Bassmaster Classic 2012: Kevin VanDam Is Still Elite Despite Recent Struggles

Kevin VanDam may not get the win at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, but that doesn't mean he is any less of a legendary angler.

Sometimes the fish don't bite, that's just a part of the sport, and more so it's a part of fishing.

You have to be patient to be a successful fisherman, but you also have to be pretty intuitive. You can have one and not the other and you'll be OK, but it's the great ones like VanDam that have both attributes.

He's intuitive enough to have a feel as to where the fish may be, and he's patient enough to cast his line, hunker on down and wait for the big bites.

The problem is, you can be the best fisherman in the world and not be able to control the bites and patterns, and that's what VanDam has run into at the classic, according to the Associated Press via the Washington Post:

"

The fun part is figuring out what the heck they’re doing every day,” he said. “When you figure it out and things do well, it’s gratifying.

“So far, I’ve struggled to do that, so I can’t wait to go back out there. I’m mad at them.”

"

He may not be able to make the comeback and bring home the win—which make history mind you, as no one has ever one three straight classics, or five total according to the AP report—but that doesn't make him any less of an angler.

VanDam is an elite fisherman, and he will bounce back and prove to the world why he's so good.

You don't catch all those fish and win all of those tournaments by mistake, so I have a feeling he's not too worried.