Kevin VanDam

KVD Climbs To 3rd

March 28, 2009
(bassfan.com, March 27, 2009)

Despite having company that wasn’t around on day 1, Mark Menendez and Cliff Pace both cleared the 21-pound threshold today at the Dardanelle Bassmaster Elite Series in Arkansas. Their big bags – which were among the three best of the day – allowed them to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the field.

Menendez, who’s fishing out of an aluminum boat to access a hard-to-reach backwater locale, sacked 21-08 today for a 2-day total of 39-04 that led the cut to the Top 50 at the midway point. With nasty weather in the forecast, he anticipates some difficulty making the long run to the spot in his tin rig tomorrow, but said he’s going no matter what.

Pace is ambushing fish on their way in and out of a spawning area, and his 21-12 stringer put him in 2nd with a 38-07 total. Like Menendez, he didn’t weigh a fish today that topped 5 pounds, but none were under 4.

After that, it’s more than a 4 1/2-pound drop down to Kevin VanDam, who caught 18-06 today to climb eight spots into 3rd. He’s fishing a community area along with numerous other anglers who made the cut and is throwing a variety of baits.

Matt Herren put together his second straight solid bag (15-07) and remained in 4th with 32-08. He’s caught all his fish from the same place and is unsure whether it has anything left to offer him tomorrow.

Alton Jones weighed 14-14 today and finished out the Top 5 with a 32-03 total. He caught another sight-fish today and spent the last 2 hours working on a 5-pound female that he couldn’t get to bite. With the big cold front coming, he doubts she’ll still be on the bed tomorrow.

Here’s a look at the current Top 12 (red numbers in parentheses indicate deficit margin from leader):

1. Mark Menendez: 39-04
2. Cliff Pace: 38-07 (0-13)
3. Kevin VanDam: 33-12 (5-08)
4. Matt Herren: 32-08 (6-12)
5. Alton Jones: 32-03 (7-01)
6. Fred Roumbanis: 32-01 (7-03)
7. Denny Brauer: 31-11 (7-09)
8. Jim Murray: 31-03 (8-01)
9. Greg Vinson: 30-15 (8-05)
10. Chris Lane: 30-06 (8-14)
11. Skeet Reese: 29-06 (9-14)
12. Bradley Hallman: 28-14 (10-06)

Conditions were about the same as on day 1 (overcast skies with a stiff breeze), but with no fog delay, weights went up significantly. It took 20-15 to make the 50-cut – a position that required less than 10 pounds after the first day.

There were just three newcomers to the Top 12. Jim Murray jumped 22 places to 8th with 19-03 today for a 31-03 total, Greg Vinson catapulted 44 spots to 9th with a tournament-best 21-14 bag that gave him a 30-15 total, and Bradley Hallman moved up 28 rungs with 18-04 today for a 28-14 total.

Moving out were day-1 leader Brent Chapman, who fell to 27th with just two fish for 5-11, along with Billy McCaghren (10th to 14th with 12-06) and Stephen Browning (12th to 23rd with 10-15).

A frigid front is on its way – the high temperature in the Russellville, Ark. area tomorrow is predicted to be 46 degrees. Rain showers are expected during the afternoon hours, with perhaps even a little snow mixed in. Wind from the west/southwest is expected to hit 16 mph.

The field will be reduced to the Top 12 after tomorrow’s weigh-in. The winner will be determined Sunday by the highest 4-day weight.

http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=3237

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