Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., takes the lead on the first day of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend, bringing 29 pounds, 5 ounces to the scales on Thursday.
May 12, 2016
VanDam Takes Lead As Elite Series Pros Show Out In First Round On Toledo Bend
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MANY, La. — Kevin VanDam wanted badly to fish offshore during the three-day practice period for the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend.
But a steady 20-mph wind just wouldn’t allow it.
The winds died Thursday as the tournament began, and fishing fans in central Louisiana got to see why VanDam was so anxious to move away from the banks.
The pro fishing superstar from Kalamazoo, Mich., brought in a five-bass limit that weighed 29 pounds, 5 ounces to top the leaderboard on a day when 12 anglers caught at least 20 pounds. He leads a star-studded Top 5 that includes 69-year-old Missouri legend Rick Clunn (24-10), North Carolina pro Hank Cherry, Jr. (24- 7), 2012 GEICO Bassmaster Classic winner Chris Lane (23-14) and reigning Classic champion Edwin Evers (22-11).
“I started on the shallow pattern and caught a good limit early, and that gave me the confidence to go and fish deep,” said VanDam, who has four Classic titles on his resume. “I didn’t get to fish deep in practice the way I like to because of all the wind. So I fished a lot of places today that I hadn’t fished at all this week.
“You just can’t physically fish out there when it’s blowing 20 — if you want to fish off the bank.”
VanDam, who also had the big bass of the day with an 8-5 largemouth, said he was keying on areas that had big numbers of white bass and yellow bass. Both, he said, are good signs that hungry largemouth will be nearby.
“There are a lot of yellow bass — they call them ‘bar fish’ here — and a lot of the big largemouth eat those,” VanDam said. “Those yellow bass and the white bass are all following shad just like the largemouth.
“I caught a lot of white bass — and when you’re doing that, you know there will always be largemouth in the area.”
Clunn, who also has four Classic wins, already wowed the pro fishing community back in March when he won the season-opening Elite Series event on the St. Johns River in Florida. That win made him the oldest angler to ever win a B.A.S.S. event.
On Thursday, he moved into position to equal that feat with a bag of 24-10 that was bolstered by one magic area.
“I have one spot that’s always been good for me,” Clunn said. “It’s only good for one to three fish a day, but they’re always big fish. You can fish there all day long, and that’s all you’re going to get.”
The spot produced three big fish Thursday — a 7-pounder, a 6-pounder and a 4-pounder. When asked how long the spot has been good for him, Clunn responded, “How old is the lake?”
“I think I’ve been fishing that spot since 1974,” he said. “A lot of people won’t fish it because it’s only good for one or two. They pull up there, and if they don’t get a bite pretty soon, they’re moving on.”
Clunn is just 3 ounces ahead of Cherry, who brought in 24-7 despite some bad luck early.
“I weighed in one 3-pound fish, and I hated to do that,” Cherry said. “I lost a 4 1/2-pounder and a 7-pounder this morning. So I could have weighed in close to 30 pounds.”
Cherry said his unfortunate near misses might have been the result of him being “too wired up” because he knew he was on good fish.
“I knew I was going to get a lot of bites,” he said. “I didn’t know how big they were going to be, but I knew I was around a lot of fish.
“The fish are still there, because I know I left some.”
In all, 99 of the 108 Elite Series anglers weighed in five-bass limits today, validating Toledo Bend’s ranking as the No. 1 bass fishery in the country, according to Bassmaster Magazine’s current 100 Best Bass Lakes list.
If no one catches a bass as heavy as VanDam’s 8-5 largemouth through the end of the event Sunday, he will win the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award, worth $1,500.
The tournament will resume Friday, with take-off scheduled for 6:15 a.m. CT at Cypress Bend Park. The weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m., with the field being trimmed to the Top 50 for Saturday’s semifinal round.
