
Kevin Van Dam claimed a third Bassmaster Classic title yesterday on Lay Lake in Alabama. KVD's $500,000 prize boosted his career earnings over $4 million, and further staked his spot as the most decorated professional bass angler on the planet. (He's also a five-time Toyota Tundra BASS Angler of the Year, and defending AOY champ.) This Classic performance was all about gut instinct; KVD didn't have a secret spot, a secret lure, or a secret technique. In fact, in the February 2010 issue of Field & Stream magazine (on page 61 of our "Bass Pro Clinic"), Van Dam detailed his strategy for fooling early season bass with a lipless crankbait, the same strategy he turned to this weekend when the big bucks were on the line. Rick Adair








the Classic was his adherence to a fairly aggressive form of fishing (with rattling lipless crankbaits) that most other anglers might reserve for later, warmer months. It’s an unconventional approach, especially at Lay Lake where the water temps were in the 40s and visibility was “dingy” at best. While Van Dam is known for his fast-action firebrand style of fishing, few mainstream anglers readily accept this as an early season approach. With another $500,000 in the bank, KVD will likely change a few more minds. Kirk Deeter
