Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County anglers reeled in the top prize at Thursday’s Bassmaster Team Championship, and will advance to the individual tournament Friday and Saturday for a chance at an invitation to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic.
Collin Smith and Brady Kimbrell, part of the South Carolina-based Hartwell Lake 5 Alive Sunday Series, which fishes out of Green Pond Landing, out-fished the rest of the 250-boat field, with a two-day total 10 bass weighing in at 30 pounds, 13 ounces, to take home the $25,000 prize.
A second team fishing for the same group, Tyler Campbell and Joe Mitchell of Martin, Ga., finished second in the team tournament, which featured anglers from around the world.
They will join Smith, Kimbell and Chris Nelson and Jeremy Strong of the Palmetto Boat Center Team Trail who placed third in the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off individual tournament set for Friday and Saturday.
The winner will advance to the 2023 Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March on the Tennessee River in Knoxville.