Kevin VanDam Makes It Four
Fog, vegetation and a calculated decision to stay close to New Orleans helped Kevin VanDam produce a record-setting Louisiana Delta Classic and tie Rick Clunn with four championships.
How the 2011 Louisiana Classic unfolded
Heavy fog repeatedly shortened fishing time during the 2011 Classic. While other anglers debated long runs toward Venice, VanDam had located productive water much closer to launch in Lake Cataouatche and removed much of the travel risk from his plan.
The strategy produced 69 pounds, 11 ounces over three days. Bassmaster described the event as a record setter, and VanDam’s total established a new five-bass-limit-era Classic winning-weight mark at the time.
The victory was VanDam’s fourth Bassmaster Classic championship, tying Rick Clunn’s longstanding record. It also made the Louisiana Delta uniquely important to KVD’s career: the same venue delivered his first Classic title in 2001 and his fourth ten years later.
A Louisiana moment that stayed in Bassmaster history
This was more than another KVD victory. It combined weather strategy, productive Louisiana vegetation and one of the strongest winning totals in Classic history into a championship that cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Read the Bassmaster record
More Louisiana tournament history
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