SENECA — Surface space on Lake Keowee may be limited the next couple of days.

Over 150 boats, containing some 300 fishermen, are converging on Seneca today for the South Carolina BAIT Division I Classic Tournament.

The two-day event, hosted by the City of Seneca, will operate primarily out of South Cove Park, but city officials expect restaurants and hotels in the area to be filled as bass anglers from across the Southeast descend on the city.

The Best Western Executive Inn on the US 123 Bypass is the official host hotel, but anglers are expected to fill most available hotels as well as area campgrounds and RV parks.

The two-day “Classic” tournament completes the regular tournament season. Anglers have qualified for this weekend’s “Classic” at different lake locations on the “Trail.”

Two fully-rigged Pro-Craft bass boats, cash prizes, and trophies are some of the rewards provided by B.A.I.T. and its partner/sponsors.

Bass Anglers Invitational Trail, Inc. (B.A.I.T.) was founded in 1999 by the current president, Allen "Bud" DeFoe. Doug Nickels joined B.A.I.T. as national director in 2001, and later became its vice president and national director.

Nickels fished the Bass Masters Pro Circuit Trail (BASS) and several other major tournament trails. Since coming to B.A.I.T., Nickels’ tournament experience and business acumen have lead to its steady growth.

For his part, DeFoe attributes honesty and integrity as the most important ingredients in running a successful bass fishing tournament.

According to DeFoe, “you must set rules and regulations, abide by rules and regulations, and treat everyone fairly. The moment when rules are bent is when problems begin. B.A.I.T. maintains strong ties with law enforcement to strengthen the trail's reputation for honesty and integrity.” The organization also relies on the latest technology to keep tournament caught fish alive and tournament contestants honest. Sophisticated electronic scales and lie detectors are but a few of the measures that B.A.I.T. has incorporated to keep tournaments fair and square.

In 2004 and 2005, B.A.I.T. memberships continued their upward spiral. B.A.I.T. memberships peaked in 2006 from its expansion to 17 divisions in eight states.

B.A.I.T. divisions are currently in eight southeastern states — Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. B.A.I.T. is poised to expand its bass fishing team competition trail concept to more states. Expansion will progress to new areas with substantial angler activity/populations, tourism and local trail inquiries.

Seneca city officials were unavailable to comment on their involvement in landing the tournament and its economic significance to the area.