Wegner Talks Electronics, Finding Fish and Plow Jockeys

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Published: 27 February 2026

Sportsman Spotlight

Hometown: Angola, Ind.
Occupation: DH Mechanical and Facility Consulting (he owns it)
Favorite fish species and biggest: Smallmouth 6-15
Favorite Michiana lake: Clear Lake, Stueben County.
Favorite rod and reel: Shimano Vanford spinning reel and Dobyns Champion Extreme 742 rod.
Hobbies when not fishing: Spending time with wife
If you only had one lure and why: Mango Jig - I can swim it, hop it on the bottom and they bite it in cold water.
Best tip to give a new Michiana angler: I’m big on paying attention to the details. It’s always about the details. Pay attention to the little things around you, not what other anglers are doing.

By Louie Stout

Heath Wagner knows how to catch ‘em around the Great Lakes area.

The Angola, Ind. angler has won six Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournaments and won more than $77,000 over the course of 38 tournaments. But over the years, he’s been a serious threat during inland lake and river tournaments.

Due to business obligations, he sat out most of last year and primarily fished weeknighters, but his name still resonates with anglers throughout eastern Michiana.

He’s a frequent seminar speaker, recently became a licensed fishing guide and will dabble with that this season for both bass and walleye.

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Lake Hartwell to host 2027 Bassmaster Classic

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Published: 26 February 2026

B.A.S.S. Report

B.A.S.S. announced this week that the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will be held March 19-21, 2027, in Greenville, S.C., with tournament competition taking place on Lake Hartwell.

This will mark the fifth time the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing has visited the lake, setting the record for the most visits to a single venue in the history of the world championship and further cementing the reservoir’s reputation as one of the sport’s premier championship fisheries. Hartwell previously hosted the Classic in 2008, 2015, 2018 and 2022, producing some of the most memorable finishes in Classic history.

Past Classic champions on Lake Hartwell include Alton Jones, who won the 2008 Classic with 49 pounds, 7 ounces; Casey Ashley, who captured the 2015 title with 50-1; Jordan Lee, who earned the second of his two Classic victories in 2018 with 47-1; and Jason Christie, who claimed the 2022 championship with a winning total of 54-0.

“Lake Hartwell has consistently delivered elite-level competition and dramatic moments on bass fishing’s biggest stage, while Greenville and the surrounding Upstate region have proven to be outstanding hosts for anglers and fans alike,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “The combination of a world-class fishery, an engaged fan base and strong community partnerships makes the area an ideal setting for the 2027 championship.”

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