Hartley and Lake Hartwell: The 2008 Classic

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The light shined brightly on Charlie Hartley during the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell. He set the fishing world on fire when he led after Day 1.
The light shined brightly on Charlie Hartley during the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell. He set the fishing world on fire when he led after Day 1.
Hartley, from Grove City, Ohio, had come close several times but has never won a B.A.S.S. event since the first of his 198 entries in 1993.
Hartley, from Grove City, Ohio, had come close several times but has never won a B.A.S.S. event since the first of his 198 entries in 1993.
Hartley stood in second place after three days on the Potomac in the 2007 Capitol Clash, but fell to sixth on the final day.
Hartley stood in second place after three days on the Potomac in the 2007 Capitol Clash, but fell to sixth on the final day.
By finishing in the top three in points in the Southern Open series with Todd Auten and Bobby Lane, Hartley qualified for his first and only Classic.
By finishing in the top three in points in the Southern Open series with Todd Auten and Bobby Lane, Hartley qualified for his first and only Classic.
Hartley made the most of it on Day 1, bringing 21 pounds, 1 ounce to the scales. The weight propelled him to first place, ounces ahead of Scott Rook and Kevin VanDam.
Hartley made the most of it on Day 1, bringing 21 pounds, 1 ounce to the scales. The weight propelled him to first place, ounces ahead of Scott Rook and Kevin VanDam.
“When they told me I was leading the Bassmasters Classic,” he said, “it was the most exciting words I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“When they told me I was leading the Bassmasters Classic,” he said, “it was the most exciting words I’ve ever heard in my life.”
The experience was exhilarating, Hartley said, “There were 15,000 people who stood up on their feet and screamed like I was a rock star.”
The experience was exhilarating, Hartley said, “There were 15,000 people who stood up on their feet and screamed like I was a rock star.”
Hartley acknowledges the crowd as he heads to the Greenville, S.C., stage on Day 2 of the Classic, somewhat apprehensive as his catch was not what he had hoped.
Hartley acknowledges the crowd as he heads to the Greenville, S.C., stage on Day 2 of the Classic, somewhat apprehensive as his catch was not what he had hoped.
He weighed 13-12 on Day 2 and fell to second behind eventual winner Alton Jones. “I thought I had blown it the second day, but when I got in Davy Hite said you’re still right there. I was only a pound and a half out of the lead heading out the last day.”
He weighed 13-12 on Day 2 and fell to second behind eventual winner Alton Jones. “I thought I had blown it the second day, but when I got in Davy Hite said you’re still right there. I was only a pound and a half out of the lead heading out the last day.”
A perpetual underdog, Hartley’s run had fans excited and other anglers not in the hunt said they were pulling for him.
A perpetual underdog, Hartley’s run had fans excited and other anglers not in the hunt said they were pulling for him.
The magic was nowhere to be found on Day 3 as Hartley caught only two fish for 3-5 and fell to 15th place.
The magic was nowhere to be found on Day 3 as Hartley caught only two fish for 3-5 and fell to 15th place.
Hartley, here with some nice fish during last year’s BASSfest, said he jokes with a buddy that he wishes he never led the Classic. “And he laughs, ‘Like hell you don’t!’ It was a really great week for me.”
Hartley, here with some nice fish during last year’s BASSfest, said he jokes with a buddy that he wishes he never led the Classic. “And he laughs, ‘Like hell you don’t!’ It was a really great week for me.”