MLF Communications Staff
The MLF Pro Circuit visits Marbury, Md. this week for the fifth stop on the 2021 Pro Circuit. The tournament gets under way today and runs through Sunday.
The Pro Circuit last stopped at the Potomac in 2017, when Wisconsin veteran pro Tom Monsoor hoisted the trophy for his first tour-levl win, bringing a four-day total 66-11 to the stage. Prior to that, in 2015, Texas pro Clark Wendlandt – a three-time Angler of the Year (AOY) – won his fourth career Pro Circuit event on the fishery bringing with 60 pounds even. Washington's Luke Clausen , a former FLW Cup and Bassmaster Classic champion, holds the record for the heaviest four-day winning weight on the Potomac with a total of 69-14 back in 2011.
“The fishery is very healthy with a tremendous population of largemouth bass that are pretty eager to bite, so it should be a fun tournament,” said Pro Circuit angler Todd Walters of Kernersville, N.C., who finished 2nd MLF Toyota Series event held on the Potomac in 2020. “Everyone is really looking forward to this event.”
The Potomac is a tidal fishery, running roughly north to south into Chesapeake Bay, with water that fluctuates a couple of feet per day. Due to the constant ebb and flow, fishing is almost always shallow, either in the grass and pads or around hard cover such as rock and wood.
“The water is in really good condition,” said Walters. “The grass is just starting to grow about 2 to 4 feet off the bottom, so that’s where you’ll find most of the bass."
While there are a few sections of the main river that come into play, the bulk of the damage tends to be done in the mouths of the creeks, with some hot creek arms attracting a ton of fishing pressure.
“This is an area that I’m familiar with and that I’ve fished before – it has a tremendous population of largemouth bass and they are going to bite at some point in the day. It just depends on the tide during the tournament,” said Walters. “On the Potomac River, 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water, so it will fish small. But there are plenty of fish in those areas to be able to handle the 163 boats in the field and everyone should catch some fish.
“I expect to see guys dropshotting Senkos in a slack tide, then when the water’s moving, they’ll be throwing swimjigs, ChatterBaits and shallow-running crankbaits,” continued Walters. “You’re always going to have some dock fish and you can catch them flipping jigs and creature baits. I didn’t see any areas with matted grass where you’d need to punch it, but I expect to see guys flipping their jigs and creature baits in those thicker grass beds when the tide’s slack.”
Walters said he believes it will take 13 to 14 pounds per day to make it to the final round and anticipates a four-day total of 70 to 75 pounds will win the event.
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET from Smallwood State Park, located at 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park daily at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! livestream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .
The full field of 163 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The Top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition on Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
