VanDam wins 17th BASS Victory at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event

Paris, TN – Kevin VanDam has set the bar so high that when the Kalamazoo, MI, veteran goes a few tournaments without a victory, bass fishing fans are left to ponder if he has lost the magic. But VanDam is undoubtedly on top of his game and Saturday, he laid waste to rumors of a struggle, extending his Kentucky Lake domination at the Tennessee Triumph with a four-day total of 92 pounds, 5 ounces.

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VanDam Keeps Things Interesting; Holds Lead at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event

Paris, TN – Just when it seemed Kevin VanDam had a virtual stranglehold on the Tennessee Triumph, the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year uncharacteristically loosened his grip heading into the final day of competition. Despite weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces, Friday, the Kalamazoo, MI, veteran lost nearly half of his 6-pound advantage as Kelly Jordon smashed 24 pounds, 0 ounces, to close the gap.

Kentucky Lake guru VanDam – he has posted a second-, third and first-place finish in the past three BASS events here – amassed a three-day total of 70-13 (Jordon has 67-2) but has seen his weight decline each of three competition days. Much of that can be attributed to the tremendous boat pressure VanDam is coping with and the bad news for KVD is that the impending weekend should only bring increased traffic.

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VanDam Does it Again

Paris, TN – Kevin VanDam’s Kentucky Lake domination is beginning to get a bit ridiculous. Despite a rough start – VanDam failed to connect on consecutive 5-pounders on his first two bites – the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year opened up a 6-pound lead at the Tennessee Triumph Friday.

After scoring a first-, second- and third-place finish in the previous three Elite events here, VanDam is closing in on adding another victory to his Kentucky Lake ledger. He ended up toting 24 pounds, 2 ounces, to the scales Thursday, which upgraded his two-day total to 49 pounds, 2 ounces. His consistency was rare as he was only angler to remain in the top five from Wednesday.

VanDam capitalized on a fast-and-furious early-morning bite, which allowed him to vacate his primary areas by 9:30am and hunt for new water. The search wasn’t fruitless and VanDam feels that he has a number of areas at his disposal that could produce. Still, VanDam was worried about boat pressure – from locals and competitors – with the impending weekend. Last year, perhaps the most lasting image from Bobby Lane’s victory here was the armada of 100-plus spectator boats that crowded his area. [Read more]