Entry 362-2
Shut Up and Catch Bass – Kevin VanDam Learns that Silence Pays $100,000 on Kentucky Lake
Editor’s Note: Kevin VanDam is back. After winning the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, had had a mediocre year so far by some people’s standards. As one of the elite 200 on the BASS circuit, he surprises people when he doesn’t win tournaments. But on June 12, the “Ledge King” took home first-place prize and a $100,000 check after winning the 2010 Elite Series tournament at Kentucky Lake.
Part 2: VanDam Explains – Have More Than One Place to Bass Fish
Question: Kevin, where did you find the bass holding in practice?
VanDam: The bass were holding on main-river flats more than on sharp breaks. There may have been a very-subtle depth change out on the main river. The bass were holding in 18 to 20 feet of water.
Question: How many places did you find to fish?
VanDam: I found between 12- and 15-different spots holding bass. Some areas were holding bigger bass than others. In practice, I’d catch and release one or two bass, mark the spot with my GPS and then leave it alone. I tried to find as many sections holding bass as I could. On the Tennessee River, there are so many bass that they will mix together instead of being schooled-up according to size. There wasn’t a school of all-big bass or just little bass. There were a few big bass mixed-in with smaller-sized bass.
Question: How did you plan for the expected heavy spectator pressure?
VanDam: I didn’t want to have to go to all my bass-fishing locations in one day. I knew that when I left an area, I probably wouldn’t be able to return there. Last year, when I lost the tournament to Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida, I learned that I had to save places to fish so, that if I was in contention on the final day, I’d have one or two areas I hadn’t fished that I might could return to and possibly catch enough bass to win. I fished two or three of my good spots on the first day, but I didn’t fish them all. I wanted to leave enough areas to have new locations to fish almost every day. Oftentimes spectators will come-in behind me and fish the places I’ve found. Too, many times they’ll run their big engines right over the area I’ve fished and spook the bass.
So, when I fish Kentucky Lake, I know that more than likely I’ll have one chance for success on a fishing spot. To solve this problem, I try to find more than one bass-fishing location. Too, I don’t believe I’m the only fisherman with a depth finder or a side-imaging sonar. If I find a good fishing site, there’s a very-good chance another tournament angler will be at that same spot and be fishing it when I want to fish it. The waterways are open.
No one owns a school of bass when they find them. So, the more places you have to fish, especially in a tournament, the better your chances for doing well. Even if you’re fun fishing on the weekends, don’t bet on just one spot. Identify several places where you think you can catch bass. Then you won’t spend all day looking for them.
Next: Kevin VanDam's First Competition Day on Kentucky Lake - the Strike King 6 XD Makes the Difference
Contents:
- Part 1: How Kevin VanDam Found the Bass That Produced $100,000 at Kentucky Lake
- Part 2: VanDam Explains - Have More Than One Place to Bass Fish
- Part 3: Kevin VanDam's First Competition Day on Kentucky Lake - the Strike King 6 XD Makes the Difference
- Part 4: Kevin VanDam Shut-Up and Caught More Bass with the Strike King Silent Stalker 6XD at Kentucky Lake
- Part 5: Kevin VanDam's Last Two Days of the BASS Kentucky Lake Tournament
