Potomac Elite: Just the facts

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The eighth of nine regular-season events of 2016, the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge launches Aug. 11-14 from Smallwood State Park in Marbury, Md.
The eighth of nine regular-season events of 2016, the Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge launches Aug. 11-14 from Smallwood State Park in Marbury, Md.
The launches are at 6:15 a.m. ET each day, and the weigh-ins will be held at Smallwood State Park on Thursday and Friday at 3:15 p.m. The address is 2750 Sweden Point Rd., Marbury, MD 20658.
The launches are at 6:15 a.m. ET each day, and the weigh-ins will be held at Smallwood State Park on Thursday and Friday at 3:15 p.m. The address is 2750 Sweden Point Rd., Marbury, MD 20658.
The weigh-ins on Days 3 and 4 will be held at Indian Head Pavilion on the Village Green. The address is 100 Walter Thomas Rd., Indian Head, MD 20640. Indian Head, also the site of Wednesday’s angler meeting, has a number of events scheduled in Discover Quest, the festival associated with the tournament.
The weigh-ins on Days 3 and 4 will be held at Indian Head Pavilion on the Village Green. The address is 100 Walter Thomas Rd., Indian Head, MD 20640. Indian Head, also the site of Wednesday’s angler meeting, has a number of events scheduled in Discover Quest, the festival associated with the tournament.
The Potomac event was threatened earlier this year by a Maryland state fishing regulation allowing only one of the five fish weighed to be longer than 15 inches. B.A.S.S. worked on getting relief and another option was offered – the pros can weigh five bass longer than 12 inches but must possess a free permit, and Maryland’s fish-care protocols must be followed, including rules on redistributing bass upon release.
The Potomac event was threatened earlier this year by a Maryland state fishing regulation allowing only one of the five fish weighed to be longer than 15 inches. B.A.S.S. worked on getting relief and another option was offered – the pros can weigh five bass longer than 12 inches but must possess a free permit, and Maryland’s fish-care protocols must be followed, including rules on redistributing bass upon release.
The Potomac River and all its tributaries are open to tournament anglers, but they cannot go into Chesapeake Bay. Only water open to public fishing is allowed. There are certain fishing licenses offered by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, but going north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge near Alexandria requires anglers to have a District of Columbia license.
The Potomac River and all its tributaries are open to tournament anglers, but they cannot go into Chesapeake Bay. Only water open to public fishing is allowed. There are certain fishing licenses offered by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, but going north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge near Alexandria requires anglers to have a District of Columbia license.
Approximately 405 miles long, the Potomac River drains 14,700 square miles, making it the fourth largest river along the Atlantic Coast and 21st largest in the U.S. There are more than 5 million people living in the river’s watershed.
Approximately 405 miles long, the Potomac River drains 14,700 square miles, making it the fourth largest river along the Atlantic Coast and 21st largest in the U.S. There are more than 5 million people living in the river’s watershed.
Anglers will most likely fish main river hydrilla beds or hit shallow cover in tributaries. Wrecks were also popular spots the last time the Elites visited. Tide movements must be considered as they relocate bass. Heavy rains with severe flooding hit the region in the past week.
Anglers will most likely fish main river hydrilla beds or hit shallow cover in tributaries. Wrecks were also popular spots the last time the Elites visited. Tide movements must be considered as they relocate bass. Heavy rains with severe flooding hit the region in the past week.
The fishery can produce some big northern strain largemouth. Gary Klein was proud of his 8-pound, 2-ounce lunker on Day 1 of the last Elite event here in 2007.
The fishery can produce some big northern strain largemouth. Gary Klein was proud of his 8-pound, 2-ounce lunker on Day 1 of the last Elite event here in 2007.
Kelly Jordon scored his last title on the Potomac, winning the 2006 Elite with 60-9. He topped Skeet Reese by 7 ounces with a four-day total of 60-9.
Kelly Jordon scored his last title on the Potomac, winning the 2006 Elite with 60-9. He topped Skeet Reese by 7 ounces with a four-day total of 60-9.
Michael Iaconelli can credit a fourth-place finish on the Potomac for helping him sew up the 2006 Toyota Angler of the Year title.
Michael Iaconelli can credit a fourth-place finish on the Potomac for helping him sew up the 2006 Toyota Angler of the Year title.
