Bassmaster Classic 2015: Dates, TV Schedule, Live Stream and Event Info

South Carolina's Lake Hartwell will be trafficked by anglers when 56 of the top fishermen in the country compete in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic this weekend.

With few big sporting events going on this time of year, audiences will cast their attention toward Lake Hartwell to see which angler reels in the largest catch. Fishing is often a relaxing sport, but this competition will be anything but. The stakes are high.

The winner will earn $300,000, and that should bring out the fiercest side of every angler. Four-time winner Kevin VanDam failed to qualify for the event despite having competed in 24 installments of the Classic during his career. That makes for a wide-open field.

ESPN2 won't carry live coverage of the event, but the network will provide extensive coverage in March. Be sure to watch to see who wins the big bucks.

TV Schedule

Network	Air Date (ET)	Start Time (ET)	End Time (ET)	Show
ESPN2	Sat 3/7/2015	7 a.m.	8 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Day 1
ESPN2	Sat 3/7/2015	8 a.m.	10 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Day 2
ESPN2	Sun 3/8/2015	10:30 a.m.	12:30 p.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Championship
ESPN2	Sat 3/14/2015	6 a.m.	7 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Day 1
ESPN2	Sat 3/14/2015	7 a.m.	9 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Day 2
ESPN2	Sun 3/15/2015	5 a.m.	7 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: Championship
ESPN2	Sun 3/22/2015	8 a.m.	9 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: "Winners Circle"
ESPN2	Sun 4/5/2015	7 a.m.	8 a.m.	2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic: "Winners Circle

Note: Fans can live stream the action on the BassCam, courtesy of Bassmaster.com.

Prediction

Without VanDam scouring the waters of Lake Hartwell, there's a wide-open field. Greg Hackney is an early favorite, though, and his resume is impressive.

Hackney comes in on the heels of a stellar year that has him within reach of a first in the sport of competitive fishing, as NOLA.com's Todd Masson writes:

"

Hackney put together the most impressive season ever for a Louisiana angler in 2014, claiming the Angler of the Year title after building a big lead in the race and finishing 24th in the AOY championship on Bays de Noc, Mich., in September. He earned a $100,000 paycheck and a target on his back entering his 12th Classic.

Hackney is aiming at Hartwell to become the first angler to complete the Grand Slam of professional bass fishing -- AOY titles in both BASS and FLW, the FLW Forrest Wood Cup and the Classic.

"

Hackney's best finish at the Bassmaster Classic came in 2008, when it was on this same lake. He finished in fifth. With 12 Classics under his belt and a ton of success in 2014, Hackney is a favorite.

Casey Ashley is another competitor sure to catch a few monster fish because of several reasons highlighted by Bassmaster editor Ken Duke, via Frank Sargeant of AL.com:

"

First, he's local ... though a local has never actually won the Classic. Second, he won the FLW tournament on Hartwell in March of 2014, so he knows what to do there at this time of year. Third, he's an outstanding jig angler, and there's a better than even chance that this tournament will be won on a jig. And finally, he's been doing all the homework -- like networking with the best local anglers . . . .

"

In a field of 56, anybody can emerge as a contender after the first day of fishing. All it takes is one fish to put an angler over the top.

But in the end, it comes down to consistency. The angler who can bring in larger fish cast after cast will be the one who earns the cash purse at the end of the tournament. It takes five decent fish each day to stay in the running. The largest fish doesn't necessarily matter, nor does catching the most fish. 

The 29th installment of the Bassmaster Classic is what fishing fans have been waiting for. The field is set, and the anglers are ready to start hunting for bass this weekend.

Will we see another Mike Iaconelli-esque celebration? Tune in to find out.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn