VanDam Sews up 15th Victory at Bassmaster Elite Event on Smith Mountain Lake
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MONETA, Va. – Harkening back to his Michigan roots, four-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam picked apart a clear, deep fishery – just like he used to do years ago as a kid in Kalamazoo – on Smith Mountain Lake, to the tune of 61 pounds, 13 ounces, enough to hold off Matt Herren of Trussville, Ala., for a victory by more than 2 pounds Sunday at the Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl.
With a decidedly different approach than most in the Elite field, VanDam targeted smallmouth bass by sight on the way to his 15th BASS victory and the accompanying $100,000 top prize. While most were sight fishing, no one else was actively seeking smallmouth. To boot, VanDam used a technique that isn’t considered one of his strengths.
But VanDam has shaped an illustrious career – his 15 wins put him third on BASS’ all-time list – by adjusting to the conditions. Sunday, he boated 13 pounds, 14 ounces, and threw everything but the kitchen sink to close out the victory.
“It seemed like every time things weren’t going right, I made an adjustment and things would turn on again,” said VanDam, who is closing in on $3.5 million in BASS career earnings. “It was just one of those magical weeks where everything fell into place. I’m just really proud of the decisions and adjustments I made.”
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Blue Ridge Brawl on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com.
While VanDam was technically sight fishing, he wasn’t executing the technique in the traditional sense. He was keying in on areas where shad – the main forage on Smith Mountain – were spawning and attracting the aggressive smallmouth. His main weapon of choice was a 1/8-ounce Strike King Shaky Head paired with a 4-inch finesse worm in dirt color.
In a twist of fate, VanDam, who is often plagued by throngs of spectator boats, felt he got a boost from the abundance of spectator traffic on the spacious fishery. He felt the traffic helped to disturb the waters, causing the bass to become more aggressive in sensing an easy meal.
Perhaps most importantly, VanDam has put himself in the driver’s seat in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 1,063 points. A victory in the season long points race would be his fifth and his second straight. His credentials already match up favorably with any bass angler who has ever competed.
“Since Day One, I have been focused on the Angler of the Year,” said VanDam, also a two-time Bassmaster Classic champion. “This year, it’s going to be interesting. I just want to get on a pretty good run here so I can build some momentum heading into the postseason.”
The AOY race is shaping up to be intense and memorable. An angler just as hot as VanDam, Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., the 2009 Bassmaster Classic champ, is close behind in second, trailing by just 65 points.
Herren, an Elite Series rookie, came up short Sunday, but he scored his best Elite finish and, if not for a terrible morning, he might have edged VanDam.
“One fish probably cost me the tournament,” said Herren, 46. “I spent 2 ½ hours trying to get her in the boat and she just wouldn’t go. I had the darnedest luck today. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Still, Herren, who is seventh in the AOY standings, felt his biggest slip-up was on Friday, when he didn’t perform to his own lofty expectations. His four-day total of 59 pounds, 5 ounces was accumulated strictly sight fishing with a variety of lures, including a creature bait and lizard.
Holding onto third was Day One leader Kelly Jordon of Mineola, Texas, with 58-3. In fourth was Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., with 57-0. Moving up seven spots into fifth was Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., with 55-0. The field was cut to the top 12 for Sunday’s final day of competition.
The top 12 pros in the AOY standings at the end of the regular season will advance to the two-event postseason, during which the Angler of the Year will be determined.
Up next in the Elite Series is the May 7-10 Marine Formula STA-BIL Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville out of Guntersville, Ala.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.
