Kevin VanDam entered the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship in 24th place which means he's in the Classic. Yesterday he had a limit for 12 pounds, which moved him up to 23 in AOY standings. Yet he's fishing like a man on a mission.
We're in Ephraim Bay watching several guys on the Classic Bubble when VanDam blasts by us, traveling much faster than the guys who are struggling for Classic berths. Then he proceeds to.fish with a sense of urgency. Casting and reeling like his life depends on it. He appears to be applying more effort than the bubble guys. I believe that's just who KVD is. That's why he's a champion. But it may also be a sense of pride. He's a Great Lakes northern guy. He may be the smallmouth expert on tour. And he's out to prove he can still compete at the highest level.