KVD’s Championship charge

Kevin VanDam began Day 4 of the Busch Beer Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake in third place, less than 2-pounds out of the lead. And like he usually does, he started fast.
Kevin VanDam began Day 4 of the Busch Beer Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake in third place, less than 2-pounds out of the lead. And like he usually does, he started fast.
This would be his second keeper of the day. His first a 4-pound class fish was caught minutes before that.
This would be his second keeper of the day. His first a 4-pound class fish was caught minutes before that.
Once the first one came aboard, VanDam took the lead in the event, jumping over Jordan Lee and Brett Hite.
Once the first one came aboard, VanDam took the lead in the event, jumping over Jordan Lee and Brett Hite.
He really never gave up that lead either, holding onto it for the next 7 1/2 hours.
He really never gave up that lead either, holding onto it for the next 7 1/2 hours.
The problem was, VanDam was catching fish that were far smaller than the big pace Cayuga had set in the early going.
The problem was, VanDam was catching fish that were far smaller than the big pace Cayuga had set in the early going.
Keepers like these barely moved the charts during the first three days of competition.
Keepers like these barely moved the charts during the first three days of competition.
VanDam knew all too well he had to catch a limit first before he could start culling so 2-pound class fish like these hit the livewell. They would prove invaluable.
VanDam knew all too well he had to catch a limit first before he could start culling so 2-pound class fish like these hit the livewell. They would prove invaluable.
And VanDam seemed to always be hooked up in the early going.
And VanDam seemed to always be hooked up in the early going.
Unfortunately many of those bites had more teeth than a bass. Pickerel were a constant problem for the field.
Unfortunately many of those bites had more teeth than a bass. Pickerel were a constant problem for the field.
VanDam didn't waste any time with them.
VanDam didn’t waste any time with them.
He couldn't. It seemed as if one bit him about every third or fourth bite.
He couldn’t. It seemed as if one bit him about every third or fourth bite.
VanDam would work an area over well, then get on the big motor and try a new spot.
VanDam would work an area over well, then get on the big motor and try a new spot.
And in most areas, he would get bit quickly.
And in most areas, he would get bit quickly.
After more than an hour of bass, bass, pickerel, even the cameraman was watching closely to see what would come up next.
After more than an hour of bass, bass, pickerel, even the cameraman was watching closely to see what would come up next.
This would give KVD his limit, coming in at around 11- to 12-pounds.
This would give KVD his limit, coming in at around 11- to 12-pounds.
The lack of size produced some jaw-scratching moments for all the competitors.
The lack of size produced some jaw-scratching moments for all the competitors.
But those moments wouldn't last long.
But those moments wouldn’t last long.
We could tell this was a better than average fish by the way VanDam was working the boat.
We could tell this was a better than average fish by the way VanDam was working the boat.
And it was verified when the fish started peeking above water.
And it was verified when the fish started peeking above water.
A short splash later, and VanDam decides to hit the deck.
A short splash later, and VanDam decides to hit the deck.
He moves the fish in close with the use of just the rod, pushing the reel out of reach.
He moves the fish in close with the use of just the rod, pushing the reel out of reach.
Close enough to the boat, he reaches for the fish that seems to be coming in just fine.
Close enough to the boat, he reaches for the fish that seems to be coming in just fine.
But as usual, there is one last jump.
But as usual, there is one last jump.
VanDam would pull out one of the largest fish in his sack. Actually this may have been the largest fish caught on the final day.
VanDam would pull out one of the largest fish in his sack. Actually this may have been the largest fish caught on the final day.
After a few tunes up to tackle.
After a few tunes up to tackle.
And an appearance by the Bassmaster drone....
And an appearance by the Bassmaster drone….
VanDam would catch another keeper.
VanDam would catch another keeper.
This one, like the rest, seemed on the small side.
This one, like the rest, seemed on the small side.
But after a harder look, VanDam decides to give it a better chance.
But after a harder look, VanDam decides to give it a better chance.
And actually winds up culling with it, gaining some all-important ounces.
And actually winds up culling with it, gaining some all-important ounces.
He would see other anglers scrambling around in the background.
He would see other anglers scrambling around in the background.
