Day 1 saw Bryan Schmitt place fifth with 21-13 and a quick second-round start has the Maryland pro leading the field with a limit of 11-9.
At the first day’s weigh-in, Schmitt described a fortunate turn of events that got him dialed in on what appears to be a sustainable pattern.
“It was a place I started on and the fish actually moved a bit and I didn’t realize it,” Schmitt said of his Day-1 money spot. “In the afternoon, I made a bad cast and I was just trolling away and I got bit.
“I said ‘Oh, ya’ll are right there.’ Then, it happened quick. It took five casts to catch that weight.”
Schmitt said his fish relocated to a spot about 200 yards from where he first found them. In practice, he caught an 8-pounder in this area, so he knew he needed to give it a look.
Schmitt’s working this grassy spot with a moving bait — something he’s done for decades on his home waters.
“This is Potomac 101.”