Van Dam Slams 50 Pounds Of Toledo Bend Bass In 2 Days To Lead Bassmaster Elite Series Tourney
The Bassmaster Elite Series event on Toledo Bend Reservoir is halfway done and Kevin Van Dam is halfway to the Century Mark. With more than 20 pounds again today he ran his total weight to an even 50 pounds.
He’s making it look easy. It’s not.
KVD caught a 7-pound, 7-ounce specimen on a Strike King 10XD crankbait. He took a treble hook in the hand to catch her. Van Dam hints that he may be running out of fish. “That 7-pounder saved my day.” The wind switched out of the north and “I couldn’t get a bite for the first two hours.”
You can fish any way you like on T-bend and the anglers are doing just that – catching them shallow and deep. There was some debate as to whether the shallow bite was starting to die, but today was tougher for most everybody regardless of where they fished. Blame it on a front that brought north winds on the heels of a calm Thursday and two days of gusty south winds during practice.
Local Pro Todd Faircloth stumbled and fell out of the cut. He admited, “I think I should have spent more of my time fishing shallow.” Guys are always more honest when they are done fishing than when they are still competng, therfore, I put a lot of stock in Faircloth’s assesment of the shallow bite.
As they say about sled dog teams, the scenery only changes for the lead dogs. For the rest, it can be quite ugly. So for guys not in the lead, how ugly was it today? “It looked like Hillary Clinton wearing flip flops up in the Piggly Wiggly,” said Tour funny man Gerald Swindle. Brian Snowden had it even worse. “The best part of my day was standing in line with Gerald Swindle.”
“If you’d have told me I could go shallow and not catch a limit, you’d have had my truck and boat cause I’d have made that bet” said Rick Clunn.
Clunn came to the stage with 1 fish today.
He caught them yesterday on topwaters and said all of his spots are good for one or two fish, seldom any more than that. He did catch a 7-pounder, a 6 and a 4 off one spot yesterday and said that was unusual, though welcome.
Clunn did make the cut, due to his 24-pound, 10-ounce Day 1 sack, but he’ll only fish until 2 o’clock tomorrow at which time Tournament Director Tripp Weldon will weigh Clunn’s fish so he can hop a flight home to attend his son’s graduation.
Elite Series Rookie Brock Mosely caught a bunch of big fish while practicing a month ago out deep. He commited to the deep approach this week. It was good for all the 2-pounders he could stand to catch. That failed to get him into the cut. He never even practiced up shallow and now he looks at that decision as a mistake.
I’m starting to think the shallow bite is the way to go.
Here’s the official word from B.A.S.S.:
MANY, La. — The biggest thing Kevin VanDam has caught so far this week has been himself.
But there could be far bigger catches ahead of him if he remains on his current path at the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend.
VanDam had to have a treble hook removed from his hand during Friday’s second round after landing his biggest fish of the day. But it didn’t stop him from catching five bass that weighed 20 pounds, 11 ounces and helped him hold onto the tournament lead with a two-day total of 50-0.
“The fish had just one hook in its mouth, and those Mustad treble hooks are really sharp,” VanDam said. “The fish kind of shook as I was trying to take the hook out, and it jerked one of those trebles right in my hand. I had a crankbait with one hook connected to my hand and the other connected to a big bass.”
Freelance photographer and experienced saltwater angler Garrick Dixon was nearby, and he performed a quick hook removal for VanDam. Once the angler was free of his own bait, he turned his attention back to a day that was rapidly improving.
After a slow start, he quickly put together a limit that weighed better than 18 pounds. Then he managed a couple of culls to get to 20-11 — and he did it all despite a strong wind that gave him fits much of the day.
“I knew it was just a matter of running enough places,” VanDam said. “If you fish long enough here, you’re going to get them.
“I really only had the one big bite today, but it was a good one.”
VanDam will begin the semifinal round with a solid chance at securing his 21st career victory and the $100,000 check that goes with it.
He is followed closely by Alabamian Chris Lane (47-13), North Carolina pro Hank Cherry, Jr. (44-6), Californian Ish Monroe (43-9) and Arkansas pro Stephen Browning (43-0).
Lane, who has struggled at times this year, said he had hoped to catch a good limit early by targeting schooling fish. But when those fish wouldn’t cooperate, he made a long run and put together a catch of 23-15 doing something different.
Earlier this season, Lane complained that his “loonies,” were off, meaning he wasn’t making the best decisions on the water. But now he’s within striking distance of his first Elite Series win since the 2015 season-opening event on the Sabine River — another Louisiana fishery.
“I’m having a blast, and I’ve got a full head of confidence,” Lane said. “My loonies are starting to come back now.
“Feeling confident helps you make those early adjustments, and it helps you to grind it right to the end. I caught a good fish late (Thursday), and I caught a 4 1/2-pounder late today.”
Cherry began Friday’s round in third place and held onto that spot with a catch of 19-15 that gave him a two-day total of 44-6. He said he’s been fishing for bass that are still spawning, even as the weather in central Louisiana has turned hot.
“It was still slow this morning, just like it was the first morning,” Cherry said. “But once I got to where I thought the fish would be, they were there.
“I think all of the fish I’m catching are spawning. If you miss one, you can just about count on going back to that spot and getting bit again.”
Monroe had the heaviest bag Friday with 24-10 — and he didn’t hesitate to detail how he caught his fish.
“It’s no secret what I do,” Monroe said. “I love to frog and flip. This week, I’m throwing a River2Sea Tommy Biffle Jig that has a really big, wide-gap hook. I’m backing that up with a Missile Baits D Bomb Destroyer, and it gives the bait a big profile that these big fish down here love.”