2016 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend 5/12-5/15
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 29-05 110
Day 1: 5 29-05
2. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 24-10 109
Day 1: 5 24-10
3. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 24-07 108
Day 1: 5 24-07
4. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 23-14 107
Day 1: 5 23-14
5. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 22-11 106
Day 1: 5 22-11
6. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 22-09 105
Day 1: 5 22-09
7. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 21-14 104
Day 1: 5 21-14
8. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 21-03 103
Day 1: 5 21-03
8. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 21-03 103
Day 1: 5 21-03
10. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 20-10 101
Day 1: 5 20-10
11. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 5 20-02 100
Day 1: 5 20-02
12. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 20-00 99
Day 1: 5 20-00
13. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 19-11 98
Day 1: 5 19-11
14. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 19-09 97
Day 1: 5 19-09
15. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 19-00 96
Day 1: 5 19-00
15. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 19-00 96
Day 1: 5 19-00
17. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 18-15 94
Day 1: 5 18-15
18. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 18-13 93
Day 1: 5 18-13
19. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 18-09 92
Day 1: 5 18-09
20. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 18-08 91
Day 1: 5 18-08
21. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 18-07 90
Day 1: 5 18-07
22. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 18-03 89
Day 1: 5 18-03
23. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 18-02 88
Day 1: 5 18-02
24. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 17-13 87
Day 1: 5 17-13
25. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 17-11 86
Day 1: 5 17-11
26. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 17-10 85
Day 1: 5 17-10
27. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 17-05 84
Day 1: 5 17-05
28. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 17-03 83
Day 1: 5 17-03
29. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 17-02 82
Day 1: 5 17-02
29. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 17-02 82
Day 1: 5 17-02
31. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 17-01 80
Day 1: 5 17-01
32. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 17-00 79
Day 1: 5 17-00
33. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 16-14 78
Day 1: 5 16-14
34. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 16-13 77
Day 1: 5 16-13
35. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 16-10 76
Day 1: 5 16-10
35. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 16-10 76
Day 1: 5 16-10
37. Casey Scanlon Rocky Mount, MO 5 16-09 74
Day 1: 5 16-09
38. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 16-07 73
Day 1: 5 16-07
39. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 16-06 72
Day 1: 5 16-06
40. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 16-04 71
Day 1: 5 16-04
41. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 15-15 70
Day 1: 5 15-15
42. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 15-11 69
Day 1: 5 15-11
43. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 15-04 68
Day 1: 5 15-04
44. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 15-02 67
Day 1: 5 15-02
45. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 15-00 66
Day 1: 5 15-00
46. Billy McCaghren Jr Mayflower, AR 5 14-15 65
Day 1: 5 14-15
47. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 14-13 64
Day 1: 5 14-13
48. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 14-13 63
Day 1: 5 14-13
49. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 14-12 62
Day 1: 5 14-12
50. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 14-11 61
Day 1: 5 14-11
50. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 14-11 61
Day 1: 5 14-11
52. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 14-10 59
Day 1: 5 14-10
53. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 5 14-08 58
Day 1: 5 14-08
54. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 14-04 57
Day 1: 5 14-04
55. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 14-03 56
Day 1: 5 14-03
56. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 14-02 55
Day 1: 5 14-02
57. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 5 14-01 54
Day 1: 5 14-01
58. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 5 13-14 53
Day 1: 5 13-14
59. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 13-11 52
Day 1: 5 13-11
59. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 13-11 52
Day 1: 5 13-11
61. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 13-10 50
Day 1: 5 13-10
62. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 13-09 49
Day 1: 5 13-09
62. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 13-09 49
Day 1: 5 13-09
62. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 13-09 49
Day 1: 5 13-09
62. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 13-09 49
Day 1: 5 13-09
66. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 13-09 45
Day 1: 5 13-09
67. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 13-03 44
Day 1: 5 13-03
68. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 4 13-02 43
Day 1: 4 13-02
69. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 13-00 42
Day 1: 5 13-00
70. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 12-12 41
Day 1: 5 12-12
71. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-09 40
Day 1: 5 12-09
72. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 12-08 39
Day 1: 5 12-08
72. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-08 39
Day 1: 5 12-08
74. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 12-07 37
Day 1: 5 12-07
75. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 12-06 36
Day 1: 5 12-06
75. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 12-06 36
Day 1: 5 12-06
77. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 11-15 34
Day 1: 5 11-15
78. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 11-14 33
Day 1: 5 11-14
78. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 11-14 33
Day 1: 5 11-14
80. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 11-08 31
Day 1: 5 11-08
81. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 11-07 30
Day 1: 5 11-07
82. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 11-07 29
Day 1: 5 11-07
83. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 11-06 28
Day 1: 5 11-06
84. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 11-05 27
Day 1: 5 11-05
85. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 11-04 26
Day 1: 5 11-04
86. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 3 11-04 25
Day 1: 3 11-04
87. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 10-08 24
Day 1: 5 10-08
87. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 10-08 24
Day 1: 5 10-08
87. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 10-08 24
Day 1: 5 10-08
90. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 10-06 21
Day 1: 5 10-06
91. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 10-03 20
Day 1: 5 10-03
92. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 10-02 19
Day 1: 5 10-02
93. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 10-00 18
Day 1: 5 10-00
93. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 10-00 18
Day 1: 5 10-00
95. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 09-05 16
Day 1: 5 09-05
96. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 09-03 15
Day 1: 5 09-03
96. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 09-03 15
Day 1: 5 09-03
98. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 09-02 13
Day 1: 5 09-02
99. David Williams Newton, NC 5 08-13 12
Day 1: 5 08-13
100. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 4 08-13 11
Day 1: 4 08-13
101. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 5 08-11 10
Day 1: 5 08-11
102. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 07-14 9
Day 1: 5 07-14
103. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 3 05-07 8
Day 1: 3 05-07
104. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 3 05-00 7
Day 1: 3 05-00
105. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 2 03-06 6
Day 1: 2 03-06
106. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 1 02-01 5
Day 1: 1 02-01
107. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 1 01-15 4
Day 1: 1 01-15
108. Randy Allen Shreveport, LA 1 01-06 3
Day 1: 1 01-06
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 99 517 1556-06
——————————
99 517 1556-06
