Respecting Rules, Practicing Courtesy Encouraged Toward Bassmaster Vistors

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson’s Green Pond Landing and Events Center has made Hartwell Lake one of the top fishing destinations in the country, and Bassmaster has made it a top choice for many of their premier events, including this weekend’s Whataburger Bassmater Elite Series Event.

But did you know local citizens can inadvertently cause professional anglers to be disqualified from a tournament? Offering advice or tips on top fishing spots to the pros at any lake is strictly forbidden. This means a local attempting to be friendly with conversation when seeing a top professional angler at a restaurant or gas station, can lead to trouble.

It’s a common challenge on public lakes hosting professional tournaments. Two professional fishermen were disqualified from a tournament earlier this year for such a violation. So, in addition to the common courtesy on the lake of providing the pros a 100-yard buffer, remember to keep any conversations to non-fishing location topics.

Visit Anderson Executive Director Neil Paul, who has been called “a major force in the fishing industry,” discussed the importance of helping make a community a most welcoming place for professional fishing tournaments in this interview with the Anderson Observer.