VanDam Does it Again

Dominates on Kentucky Lake for 6-Pound Lead at Bassmaster Elite Series Elite Event

PARIS, Tenn. – Kevin VanDam’s Kentucky Lake domination is beginning to get a bit ridiculous. Despite a rough start – VanDam failed to connect on consecutive 5-pounders on his first two bites – the five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year opened up a 6-pound lead at the Tennessee Triumph Friday.

After scoring a first-, second- and third-place finish in the previous three Elite events here, VanDam is closing in on adding another victory to his Kentucky Lake ledger. He ended up toting 24 pounds, 2 ounces, to the scales Thursday, which upgraded his two-day total to 49 pounds, 2 ounces. His consistency was rare as he was only angler to remain in the top five from Wednesday.

VanDam capitalized on a fast-and-furious early-morning bite, which allowed him to vacate his primary areas by 9:30 am and hunt for new water. The search wasn’t fruitless and VanDam feels that he has a number of areas at his disposal that could produce. Still, VanDam was worried about boat pressure – from locals and competitors – with the impending weekend. Last year, perhaps the most lasting image from Bobby Lane’s victory here was the armada of 100-plus spectator boats that crowded his area. [Read more]

No Surprise: VanDam Takes Early Lead on Kentucky Lake at Bassmaster Elite Series Event

It was more a question of when, not if, five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam was going to make a late-season charge. Heading into the Tennessee Triumph this week, the planet’s best angler was in 26^th in the Angler of the Year standings. Respectable for mere mortals, yes, but for VanDam, it wasn’t good enough.

But this week looked like an obvious springboard. VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., has posted first-, second- and third-place finishes on Kentucky Lake in the three previous Bassmaster competitions here. A Wednesday limit of 25 pounds, 0 ounces, on the fish factory has him in the catbird seat to start the week. Just ounces off the pace, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, Va., registered 24-15 and sits in second.

Unlike in years past on Kentucky, things have been a struggle thus far, VanDam said. The current didn’t run until late in the day and the bass aren’t schooling up and prone to quick flurries, most likely due to the recent flooding.

“It’s not easy out there,” said VanDam, a three-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “The areas that I typically go to have been beat to pieces. The biggest thing that has changed is everyone has the equipment to find fish out here. And it shows. But you still have to know what to throw and how to throw it to get the big bites.”

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Paris Landing hosts Bassmaster’s SpongeTech Tennessee Triumph tomorrow

“Out-of-control good” is what 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, calls the fishing at Kentucky Lake, where the Bassmaster Elite Series will head to next for the June 3-6 SpongeTech Tennessee Triumph out of Paris, Tenn.

Kentucky Lake has hosted 10 previous BASS events, including the 2008 Bluegrass Brawl, won by reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., who edged Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., by more than 1 pound. VanDam recently wrapped up another victory – 15th in his BASS career – at the Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl in April on Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake.

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Tennessee Triumph on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, June 13, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com.

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