(Provided by Plano Molding)
Theres a reason Kevin VanDam (KVD) is the all-time money winner ($5,499,476.33 to date, to be exact) on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail: The 45-year-old, 7-time Angler of the year knows how to boat bass of all species better than anyone else on earth and numbers dont lie.
And thats why we interrupted the Plano prostaffs pre-fishing before his last tournament of the year, the 2013 Elite Series Plano Championship Chase on Lake St. Clair/Detroit River.
Its all to bring you KVDs first-person and private (well until now) look at this phenomenal fishery and what its going to take to win the $100,000 purse at the end of the three-day event. And best of all, KVDwhos now in third and verging on his eighth Anger of the Year titlewas more than willing to answer our inquiries.
A temporary fishing regulation imposed by the DNR at two Noble County lakes has restored balance to largemouth bass populations at least for now.
The rule allowed anglers during summer 2011 to catch and keep bass that were 10- to 14-inches long. At most northern Indiana lakes, all bass less than 14 inches must be released.
Dubbed a harvest slot limit, the rule was designed to reduce the number of small bass in hopes of producing larger ones.
Based on surveys by the DNR, anglers harvested 1,900 bass from Big Lake and reduced the number of 10- to 14-inch bass by 41 percent. They removed 611 from Crane Lake and reduced the number by 71 percent.
Chris Noffsinger | Ish Monroe | Skeet Reese |
D&R Sports Center will hold its 25th annual two-day Spring Fishing & Boat Show March 29-30 at its Kalamazoo store.
Former Bassmaster Classic winner Dave Hite and four of this years Bassmaster Classic qualifiers - Skeet Resse, Ish Monroe, Davy Hite, Kevin VanDam and Jonathon VanDam - will present fishing seminars throughout the weekend.
Other experts giving seminars during the weekend include outdoor television host, Mark Zona, Lake St. Clair guide Gary Gostenik, and Lake Michigan smallmouth guide Chris Noffsinger.
The Berkleys Experience Trailer also will be on hand. The 60-foot trailer offers videos and interactive demonstrations on the latest lines and baits. Berkleys staff will be at D&R Sports to help anglers of all ages and experience levels learn about fishing, Berkley products, and how best to use them to catch more fish.