Why KVD?

[burleytog]

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.

Thanks AJ, no one has ever talked about me like that.

[burleytog]

Why?  Cookies.

[Bass_Akwards]

I just find it interesting that most of us compare KVD to guys like Roger Federer, MJ, and Tiger, when all those guys play physical athletic sports with only marginal "luck" involved. Many of those guys were born with raw physical skills and God given natural athletic talent as well.

Obviously KVD was born with God given ability but this is FISHING! You don't have to be a great athlete to be a great angler.

Fishing is so different than playing hoops or football, yet this guy is crushing the Elite series.

You guys have brought up dedication, pre tourney thinking, focus, making few non productive actions on the boat, and hard work as a few reasons KVD is the best. Do you think all anglers on the tour feel the same way?

I have a really tough time believing guys like Skeet and Ike and Horton, Alton Jones, Todd Faircloth, Swindel, Rick Clunn, and others would admit that KVD works harder then them, is more dedicated then them etc. etc.

Maybe it's just a confidence thing? Maybe KVD is showing us all that the power of the mind is more important and more powerful than most of give it credit for.

He literally believes he's going to win more than everyone else, and he visualizes it better than everyone else as well. Therefore his thoughts become reality on a more regular basis. Seems like "confidence" just might be the decieding factor here.

Then again, maybe he's just not human.

[Paul Roberts]

OK...whoa...wait a minute...

KVD does NOT dominate. No one does. He is a strong contender -statistically the strongest of the field. If you look at his stats, that's what you'll see. Skeet doesn't suck bc of his turnout this year, nor does KVD for his last year. There is A LOT that goes into the making of a star athlete (not sure athlete applies here exactly) and only part of that is "raw talent" -esp in fishing.

[Big-O]

Tiger Woods as well as other sports professionals only wish that they could lead their individual sports like Kevin does in fishing. Yes he's that good. IMO, When it comes to "The Unbeatable Trio" Passion, Persistance and Preparation....very few people in the world are at his level.

I wrote the following some time back concerning Kevin and it's true today and will continue to be up until the time he gives up the competetive part of the sport......

Many of us remember really well about the times we won and why we won. Kevin remembers more about the times he didn't win and why he didn't.

He learns from every mistake or miss judgment that he or those around him makes, maintains high energy, attention to detail, highest level work ethic.

Has the confidence that he is going to do whatever it takes to succeed. He studies and understands seasonal fish and bait movement in the variety of lakes and rivers.

Concentrates on the most productive patterns, meticulous preparation, fishes his strengths (which are many), never accepts defeat as a total loss but breaks down the reasons for lack of performance into single issues and learns how to avoid poor performance.

Simplifies and organizes his efforts by breaking a given body of water down into separate patterns.

And beyond that, he loves to fish. He would be equally as successful in many other professions with his persistence, passion and preparation, we are just lucky that he chose fishing so that we can enjoy watching the man work.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[SPEEDBEAD.]

^ Well said.

Check you PM there big dog...

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

wy is lance armstrong good at  cycling, wy is woods good at golf, wy is vandam so good at fishing, wy is the sky blue, it just is the way it is and that is all is

[Captain Obvious]

Hmm Michigan anglers?

Which state has the most classic wins? that would be Texas with 6

which state has sent more people to the classic? That would be Texas again

Which state has sent more people to the elite series? Texas

which state did creme lures and skeeter boats set up homes in? Texas

Which state has the most proven way to fish or hook a worm named after it? Texas and the wacky-style was also invented here

Sorry you guys up north just don't have the history and even if KVD is the best ever we still have more guys in the record books then you'll ever have

I know the truth hurts

Capt.O

[bmadd]

You guys have brought up dedication, pre tourney thinking, focus, making few non productive actions on the boat, and hard work as a few reasons KVD is the best. Do you think all anglers on the tour feel the same way?

I have a really tough time believing guys like Skeet and Ike and Horton, Alton Jones, Todd Faircloth, Swindel, Rick Clunn, and others would admit that KVD works harder then them, is more dedicated then them etc. etc.

in the most recent bassmaster magazine there is actually an article where guys like Gerald Swindle, Davy Hite and a few others talk about why they think KVD is as good as he is. Pretty good read.

