KVD’s whackfest at BASSfest

See Kevin VanDam's great morning run on Day 1 of Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

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Kevin VanDam arrives to his first spot on Day 1 of Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
Kevin VanDam arrives to his first spot on Day 1 of Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
VanDam loads his crankbait rod up...
VanDam loads his crankbait rod up…
...and slings a cast down range.
…and slings a cast down range.
Clifford Pirch arrives shortly after VanDam to find KVD sitting exactly where he wanted to start.
Clifford Pirch arrives shortly after VanDam to find KVD sitting exactly where he wanted to start.
Pirch eases down the ledge a bit...
Pirch eases down the ledge a bit…
...and starts his day.
…and starts his day.
VanDam continues his assault on the ledge.
VanDam continues his assault on the ledge.
...
…
Cast after cast, VanDam fights to ignite the school .
Cast after cast, VanDam fights to ignite the school .
Pirch sets up shop down the ledge a bit.
Pirch sets up shop down the ledge a bit.
VanDam slings another cast out...
VanDam slings another cast out…
...while working his way up onto the sweet spot.
…while working his way up onto the sweet spot.
Pirch grinds away...
Pirch grinds away…
...cast after cast.
…cast after cast.
VanDam hooks up.
VanDam hooks up.
The fish surfaces as it nears the boat.
The fish surfaces as it nears the boat.
In you go.
In you go.
KVD slides a 3-pounder into the well... but it won't be in there for long.
KVD slides a 3-pounder into the well… but it won’t be in there for long.
A couple more casts...
A couple more casts…
...
…
...then another bite.
…then another bite.
This looks like a big one.
This looks like a big one.
KVD positions the fish and then goes for the grab.
KVD positions the fish and then goes for the grab.
That's one VanDam won't mind riding around for a little while.
That’s one VanDam won’t mind riding around for a little while.
KVD shows the stud off to the GoPros.
KVD shows the stud off to the GoPros.
In the box you go.
In the box you go.
Next cast, next bite. Here we go.
Next cast, next bite. Here we go.
VanDam hauls the fish in...
VanDam hauls the fish in…
...and casts a glance in Pirch's direction. So far, VanDam has kept quiet.
…and casts a glance in Pirch’s direction. So far, VanDam has kept quiet.
Next cast, next bite.
Next cast, next bite.
In you go...
In you go…
...
…
...
…
Another chunk heads towards the well.
Another chunk heads towards the well.
Next cast...you guessed it.
Next cast…you guessed it.
VanDam works the fish around...
VanDam works the fish around…
...and then into the boat.
…and then into the boat.
VanDam heads to the livewell with another.
VanDam heads to the livewell with another.
That look though. VanDam is in a scary place for the rest of the field right now. Lights out mode. And we're only about 25 minutes into Day 1.
That look though. VanDam is in a scary place for the rest of the field right now. Lights out mode. And we’re only about 25 minutes into Day 1.
Next cast, another bite.
Next cast, another bite.
And it's a grown one.
And it’s a grown one.
The fish leaves the water.
The fish leaves the water.
VanDam going for the grab...
VanDam going for the grab…
Got her.
Got her.
Another big one heads to the well...
Another big one heads to the well…
...and the first cull of the day goes back. That fish was the first of the morning for VanDam and spent about 8 minutes in the livewell.
…and the first cull of the day goes back. That fish was the first of the morning for VanDam and spent about 8 minutes in the livewell.
As VanDam swings yet another solid fish into the boat...
As VanDam swings yet another solid fish into the boat…
...Pirch can only look on knowing the he lost the battle of the boat draw this morning.
…Pirch can only look on knowing the he lost the battle of the boat draw this morning.
VanDam hooks up again.
VanDam hooks up again.
This looks like another good one.
This looks like another good one.
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
...
…
...
…
Another big fish goes in the well...
Another big fish goes in the well…
...as KVD's GoPros roll on. GoPro video should be up on Bassmaster.com momentarily from VanDam's morning.
…as KVD’s GoPros roll on. GoPro video should be up on Bassmaster.com momentarily from VanDam’s morning.
VanDam tosses another solid fish back.
VanDam tosses another solid fish back.
And what do you know, VanDam makes another cast and hooks up. Again.
And what do you know, VanDam makes another cast and hooks up. Again.
Another solid fish...
Another solid fish…
...but these don't even get a second look anymore as VanDam immediately tosses the fish back.
…but these don’t even get a second look anymore as VanDam immediately tosses the fish back.
Another cast, another hookup.
Another cast, another hookup.
VanDam fights the fish towards the boat...
VanDam fights the fish towards the boat…
...goes for the grab...
…goes for the grab…
...and hauls another stud in.
…and hauls another stud in.
Another big fish goes in the well...
Another big fish goes in the well…
...and another slightly less big fish heads back.
…and another slightly less big fish heads back.
VanDam takes a second to chat with his marshal who has already gotten his money's worth this week on Kentucky Lake, and we're about 45 minutes into Day 1. This is going to be a fun BASSfest.
VanDam takes a second to chat with his marshal who has already gotten his money’s worth this week on Kentucky Lake, and we’re about 45 minutes into Day 1. This is going to be a fun BASSfest.