Entry 178-3
What Makes Them Great
Part 3: Kevin VanDam
Editor’s Note: Many of the Strike King Pros have earned $500,000, $1 million and/or even $2 million in tournament bass-fishing winnings. Inquiring minds want to know, “How do they do it?” Each one of these fishermen takes a different approach to the game of tournament bass-fishing. This week, we’ll take a look at what makes them great through the eyes of George Cochran of Hot Springs, Arkansas, who’s won almost $2 million at tournaments.
Question: What are Kevin VanDam’s strengths?
Cochran: I believe that Kevin VanDam’s strengths are he doesn’t have any weaknesses. He’s the Tiger Woods of bass fishing. Kevin VanDam has been given a gift by God and a talent for bass fishing. When Kevin was a boy, his mom and dad owned a marina, and he was constantly on the water fishing by himself and with guides.
Kevin was raised on the water. He spent so much time on the water fishing as a youngster that his entire mindset is, “How can I be a better fisherman?” Kevin has never lost that mindset. As his tournament record will prove, he gets better each year. Kevin’s the most-consistent fisherman on the tournament record. I think 10 years from now when we look back at the fishing records, we’ll all agree that Kevin VanDam has been one of the best bass fishermen ever.
Question: What are Kevin’s strengths?
Cochran: Kevin’s a complete package; he’s got it all. When you look at Kevin, and you compare him to Tiger Woods in golf, you’ll see that neither of them has a weakness. There’s nothing that Kevin can’t do and do it well. Kevin’s also a high-energy fisherman. He covers a vast amount of water in a short time. I believe that his body metabolism is much higher than most fishermen’s.
Kevin’s an athlete in every sense of the word. He’s strong, fast, highly intelligent, and able to make decisions quickly and choose water correctly. I think I’ll have a much-more difficult time finding a weakness in Kevin’s fishing arsenal than I will defining his strengths. He’s versatile, persistent and one of the fiercest competitors I know.
Next: Denny Brauer
Contents:
- Part 1: George Cochran
- Part 2: Shaw Grigsby
- Part 3: Kevin VanDam
- Part 4: Denny Brauer
- Part 5: Why I Switched
