Entry 190-4
The Tiger Woods Of Bass Fishing – Kevin VanDam
Part 4: Kevin’s Gear
Editor’s Note:The last person to weigh in at the 2007 Bassmaster Classic was Kevin VanDam. Boyd Duckett posted the leading weight, and the world waited to see if VanDam, the Tiger Woods of bass fishing, could pull off another win. But when the fish hit the scales, Duckett’s weight held, and he became the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion.
Question: Kevin, could you tell us the type of gear you were using in this year’s Classic?
VanDam: I was fishing the Strike King Red Eye Shad, my primary bait, and I also caught some fish on a new bait Strike King just introduced from their Custom Shop, the Flat Shad. Those are the only two lures I caught any fish on in the whole tournament. I was throwing two colors - the crawdad color and the gold color. The gold-colored Red Eye Shad produced the most bass for me. I was fishing 17-pound Bass Pro Shop XPS Fluorocarbon line and using a 7-foot, 2-inch Quantum Signature Series cranking rod with a Quantum Energy PT 750 5.1:1 Baitcasting Reel. I was trying to make a million casts a day.
Question: What size was the Red Eye Shad you were fishing?
VanDam: It’s a 1/2-ounce, the only size Strike King makes in this bait.
Contents:
- Part 1: The Boat Yard Interview
- Part 2: Where Did They Go?
- Part 3: Press Room Interview
- Part 4: Kevin’s Gear
- Part 5: Treasure on the First Day
