Kevin VanDam wins Bassmasters Classic

Kevin Vandam Wins This Years Bassmasters Classic

By Dave Freeman

Kevin Vandam of Kalamazoo Michigan scored a come-from-behind victory to win the 35th edition of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic held in Pittsburgh for the first time July 28-Aug 1st .

Kevin brought a five-bass limit to the scales that weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces. The limit — rare for this Classic, which established an all-time record low final weight — was enough to overtake second-round leader Aaron Martens by a scant 6 ounces. VanDam’s three-day total of 12-15 enabled the three-time Bassmaster Angler-of-the-Year to add a second coveted Classic trophy to his mantel in Kalamazoo.

In an interview before the classic with Ohio Valley Outdoors publisher Dave Freeman Kevin predicted a weight of 14 to 17 pounds would win the classic.

He stated that while the Three Rivers Fishery is not the world’s best, there are fish present and we as professionals are expected to catch them.

Kevin said that for his fishing style an ideal three days would be a windy day, a calm day and a day with strong current.

That was not the case, as the Three Rivers area offered the country’s best bass fisherman clear skies, light current and lots of spectators, both in boats and along the shore.

As to the fishing, Kevin stated,“ What it will be, it will be,” and that is what it was. Low catches and small fish make it a challenge for even the best of the best

There was nothing but celebrating when he returned home to Michigan. VanDam pocketed $200,000 for the win and moved within $35,000 of all-time BASS leading money winner Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Mo. In addition, it was VanDam’s third consecutive BASS tournament win, a feat only Roland Martin has accomplished.

VanDam’s success came on a 20-year-old lure he first started catching bass on during his teen-age years. It is a chrome-colored, Smithwick Rogue jerkbait that he fished on Bass Pro Shop's fluorocarbon line and spinning tackle.

He explained that the older jerkbait is unlike those made today by Smithwick and it enabled him to pop the lure erratically just below the surface. That proved to be irresistible to smallmouth bass relating to current-laden points, bridge pilings and seawalls.

In this year’s Classic smallmouth dominated the catch from the Allegheny Rivers, Monongahela Rivers and Ohio Rivers, and the downtown Pittsburgh area proved to be the most productive.

Another dominating feature of the event was the large, enthusiastic crowds that flocked to Mellon Arena. Nearly 30,000 fans packed the arena over the three days to see the weigh-ins.

A large number of spectators also attending the sports show held at the David Laurence Convention Center.

Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine who had a booth at the event said that unlike other area events sportsmen and women from outside the area dominated this show.

OVO Publisher Dave Freeman stated that the Classic was a great event and gave the area’s fastest growing magazine the chance to meet a lot of fisherman from all over the US as well as Pro’s, manufactures and other exhibitors however Freeman added it sure would have been great to be out there fishing as well..