Why KVD?

[Bass_Akwards]

If Iaconelli and other lurking Elite pro's happen to be reading this, I'd love to know your opinions as well.

At this point it's common knowlege that KVD was born with gills.

We've all heard the interviews with KVD's mother and father about the fact that as a youth, KVD underwent surgury to have his scales and tail removed. We all know by now that KVD exclusively eats crawdad's and shad for every meal, (usually under or near the closest cover) but is that what makes him so d**n good?

Am I wrong in saying there anglers out on the Elite tour who seemingly work just as hard as KVD, grind as hard as KVD, study just as hard as KVD, fish just as hard as KVD, and are seemingly just as bright as KVD? (Ike, Horton, Reese and the list goes on)

If that's true, what the hell is it about this freak that gets him the biggest bags such a large percentage of the time?

What do you guys think makes KVD the best tourney angler in the universe right now?

[airborne_angler]

Hes just that d*mn good. Period.

[fishfordollars]

He's at the top of his game, as always, and just makes better decisions all the way around. Hardest worker on the circuit.

Until the rest decide to make the commitment to be the best, they can just continue to cry and bi**h. It will not change a thing.

Talent and commitment are hard to overcome. KVD has both.

One of the best to ever crawl into a boat.

[MALTESE FALCON]

All of us Michigan anglers are THAT GOOD!!!! ;D ;D

Falcon

[fishfordollars]

All of us Michigan anglers are THAT GOOD!!!! ;D ;D

Falcon

You wish...LOL...

Actually, I think that is one reason he is so consistent. The area he grew up in is extremely hard to fish due to the weather, water clarity, and the changing scenarios he faced growing up. Made him work harder, smarter, and made a great fisherman out of him. Not to mention his lifestyle and clean record. That's a recipe for success that's hard to beat.

Jack

[moloch16]

Check out the latest issue of Bassmaster Magazine, there is an entire article dedicated to this very topic!

[Deleted account]

The event or competition isn't a factor, neither is skill experience or intelligence, there is what sport psychologists call the "X" factor, it resides between the ears, some guys have it and most don't, basically its bringing it when it counts, you see it in all manner of competition. The exact opposite is also seen in guys who seem to have all the tools, and just seem to self destruct come game time.

[senile1]

Some things we will never know but if I were to speculate, I would agree with Jack's post above.  The man is gifted. 

Actually, I think that is one reason he is so consistent. The area he grew up in is extremely hard to fish due to the weather, water clarity, and the changing scenarios he faced growing up. Made him work harder, smarter, and made a great fisherman out of him. Not to mention his lifestyle and clean record. That's a recipe for success that's hard to beat.

Jack

[BIG M]

The Tiger Woods of bass fishing, no body can beat him when he is on his A game.    

[Deleted account]

The Tiger Woods of bass fishing, no body can beat him when he is on his A game.

Thanks! I just got a visual of KVDs wife chasing him around flailing a flipping stick.

[K_Mac]

As I was watching ESPN's coverage last night, I was asking myself the same question. At this point he is like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and others who just dominated in their sports. I think "X-Factor" is a good description of that ability to bring every part of the package, including; physical and mental ability, physical and mental toughness, experience, preparation, confidence, focus, and unrelenting desire to be the best, all together when the championship is on the line.

He is not my favorite pro because his style and mine are very different. I am more like KVD described Kriet, "a dragger." KVD fishes way too fast to suit me, but you can't argue with results. He is head and shoulders above the rest.

[Pitchinkid]

Nothin really to add that hasnt been said. He just out-works, out-thinks, amd out-fishes everyone else. Same reason Tiger is the best, and Jordan was the best. Talent + hard work + confidence + determination = Champion. Hes just a big hairy american winning machine.

[grimlin]

All of us Michigan anglers are THAT GOOD!!!! ;D ;D

Falcon

;D

[Crestliner2008]

Destiny? Maybe it's not him after all. Maybe....just maybe, a higher power is directing him in his life. He is incredible.

I don't follow the circuit precisely anymore, but where was Skeet? Ya can't tell me he didn't qualify! 

[bmadd]

No but I can tell you he didn't catch a keeper on day 2 which kept him out of the cut

[RobbyZ5001]

I think Ike may be as good if not better then KVD. KVD does seal the deal better then Ike, but look at Ike's finishes in the last couple classics and the FLW championship. He is very consistent.

