What kind of weights will it take to win the Lake St. Clair and St. Lawrence River Bassmaster Elite Series events in August? Heavy, says Kevin VanDam. Real heavy.
"I just got back from St. Clair, and that one's going to take 80 pounds (for 4 days) for sure," the seven-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year said of the upcoming derby in his home state of Michigan. "It wouldn't surprise me if it went over 90.
"I think the St. Lawrence might be even higher because the part we're going to is an untouched fishery – it doesn't have tournaments all the time like St. Clair. At St. Clair, I figure you'll need an average of between 21 and 22 pounds a day to win."
Might we see a 100-pound aggregate at one or the other?
"It's possible, but not probable. Twenty-five-pound bags happen at St. Clair and the time of year we'll be there, I think you'll see some. It'd be tough to do that 4 days in a row, though."
Starting with next week's event at the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, VanDam must make up 37 points on Edwin Evers over the final three events to claim his 8th AOY. He fared pretty well during a similar stretch last year, finishing 13th at the Mississippi, 19th at Lake Michigan and 15th at Oneida, which took him from 12th to 7th in the points.
He thinks he'll need an average showing that's better than the mid-teens to have a realistic chance at this year's title.
"It's been one of those years for me where I've been really close to being right there, but I haven't been there on the final day. I've had my chances on a regular basis. I don't know if I'll do well at all in these last three, as good as the field is, but I do know what I need to do at those places and I'll let the AOY points take care of themselves.
"I do have a lot of knowledge of Great Lakes-type fisheries, and that gives me a good chance. I'll just have to figure it out in practice."
