Rigged for smallies with KVD

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Michigan resident and bass-fishing superstar Kevin VanDam knows smallmouth bass, especially the ones that live in the north. He took a few minutes at Bassmaster University at Grand Casino Mille Lacs to show us how he stays rigged for smallmouth bass.
Michigan resident and bass-fishing superstar Kevin VanDam knows smallmouth bass, especially the ones that live in the north. He took a few minutes at Bassmaster University at Grand Casino Mille Lacs to show us how he stays rigged for smallmouth bass.
He said his trolling motor is key. The MotorGuide X5 is powerful and responsive, two attributes he loves about this thing.
He said his trolling motor is key. The MotorGuide X5 is powerful and responsive, two attributes he loves about this thing.
Another instrumental piece of equipment is the Hummingbird KVD Helix 12. The big and detailed screen allows him to focus on specific spots.
Another instrumental piece of equipment is the Hummingbird KVD Helix 12. The big and detailed screen allows him to focus on specific spots.
KVD believes the Hydrowave is critical to encouraging schooling fish to feed. The sounds emitted “talk” the bass into eating.
KVD believes the Hydrowave is critical to encouraging schooling fish to feed. The sounds emitted “talk” the bass into eating.
KVD loves a spinnerbait regardless of when or where. He said that the smallies are killing this thing on Mille Lacs this week.
KVD loves a spinnerbait regardless of when or where. He said that the smallies are killing this thing on Mille Lacs this week.
He said it’s a very versatile presentation: He can work it quickly along the top of the water column; slow roll it along the rock reefs and even in a lift-and-drop retrieve.
He said it’s a very versatile presentation: He can work it quickly along the top of the water column; slow roll it along the rock reefs and even in a lift-and-drop retrieve.
He also loves tubes. Not an unfamiliar bait choice for smallie anglers.
He also loves tubes. Not an unfamiliar bait choice for smallie anglers.
The Strike King Coffee Tubes not only catch fish, but they smell good, too.
The Strike King Coffee Tubes not only catch fish, but they smell good, too.
Yes, the renowned power fisherman is very comfortable with a drop shot in his hand, especially the KVD Dream Shot by Strike King.
Yes, the renowned power fisherman is very comfortable with a drop shot in his hand, especially the KVD Dream Shot by Strike King.
He likes a tungsten weight in 3/8- to 1/2-ounce sizes.
He likes a tungsten weight in 3/8- to 1/2-ounce sizes.
Like Feider, KVD will keep a box of jerkbaits on-hand.
Like Feider, KVD will keep a box of jerkbaits on-hand.
Here is his signature Strike King KVD Jerkbait, in one of his favorite colors.
Here is his signature Strike King KVD Jerkbait, in one of his favorite colors.
KVD keeps his drop shot weights and hooks together in a Plano tray. Mustad is his hook of choice.
KVD keeps his drop shot weights and hooks together in a Plano tray. Mustad is his hook of choice.
You’ll also find some tube jigs and shaky heads, as well. All smallie favorites.
You’ll also find some tube jigs and shaky heads, as well. All smallie favorites.
KVD loves to throw a swimbait for big smallies. He’ll go with either an underspin or a straight jighead. Bot get hammered when the smallmouths are willing to chase a horizontal presentation.
KVD loves to throw a swimbait for big smallies. He’ll go with either an underspin or a straight jighead. Bot get hammered when the smallmouths are willing to chase a horizontal presentation.
Of course, the crankbait legend himself keeps a steady supply of cranks on-hand. This 6XD has seen some action. Notice the bill, it’s been dragged along the bottom on the reefs, and it shows some wear and tear. The Sexy Shad works north to south, east to west.
Of course, the crankbait legend himself keeps a steady supply of cranks on-hand. This 6XD has seen some action. Notice the bill, it’s been dragged along the bottom on the reefs, and it shows some wear and tear. The Sexy Shad works north to south, east to west.
He also keeps a box of lipless cranks around. The Red Eye Shad is his signature lipless.
He also keeps a box of lipless cranks around. The Red Eye Shad is his signature lipless.
He said that bluegill and perch patterns have been catching a lot fish for him as well. Those are good looking baits for sure!
He said that bluegill and perch patterns have been catching a lot fish for him as well. Those are good looking baits for sure!
He upgrades the factory hooks to a larger size. He uses Mustad UltraPoint KVD Elite Triple Grip treble hooks. The bigger hooks decrease the number of fish that come unbuttoned during the fight.
He upgrades the factory hooks to a larger size. He uses Mustad UltraPoint KVD Elite Triple Grip treble hooks. The bigger hooks decrease the number of fish that come unbuttoned during the fight.
This may go without saying, but a good pair of KVD pliers are worth their weight in gold. Especially when dealing with smallmouth bass and treble hooks.
This may go without saying, but a good pair of KVD pliers are worth their weight in gold. Especially when dealing with smallmouth bass and treble hooks.
Adequate lake mapping is absolutely crucial to finding big schools of big smallies. The Helix 10 gives the angler a crystal clear view of the lake contours.
Adequate lake mapping is absolutely crucial to finding big schools of big smallies. The Helix 10 gives the angler a crystal clear view of the lake contours.
It’s a pretty fair assessment that there are smallies on this very spot at this very moment.
It’s a pretty fair assessment that there are smallies on this very spot at this very moment.
KVD depends on his LakeMaster mapping card. Having the right cartography makes learning a fishery a piece of cake. LakeMaster takes care of KVD.
KVD depends on his LakeMaster mapping card. Having the right cartography makes learning a fishery a piece of cake. LakeMaster takes care of KVD.
Finally, smallmouth bass typically swim in big waters where rolling waves are certainly a factor. KVD likes to keep a butt seat handy in the front of his Nitro Z21. Thanks for the insight, Kevin!
Finally, smallmouth bass typically swim in big waters where rolling waves are certainly a factor. KVD likes to keep a butt seat handy in the front of his Nitro Z21. Thanks for the insight, Kevin!