Kevin VanDam

Legends anglers math out what they need to fish the weekend

August 24, 2007
(espnoutdoors.com, August 24, 2007)

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — It was 30 minutes before the anglers were set to take off when Kevin VanDam decided it was time to take a look at the Day One standings for the Bassmaster Legends presented by Ramada Worldwide.

He commandeered a copy from a reporter and unfolded the sheet of paper with hands that are scarred and scabbed from catching huge numbers of fish on Thursday. His name sits seven places down the list, but he was more interested in Jason Quinn, who sits right on the cut line in 12th.

For 30 seconds VanDam studied the sheet — perhaps doing math or maybe planning his day in his head — but he eventually broke the silence.

“Ten pounds,” he mumbled under his breath as he handed the sheet back to the reporter and moved on. At 15 pounds, 15 ounces after one day, 10 pounds would obviously give VanDam 25-15. Quinn caught 13-6 on Day One, which in most angler’s eyes, would put the 12-cut at 26-12 (double Day One). So, unless he possesses a third-grade math level, VanDam saw something else on that sheet.

The cut was a popular topic Friday morning as the anglers readied their boats to take off on a lake/river system that can take just as quickly as it can give. And the cut never means more than it does at a Major, where the weights are zeroed after two days and the anglers move to completely new water for the weekend.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/majors/news/story?id=2989659

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