Skeet Reese and Kelly Jordon, heading to the scales in 2006, traded the top two spots in the two Elite events held on the Potomac. Reese topped second-place Jordon by more than 8 pounds in 2007.
Skeet Reese and Kelly Jordon, heading to the scales in 2006, traded the top two spots in the two Elite events held on the Potomac. Reese topped second-place Jordon by more than 8 pounds in 2007.
The Potomac win was part of a great 2007 season for Reese. He started with a close miss in the Classic on Lay Lake, then had two more runner-up finishes among his seven Top 10s in the regular season. Reese’s victory on the Potomac helped him win his sole Toyota Angler of the Year title.
The Potomac win was part of a great 2007 season for Reese. He started with a close miss in the Classic on Lay Lake, then had two more runner-up finishes among his seven Top 10s in the regular season. Reese’s victory on the Potomac helped him win his sole Toyota Angler of the Year title.
B.A.S.S. has held a number of events on the Potomac, beginning in 1989. During the 1990s, the Bassmasters visited every year but one.
B.A.S.S. has held a number of events on the Potomac, beginning in 1989. During the 1990s, the Bassmasters visited every year but one.
Kevin VanDam is among those who have won the various events – Elites, Opens, Top 150s, Top 100s and Maryland Invitationals. Some other winners there have recognizable names, including Jim Bitter, Jay Yelas, Denny Brauer and Timmy Horton. Horton’s 77-8 in 1999 ranks as the top weight.
Kevin VanDam is among those who have won the various events – Elites, Opens, Top 150s, Top 100s and Maryland Invitationals. Some other winners there have recognizable names, including Jim Bitter, Jay Yelas, Denny Brauer and Timmy Horton. Horton’s 77-8 in 1999 ranks as the top weight.
The Potomac has earned the nickname “Nation’s River,” because it flows through Washington, D.C., the nation’s Capitol. Probably few anglers will fish north of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge…
The Potomac has earned the nickname “Nation’s River,” because it flows through Washington, D.C., the nation’s Capitol. Probably few anglers will fish north of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge…
…but if they do, they can enter a tidal basin and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial. Built for founding father Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the 165-foot diameter dome was dedicated on April 13, 1943, by FDR on what would have been Jefferson’s 200th birthday.
…but if they do, they can enter a tidal basin and see sights like the Jefferson Memorial. Built for founding father Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the 165-foot diameter dome was dedicated on April 13, 1943, by FDR on what would have been Jefferson’s 200th birthday.
Not much farther up river is the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Capitol.
Not much farther up river is the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Capitol.
A number of other memorials can be seen looking back toward the Potomac from the Washington Monument.
A number of other memorials can be seen looking back toward the Potomac from the Washington Monument.
There might be some decent fishing near the Pentagon, as the Pentagon Lagoon Yacht Basin offers a lot of targets – fishing targets. Whew. Probably shouldn’t say anything like that anywhere near here.
There might be some decent fishing near the Pentagon, as the Pentagon Lagoon Yacht Basin offers a lot of targets – fishing targets. Whew. Probably shouldn’t say anything like that anywhere near here.
There’s plenty of action on the water near Washington Harbour, which borders Georgetown.
There’s plenty of action on the water near Washington Harbour, which borders Georgetown.
Here’s an aerial view from a bit farther north, looking back toward Francis Scott Key Bridge. That’s Georgetown University in the foreground.
Here’s an aerial view from a bit farther north, looking back toward Francis Scott Key Bridge. That’s Georgetown University in the foreground.

A new feature since Elite last visited is the Capital Wheel at National Harbor, which is south of the Wilson Bridge.
A new feature since Elite last visited is the Capital Wheel at National Harbor, which is south of the Wilson Bridge.
While the turmoil of the presidential election taking full attention in the Washington area, down on the water the anglers will battle for the tournament’s $100,000 first-place prize and AOY points.
While the turmoil of the presidential election taking full attention in the Washington area, down on the water the anglers will battle for the tournament’s $100,000 first-place prize and AOY points.
There will be a scramble in the last several events to gain enough points to climb into range – or stay inside the cut – to make the Classic.
There will be a scramble in the last several events to gain enough points to climb into range – or stay inside the cut – to make the Classic.