Kevin VanDam

CLASSIC ROOKIE HEATS UP THE FIELD

February 22, 2008
(basszone.com, February 22, 2008)

Greenville, SC. – In a field that boasts some of the biggest names in the sport it would be easy to understand if a rookie would crumble under the pressure. However, Charlie Hartley absorbed the pressure of the sports biggest stage and came out on top.

Hartley, the 43–year-old Elite Series pro, is exactly the type of angler to be in this type of position. Hartley is the owner of a sign manufacturing company in his home city of Grove City, Ohio, and is one of the more affable personalities on tour.

Despite the drastic weather that brought cold temperatures, rain and periodic sleet to the surface of Lake Hartwell, Hartley was able to stick with the pattern he discovered in practice. His confidence in his pattern allowed him to put together his 21-pound, 1-ounce limit, and grab the title of ‘King for a Day.’

Hot on the heels of the Ohio sign man is a list of anglers that reads something like a future Bass Fishing Hall of Fame ballot.

Little Rock, Ark. pro Scott Rook, who won the 2006 Bassmaster Legends on the Arkansas River, employed a shallow water pattern to post a 20-pound, 13-ounce limit to finish day one in the runner up position.

In third place after the day one weigh-in at Greenville’s Bi-Lo Center is two time Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam. Van Dam brought in a five fish limit of 20 pounds, 3 ounces to put him in third position, in striking distance of his third Classic victory.

http://www.basszone.com/2008classic/friday/story1.htm

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