It’s no surprise if you have followed along with the Marshall Bass Trail you will typically find Brian and Dylan Fitzgerald near the top of the leaderboard. And that should remain true this weekend for the 2022 Cup in Summersville.

The Fitzgeralds have an impressive track record on Summersville in the month of November and it would be a shame if there wasn’t some publicity for their past there. In 2019 the duo finished third place in the inaugural Marshall Fishing Cup. In 2020, they would again finish up third in The Cup, and last year they only dropped to sixth in the 2022 Cup

Anytime I would talk about them finally winning in November, Brian would always say “you’re jinxing us.”

But I can’t think of a better chance for the duo to finally get their shot at the win this year with the new format. I think myself and a lot of others would be shocked not to see them inside the Top 10 after Day 1. Also to note the Fitzgeralds have been fishing with the Marshall Bass Trail since 2019 and in that time the Trail has been to Summersville nine times. The Fitzgeralds have been in the Top 10, seven out of nine times. Their lowest finish was a 24th-place finish in September 2021.

“If there is one tournament in the state we want to win it is this one,” Dylan said. “Not only because it’s an amazing trail to fish with a great season-ending championship, but it’s also my best friend putting it on.”While the third place has haunted them in the past both Brian and Dylan are amped for the new format.

“I’m not sure if the new format will help or hurt us. One of the hardest things to do on this lake is to be consistent especially with the drawdown of the water and the warm weather this week” said Dylan. “Either way, we are excited about the new format!”

Back in September Dylan relocated to the Summersville area for his job and has for sure spent a fair amount of time on the lake over the past two months.

“I’ve spent a decent bit of time out there, but it seems to be a new lake every time I go out,” Dylan said. “Smallmouth love to move around and they have proved that in the last few weeks, it’s something new every trip out. The lake is so close to getting good but with the warm temperatures this week I think it is going to hold that really good bite back a little bit.”

We asked Dylan his thoughts on his winning weight prediction and what it would take to make the Top 10 cut after Day 1 of fishing.

“This is a stout field fishing this weekend with some of the best fishermen in West Virginia. I think either 15- to 16-pounds will probably be the winning weight after two days. I think to slide in the Top 10 you are going to need around six and a half to seven pounds,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s been tough out there, but somebody will catch them as per usual.”

We asked Dylan to add anything extra to the article.

“Good luck to everyone out there this weekend! It is going to be an exciting one and a bittersweet one with this being Chase’s last one,” said Dylan. “It has been a heck of a great time the last four years fishing the Trail. Seeing it start from the ground and what it has become has been fun to watch. I am sure the boys will keep it running great and it will continue to be an exciting trail to fish.”