Day 1 with JVD

See what Day 1 of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship held for Jonathon VanDam.

Jonathan VanDam started day one of the Bassmaster Angler of the Year championship in 47th place for AOY points and needed a great bag to move up a few spots and qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
Jonathan VanDam started day one of the Bassmaster Angler of the Year championship in 47th place for AOY points and needed a great bag to move up a few spots and qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
With the pressure to perform mounting JVD threw a combination of baits including a tube and a several drop shot baits. After trying a few locations JVD set the hook on what we all hoped was a quality fish.
With the pressure to perform mounting JVD threw a combination of baits including a tube and a several drop shot baits. After trying a few locations JVD set the hook on what we all hoped was a quality fish.
The smallmouth jumped several times, but Jonathan kept his cool.
The smallmouth jumped several times, but Jonathan kept his cool.
The fish turned out to be a little smaller than what JVD needed to be putting in his live well.
The fish turned out to be a little smaller than what JVD needed to be putting in his live well.
Caught on a tube, Jonathan wrangles the wiggling fish and unhooks it.
Caught on a tube, Jonathan wrangles the wiggling fish and unhooks it.
This one isn’t in the size class he needs to secure a classic berth; so back in the lake it goes.
This one isn’t in the size class he needs to secure a classic berth; so back in the lake it goes.
Jonathan fished each of his areas thoroughly and seemed to remain calm despite the slow action and smaller fish.
Jonathan fished each of his areas thoroughly and seemed to remain calm despite the slow action and smaller fish.
While fishing the same area JVD set the hook on his second fish of the day.
While fishing the same area JVD set the hook on his second fish of the day.
“This might be a little better fish guys!”
“This might be a little better fish guys!”
JVD fights the fish to the boat keeping in mind every ounce of weight in his live well could mean he is one step closer to making the 2016 Classic.
JVD fights the fish to the boat keeping in mind every ounce of weight in his live well could mean he is one step closer to making the 2016 Classic.
Jon lets the fish tire before bringing it close to the boat gunnel.
Jon lets the fish tire before bringing it close to the boat gunnel.
Once JVD realized the fish wasn’t a giant, he lifted the fish up and brought it into the boat.
Once JVD realized the fish wasn’t a giant, he lifted the fish up and brought it into the boat.
Although this is a little bit better fish it only put VanDam at two fish for 3.5 lbs.
Although this is a little bit better fish it only put VanDam at two fish for 3.5 lbs.
JVD lips the smallmouth…
JVD lips the smallmouth…
…however this fish was not done fighting yet and continued to flop around in the air with JVD’s tube in its mouth.
…however this fish was not done fighting yet and continued to flop around in the air with JVD’s tube in its mouth.
“That’s two boys!”
“That’s two boys!”
VanDam went back to fishing and explained that he thought his area was worth more than two fish. “I don’t think there are a lot of giants here, but I figured I could at least get a limit in this spot.”
VanDam went back to fishing and explained that he thought his area was worth more than two fish. “I don’t think there are a lot of giants here, but I figured I could at least get a limit in this spot.”
Later in the morning JVD brought out a deeper diving jerk bait hoping to coax a few bigger fish into biting.
Later in the morning JVD brought out a deeper diving jerk bait hoping to coax a few bigger fish into biting.
Making repeated casts all around the area he was fishing JVD stayed focused and seemed confident he had plenty of time to catch a limit.
Making repeated casts all around the area he was fishing JVD stayed focused and seemed confident he had plenty of time to catch a limit.
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After one hundred casts (give or take) JVD sets the hook on what we were all hoping was fish number three…
After one hundred casts (give or take) JVD sets the hook on what we were all hoping was fish number three…
…but it was just another small one.
…but it was just another small one.
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JVD gets the fish under control and unhooks his bait from its mouth.
JVD gets the fish under control and unhooks his bait from its mouth.
VanDam measures the fish just to make sure it actually is under the legal length limit.
VanDam measures the fish just to make sure it actually is under the legal length limit.
Too small! JVD releases the fish and heads back to the front deck to make another cast.
Too small! JVD releases the fish and heads back to the front deck to make another cast.
Jonathan picks up another rod, this time a dropshot with a Strike King Dream Shot rigged up.
Jonathan picks up another rod, this time a dropshot with a Strike King Dream Shot rigged up.
Leader Greg Hackney and second place angler Jacob Powroznik were all within sight of some of the areas JVD was fishing. “I know there’s fish around, but it just seems so random. They’re not all sitting in one spot that’s for sure!”
Leader Greg Hackney and second place angler Jacob Powroznik were all within sight of some of the areas JVD was fishing. “I know there’s fish around, but it just seems so random. They’re not all sitting in one spot that’s for sure!”
Bobby Lane and Brandon Lester both video game fishing nearby.
Bobby Lane and Brandon Lester both video game fishing nearby.
VanDam reaches into his rod locker to grab another pole.
VanDam reaches into his rod locker to grab another pole.
Powroznik and Lester still searching for marks on their electronics.
Powroznik and Lester still searching for marks on their electronics.
As the day went on it got quite a bit rougher.
As the day went on it got quite a bit rougher.
VanDam checked a few more spots including a channel marker, but then headed north. “Hopefully up there I can get a few more fish to close out this limit. I need it.”
VanDam checked a few more spots including a channel marker, but then headed north. “Hopefully up there I can get a few more fish to close out this limit. I need it.”