Entry 185-2

How I’ll Fish the Classic with Kevin VanDam

Part 2: Bad Weather

Question: Kevin, you mentioned that bad weather’s your ideal condition for fishing the Classic. If you have cold weather and muddy water during the tournament days of this year’s Bassmaster Classic, how will you fish, where will you fish, and what will you use?

VanDam: I know that on Lay Lake, when the water’s cold and muddy, you have to move away from the current. So, I’ll move back into the creeks and find and catch the bass that have been least affected by the muddy water and the cold temperatures. Cold, muddy water with current makes for really-tough fishing conditions. There aren’t many creeks on Lay Lake because it fishes more like a river than it does an impoundment. So, I’ll have to find certain little key spots that will be better than any other areas on the lake. If I can find four or five of those good little places and make a milk run by fishing each of those areas at a different time of day when I feel the bass will be more active on those places, then I’ll have a good chance to win the tournament.

Question: Under these bad conditions, what bait will you be fishing?

VanDam: Under these conditions, I’ll fish slow-moving bait like the Strike King jig, and I’ll slow-roll the spinner bait. I may try the Series 5 Strike King crankbait in the crawfish or the chartreuse colors.

Question: Will you be flipping the jig or casting it?

VanDam: I’ll be casting the jig and crawling it on the bottom. When the water’s cold in the early spring, the crawfish will be the bass’ No. 1 food source, especially in a lake that has as much rock, gravel and hard bottom as Lay Lake. I know that this lake has plenty of crawfish in it, so this will be my primary lure, if we get those bad weather conditions.

Question: What size, what color and what trailer will you be using on the back of the jig?

VanDam: When the water’s dirty, I’ll use a black or a black-and-blue Strike King jig, and the weight of the jig will be determined by how deep I’m fishing. More than likely, I’ll use a 1/2- or a 3/8-ounce jig. I’ll be using a small trailer on the jig because I want my jig to be the size that a spotted bass or a largemouth bass will eat. I’ll probably look for rocky banks and channel swings where I can see where the bass are holding from the boat.

Question: You mentioned that if the bass aren’t taking the jig, you’ll be fishing the spinner bait. What size, what color and what tactics will you be using with the spinner bait?

VanDam: I’ll be slow-rolling a Kevin VanDam Strike King 3/4-ounce spinner bait. I’ll probably be using a chartreuse color, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll go to the Strike King Series 5 or Series 6 crankbait. I’ll try to get the crankbait down to the bottom and move it really slowly just off the bottom. I’ll be attempting to just trigger a reaction strike from the bass. If you have those kinds of weather conditions, fishing slow will be the tactic that pays off.

Question: What color crankbait will you be using, if you have to go to the crankbait?

VanDam: Water clarity will determine the color I choose. But under these conditions, I’ll be using the crawfish- or the chartreuse-colored crankbait. If the water’s really dirty, I’ll use a bright chartreuse-colored crankbait.

Question: What kinds of places will you fish?

VanDam: I’ll be fishing staging areas where I think the bass will be holding and getting ready to spawn. These regions will be close to the spawning areas and out of the current.

Next: Good Weather – Bad News

Contents:

• Part 1: Warming Up Before the Classic
• Part 2: Bad Weather
• Part 3: Good Weather – Bad News
• Part 4: Outfishing the Competiton
• Part 5: Who Will Win the Bassmaster Classic?