As the Bassmaster Elite Series rolls into Lake Hartwell, a fishery steeped in both Southern charm and national fishing lore, Team Toyota pro Matt Arey finds himself at the intersection of familiarity and unpredictability. A veteran angler with nearly two decades of professional experience, Arey brings a wealth of knowledge to this blueback herring-fueled powerhouse of a lake—but he admits, this one's going to be tricky.
“Well, I don’t really know how to say how this tournament is going to go,” Arey said with a chuckle that held a hint of respect for what lies ahead. “It’s going to be another forward-facing sonar event for sure. I caught some nice fish throughout my practice and if you’re not utilizing the technology, you’re not going to catch them like everyone else will.”
Arey, a North Carolina native, is no stranger to these waters. He estimates he’s fished the lake “20 times or so” which makes sense given it’s just a few hours from his Shelby home. From FLW Tour showdowns to early career regional events, Arey has seen Hartwell in every mood—but this time, he’s facing a dynamic, sonar-dominated bite that’s changing by the hour.
“There are a lot of herring spawning and the technology is going to be totally dominant in this tournament,” he said. “You’re going to need to have a limit of 3 1/2-pounders to have a chance at winning. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
The game within the game
For anglers unfamiliar with Hartwell's unique forage base, the blueback herring spawn is one of the most exciting—and frustrating—patterns in bass fishing. It’s a game of timing, speed and precision. Bass roam in wolfpacks, often schooling near points, docks and clay banks. They’re aggressive one minute and ghosted the next, making the already cerebral challenge of professional bass fishing even more daunting.
Arey understands the stakes. With a blend of largemouth and spotted bass in play and a wide temperature window—he noted water temps ranging from 68 to 74 degrees—the fish are scattered in different phases of the spawn.
“I think the fish will be in a few different stages; mainly late spawn and early post-spawn,” he explained. “There will be several different patterns in play.”
That kind of versatility suits Arey well. Known for his technical prowess and analytical approach, he’s not a one-dimensional angler. Whether it’s targeting brush piles with a worm for largemouth or chasing nomadic spotted bass, he’s got the chops to pivot on the fly. But he’s also honest about the role luck and timing will play this week.
“On a scale of one through 10 maybe I’d rank this practice at a seven,” Arey said. “I had one good day, one so-so day and one bad day. I covered a lot of water but the weather coming in this weekend is going to change a lot of things.”
Indeed, a looming low-pressure system and forecasted thunderstorms could throw a wrench in everyone's game plan. Arey, who had success during slick-calm, bluebird conditions in practice, knows that stability is critical when chasing herring eaters.
“These herring fish become really unpredictable when a weather front moves through,” he added. “I’ll be focusing on the herring spawn for sure but I’m honestly not sure how it’s going to play out.”
The battle for mid-lake
With Lake Hartwell’s vast acreage and maze of creeks, points and off-the-wall structure, one would think anglers could spread out. But make no mistake, the mid-lake zone is going to look like rush-hour traffic.
“The mid-lake area will get the most attention for sure,” Arey said. “I’ll probably try to avoid the crowds, to be honest. I know the lake really well but it’s not always a blessing when you know the lake too well. So it’s important that I keep an open mind during this event.”
That sentiment speaks volumes. In a tournament scene increasingly dominated by technology and tight timing windows, Arey’s wisdom is a reminder that success isn’t just about knowing where to fish—it’s knowing when to adapt.
Eyes on the prize… and family
Arey’s consistency over the years is well-documented. With multiple top 10 finishes in his six years on the Bassmaster Elites, his name is always one to watch when the bite is tough and the pressure is high. But this week he has his sights set on something bigger than points or prize money.
“If you gave me 70 pounds of fish after four days, I’d sit at the house and be happy as could be,” he said with a smile. “About 68 to 70 pounds will win this tournament in my opinion. The winning combination will be a mix of spotted bass and largemouth.”
And perhaps more meaningful than anything on the water, Arey will have his most important supporters in attendance.
“Because we’re so close to our home, my family will be here Friday for the weigh-in,” he said. “It means everything to me and seeing their faces and having them around is the best thing I could possibly imagine. There is nothing better. They are my whole world.”
