You may not know this, those are some pretty valuable bass in Lake Hartwell.

The big reservoir (55,000 acres at full poll) located on the Georgia-South Carolina line two hours northeast of Atlanta is hosting the the most prestigious event in the sport of tournament bass fishing.

The 38th Bassmaster Classic, a three-day spectacle that includes dramatic weigh-ins in big arenas, begins next weekend. The winner, who can weigh in no more than five bass each day, gets $500,000. That's more than $33,000 a fish.

It's quite remarkable what this tournament has meant to fishing in general. When Ray Scott started the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society in 1967 he wanted to bring fishermen together. He didn't know he would launch a sport that attracts such big money and sponsorship. read more