VanDam wins 17th BASS Victory at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event
June 13, 2010
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.
A triumphant Kevin VanDam after winning the Tennesee Triumph Bass tournament
VanDam Keeps Things Interesting; Holds Lead at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster Elite Series Event
June 12, 2010
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.
Day 3 Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI. 70lb13oz. (BASS Communications/Seigo Saito)
2010 Bassmaster Elite at Kentucky Lake – VanDam Interview
June 12, 2010
ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series’s Tenessee Triumph Kentucky Lake, Paris TN, being held June 9th-12th. An interview with Kevin VanDam after the final day of the tournament.
2010 Bassmaster Elite at Kentucky Lake – Day 4 Finals
June 12, 2010
ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series’s Tenessee Triumph Kentucky Lake, Paris TN, being held June 9th-12th. Kevin VanDam cranks his way to victory with a four day total of 92 pounds, 5 ounces. This was VanDam’s 17th victory.
2010 Bassmaster Elite at Kentucky Lake – Day 1
June 10, 2010
ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series’s Tenessee Triumph Kentucky Lake, Paris TN, being held June 9th-12th. Results after the first day have fitve time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam atop the leaderboard with 25.00lbs. Rick Morris is in second place with 24.15lbs.
No Surprise: VanDam Takes Early Lead on Kentucky Lake at Bassmaster Elite Series Event
June 9, 2010
Day 1 Leader Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI. 25lb. (BASS Communications/Seigo Saito)
It was more a question of when, not if, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam was going to make a late-season charge. Heading into the Tennessee Triumph this week, the planet’s best angler was in 26th in the Angler of the Year standings. Respectable for mere mortals, yes, but for VanDam, it wasn’t good enough.
But this week looked like an obvious springboard. VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., has posted first-, second- and third-place finishes on Kentucky Lake in the three previous Bassmaster competitions here. A Wednesday limit of 25 pounds, 0 ounces, on the fish factory has him in the catbird seat to start the week. Just ounces off the pace, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, VA, registered 24-15 and sits in second.
Unlike in years past on Kentucky, things have been a struggle thus far, VanDam said. The current didn’t run until late in the day and the bass aren’t schooling up and prone to quick flurries, most likely due to the recent flooding.
“It’s not easy out there,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “The areas that I typically go to have been beat to pieces. The biggest thing that has changed is everyone has the equipment to find fish out here. And it shows. But you still have to know what to throw and how to throw it to get the big bites.”