Toledo Bend Reservoir is noted for producing big largemouth bass — so much that it topped the most recent list of America’s Top 100 Bass Lakes by Bassmaster Magazine.
The biggest bass of the week so far was caught Friday by Arkansas angler Stephen Browning. At 9-5, the fish took the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass and will earn Browning $1,500 if no one tops the mark the rest of the way.
VanDam also earned the Livingston Lures Leader award of $500 for leading the second day of the event.
The tournament will resume Saturday with the Top 50 remaining pros leaving Cypress Bend Park at 6:15 a.m. CT. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m., with only the Top 12 pros advancing to Championship Sunday.
2016 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend 5/12-5/15
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 50-00 110
Day 1: 5 29-05 Day 2: 5 20-11
2. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 47-13 109
Day 1: 5 23-14 Day 2: 5 23-15
3. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 10 44-06 108
Day 1: 5 24-07 Day 2: 5 19-15
4. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 43-09 107
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 24-10
5. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 43-00 106
Day 1: 5 20-10 Day 2: 5 22-06
6. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 40-15 105
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 23-04
7. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 40-09 104
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 22-12
8. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 40-04 103
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 22-02
9. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 10 39-08 102
Day 1: 5 18-07 Day 2: 5 21-01
10. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 39-00 101
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 16-05
11. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 39-00 100
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 20-07
12. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 10 37-14 99
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 18-03
13. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 10 37-07 98
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 14-14
14. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 37-07 97
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 16-04
15. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 37-03 96
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 18-03
16. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 10 36-14 95
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 23-00
17. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 36-12 94
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 21-15
18. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 36-08 93
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 21-08
19. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 36-07 92
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 17-07
20. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 35-12 91
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 16-15
21. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 34-15 90
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 13-01
22. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 10 34-09 89
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 16-15
23. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 33-15 88
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 21-07
24. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 33-12 87
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 16-12
25. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 33-10 86
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 17-04
26. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 33-07 85
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 13-14
27. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 33-00 84
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 17-12
28. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 32-07 83
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 11-04
29. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 10 32-07 82
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 18-05
30. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 10 32-03 81
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 12-01
31. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 32-02 80
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 15-05
32. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 32-01 79
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 12-01
33. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 32-01 78
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-06
34. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 31-15 77
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 14-10
35. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 31-10 76
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 21-02
36. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 31-08 75
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-13
37. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 31-02 74
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 16-08
38. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 31-00 73
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 12-08
39. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 30-09 72
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-13
40. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 30-07 71
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 15-12
41. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 30-00 70
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-14
42. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 29-09 69
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 18-02
43. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 6 29-07 68
Day 1: 5 24-10 Day 2: 1 04-13
44. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 29-07 67
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 18-00
45. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 10 29-07 66
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-00
46. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 10 29-06 65
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 12-04
47. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 29-03 64
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 12-09
48. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 29-00 63
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 12-06
49. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 28-10 62
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 11-12
50. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 9 28-09 61
Day 1: 4 13-02 Day 2: 5 15-07
51. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 28-06 60
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 16-08
52. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 28-04 59
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 15-01
53. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 10 28-04 58
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 14-11
54. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 27-08 57
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 10-06
55. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 27-08 56
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 11-04
56. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 27-07 55
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-14
57. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 27-04 54
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-11
58. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 10 27-02 53
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 08-15
59. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 8 27-00 52
Day 1: 3 11-04 Day 2: 5 15-12
60. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 10 26-14 51
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-01
61. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 26-14 50
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 12-06
62. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 26-12 49
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 09-11
63. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 26-12 48
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-02
64. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 26-11 47
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 14-04
65. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 26-09 46
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-06
66. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 26-08 45
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 10-09
67. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 26-05 44
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 13-15
68. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 26-03 43
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 13-03
69. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 10 25-12 42
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 08-09
70. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 8 25-10 41
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 5 20-10
71. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 25-09 40
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 15-07
72. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 10 25-09 39
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 10-10
73. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 25-09 38
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 11-05
74. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 25-08 37
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 13-02
75. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 8 25-00 36
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 3 08-07
76. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 10 24-13 35
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 13-07
77. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 10 24-05 34
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 10-12
78. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 9 24-02 33
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 4 10-09
79. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 10 24-01 32
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 12-12
80. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 10 24-00 31
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 09-15
81. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 8 23-11 30
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 5 18-04
82. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 10 23-09 29
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-01
83. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 10 22-12 28
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 13-09
84. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 8 22-11 27
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 3 13-06
85. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 22-08 26
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 12-02
86. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 22-08 25
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-10
87. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 10 22-06 24
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 13-11
88. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 21-15 23
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 09-07
89. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 21-11 22
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 09-12
90. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 9 21-10 21
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 5 12-13
91. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 10 21-08 20
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 07-13
92. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 21-08 19
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
93. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 21-07 18
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-03
94. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 21-02 17
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 11-15
95. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 7 20-14 16
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 5 17-08
96. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 10 20-06 15
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-06
97. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 19-07 14
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 10-05
98. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 8 19-05 13
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 3 05-10
99. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 10 19-02 12
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 09-02
100. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 18-13 11
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 08-05
101. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 8 18-05 10
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 3 05-12
102. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 7 18-02 9
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 2 05-06
103. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 10 17-11 8
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 09-13
104. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 8 16-13 7
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 3 06-10
105. David Williams Newton, NC 7 16-02 6
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 2 07-05
106. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 4 13-15 5
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 12-00
107. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 5 07-14 4
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 4 06-08
108. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 1 02-01 3
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 99 517 1556-06
2 96 511 1513-01
———————————-
195 1028 3069-07
