglers who are finding the big bass in Lake Hartwell.

*Repost from IG* Thanks @berdakos_fishing & @dk.bassin.

Tuesday, May 23 – Angler Snack Bags are Ready to Go

We know the days on the water are long and there’s no real time to eat more than a snack here and there – we’re sending the anglers out with snack bags so they have something to munch on between casts.

These snack bags are brought to you by our partner, Bass Pro Shops!  Check out how quickly these were stuffed. 🙂

Instagram Reel
Tuesday, May 23 – Good Morning From Practice Day 3!

Good Tuesday morning from Lake Hartwell and Green Pond Landing in Anderson, SC!

Today marks the third official practice day for the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.  Stay tuned for updates from practice, and other great content throughout the day!

Follow our Practice Day 3 Live Blog brought to you by Garmin throughout the day for updates.