KEVIN VANDAM LEADS BASSMASTER AMERICAN
$250,000 Top Prize; Same-Day Television Coverage Highlight 2nd Major
CHARLOTTE – Kevin VanDam is looking to regain his status as the BASS all-time money winner from angler Denny Brauer and the three-time CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year is well on his way. VanDam boated a limit of 16 pounds, 4 ounces during Day 1 of the Bassmaster American presented by Advance Auto Parts on Lake Wylie. He held a slight margin over Pennsylvania’s Dave Wolak (15-6). With a win at the lucrative four-day tournament, VanDam would add $250,000 to his career earnings of $2.06 million and overtake Brauer, who has about $17,000 more. The two have leap-frogged back and forth for the title lately. Brauer had it for years; VanDam took it in June and then Brauer reclaimed it during the Champion’s Choice on Lake Champlain in New York in July.
However, Brauer’s stay at the top might be a short one.
VanDam was the first angler to weigh-in on Thursday and his total crushed anglers’ earlier weight predictions. Fishing fans can tune into ESPN2 on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET to see if VanDam hangs onto the lead.
“It was a great day for me. It certainly is hard to catch over 16 pounds on Lake Wylie,” the Kalamazoo, Mich., angler said. “I am staying very observant on the water and really paying attention to weather details – the sun and the wind. I feel pretty confident with the pattern I have going.”
The two-time CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion described that pattern as a power-finesse fusion but declined to get more specific. He fished the southern end of Wylie and had company at his locations: Former lake guide Jason Quinn (32nd place, 9-2) and Florida angler Peter Thliveros (tied for fourth, 12-9).
VanDam is seeking redemption after missing the top 12 cut at the first Bassmaster Major in May on Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth, Texas. “I love fishing this kind of format,” VanDam said of the six-hole course anglers will fish on Days 3 and 4. “I just felt sick that I didn’t make the cut in Fort Worth.”
And despite sitting in second place, Wolak wasn’t completely satisfied with his day.
“I think I missed a number of opportunities out there,” the 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year said. “I only caught seven keepers during the day. It was a struggle.”
Wolak hit a number of spots on Wylie, spending very little time in each and quickly moving to the next. His bag included the Purolator Big Bass of the Day, a 5-7 bass.
In third was Alabama’s Lee Bailey (14-15). Trailing Bailey and tied for fourth with 12 pounds, 9 ounces was Bassmaster Memorial winner Thliveros and Alabama’s Aaron Martens.
After weigh-in, Thliveros realized he is in position to win consecutive Majors – a lucrative proposition. “That would be pretty cool,” he said. “I love the competition and I don’t see any reason why I couldn’t do that.”
After Friday, the field will be cut to the top 12 anglers, who will fish a six-hole course in a timed rotation on Saturday. Only the top six anglers advance to the final competition day on Sunday. Hole priority will be awarded to anglers based on current CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit http://www.bassmaster.com.
Day 1 Purolator Big Bass
Dave Wolak, Warrior Run, Penn., 5-7
Location and Field
Bassmaster American presented by Advance Auto Parts
Lake Wylie
Charlotte, N.C.
July 27-30
Field
55 pro anglers
Cut to top 12 after Day 2
Cut to top 6 after Day 3
Launch
Copperhead Island
15200 Soldier Road
Southwest Park District
Charlotte, NC 28278
6:50 a.m. ET.
Weigh-in
Cricket Arena
2700 East Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205
3:00 p.m. ET
Local Sponsors: Local sponsors include the Charlotte Sports Commission.
Bassmaster Major Sponsors: CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Advance Auto Parts and Theraseed®.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit http://www.bassmaster.com.
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 16-04 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04
2. Dave Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5 15-06 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06
3. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 5 14-15 0
Day 1: 5 14-15
4. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
4. Peter E Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
6. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
7. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 12-01 0
Day 1: 5 12-01
8. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
8. Gerald Swindle Hayden, Ala. 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
10. John Crews Salem, Va. 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
10. Terry Scroggins Palatka, Fla. 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
12. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
13. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
13. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, Ala. 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
15. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
16. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
17. Mike Reynolds Modesto, Calif. 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
18. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
19. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
20. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
21. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 5 10-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-05
22. Charlie Hartley Grove City, Ohio 5 10-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-02
23. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
24. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 5 9-15 0
Day 1: 5 9-15
25. Davy Hite Ninety Six, S.C. 4 9-12 0
Day 1: 4 9-12
26. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 5 9-11 0
Day 1: 5 9-11
27. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 5 9-10 0
Day 1: 5 9-10
28. Chad Brauer Osage Beach, Mo. 5 9-07 0
Day 1: 5 9-07
29. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 5 9-05 0
Day 1: 5 9-05
30. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 9-03 0
Day 1: 5 9-03
30. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 5 9-03 0
Day 1: 5 9-03
32. Jason Quinn Lake Wylie, S.C. 5 9-02 0
Day 1: 5 9-02
33. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 5 9-00 0
Day 1: 5 9-00
34. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 8-15 0
Day 1: 5 8-15
35. Rick Clunn Ava, Mo. 5 8-11 0
Day 1: 5 8-11
36. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 5 8-10 0
Day 1: 5 8-10
37. Marty Stone Linden, N.C. 5 8-03 0
Day 1: 5 8-03
38. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu, Ariz. 4 7-12 0
Day 1: 4 7-12
39. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 4 7-11 0
Day 1: 4 7-11
40. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 4 6-14 0
Day 1: 4 6-14
41. Shaw E Grigsby, Jr Gainesville, Fla. 3 6-10 0
Day 1: 3 6-10
42. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 3 6-04 0
Day 1: 3 6-04
43. Guy Eaker Cherryville, N.C. 3 6-02 0
Day 1: 3 6-02
44. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 3 5-12 0
Day 1: 3 5-12
45. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 3 5-09 0
Day 1: 3 5-09
46. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 3 5-03 0
Day 1: 3 5-03
47. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo. 2 4-10 0
Day 1: 2 4-10
48. Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas 2 4-06 0
Day 1: 2 4-06
49. Paul Elias Laurel, Miss. 2 3-07 0
Day 1: 2 3-07
50. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 2 3-06 0
Day 1: 2 3-06
51. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 2 3-05 0
Day 1: 2 3-05
52. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 2 3-03 0
Day 1: 2 3-03
53. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 2 2-15 0
Day 1: 2 2-15
54. Edwin Evers Talala, Okla. 1 2-08 0
Day 1: 1 2-08
55. Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
———————————————————————–
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 David Wolak Warrior Run, Pa. 5-07 $1,000.00
Busch Heavyweight
Day
1 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 16-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 36 229 489-14
———————————-
36 229 489-14
