Breaking News: This Will Be KVD's Final Season As A Touring Bass Pro

 

Here is the video announcement.  It will be interesting to see what he does next. I wish him luck this year and in the future. KVD is the GOAT in Bass Pundit's mind.

Update: The video was taken down after being up for about an hour. I think it got released at the wrong time before he had the chance to hype up his big announcement.

#WhatTheStateofMNRobsFromIt'sBassFishermen,THIS!

(This video is must watch)

KVD & Zona went out an absolutely smoked the pre-spawn giants last week, because the state of Michigan came to it's senses two years ago and did away with a totally closed season for largemouth and smallmouth bass.  Now Michigan anglers are free to immediately catch and release fish to their hearts content during the whole pre-spawn period.  The state of MN gave us two extra weeks of catch and release fishing.  I really hope that within the next couple of years this state revisits it's closed season for bass and once and for all goes catch and release just like Michigan did.

Congratulations to Brent Ehrler Major League Challenge Cup Winner

KVD figured out the fish too late and couldn't catch up.  Brent got 52.25lbs to Van Dam's 43.50lbs.  Basically Ehrler pulled a Van Dam in the first round getting 25lbs when everyone else was in single digits.  Brent extended the lead to 20lbs a  couple of different times.  Van Dam figured them out in the last period but by then it was to late.

Great Job Brent!!!

Major League Fishing Challenge Cup Champion is ???

I'm not going to reveal it until Wednesday Night.  I will tell you this: one of the anglers not KVD got off to a Van Dam like start.  The only question is can KVD run him down?

Major League Fishing Episode #4 Recap

This is what I put on Facebook.  KVD pretty much kicked everyone's butt getting to 40lbs before anybody else got to 20lb.  I think the A-Rig might have done better had Kriet been more familiar with it, but who knows.
Brent Ehrler was the other guy to make 40, with the closest guys being 9.5lbs back.  Ike maybe would have got there had he started cranking earlier.

I think it was kind of sad/telling how Quinn just kind of gave up.

Classic Day 2: LIveblog

It sounds to me after reading the recaps that Bobby Lane, The  Rooster, and Poche are in a pretty solid position.  I think Ott, Wilks, anc Chris Lane are in a precarious position as that their areas seam to be crowded.  Chris Lane isn't even going to fish the same place today.  I am unsure about Evers and Walker.  But honestly I think it's entirely possible the winner will not even come from Day 1's top 8.  There are just to many good sticks down to about  27th Place with Van Dam that could conceivably put a couple of 20lb bags up.  This thing is still wide open

OK I'm up at 10AM trying to get caught up.

I must say I enjoyed the War Room stuff on Bassmasters.  I didn't catch much of Bass Zone Wide Open because of it.  It sucks that Bass Zone doesn't have their evening show.

Man, I hope Walker has more than 2 fish.

It looks like they are once again going to show Zona and Sanders instead of the action on the screen.  Oh my they went to the screens for once.  How hard is that producers?

Hmmm Havoc is Skeets Top Sponsor

Come on producers go to the SCREENS!!! Morons!!!

Finally the national anthem

The Weigh In Bits and Pieces:
Edwin is 1st up. Has a pig 14-4 with a 6-4 puts him up 2lbs on Basstrakk

Keith Combs pulls a toad, gets 15-1 which is a pound up on Basstrakk.  Has a couple guys in his area.

Swindle pulls out a slob 4 fish for 13-6.  He's hilarious as usual when he doesn't catch'em. Probably makes the cut.

Faircloth pulls a slug and he weighs 18-12, biggest bags so far.

Funny Brent Chapman didn't pull his big fish, guess it wasn't as big as they said.  He got 15-10

Fletcher Shyrock might not make the cut with just under 20lbs

Bobby Lane gets 14-8 takes the lead that is a pound above his Basstrakk

Denny disappoints with just 1 fish.

Tim Horton wears the jumpsuit and pulls two pigs out.  He's got a Hula Popper patch.  Does a tribute to the old Pro's.  "NFL's got the throw backs now we do too" He weighed 17-4 out of nowhere as he didn't have anything on Basstrakk.

Poche drops down the to 3rd and falling

Steve Kennedy "I suck"

Ott Defoe falls to 8th and falling

Matt McCoy brings in 17lbs.  "I got em in the boat" as to what he did different.

