Bassmaster expected to reel in thousands to Upstate.

• Position: 2022 Bassmaster Classic, Lake Hartwell, South Carolina

TheBassmaster Classichas come back for another round.

The event, one of the most impactful sporting events on the Upstate economy, has returned to Lake Hartwell for the fourth time in 14 years. Boat takeoffs from Green Pond Landing and Event Center in Anderson launched today at 7 a.m., followed by daily weigh-ins at Greenville's Bon Secours Center until Sunday.

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), along with VisitAndersonSC and VisitGreenvilleSC are sponsoring the competition, which has been dubbed the "Superbowl of Fishing," according to the release.

"Hosting our fourth Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell is significant to our community because no other fishery will have hosted more Bassmaster Classic events," Neil Paul, executive director of VisitAndersonSC, said in the release. "Having hosted this great event in the past, we can speak first-hand to the significant economic impact it will have on the Upstate of South Carolina and the impact of residual tourism that will be felt in Anderson County and in Greenville for years to come."

The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will also take place at the Greenville Convention Center from Friday to Sunday. All events are free to the public.

"This is the largest economic impact event in Greenville," David Montgomery, former vice president of sales for VisitGreenvilleSC said when BASS announced Lake Hartwell as their 2022 location March last year. "We look forward to the 2022 event, setting another record for economic impact in our marketplace. It's all about collaboration. You've got two state agencies, you've got two counties, you've got two towns, you've got four destination management organizations and a lot of people pulling the rope in the...