(Editors Note: This is the third of a series of short daily accounts of Kevin VanDam’s MLF REDCREST event this week as told to Alan McGuckin of Dynamic Sponsorships.)
Kevin VanDam sat working on tackle Tuesday evening amid a perfect 65-degree late winter sunset over Lake Eufaula, but most of his thoughts were focused on the moon.
Tuesday at REDCREST was tougher than expected on VanDam. He managed just three scoreable Lake Eufaula largemouth for a total of 8 pounds, but still good enough for 10th place after two days of competition and the chance to move on to Wednesday’s Knockout Round.
And he’s still betting on all the goodness an approaching full moon is about to deliver.
“See that moon?” questioned VanDam to his avid angler buddy Joe, who owns the lake home where he’s staying. “That moon is 90 percent full, and with water temps now 55-60, that means spring’s magic is about to happen."
He knows the majority of southeast Alabama’s largemouth will likely spawn around next month, but the “early bloomers” will show up this week during REDCREST to kick off the annual reproductive ritual.
He’ll continue to throw a Strike King Thunder Cricket and mix-in a swim jig in less than 4 feet of water. It’s the pattern that’s worked well enough this week that VanDam sees no reason to change. In fact, he thinks it will actually get stronger.
The “pork pattern” continues to bode well too. He’s eaten pulled pork sandwiches every day in the boat for lunch. Smoked pork tenderloin for dinner Monday night. And was grilling pork chops for dinner Tuesday night.
“I’m just trying to fish areas where I know they’re coming to spawn, because I know when that first wave of fresh spawners come shallow, things can get really good in a hurry,” he warned prior to Wednesday’s Knockout Round.
