Crappie anglers from several states will travel to Lake Hartwell to participate in a Crappie USA (CUSA) Tournament Trail event presented by Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s. Local and traveling anglers will be vying for cash, prizes, and an opportunity to compete at the 2019 CUSA Classic which will feature a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes.
Located on the GA/SC border, Lake Hartwell has 56,000 acres of surface water and a good population of crappie. Usually in March or early April, water temperatures reach the high 50s and low 60s. That’s when Hartwell crappie begin their preparations for the spawn. They will begin the transition from the lake to small creek channels and shallower water. Brush piles are numerous on the lake and vertical jigging will catch a lot of crappie.
How to Enter
Teams may consist of one or two anglers, with a third member allowed if the angler is under the age of 16 years old. Early registration can be accomplished on the CUSA website at https://www.crappieusa.com/Tournament_Registration.cfm. Teams may also enter by calling (502) 384-5924 or by entering at the mandatory pre-tournament seminar on the night before the tournament begins. Entry fees vary by length of tournament. All fees are posted on the website linked above. Late entries are subject to a $25.00 late fee.
Participating anglers must be a member of the American Crappie Association (ACA). Follow the link below to view the various membership levels. Each membership will include a subscription to the official publication of Crappie USA, one of the top crappie fishing publications in the nation.https://www.crappieusa.com/Membership_Information.cfm.
Registration and Seminar
Late registration and a pre-tournament seminar will be held the day before the tournament at Quality Inn of Anderson, 3430 Clemson Blvd., Anderson, SC 29621.
Registration begins at 5:00 pm. A National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing accompanies the seminar starting at 7:00 pm local time. This seminar is open to the public. Those not fishing the event are encouraged to attend this meeting and meet some of the region’s top crappie anglers.
The Weigh-In Site
The tournament weigh-in will be held at Green Pond Landing and Event Center,
470 Reen Pond Rd., Anderson, SC 29625 beginning at 3:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity for non-competitors to learn how the big ones are caught. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in.
Sponsor and Host Lodging Site
Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes all Crappie USA anglers and their guests to the area and hope they take the opportunity to enjoy the local attractions. For more information on the area visit the website at www.visitanderson.com or call 864) 716-3660.
Host lodging is provided by Quality Inn of Anderson (Special Rate – $69.00 plus tax), 3430 Clemson Blvd., Anderson, SC 29621 (864-225-3721). The number of rooms in the area may be limited. It is recommended that participants make their reservations early.
Crappie USA “Free Crappie Kids Rodeo”
A FREE Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the tournament at Chris Taylor Memorial Park, 5 Jim Ed Rice Circle, Anderson, SC 29625.
Sign up will be Saturday morning at 8:00 am. The Kids Rodeo is from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. The Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeo is a chance for children of the area to get out and enjoy nature, do a little fishing and win some prizes. The event is free to all children 12 years of age and under. All participants are eligible for a chance to win one of the six, Crappie USA $1,000.00 scholarships to be awarded at the 2019 Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic. An adult must accompany all participating children.
Crappie USA and their anglers have contributed $360,000.00 to the “Crappie Kids” Scholarships since 1997. CUSA is very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in the tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeos.
The Classic Championship
The CUSA Classic Championship will be held October 23 – 26, 2019 on Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin, TN. It features a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes.
National Sponsors
National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Bass Pro Shops Cabelas, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Mustad Hooks, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Talon, Lake Master Maps, Gamma, B’n’M Poles, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Ego Nets, Cumberland Crappie, and Double Seats, Charlie Brewer Sliders, Crappie Now, Church Tackle Co., Jenko Fishing,
Big Bite Baits, Lake Cumberland Tourism, Crappie Magnet, EFX Graphics, Fin n’ Frames, Crown Trophy, JR Madd Breading.
For more information on the Classic and other CUSA events visit the website at www.crappieusa.com and Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page.
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Media Contact:
Neil Paul, TMP Executive Director
Visit Anderson
O. (864) 716-3660 M. (864) 353-9819
Email – neil@visitanderson.com