2012 Classic

It's been a year since I've posted, maybe longer, and I wanted to say a few things about this year's Classic. Mainly, I wanted to say how glad I am that Kevin Van Dam is not at the top of the leader board. That may sound a bit spiteful but really I just want to say that it's nice to see someone else get the chance. I have nothing against KVD at all, but seeing as how he has done everything anyone could want to do in bass fishing, multiple times, I think it's only fair that someone else get to live that dream. As exciting as it is to see someone do things for the first time and make history I think that since we've already witnessed history to this point what difference is it if we wait another year to see a record go down. Granted, this is the only chance he has at winning three in a row (at least for now!)--but I think there is an ironic sort of apathy that can develop towards a sport if one representative is constantly in the headlines. Posterity will have its chance at dissecting what made KVD so special--right now we seem to be caught up in superlatives like "one-of-a-kind," "never before," and "class-of-his-own." Yet when all is said and done someone will take a very close look at what is was that made him so successful. At this moment we are reaping the benefit of watching another group of anglers with a different set of particular talents take advantage of a set of conditions that befits their style of fishing. One day we will be able to understand how reaction baits and power fishing can be applied to most situations with success. But for now we are seeing another set conditions let other anglers fish for spawning bass in ways that will also teach us much for years to come.