Kevin VanDam wasn’t in the best of moods after weighing-in Saturday. His worst day of the tournament – 19-12 – dropped him from second place to sixth, 4-10 behind Edwin Evers. But he did sound a note of optimism, competitive optimism.
“I guess I’m happy about being up there in the top 12,” he said. “But I’m going to have a big day tomorrow and make ’em nervous at least.”
Mission accomplished. VanDam already has 21-3, according to BASSTrakk. More importantly, VanDam has caught two of those difference-makers – a 7-pounder and a 5-pounder. Those two fish are the foundation for a big day.
VanDam has a little extra fire in his belly after failing to qualify for the Classic last year. With a rule change this year, BASSfest is the only Elite Series event that includes an automatic Classic berth. KVD and all the other finalists today are well aware of that.
“This is the only one where you get a Classic berth,” VanDam said. “So we all are taking it real serious.”