Kudos to Pam Martin-Wells for her place in top 25 at Bassmaster Classic

Bass Communications — The 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., added another accolade to his career Sunday, winning the 40th Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake.

Excerpt about Pam Martin-Wells:

Photo courtesy Bass Communications. Steven King.

Onstage, Martin-Wells told the crowd of 58,478 fans at BJCC that her Classic experience has been indescribable.

“I tried to prepare myself coming into this so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed, so I could come and fish,” Martin-Wells said. “Now probably tonight, tomorrow or the next day, I might fall to pieces — or tonight, when I watch it on TV, because every time I see it I get goose bumps. It has been incredible; the guys have been wonderful. There are really no words to describe this whole feeling.”

Martin-Wells will continue to compete with the guys as she participates in the 2010 Bassmaster Southern Open and Central Open circuits. Up next is the April 8-10 Central Open on Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Texas.

VanDam said that the physical demands of his style of fishing — fast and constant casting — took its toll by Sunday, but it didn’t lessen his intense satisfaction of winning his third Bassmaster Classic.

“I’m worn out right now, but this means everything,” VanDam said. “It’s what I dreamed about as a kid, it’s very special. I’m going to really enjoy it. Everybody that’s ever fished a bass tournament dreams of being on that stage. I’m as motivated as ever. I love the competition; I love the people that I get to be around.

“There’s a bunch of dang good people in our sport. Outdoorsmen, fishermen are good people — we’re passionate about what we do. Any of these guys, you ask them to do something and they’re willing to do it. They give their time freely because they care so much about the bass that we fish for and the water we get to do it on.”

Click here to view the Bassmaster Classic final standings.

Sponsors of the 2010 Bassmaster Classic: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Marine.

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