They aren't updating the Live Leaderboard as crisply as yesterday.

Ish took a late penalty due to I think what were KevinWirth's boat problems.  He was not happy about it and throws him under the bus because it is costing him the cut. It was because they held up the lock for him.
Nope it wasn't Wirth,
Update-Turns out is was Wirth

Randy Howell "I thank the Lord most for my smoking hot wife"

Rojas pulls out a tank, wow it only went 4-14 thought that was a 6

Walker does have a limit for 12-4 puts him into 3rd for now.  "The rumor's of my demise were greatly exaggerated"

Dustin Wilks put 2 pounds on his Basstrakk weight and moves into 3rd

The Rooster gets into first with  34-8 almost 4lbs on Bobby Lane

Alton has 17-14 for 31-11 and into 2nd just as Basstrakk said.

Wirth gets emotional about having one more day to fish.

Marty the Party does his dance. Thanks trip for helping him with his dancing at the end.

Chris pulls a toad out and he has 19-4 and he takes 1st, beat Basstrakk by 6lbs. Has a pound on The Rooster

Wow Mr. Horton rubs it in on the LSU fans.

Bill Lowen comes in 2lbs under Basstrakk

Hackney water fell out on him might not make the cut.

AMarts 15-10 is a lb up on Basstrakk. He is in 8th one ahead of Walker.

Ike gets 13 and makes the cut for now in 25th, but KVD is left

And KVD kicks out Ike.  Tak is last in and Hackney makes it as well.

Weigh In Over

Doing Hook'd Up with Chris Lane
and the feed cuts in mid interview.

So it's C. Lane, Vinson, Alton, B.. Lane, Evers, and Wilks in the Super 6

Press Conference to start soon:
Bobby we don't see each other

"Bobby it's a dream come true"

Chris Lane was helped by seeing Matt Reed catch fish, apparently Reed and Lowen are in the same area.

Major League Fishing Episode 1: Liveblogged

If you don't want to get spoiled stop reading:

Today we have
Mark Davis
Brent Ehrler
Hack
Klien
Bobby Lane
A Mart
Jason Quinn
KVD

What are penalties called for? They don't tell.

1st Period:
KVD first fish 3lber on 3rd Cast
2nd fish 2lber 15 minutes in.
A Mart gets 3rd fish of the day with 2lber
Davis got one.
Quinn got one
Bobby Lane has fish but isn't on camera.
Showing guys throwing A-Rigs: Quinn, Hack, Ehler with Quinn striking first.
Ehrler gets his 1st not on A-Rig
I'm kind of unhappy that aren't showing Lane as he said he would be throwing topwater.
They also are not showing  Klein, who has a fish.
No nets apparently as Ehrler gets a 5lber
KVD ends period with 11 fish for 23lbs
Ehrler unhappy about lost fish
So for it's KVD
Davis 7 fish for 15lbs
Quinn 5 for 12.25
Klein 4 for 9.75
Hack 5 for 9.25
A Mart 5 for 8.50
Ehler 3 for 8.25
Lane 3 for 6.50

2nd Period:
Mark catches 2 shorts at once.
Hack gets one on a frog and then another.
Klein starting to get fish
Still aren't covering Lane
Ohh Golly it's Grigsby. Lame.
Great more farting Sasquatch
guys are struggling this period, in calm bluebird sky's.
Quinn just had a school come up went to it and started catching them on the A-Rig.
Ehrler sounding frustrated.
KVD still catching them.
Ehrler breaks his line on 4lber gets a 1 minute penalty.

Period ends
KVD 19 fish for 36lbs
Quinn 12 for 30.75
Klein 16 for 25.75
Davis 9 for 18.25
A Mart 10 for 16.50
Hackney 8 for 15.75
Ehrler 7 for 15.75
Lane 5 for 11.50

Bagging on KVD for catching them
Finally they show Lane, and he talks about Jack's Links Beef Jerky.


