Photographer Garrick Dixon and myself gathered details for the Lures of the Top 12 gallery. Most of the anglers already had both sides of their casting decks loaded with piles of rod-and-reel outfits.
Kevin VanDam is no exception. For the photos KVD held up a double fisted arsenal of lures. Here’s the lineup.
Early in the morning he uses a Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg topwater during the shad spawn. For reaction strikes he uses a Strike King KVD Jerkbait. For a slower presentation he switches to a Strike King Tour Grade Rage Blade Swim Jig, or a Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig designed by Andy Montgomery. To that he adds a Strike King Rage Menace. Alternatively, he Texas-rigs the Rage Menace for a finesse approach. A Strike King KVD Finesse Spinnerbait and Strike King KVD HC Shallow Squarebill 1.5 are productive for covering water.
In all, that totals up to seven different lures capable of covering the entire water column, from top to bottom.
Look for the full gallery with more photos, lure details and how those were used midweek.