Summersville, WV – The last four years at the beginning of November has been one of my favorite times of the year. Just mainly because this is the time when you get to see all your hard work come together for one big tournament to reward the best fishermen in the state.

I wanted to take a look at the history of The Cup and reflect on the past and make some predictions on this weekend’s event. Even in the short time, The Cup has existed, it has been an interesting event every year.

The History of The Cup

The Cup was created by Caleb McComas and myself at lunch inside Fat Patty’s in between classes at Marshall University in the fall of 2018. We realized number one, the Marshall Fishing Team needed funds to go and compete. Number two we had no money, no sponsors, and really no idea how to get them, but we knew we wanted to succeed no matter what it took. But we also realized there was a huge missing piece of tournament fishing in West Virginia. There wasn’t an open bass trail out in West Virginia that held an end-of-the-year championship. Of course, there is BASS Nation of WV and WV Bass Federation, but you have to have memberships and have to be a part of a club, etc. Therefore, we brainstormed the idea of The Cup and here we are four years later.

Fast forward four years later and The Cup is one of the premier tournaments in the state, to be honest, I am very proud of what it has grown to be. 

2019

In 2019 at the very first Marshall Fishing Cup, we saw Lee Hess and Josh Miller hoist the trophies and became the first Cup Champions. On that day, the duo would go on to weigh in a five bass limit that would weigh 10.74 and is still the record weight for The Cup.

Conditions in 2019 were much different than what is expected to hit Summersville this weekend. Extremely cold weather in the mornings, but gradually warmed throughout the day. The water conditions in 2019, as I can remember were stained and the outflow that week was fairly consistent to my prior knowledge.

That being said that year the tournament was won by the duo in McKee’s creek throwing a Carolina rig and crankbait on their route to victory.

2020

2020 was such a different year as the trail had only got to host five tournaments due to COVID, but was scheduled to host 11. This ultimately was the year the Marshall Bass Trail decided that with the count they were getting, that in 2021 they were going to slim back to only running six tournaments a year. Kenny McSweeney and Randall Fields would secure the 2020 victory with a total weight of 9.70 in five fish.

That year the conditions on the lake if I can remember correctly were fairly similar to 2019. Cold weather in the mornings, but gradually warming throughout the afternoon. The lake wasn’t as stained as it was in 2019, but had some color to it. Along with (I believe) fairly consistent outflow levels.

That year the tournament was won out on the main lake using a combination of crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Kenny and Randall would anchor their bag with a largemouth that almost weighed three pounds.

2021

2021 was yet again another different year for The Cup. Hometown favorites James Pack and Bill Shelton would rally up to win The Cup with a total weight of 8.38, the lowest winning weight in Cup history.

Last year the conditions were much different from the first two previous years. The core of engineers was pulling down the lake and I am not sure of the outflow level, but I am about certain it was the hardest they had pulled it in the last ten years due to having to clean the intake structure.

Making the fishing incredibly challenging Bill and James still found a way to win. Last year Bill and James won it out of the Battle Run area. As far as baits go the two wouldn’t budge much, but if I was to guess a mixture of slow-moving baits was most likely the key.

Locations

So, I pointed out where each tournament was won because I find it extremely interesting that not one place on the lake has dominated every year. This is mainly why the Marshall Fishing Team has chosen to keep having The Cup at Summersville in November each year. It provides a playing field where it can truly be “anyone’s game”. Not one part of the lake will dominate the other and it can be won with a mixture of baits as well. Essentially making it a tournament where even if you don’t have much experience on the lake every competitor in the field has a legit shot to win as soon as they launch the boat.

New Format

Years prior The Cup was a one day shootout, but with more popularity into The Cup the Marshall Fishing Team decided to make it a two day event. This will reward the duo that is the most consistent over a two day period. Day 1 the entire 45 boat field will fish and come back to weigh in. Concluding Day 1 weigh in the field will be cut to the Top 10 and those 10 teams will compete on Day 2. Weights from Day 1 will be carried over to Day 2 and the winner will be decided by the heaviest two day total.

This Year

This year will yet again be another set of conditions that are different. With fairly warm weather and a crystal-clear water color, I am afraid it will make it pretty tough fishing. The best hope as of now is that the core of engineers holds the outflow consistent throughout the weekend and just hope for consistent weather throughout Saturday and Sunday.

That being said anytime you turn 45 of the best fishing teams in West Virginia loose they are bound to figure out how to reel in the best fish in the lake. I’ll be curious to see how this one plays out and keep your eyes out later this week as the Marshall Fishing Team will make their picks for the 2022 Cup!