And catch one more keeper in the north-section of the lake.
And catch one more keeper in the north-section of the lake.
This one would some ounces as well.
This one would some ounces as well.
By mid-morning, VanDam was on the move, hitting key pieces of the flats in the northern end of Cayuga.
By mid-morning, VanDam was on the move, hitting key pieces of the flats in the northern end of Cayuga.
And every once in a while he would get another bite. They just weren't big enough.
And every once in a while he would get another bite. They just weren’t big enough.
VanDam would clean his gear of the stringy grass of Cayuga.
VanDam would clean his gear of the stringy grass of Cayuga.
And in the most critical decision of the event, VanDam would move south, away from virtually every angler in the field.
And in the most critical decision of the event, VanDam would move south, away from virtually every angler in the field.
It was well-timed move. He started catching almost-immediately.
It was well-timed move. He started catching almost-immediately.
And it was obvious they were of the size variety that could help.
And it was obvious they were of the size variety that could help.
Even though VanDam initially thought this fish was bigger than it was, he gently lifts the fish into the boat.
Even though VanDam initially thought this fish was bigger than it was, he gently lifts the fish into the boat.
The chunky largemouth would not have made the cut any other day in the event.
The chunky largemouth would not have made the cut any other day in the event.
But on this final day, VanDam would take it and a few more.
But on this final day, VanDam would take it and a few more.
VanDam fished a grass bed on the East side of the lake, covering it with jerkbaits and soft plastics.
VanDam fished a grass bed on the East side of the lake, covering it with jerkbaits and soft plastics.
And every once in a while catching a fish that would allow him to cull the smaller fish caught that morning.
And every once in a while catching a fish that would allow him to cull the smaller fish caught that morning.
At this point in time, VanDam had the event won. But he still flailed the water with every lure he had.
At this point in time, VanDam had the event won. But he still flailed the water with every lure he had.
Hoping that the next bite would the 4- to 5-pounder that would get him closer to 20 pounds.
Hoping that the next bite would the 4- to 5-pounder that would get him closer to 20 pounds.
But all of them revealed themselves to be much less.
But all of them revealed themselves to be much less.
VanDam, though, would cull with virtually every one of them, gaining a few ounces and then getting back to work.
VanDam, though, would cull with virtually every one of them, gaining a few ounces and then getting back to work.
Even the gulls were working hard around him.
Even the gulls were working hard around him.
Like most days, VanDam would cast quickly pushing the lure out before the water ever fell back to the lake from the previous cast.
Like most days, VanDam would cast quickly pushing the lure out before the water ever fell back to the lake from the previous cast.
He occasionally picked up a spectator or two on the bank.
He occasionally picked up a spectator or two on the bank.
And then pick up a keeper that might or might not help.
And then pick up a keeper that might or might not help.
With the last of his lucky cookies, he would leave the area and look for similar, productive areas.
With the last of his lucky cookies, he would leave the area and look for similar, productive areas.
He would find one more decent fish on the West side of the lake.
He would find one more decent fish on the West side of the lake.
It would actually be a smallmouth.
It would actually be a smallmouth.
It would not cull, but it didn't matter. When he moved back north to where the rest of the field was fishing, he had gained several pounds. But the water in the north area, churned by boat traffic and wind had turned chalky, making it difficult to see the holes where the fish were hanging out. His trip to the south had proven to be a key move.
It would not cull, but it didn’t matter. When he moved back north to where the rest of the field was fishing, he had gained several pounds. But the water in the north area, churned by boat traffic and wind had turned chalky, making it difficult to see the holes where the fish were hanging out. His trip to the south had proven to be a key move.
The hard work on Championship Sunday paid off for VanDam.
The hard work on Championship Sunday paid off for VanDam.
Some wear Superman pajamas; Superman wears KVD pajamas.
Some wear Superman pajamas; Superman wears KVD pajamas.
KVD once won an underwater breathing contest with a fish.
KVD once won an underwater breathing contest with a fish.
Before the boogeyman goes to sleep, he checks his closet for KVD.
Before the boogeyman goes to sleep, he checks his closet for KVD.
KVD can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
KVD can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.