If you don't want to be Spoiled stop reading:
3rd Period:
Hack gets 1st fish and into the 4th place cut spot.
Then Davis catches one and gets it back.
Quinn starts catching fish.
Quinn catches Van Dam and then goes up
A Mart takes 4th with 23
showing Lane catch a fish, and mentions Jack Links
Quinn gets a 5.75lber
A Mart missing fish, then gets one and goes up on Davis by 4lbs
A Mart gets another drop shotting
Davis gets a 4lber, Martens up by 4lbs
Klein is catching up to KVD on the drop shot.
Klein breaks is line and sits in the penalty box.
Davis gets a little on A Mart
Ehrler starting to scooch up
Ehrler catches a 5lber and jumps A Mart with 2 minutes left
Ehrler misses one and A-Mart lands  one 1/4 short as time runs out.
It's Quinn 58.25lbs
KVD 42lbs
Klein 41lbs
Ehrler 35.25lbs

That was really good, I recommend watching it.

KVD Cookie Auction

Have you ever wanted one of KVD's "magic cookies", well now is your chance to get one for a good cause. Tackle the Storm Foundation is auctioning off one on Ebay.

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING™

The cat is now somewhat out of the bag on the newest idea in Professional Tournament Bass Fishermen called MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING™. . The Outdoor Channel along with some of the biggest names in the sport are putting together what they hope will be a made for TV League that has "more emphasis on personalities, the struggles, the strategies, the conflicts and the emotions of the anglers."

The League will start out with 24 anglers. Brent Ehler is the only true FLW guy, which I am sure pisses off David Dudley to no end. Retired Tour Pro Marty Stone is in the mix. Probably most notably absent is Gerald Swindle or Rick Clunn. The big Kahuna KVD IS one of the guys. All of the Pro's are big names within the sport with Jason Quinn probably being the least accomplished of the bunch.

Some of the features:
Surprise Venue
No Pre-fish
No GPS waypoints until the competition starts
No limit on the number of fish that can be weighed
Real-Time Leaderboard in all boats

The timeline is as follows:
A weeklong event – the MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING CHALLENGE CUP - will be held later this year. The event will be broken down into episodes and aired in the second quarter of 2012 on the Outdoor Channel.

I think it unfortunate that we are going to have to wait so long to see the finished product. I would much prefer it start right after the holiday's at the start of 2012.

It will be interesting to see how it all works out. I plan to watch.

Current 2011 BassFan.com Money Rankings

One thing that is cool about BassFan is that they count the cash and rank the anglers by it. You hear about the $ rankings in golf all the time, but not so much in Pro Bass Fishing. That could be due to the fact that the sums really are not mind blowing and on the lower end, there is obviously has to be a pain factor for guys that aren't coming anywhere close to meeting expenses in an expensive sport.

At this point I think the number tend to skew in favor of the Elite Series guys because their season is over and the big money Bassmaster Classic starts the year. The Lucky FLW Angler that wins the Forrest Wood Cup will join KVD at the top.
Cool to see Brandon Palaniuk in 25th.

Kevin Takes Number 7!!!

Going into today it wasn't a mathematical certainty, but it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that KVD was walking away with the 2011 B.A.S.S. Elite Series Angler of the Year title. There is no doubt that Kevin is the only one to truly be able to lay claim to the crown this year. His domination over the last few years is historic and verges on being unbelievable. The Classic and AOY titles just keep rolling in one after another. WoW!

Congratulations KVD!!!

KVD on the St. John's

BassFIRST.com got KVD on camera... KVD says it's gonna be a sight fishing deal, provided it don't blow and rain.

41st Bassmaster Classic Final Analysis

If a new "Greatest Angler Debate" were to be held again this year or any year hereafter I think there can be little doubt a different king of the mountain would emerge as the winner. Kevin Van Dam has now matched Rick Clunn's signature accomplishments of 4 Bassmaster Classic Titles and back to back Bassmaster Classic wins. I recently read that Clunn told KVD to hurry up and win #4, so they could race to #5. Who knows maybe Clunn has what it takes to make a run at the Classic title a few more times. After all Clunn was in the hunt for the US Open in 2010. If Clunn can make it back to the Classic, he could win. However there can be little doubt that absent unforeseen tragic circumstances Kevin Van Dam will be contending for Classic crowns as far as the eye can see.

Kevin Van Dam IS THE GREATEST PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT BASS FISHERMAN TO EVER LIVE.

As for how KVD won this Classic it was a virtuoso performance that showed just why he is the best there has ever been. Just like last year he was among a fair host of others that located the area where the tournament would be won. Last year at Lay Lake Kevin pretty much had the winning water to himself thanks to Takahiro Omori conceding the area to Kevin after the first day. This year Kevin was sharing the exact same water with no fewer than 3 other anglers, all of whom finished in the top 10 and two of which with KVD made up the top 3. To win Kevin had to be flat out better than the other anglers and there can be no doubt that he was in winning with a 10lb plus margin of victory. What Kevin did at this Classic was truly astounding.

