Posted  June 14th, 2007  11:16 pm CST

21-04 Limit Leads the Field

Story by Dru Smith

Marbury, MD – The Potomac River holds a special place in the history of our Country. Forming borders between Maryland and Virginia as well as Washington, D.C. and part of West Virginia, “the Nation’s River” has long been a site of many historic events. 

Although this week’s Wal-Mart FLW Tour event probably won’t rewrite the history books, one can not ignore the legacy that surrounds this hollowed fishing ground. Originally stocked in with 30 Ohio bass back in 1854, the Potomac now boasts one of nations top fishing destinations.

Expectations were high as the 200 professional anglers took to the waters just outside of Smallwood State Park. The launch site is located on the Mattawoman creek, possibly the most productive bass-waters in the entire Potomac basin. 

Stop number five on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour is presented by Snickers and will payout $1 million in prize money. The pros are not just fishing for money this week. With only one tournament left after this week, qualifying points for the Forrest L. Wood Cup are at a premium.

After a pleasant 70 degree day on the water, the anglers returned the weigh-in site to begin the day-end festivities. Predictions for the first day were lots of limits and plenty of quality fish. With a 15 inch minimum for the first two days, most weights were expected to be in the mid to high teens.

As FLW host, Chris Jones began shuffling anglers across the stage, it soon became apparent, the Potomac River is still a thriving fishery.

Professional angler, Jerry Williams took the early lead with a five fish limit that totaled 19-10. He survived several anglers, but finally gave up the lead to Star, Indiana pro Ken Wick. Ken’s day-one weight of 19-12 could only keep him on top for a short time. 

Bobby Lane unseated Wick with a limit that totaled 19-15. Bobby’s reign as leader was short-lived as Skeeter pro, Mark Davis strolled to the stage with the day’s best bag. Mark weighed in an impressive Potomac stringer of 21-4.

Well over half the field brought five-fish limits to the scales. Shinichi Fukae had the Snickers Big Bass for the day at 7-3 pounds. Donald Tross of Williamsburg, Virginia lead the co-angler division with 17-3.

Top Ten
1. Mark Davis 21-4
2. Jack Wade 20-15
3. Bobby Lane 19-15
4. Ken Wick 19-12
5. Jerry Williams 19-10
6. Shad Schenck 19-8
7. Thomas C. Lavitoire 18-13
8. Chris McCall 17-15
9. Mark Pack 17-12
10. Randy Blaukat 17-9

Davis on Top
It seems Mark Davis has made the right adjustments and settled nicely into the FLW routine. With a win earlier this year at Fort Loudon-Tellico, Mark currently sits 7th in the AOY standings. He is looking to move up in points and is off to a good start with a day-one lead on the Potomac. The Skeeter pro brought in just over 21 pounds on Thursday.

“It wasn’t easy, or as easy as I thought it would be,” revealed the Mount Ida fisherman. “The conditions were right and I caught about 15 keepers today.” The cloud cover and high-water conditions allowed mark to throw top-water baits and other reaction lures on the first day of the event. With the forecast for sunshine and warmer temperatures, Mark knows he will need to change up his approach.

“Basically, I will have to slow down. I can catch the same fish with a flipping stick, but you have to be real methodical. To win here, you have to have four good days and I’m just happy to be leading right now.”

Mark feels he will need 12 pounds on Friday to ensure him a place in the finals. “If I can get a good limit in the boat then I will go looking for new water,” he said.

Wade on Fish
Jack Wade is on a strong bite he discovered in practice and he hopes it will last throughout the weekend. “It has been working so good it’s scary,” said the Knoxville pro. “I’m doing three different things and they all seem to work at certain times.”

Jack weighed in five fish on Thursday that totaled 20 pounds, 15 ounces. He had 9 keeper bites, missed one, lost a big fish on the way to the boat and landed the other seven. He is doing most of his fishing with an Abu Garcia Flippin-Stick in his hand.

“I’ll go back and run the same waters tomorrow,” Jack revealed. “The tide was really high today, so that might change on Friday, but I’m sticking with what I’m doing.”

Wick in 4th
Ken Wick spent most of his practice covering water and looking for the most productive areas. He found two spots and spent all Thursday working the grass for a limit of 19-112. “I started on the deeper grass early and move shallow as the tide started moving out,” Ken said. “The tide was higher than I’ve ever seen it and it really didn’t move that much.”

Ken used a St. Croix rod, Abu Garcia Revo reel and the new Berkley Crystal line to trick all his keepers today. “I think the fish were getting a little spooky and that new line will cast a mile,” he revealed. “I’m going back to those areas tomorrow and hope for around 15 pounds.”

Top 100 After Day One

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