[Paul Roberts]

... Texas and the wacky-style was also invented here

Ummmm...I understood the Wacky to have been "invented" on New York's Finger Lakes -at least that is where the name originates. But my guess it's been "invented" many times over LOL.

[brushhoggin]

they said he practiced fished every pocket and creek on Lay TWICE from dam to dam. he's just prepared. good practice fisherman. knows how to analyze lakes quickly

[BIG M]

When KVD is done he will be the best tourny angler of all time, hands down no one will be close.   With that said he will not win every tourny but he will have more classic wins and AOY awards, that's what counts in the end.    All the other pro anglers are very good fisherman but KVD just has that something extra special that sets him apart from the others.

[Paul Roberts]

Why is VanDam so good? Good interview:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4935245&categoryid=4445315

Here's a good quote, from ESPN's Pete Robbins:

"...After 20 Classics, he's only won three times. As a batting average, that would be poor, but compared to his competitors, he's Ted Williams. "In this sport, you're going to lose a lot more than you win," he said."

[Southflangler]

KVD is a freak. He should have to use push button zebco reels to even the playing field.

[MFBAB]

It isn't magic, lol.  I think he just uses those search baits more efficiently than anyone else and covers a ton of water.  The thing that really seperates him though is that he is able to find and refine the current pattern faster than anyone else I can think of, I would love to find out some of the cues he uses to interpret that but he ain't talking.

I've seen him sharing the boat with other pros on TV several different times, they'll be fishing along and all of a sudden he just says "I know what the deal is" or something, and it is on.  That light bulb doesn't go off every tourney but I honestly believe he never loses one, he just runs out of time once in a while before he gets it figured out.   

[MarauderYak]

On top of what's alread been said...  I've seen KVD fish a few times & actually got to fish with him a few years ago (Geez, I guess it's actually about 7 or 8 years now that I think about it).  NOBODY else makes nearly as many casts as he does during a day.  I tried my best to keep up with him & was wore out in less than 30 minutes.  On top of everthing else, there's something to be said for just covering the most water.  I'll bet there wasn't a bass in that whole arm that didn't see his bait a few times.

[Paul Roberts]

It isn't magic, lol. I think he just uses those search baits more efficiently than anyone else and covers a ton of water. The thing that really seperates him though is that he is able to find and refine the current pattern faster than anyone else I can think of, I would love to find out some of the cues he uses to interpret that but he ain't talking.

I've seen him sharing the boat with other pros on TV several different times, they'll be fishing along and all of a sudden he just says "I know what the deal is" or something, and it is on. That light bulb doesn't go off every tourney but I honestly believe he never loses one, he just runs out of time once in a while before he gets it figured out.

Excellent post.

Refining patterns: Once I saw, on the first day, he had high catch numbers I knew he'd be in contention. I think in a post I said, "Look at his catch and cull numbers. Game over??" Anything might happen, but his early season fish weren't going anywhere, and he is as you say, able to refine (and adjust) better than anyone.

As to your statement:

I would love to find out some of the cues he uses to interpret that but he ain't talking.

He does talk, but it doesn't mean we're in position to fathom things. Fishing just isn't cookbook. It's real time assessment of a large number of variables. He's adept at assessing which are most important at any one time. And of course he isn't fool proof. It ain't magic. But he's got more knowledge to transfer than most. So...even if he did tell, most of us wouldn't put the 12Z(X-7.37Y)/(various greek LOL) .... together!

I find that the more I learn and incorporate into my lexicon, the more I get out of my fishing, and my reading. I can re-read good articles over and over and glean new stuff -reading in between the lines -realizing why certain statements are said, or where they likely came from. It's called "transfer" (my wife's a teacher) -what you can glean out of information is proportional to what you already know.

[jamarkwe]

Hmm Michigan anglers?