I think the biggest keys to Kevin's victory were his uncanny abilities to read the behavior of bass then to "trigger" the bass to strike. Kevin stated he was aware that the first days spinnerbait bite was going away by the end of the day. Kevin knew the fish were changing and so he began to experiment to find out what would work best. Strike King has to be the most fortunate fishing lure company in the history of fishing*. The fish wanted the new Strike King KVD 1.5 crankbait and Kevin figured out exactly how to fish the crankbait to trigger the strikes on Day 2. From that point Kevin stepped on the gas and never looked back. A 10lb 11oz margin people! Simply amazing!

*For the 2nd year in a row the Bassmaster Classic was won by KVD on a lure Strike King Lure Company was just bringing to market, no doubt driving initial sales through the roof and building a legacy that will make the lure a top seller for years to come.

From Bassmaster.com Kevin Van Dam Bassmaster Classic Champion

Tomorrow I will give my analysis, until then check out Big Indiana Bass on the Basstrakk system and Rich's Bassin Blog for his analysis of the win.

Bassmaster Classic Final Day Weigh In (Liveblogging)

(Posting most recent info on top)

And press conference ends.

"I don't compete to break records...I compete to win"

KVD talks about 1st Classic win, not scouting this year, ruling out Venice, talks about hard bottom in that spot and it was a protected area. Checked it twice in practice and never got a bite until last practice day. "I made some adjustments a little quicker than some of the other guys did."

"The first day I caught em on a spinnerbait" but I saw them beginning to change even then. At first they killed it and then they started bumping it. "By the end of the first day the spinnerbait bite was really dwindling" On 2nd day switched to the Strike King 1.5 square bill Chart/black back. "I'd drop my Power Pole and fan cast"
"I fished real methodically" Threw on 5:3.1 reel. "I had to reel the bait reel slow" "I caught a pile of em' today and I threw back multiple 20lb bags." "I knew I had figured out what I needed to do today."

"The guys that are really good are very perceptive"

Talks about his new Biosonix, but it's a different company.

I missed the first few guys do to power outage.

Yes he got a smattering of applause.

I wonder if the press will give him an ovation?

Now to press conference.

And it's over with a video

"I looked at the habitat an thought it had potential...so much of that bottom is just mud...today it was lights out...I had 24lbs at 10o'clock."

Time for Hook'd Up

The boat comes out for victory lap with Sherry and the kids and he goes on victory lap.

"The last few years have been really magical for me...it's a team effort" thanks family.

"KVD slams the door on number 4, Rick Clunn is alone no more" Mercer

Clunn doesn't bring KVD the trophy, Trip does. Confetti shower.

Mercer goes from litany of KVD accomplishments.

Kevin Van Dam- Brings fish out one at a time. Looks like he's got 20+. Needs 17-6 scale reads 28-0. WOW that is 69-11 HE WINS BY 10lbs!!!

A-Mart- needs 23-7. Pulls out two kickers. 25-14 that is almost 5 less than Basstrakk. I wonder if they were rigging the basstrack today. I guess he just broke the weight record. "This has the potential to be the best fishery in the world... I want to thank the B.A.S.S. staff" Does a tribute to KVD. "It's exciting I'm leading it again" He has 59-0, so KVD needs 17-6.

Brent Chapman- Needs 18-8 gets 16-7 into 3rd. I am disappointed for Brent. "Today I just didn't catch the fish, any big one's...my water dropped 10 degrees" Mercer gives him the chance to talk about Tighlines UV,

Boyd Duckett up 3rd- Pulls out two hogs. 28-13 and into 3rd with 53-2. Big Bass is 8-15 which beats Remitz fish. "I got on these fish to late... I need one more day" Boyd says he had a back up boat, must be nice.

Palaniuk comes up 2nd- Brings out 2 kickers. 22-15 which puts him in 2nd with 55-7, Derek has 56-8, which I think breaks the Classic weight record. "I had an up and down day" Blows a fish whistle in Brian Kercherals(sp) honor, gets a standing O.