[Sfritr]

NEWS FLASH:

KVD was just found to be secretly dating Long John Silvers employees and has had a long relationship with

the wife of Mr. Limpett

I am sorry to be the one to break the story.  It is a BR exclusive.........

[Fishing Rhino]

I'll make one observation.  This is not to knock other pros.  They all have their styles.

But from what I've seen of KVD, he is all business when fishing in a tourney. 

He catches a nice fish and may shout "YEAH!", and pump his fist in the air, while others spend precious minutes either celebrating a catch, or bemoaning the one that got away.

Granted, I have not watched a lot of tournament fishing shows.  But that is my observation formed from those I have seen.

He wastes very few seconds in non-productive actions. 

[Dr Pigg]

In the coverage last night on ESPN, one of the host who said he's a great friend of KVD said"  he told me 3 months ago he was going to cross under the bridge and if the weather cooperated he thought he could win it and not move--also told me to keep my mouth shut!" 

He knows the seasonal patterns and has been close on Lay Lake twice.  ALOT of pre-tourny thinking.  Well planned and it worked.

[wvbucketmouth]

Just think, KVD is still a young man. I think he will continue to get better over the years.

He is the Richard Petty of Bass fishing. King Kevin 8-)

His dedication and focus is second to none.

[NorcalBassin]

All Elite anglers are great at something, good at some things, and need work on other things.... KVD is great at a lot of things, doesn't have any major weaknesses, and excels under pressure. However, I imagine he won't look so unbeatable when the tour comes out West to the Delta and Clear Lake next month... who knows, Skeet might even make a run at both those weekends after being dreadful this weekend.

[Paul Roberts]

Destiny? -hogwash. Gifted? Yes, he's smart, and driven. Much of that could have simply been applied elsewhere. He probably could have been a heck of a turkey hunter, or vacuum cleaner salesman. "Gifts" need the proper environment to be realized:

He grew up in a strong high powered fishing community. His brother (or uncle? I forget) runs a long-successful tackle shop/guide business and holds the state record SM -some 9+lbs. They are all well educated in what makes fisheries, fishing, and marketing, tick.

Then along came the BASS tour, developed to the point that it could support such an individual. He's developed steadily since. He's a smart business man and has really taken this entire business to the highest degree yet seen. Both he and Strike King have a really good thing going. Those baits are top notch, well thought out -not just handed to him to push.

Let's just say...KVD has his Shtick together.

As to his fishing, he knows fisheries, fish, conditions, and presentation (he's really adept at triggering strikes from what I gather). And he's VERY well organized. Yup, he'd have made a heck of a vacuum cleaner salesman. Glad pro bass fishing has been able to support him; we all benefit at some level.

[NBR]

Attention to detail, bass knowledge, extremely focused, hard work, extremely competent fishing skills and a calmness that over comes negative issues. We forget that about 3 years ago years he did not make the cut in the classic.

[shootermcbob]

Destiny? -hogwash. Gifted? Yes, he's smart, and driven. Much of that could have simply been applied elsewhere. He probably could have been a heck of a turkey hunter, or vacuum cleaner salesman. "Gifts" need the proper environment to be realized:

He grew up in a strong high powered fishing community. His brother (or uncle? I forget) runs a long-successful tackle shop/guide business and holds the state record SM -some 9+lbs. They are all well educated in what makes fisheries, fishing, and marketing, tick.

Then along came the BASS tour, developed to the point that it could support such an individual. He's developed steadily since. He's a smart business man and has really taken this entire business to the highest degree yet seen. Both he and Strike King have a really good thing going. Those baits are top notch, well thought out -not just handed to him to push.

Let's just say...KVD has his Shtick together.

As to his fishing, he knows fisheries, fish, conditions, and presentation (he's really adept at triggering strikes from what I gather). And he's VERY well organized. Yup, he'd have made a heck of a vacuum cleaner salesman. Glad pro bass fishing has been able to support him; we all benefit at some level.

Agree wholeheartedly. Watching him on the bass pro videos, it is clear that he is very skilled and adept. He explains things so they seem so simple, yet nobody else can do them ....at least not to his level. He is just heads and shoulders above everybody right now.

[bassfisherjk]

Nothing to add.Way to go KVD.