Local sponsors of the Blue Ridge Brawl are Franklin and Bedford counties.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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Media Contact: Doug Grassian; (407) 566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
FINAL STANDINGS- ADVANCE AUTO PARTS BLUE RIDGE BRAWL
2009 Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl 4/23-4/26
Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta VA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 20 61-13 315 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 15-06 Day 4: 5 13-14
2. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 20 59-05 295 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 11-12 Day 3: 5 15-00 Day 4: 5 14-14
3. Kelly Jordon Mineola, TX 20 58-03 295 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 5 12-11 Day 4: 5 13-14
4. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 20 57-00 285 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 5 14-01 Day 4: 5 15-02
5. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 20 55-00 280 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 09-03 Day 4: 5 15-00
6. Shaw E Grigsby Gainesville, FL 20 54-03 276 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 12-07 Day 4: 5 12-11
7. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 20 54-03 272 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 16-05 Day 4: 5 13-02
8. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 20 53-11 268 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 13-07 Day 4: 5 10-04
9. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 20 53-05 264 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 15-13 Day 4: 5 13-01
10. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, NY 20 49-03 260 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 10-15 Day 4: 5 07-10
11. Byron Velvick Del Rio, TX 17 45-10 257 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 13-05 Day 4: 2 04-02
12. Jeff Connella Bentley, LA 16 42-12 254 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 15-04 Day 4: 1 01-12
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BIG BASS
Day
1 Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 06-08 $0.00
2 Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 06-07 $0.00
3 James Niggemeyer Van, TX 07-02 $0.00
4 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 06-07 $0.00
BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
James Niggemeyer Van, TX 07-02 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 90 479 1244-06
2 77 447 1030-12
3 40 234 532-07
4 10 53 135-06
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217 1213 2942-15
TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
2009 Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl - Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl Pro Points After Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Va. Ending 04-26-2009, Day 4
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Kevin VanDam Mich. 1063
2 Skeet Reese Calif. 998
3 Alton Jones Texas 986
4 Mark Tucker Mo. 965
5 Gary Klein Texas 964
6 Kevin Short Ark. 935
7 Matt Herren Ala. 921
8 Todd Faircloth Texas 916
9 Aaron Martens Ala. 909
10 Cliff Pace Miss. 907
11 Greg Hackney La. 904
12 James Niggemeyer Texas 887
13 Stephen Browning Ark. 883
14 Mark Menendez Ky. 876
14 Randy Howell Ala. 876
16 Bradley Hallman Okla. 872
17 Brent Chapman Kan. 871
18 Dean Rojas Ariz. 866
19 Casey Ashley S.C. 864
20 Tommy Biffle Okla. 853
21 Kelly Jordon Texas 834
22 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 831
23 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 827
24 Denny Brauer Mo. 821
25 Jason Williamson S.C. 814
26 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 797
27 John Murray Ariz. 796
28 Timmy Horton Ala. 790
29 Steve Kennedy Ala. 788
30 Boyd Duckett Ala. 783
31 Takahiro Omori Texas 781
32 Pat Golden N.C. 780
33 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 779
34 Kenyon Hill Okla. 776
35 Jared Lintner Calif. 773
36 Bill Lowen Ohio 772
37 Terry Butcher Okla. 770
38 Bobby Lane Fla. 768
39 Gerald Swindle Ala. 756
40 Chris Lane Fla. 749
41 Jason Quinn S.C. 744
42 Jami Fralick S.D. 732
42 Kevin Wirth Ky. 732
44 Mike McClelland Ark. 731
44 Brian Clark Texas 731
46 Greg Vinson Ala. 730
46 Byron Velvick Texas 730
48 Edwin Evers Okla. 728
48 J Todd Tucker Ga. 728
50 Russ Lane Ala. 722
51 Todd Auten S.C. 720
51 Marty Robinson S.C. 720
53 Davy Hite S.C. 713
54 Dustin Wilks N.C. 708
55 Billy Mccaghren Ark. 701
56 Rick Morris Va. 697
57 Mark Tyler Okla. 696
57 Bernie Schultz Fla. 696
59 Jeff Kriet Okla. 694
60 Brian Snowden Mo. 690
61 Dave Wolak N.C. 680
62 Matt Reed Texas 678
63 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 672
64 Charlie Hartley Ohio 658
65 Jim Murray Ga. 656
66 Jeff Connella La. 645
67 Mark Davis Ark. 638
68 Terry Scroggins Fla. 632
69 Chad Griffin Texas 620
70 Ish Monroe Calif. 618
71 Morizo Shimizu Japan 610
72 Marty Stone N.C. 608
73 Vince Fulks Okla. 604
73 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 604
75 Scott Campbell Mo. 588
76 Guy Eaker N.C. 576
77 Paul Elias Miss. 562
78 Pete Ponds Miss. 558
79 Derek Remitz Ala. 554
80 Rick Clunn Mo. 536
81 Britt Myers S.C. 534
82 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 524
82 Wade Grooms S.C. 524
84 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 520
85 John Crews Va. 508
86 Jon Bondy Canada 495
87 Jimmy Mize Ark. 494
88 Ken Cook Okla. 488
89 Luke Gritter Mich. 474
90 Mike Wurm Ark. 470
90 David Smith Okla. 470
90 Mark Burgess Mass. 470
93 Scott Rook Ark. 468
94 Zell Rowland Texas 466
95 Clark Reehm Ark. 464
96 Grant Goldbeck Md. 453
97 Elton Luce Texas 448
98 Peter Thliveros Fla. 440
99 Kevin Langill N.C. 405
100 Brent Broderick Ohio 384