Which state has the most classic wins? that would be Texas with 6

which state has sent more people to the classic? That would be Texas again

Which state has sent more people to the elite series? Texas

which state did creme lures and skeeter boats set up homes in? Texas

Which state has the most proven way to fish or hook a worm named after it? Texas and the wacky-style was also invented here

Sorry you guys up north just don't have the history and even if KVD is the best ever we still have more guys in the record books then you'll ever have

I know the truth hurts

Capt.O

Which state has the better/longer Bass fishing conditions/weather year-round? Texas

P.S. everyone is just talking sh** ;D...Chill bro, you don't have to be so defensive...

[RyneB]

It is one thing to be a good fisherman. Then there is being a fisherman who has a camerman in his boat, hundreds of spectators watching him. Even if i was the greatest fisherman in the world, i think i would buckle under the pressure of the situation. He is like a machine out there. Nothing phases him. When Ike misses a fish he kicks his sonar or throws his rod (no disrespect to Ike, hes my favorite). When KVD misses a fish he just throws right back out there without a hint of emotion. I have never seen this guy panic.

[MFBAB]

I totally agree Paul, I reread a lot of good fishing books every so often and there are always things that don't really click until the 2nd or 3rd time through.  Also, some of what I read doesn't make sense until I'm actually fishing and then it clicks for me.  I'm not saying KVD is being secretive really, I just think he has a unique way of processing the big picture and refining it down to the best bite going in the shortest amount of time.  You and I could start with the exact same info but not figure it out as quickly or make the correct reactions as quickly, if that makes sense. 

[Bass_Akwards]

OK...whoa...wait a minute...

KVD does NOT dominate. No one does. He is a strong contender -statistically the strongest of the field. If you look at his stats, that's what you'll see. Skeet doesn't suck bc of his turnout this year, nor does KVD for his last year. There is A LOT that goes into the making of a star athlete (not sure athlete applies here exactly) and only part of that is "raw talent" -esp in fishing.

Paul.  With all due respect.  Long term stats DO matter.  Once you have a descent sample size, statistics say a heck of a lot.

Also...

A CONTENDER?!  Kevin Van DAM? LOL.  You must have him confused with another angler. 

KVD is the all-time money winner on the Bassmaster Tournament trail.

The freak has three Bassmaster Classic titles (2001,2005, 2010)  and five Toyota Tundra Angler of Year titles (1992, 96, 99, 08 and 09).

The Alchemist has been to 20 Classics in a row since he turned pro in '92.  That's the longest running Classic qualification streak of any active pro on tour.

He's been in 221 career Bassmaster events. The witch has won 16 of them.  16!  That's rediculous! 

He finished second 11 times and landed in the top 10 a crushing 84 times! 84 times makes me laugh.

In a world where everything's relative, that's absolute and complete domination in my humble opinion.

As a pro poker player, I know that finishing in the money happens to the best players in the world about 15-20% of the time.  Finishing the winner in a poker tournament might happen to the best players in the world about 3-5% of the time and thats the best players in the world. The dominators!

The best baseball batters in the world fail 7 times out of 10 give or take.   

Point is you can still dominate, without winning most every time and KVD definately dominates.

[bmadd]

Well the all time money leader thing is pretty irrelevant considering guys like Gary Klien, Rick Clunn, Denny Brauer, Roland Martin, Bill Dance, and Jimmy Houston were all fishing when the payout for Classic Champion was the same as this years last place competitor.

As far as stats, Gary Klien has fished in 28 Bassmaster Classics.

Rick Clunn has won 4 Classics.

Roland Martin has won 9 Angler of the Year awards.

He's got some serious records to beat before he comes the best all-time.

But calling him dominant is kind of borderline. It's all on your opinions of who's saying.

[Georgia Jeff]

Roland Martin still has a more impressive record but I think KVD will ultimately be considered the best of the best by the end of his career.

[Georgia Jeff]

I am just glad KVD paid such close attention to all the lessons I gave him and have used them to dominate!  Ha!

[Paul Roberts]

In my mind, 16 wins out of 221 attempts is not "domination". He's a strong contender. Too many variables for anyone to dominate in fishing. When he starts winning half his attempts, or places in the top ten in all of them, I'll consider the word "domination".

But it's just semantics between friends really. I was pleased to see him win too.