Day 1 with KVD

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Kevin VanDam started the day as the top seed in the Bassmaster Classic Bracket tourmanent.
Kevin VanDam started the day as the top seed in the Bassmaster Classic Bracket tourmanent.
He was paired off with Drew Benton.
He was paired off with Drew Benton.
After interviews were finished at Anchor Marine...
After interviews were finished at Anchor Marine…
...it was time for competitors to move to their starting locations.
…it was time for competitors to move to their starting locations.
VanDam pulled his rods from the locker in his boat...
VanDam pulled his rods from the locker in his boat…
...and at the official start time fired his first cast.
…and at the official start time fired his first cast.
He was the first angler in the morning session to boat a fish...
He was the first angler in the morning session to boat a fish…
...taking a quick lead over Drew Benton.
…taking a quick lead over Drew Benton.
After removing the hooks...
After removing the hooks…
...VanDam moved towards the back of the boat...
…VanDam moved towards the back of the boat…
..to allow his offical, Alan Pierce to record the weight.
..to allow his offical, Alan Pierce to record the weight.
VanDam gives us a look at the fish...
VanDam gives us a look at the fish…
...indicating that is indeed fish number one.
…indicating that is indeed fish number one.
But it wasn't long before VanDam's starting spot paid off again...
But it wasn’t long before VanDam’s starting spot paid off again…
...and yet again.
…and yet again.
It would eventually pay off when one of his better fish of the day.
It would eventually pay off when one of his better fish of the day.
He would take his time with this fish...
He would take his time with this fish…
...before snatching it from the water...
…before snatching it from the water…
...and into the boat.
…and into the boat.
The fish was pinned with both sets of treble hooks.
The fish was pinned with both sets of treble hooks.
VanDam would go on to build his lead throughout the morning, and finish with well ahead of Drew Benton. The two will go head to head again tomorrow to decide their final weight.
VanDam would go on to build his lead throughout the morning, and finish with well ahead of Drew Benton. The two will go head to head again tomorrow to decide their final weight.
Follow along with as VanDam builds a limit of fish during the three hour morning segment.
Follow along with as VanDam builds a limit of fish during the three hour morning segment.