Derek Remitz up 1st- Pulls out the log donkey. 26-5 and into the lead. Kicker is 8-4. Earlier it was said to be a 10. "We all pretty much put the hurting on em' today...I couldn't even get the crankbait out of it's mouth I was shaking so bad...the only thing that hurt me was that first day."

KVD gets loudest cheers. Playing Who Dat Gonna Beat Dem Saints? The trophy is on the podium as well as the hot seat. Rook goes on Hot Seat.

Out with the lights...Having anglers come in from crowd Remitz 1st, Chapman 2nd, Palaniuk 3rd, Martens 4th, Duckett 5th, KVD last naturally.

Super 6 Hoopla starts with a video.

My streaming is starting to suck.

Time for Hook'd Up- Zona does a riff on what Louisiana has been through.

Scott Rook- Does not make the Super 6.

The Super 6 will be KVD, Martens, Remitz, Duckett, Palaniuk, Chapman.

Gary Klein- "Decisions and commitments and a lot of what if's" Yes he pumps Berkley Havoc.

Faircloth 18-3 takes the lead. 47-3total. "I got to fish longer today than the 1st two days combined...I don't think I could have competed with the guys that fished up here."

Skeet- He has special Skeet Under Armor shoes, they had a good shot of them. Yep Skeet mentions his Havoc bait the "Pit Boss". Skeet goes on a riff about how he loves the bite and "cracks their heads" Mercer also pimped Havoc baits.

Bobby Lane- Holds up a kicker. 18-2 takes over 1st. "I put my brand new Havoc Craw Patty(sp) on." Wonder if Klein mentions Havoc too?

Kevin Wirth- Thanks his family eloquently.

Cliff Pace- Only moves up to 2nd. Big tournament favorite has a disappointment. "The weather is what got me... I've traveled 750 miles by boat."

Federation Angler Dale Hightower- I think his bag was suppose to be bigger. "This has been a dream come true...I've been in the Federation for 4 years." I wonder if he fished tournaments before joining the Federation.

Paul Elias is on my fantasy team. Only 2 fish for 3-00. Not good!

Ohh oh, feed cut again. Got it back quick again.

Note- I am not blogging everyone.

Ohh oh, feed got cut. Got it back quick.

Ike- He is suppose to have a big bag.
18-9 into 1st but his bag on BassTrakk was suppose to be 20.
"All my fish were caught on a Havoc Bait" so how much was Berkley gonna pay these guys if they won on Havoc?

Dean Rojas- Pulls out a nice kicker. 18-5 Finally someone captures 1st Place today. "That big one came on the frog today...the whole limit was caught on Kermit"

Shaw Grigsby- "I ask that everyone out there take someone out fishing" Put in quite the plug for his sponsors.

Keith Combs- Holds up a kicker. Wow the live leaderboard is way ahead of the live stream. He caught 15 something.

Greg Vinson- Tells a story about the Lowrance radar helping him avoid a collision.

1st to weigh. Jeff Kriet He comes in holding a kicker. 15-15, not even enough to get into 1st or 2nd. "I took a nap and ate sandwich today" On the extended fishing time.

Berkley Havoc Cast for Cash ($100,000) Missed bad for the $100,000. Missed again for $25,000. They gave him $5000. It didn't look like he knew what he was doing with a baitcaster. He was casting backhanded.

Hmmm when the pre-game Hook'd Up was on it wasn't streaming well, but now that they have gone to Mercer, things are fine.

Well Basstrakk has this as a dead heat between A-Mart and KVD. Should be Good!!!

(posting most recent info on top)

Kevin Van Dam Wins His 4th Bassmaster Classic!!!

(Photo B.A.S.S. Facebook)

The day isn't over and the weigh in hasn't started, but it's over folks. KVD will win his 4th Bassmaster Classic tying the record set by Rick Clunn.

It can no longer be doubted;

Kevin Van Dam is the greatest Professional Tournament Bass Fisherman to ever live!!!

Developing...

Bassmaster Classic Day Final (Anglers On the Water)

More Coming... (I re-arranged the posts so now they are in soonest to latest order)

2011 Bassmaster Classic live blog is pulling the plug.

Looks like the pro's are pulling in a the docks.

Ohh Boy Aaron Martins must of just landed a "log donkey" Basstrakk has him at 29lbs for the day, which unofficially puts him a pound and a half behind KVD. Yikes!!!

