Kvd Big Bass Classic Recap

[OBBT Staff]

The inaugural Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic was held this past weekend on Table Rock Lake as nearly 300 anglers from nine different states and Canada competed in the tournament. Anglers faced tougher than normal conditions as warmer temps forced anglers to work harder to find fish throughout the two days of the event. Despite the conditions anglers brought a total of 218 fish to the Toyota Tundra Main Stage with an average weight of 3.23 lbs. Big Cedar Lodge provided the incredible backdrop at Bent Hook Marina and tournament anglers were treated to three days of hospitality courtesy of Oakley, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine and Toyota Trucks.

The tournament got of to a fast start on Saturday with over 138 fish brought to the scales and Brent Compton held the day one lead with a 5.45 lb largemouth weighed in the 10-11 hour. The weather conditions improved on Sunday as temps cooled and the wind provided some much needed relief. The quality of the fish brought in on Sunday improved as well and we had a new leader in the 10-11 hour when Kelly Power weighed in a 6.18 lb largemouth. The lead didn't last long however as the eventual tournament champion Brady Meredith brought in a 6.98 lb monster in the 11-12 hour take the lead. Brady's big bass held up and earned him the keys to the $43,000 2010 Nitro Z9 with a 250HP Mercury Pro XS. After all was said and done, one in every four anglers were paid as 70 hourly checks were cut and anglers who participated were rewarded with a total cash and prize payback in excess of 190%.

This event could not have happened without the incredible contributions from Oakley, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Big Cedar Lodge, Toyota Trucks and Quantum. We would also like to thank Lake Fork Trophy Lures, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lock-n-Haul and Power Pole for all their support. Finally a very special thank you to KVD for making this an unforgettable event for all of those involved. His 5 hour performance on the Rolling O Lab Grill was definitely the highlight of an incredible weekend.

See everyone next year.

[Phil Lilley]

Thanks for posting the wrap up!

[OBBT Staff]

Thanks for posting the wrap up!

I want to thank all the anglers who participated. The people of Missouri were great to us and we can't wait to come back next year.

We are planning next years event for April. Should be some great fishing.

[Nitro Nick]

It was a lot of fun and well ran. Thanks for putting it on.

[ThatCopyGuy]

Does anyone know what Brady caught his big bass on?

[Tfsh4bass]

I want to thank all the anglers who participated. The people of Missouri were great to us and we can't wait to come back next year.

We are planning next years event for April. Should be some great fishing.

Thanks for coming here and I really enjoyed the event. I have a couple of suggestions... 1 - Come early April because there are usually bedding fish the last part of April depending on the year and having 300+ guys yanking bedding fish isn't a good thing IMO 2 - Put a digital clock up right before the waiting tanks and if you don't cross the line past it you can't weigh your fish for that hour. I heard some grumbling at weigh-in because some fish got weighed after the hour and one guy told me he got bumped out of the top 5 with a fish that was weighed 7 minutes after the hour. Having a defined line with clock that you must be past with fish in bag will eliminate any doubt. Again I had a great time and looking forward to next year.

[OBBT Staff]

Thanks for coming here and I really enjoyed the event. I have a couple of suggestions... 1 - Come early April because there are usually bedding fish the last part of April depending on the year and having 300+ guys yanking bedding fish isn't a good thing IMO 2 - Put a digital clock up right before the waiting tanks and if you don't cross the line past it you can't weigh your fish for that hour. I heard some grumbling at weigh-in because some fish got weighed after the hour and one guy told me he got bumped out of the top 5 with a fish that was weighed 7 minutes after the hour. Having a defined line with clock that you must be past with fish in bag will eliminate any doubt. Again I had a great time and looking forward to next year.

We will be looking at all the options but there are a large number of variables for scheduling considering all the partners involved. With regards to the weigh-ins our rules are simple: an angler only has to declare with our staff that they intend to weigh in that hour. If it takes a few minutes to get them in line and through the process that isn't a rules violation. Thanks for the feedback as we are always open to it.

[T-RockJaws]

Cast another vote for early April... Would truly hate to see 300 plus anglers possibly jerking fish off nests. We care more about our fish than the scheduling variables for all the partners! Besides, your best chance at a trophy sized bass is before the spawn.

On another note, I was out fishing this weekend (not part of the KVD Big Bass) and was pleasantly surprised that most of the anglers I ran into seemed polite and well behaved. Not like the typical cut offs experienced when some other large tournaments have been held.

[OBBT Staff]

Cast another vote for early April... Would truly hate to see 300 plus anglers possibly jerking fish off nests. We care more about our fish than the scheduling variables for all the partners! Besides, your best chance at a trophy sized bass is before the spawn.

On another note, I was out fishing this weekend (not part of the KVD Big Bass) and was pleasantly surprised that most of the anglers I ran into seemed polite and well behaved. Not like the typical cut offs experienced when some other large tournaments have been held.

I'd venture to guess that with the tournament trails (AIA, Central Pro Am, & Others) and with the general angling traffic that there are over a 1000 + anglers pulling fish off the beds on Table Rock and any other local lake for that matter. Never heard that complaint before. Again, thanks for the feedback.

Just goes to show you that a large group of anglers can compete without things getting out of hand. I'd also like to commend our anglers on their fish care. Our staff was pleasantly surprised by the low number of struggling fish that were brought in. Our mortality numbers were closer to an event held in the spring than early summer and everyone should be commended.

[Tfsh4bass]

I'd venture to guess that with the tournament trails (AIA, Central Pro Am, & Others) and with the general angling traffic that there are over a 1000 + anglers pulling fish off the beds on Table Rock and any other local lake for that matter. Never heard that complaint before. Again, thanks for the feedback.

Just goes to show you that a large group of anglers can compete without things getting out of hand. I'd also like to commend our anglers on their fish care. Our staff was pleasantly surprised by the low number of struggling fish that were brought in. Our mortality numbers were closer to an event held in the spring than early summer and everyone should be commended.

I will always complain (and many others do)about any tournaments during the spawn and I wish the state of Missouri had a no tournament rule from 2nd week of April until the 2nd week of May...which would cover things most years. Catch-n-release only during those times would make our lakes even better IMO and I consider myself a good site fisherman. BUT you are right there will be plenty of tournaments site fishing and I will fish the KVD regardless of when it is.