The 5th annual Marshall Fishing Cup is set to kick off tomorrow and the conditions are truly shaping up to be a fall grinder on the lake when speaking to the previous year Cup Champions.

Hess who won the very first Marshall Fishing Cup back in 2019 said it’s been a struggle for him the past few weeks.

“Even with the tough conditions we might have, I’m a little bit excited still. I don’t know if I’m going to win the way the fishing has been for me though. Been rough on me.”

Hess and partner Josh Miller will return to the Marshall Fishing Cup for the third time since 2019. They have an incredible track record on the Summersville impoundment in the Cups. A first in 2019 and a fourth place finish in 2021.

“I’m hoping to win it twice,” said Hess. “Seems like the bite has been early and then we kind of struggle later in the day. But I think we’re going to see some big weights on the first day. Wouldn’t be surprised to see 11 pounds take the lead.”

Back in 2020 Kenny McSweeney and Randall Fields took home the second set of cups to add to the mantle. But this time around McSweeney predicts a tougher bite.

“I am not too excited about the fishing conditions at this one at all,” said McSweeney. “We were up there last weekend and it was pretty tough. It’s gonna be one of those tournaments that is going to be won dragging around a bait.”

And while the fishing conditions might not be ideal for McSweeney and Fields, they are looking to create history at this years Marshall Fishing Cup. They, along with three other teams will be the only team in the field to have a chance to win it twice. There has yet to be a repeat winner.

“Like I always tell Randall, there is only four other teams that got a trophy like us. I think to win this one, whoever gets two or three good largemouth bites or possibly smallmouth will take them a long ways.”

Keep it up with all the action at the 2023 Marshall Fishing Cup on DockTalkWV.com