Some lady with B.A.S.S. jersey on the livefeed from the launch just took a spill. Ha!

Well it seems the blog has caught fire this hour, I hope the traffic keeps up.

Even though KVD is going to run away with it for the 2nd year straight, today was a slugfest. Basstrakk has 5 bags at 20lbs+

KVD styled Chuck Norris jokes on the Bassmaster.com blog. Highlights
• KVD can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
• KVD doesn't need to actually cast for fish, he simply goes to a river or lake and says: "You, you, you, you and you -- in the livewell!"

Yes, again today I will liveblog the weigh-in.

It's interesting Basstrakk just updated for Federation Angler Palaniuk and they have him up on Ike by 3lbs plus. Wonder if they go with Ike who has the name and bigger bag for the day or little known Palaniuk who appears to have the better overall weight. I would think they have to go with Palaniuk. I wonder when they start putting anglers in "the hot seat."

Even though it's over, it will be interesting to see who they put in the final 6. By Basstrakk it will be KVD, Martens, Remitz, Chapman, Duckett, Ike. It looks like there will be some killer bags.

New Info:(Erased)

On the Bassmaster.com blog they keep calling Remitz's big one a "log donkey" which is apparently a Louisiana thing.

The big question now: Just how many more millions of dollars did KVD just put in Strike King's pockets on their new square bill crankbaits.

OK I have officially called it. Basstrakk now has KVD with 22lbs and it says he has caught 17 bass today.

Basstrakk has KVD with 21lbs. I would say it's over in fact I'm going to call it in a minute. I wonder if Rick Clunn will be the one to pass him the trophy?

Derek Remitz with a big fish, but not sure if it's THE big fish.

Update: From the Bassmaster.com blog The Wolverine gets ridiculous
Remitz's cameraman Brian Mason just confirmed that his big fish was a 10-pounder. That gives him close to 25 pounds. Rediculous.
If that is true and Remitz gets one more like it, it could be the biggest upset in Classic history. Go Derek!!!

From Bassmaster.com
If VanDam goes on to win, he'll surpass the $5 million mark in B.A.S.S. earnings. What's more, he'll have won more B.A.S.S. tournament prize money than the next two anglers combined!
Wow!!!

Update- It is being reported that KVD will indeed break the Bassmaster Classic 3 Day 5 fish limit weight record.

Something to think about: Tournament fishing and fishing in general can be a funny thing. Think about Brent Chapman and the longer fog delay. Conventional wisdom is that if he would have had longer to fish that his bag for the day would have been bigger. Yes that might be the case, but you can bet his bag would have been different. He may or may not have caught some of the fish he did catch and he probably would have caught a few that he didn't catch. His bag very well might have been lighter. Given a longer time it's almost certain his timing and placement of baits would have been different and that means a different result in all likelyhood. I suppose the same holds true for KVD, but a little less so as he had the time to be more methodical and with GPS it's likely that he still would have hit the same spots at the same times later in the fishing day when he got his bigger fish.

Don't miss Big Indiana Bass blogs Analysis of Basstrakk on Day 2...


For the next few hours I will be reading the Classic Blog, watching Basstrakk, and scouring the Internet for the stuff I would have looked at last night. I will be posting some of those things from time to time, so be sure to check back.


So will it be Godzilla's Day?


And under To Much Information:
With such limited time to fish yesterday, Kriet reported that some of life's necessities took a back seat. He ate a candy bar at 70mph and, ahem, relieved himself, without ever stopping flipping is Yo Mama.

Well I kind of had Bassmaster Classic overload after following things all day yesterday through the weigh-in so I laid down and ended up falling asleep early. Today is the earliest I have been up for the tournament. Only a short fog delay today and the anglers were off by 7:30AM Central, which I think put the delay at 30 minutes. On the 2011 Bassmaster Classic live blog this morning it was reported that Brent Chapman had radar put on his boat.

KVD's Classic Update & Valentine Message:

In case you are not on KVD's Facebook Page.

Kevin Van Dam's First Bassmaster Classic Win

This was on the Louisiana Delta in 2001
Bassmaster Classic Rewind - 2001
by Dan O'Sullivan This is a great write up on how things went down.

Kevin Van Dam On Ice

Story at The Activist Angler.

I think he might have stole the story from B.A.S.S. but the link only goes to the Bassmaster.com website, not the Van Dam story.