What Did KVD Use To Win The 2011 Bassmaster Classic?

Well folks, we have had several people write in about Kevin VanDam’s win at the Classic. Most of the questions have been whether or not we know exactly what he was using to catch the fish that won. The answer to that is, yes, we do and I will give you the complete list.

As most people in the bass fishing world are aware of, KVD is possibly the most sponsored angler on the pro tour. He works with several companies to develop, test and bring to market, products that bear his name. I say this so that as I go down the list, you don’t get bored of seeing KVD in front of so many things on this list.

The Winning Tackle

For his rod and reel, Kevin was using Quantum Tour KVD cranking rods and Quantum Kevin VanDam Tour Baitcast reels. These products are the same gear that are available to you and I at retail outlets and it is my understanding that the ones he uses in tournaments are exactly the same as the ones we can purchase, as is the case with everything that he endorses. He uses what he puts his name to period.

The Winning Baits

As far as lures, he began day one throwing a 3/8 ounce, Strike King KVD spinnerbait in chartreuse sexy shad. He also tried the Strike King Red Eye Shad. In interviews during the tournament, Kevin said that the fish would get to the point where they were just slapping at the spinnerbait so he switched to a Strike King KVD 1.5 HC crankbait in chartreuse, black back. The only modification that he made to this lure was to change out the stock hooks for #2 Mustad KVD elite trebles. I know, there’s a lot of KVD’s in this article but its the fact that this is what he used to win his fourth classic.

The Winning Strategy

There are two other components to his win that folks don’t seem to be aware of. The first being that as the tournament progressed, Kevin changed his line to 20 pound- Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon. He did this to keep his bait a little bit higher in the water column. He was fishing a flat that contained stumps and submerged grass. At first his lure was getting to deep in the grass so the change in line size kept the KVD 1.5 just ticking the top of the grass.

The other element he changed was switching reels to a slower gear ratio of 5.4:1. He determined that the fish wanted a slower presentation and for Mr. VanDam, it was easier to switch reels and maintain his usual fishing style than try to slow down a faster reel.

Kevin also commented on the fact that he had to make multiple casts to a single target to get the fish to bite. Apparently, he would have his crankbait deflect off of the same stump several times to get a bite. The kicker is that he stayed with his game plan, had the patience to make those several casts, and of course, it payed off big-time!

So there it is, the complete list of equipment, lures and tactics that Kevin used to win the classic. What is in my opinion, the biggest lesson to learn from this is, you have to be keyed in on the fish and let them tell you what and how they want a bait. By really focusing on each retrieve and paying attention to when and where you get bit, it allows you to establish a pattern that you can have confidence in and that will produce fish.