Kevin VanDam
Encyclopedia
Kevin VanDam often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Kalamazoo, Michigan
. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011. He has captured four Bassmaster Classic
titles (2001, 2005, 2010, 2011), seven Toyota Tundra Angler of Year titles (1992, ‘96, ‘99, ‘08, ‘09, '10, "11) and was also the FLW Angler of the Year in 2001. VanDam has predominantly fished the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) Bassmasters tournament series during his career. VanDam began his career in 1990 at the age of 23. In 1992, he became the youngest person to win the BASS Angler of the Year title, at age 25. He and Rick Clunn
are the only anglers to have won four Bassmaster Classic
titles. His 20 career BASS tournament series wins are the most career wins on the Bassmasters tournament trail. VanDam was honored with the first-ever Outdoorsman of the Year ESPY Award by ESPN
in 2002.
Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan
, and graduated from Otsego High School, VanDam still resides there with his wife, Sherry, and sons Jackson and Nicholas. VanDam is sponsored on the BASS Bassmasters tournament trail by Nitro, Toyota, Strike King, Mustad, Plano, MotorGuide, Quantum, Bass Pro Shops
, Humminbird, Oakley, D&R Sports, Biosonix and RMR Industries.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned more than $5.6 million through August 2011. He has captured four Bassmaster Classic
Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic is a competition in professional bass fishing. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead, Nevada. Originally it was a fall event , but it switched to the summer in 1984 and then to the late winter in 2006...
titles (2001, 2005, 2010, 2011), seven Toyota Tundra Angler of Year titles (1992, ‘96, ‘99, ‘08, ‘09, '10, "11) and was also the FLW Angler of the Year in 2001. VanDam has predominantly fished the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) Bassmasters tournament series during his career. VanDam began his career in 1990 at the age of 23. In 1992, he became the youngest person to win the BASS Angler of the Year title, at age 25. He and Rick Clunn
Rick Clunn
Rick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman from Ava, Missouri. He has won 4 Bassmaster Classic. More than any other angler except for Kevin VanDam, who also has 4 Classics under his belt. Clunn is considered one of the best anglers of all time and has over 100 top ten appearances and has won 17...
are the only anglers to have won four Bassmaster Classic
Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic is a competition in professional bass fishing. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead, Nevada. Originally it was a fall event , but it switched to the summer in 1984 and then to the late winter in 2006...
titles. His 20 career BASS tournament series wins are the most career wins on the Bassmasters tournament trail. VanDam was honored with the first-ever Outdoorsman of the Year ESPY Award by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 2002.
Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
, and graduated from Otsego High School, VanDam still resides there with his wife, Sherry, and sons Jackson and Nicholas. VanDam is sponsored on the BASS Bassmasters tournament trail by Nitro, Toyota, Strike King, Mustad, Plano, MotorGuide, Quantum, Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is a privately held retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise. Bass Pro Shops is known for a large selection of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor gear.-History:The owner, John L...
, Humminbird, Oakley, D&R Sports, Biosonix and RMR Industries.
Titles and honors
- BASS Angler of the Year (1992, 1996, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- FLW Angler of the Year (2001)
- Bassmaster Classic winner (2001, 2005, 2010, 2011)
- ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year (2002)
Stats
- Career winnings: more than $5,656,426 (B.A.S.S. and FLW)
- Career Top Ten finishes: 103
- Times in the BASSMASTER Classic: 21 (consecutively since 1991)
- Tournaments Won: 20 (B.A.S.S.)
- Tournaments Runner-Up: 12
External links
- Official Website
- TakeMeFishing.orgTakemefishing.orgTake Me Fishing is a national campaign started by the nonprofit organization Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to actively encourage participation in recreational boating and fishing and thereby increase public awareness and appreciation of the need to protect, conserve and restore the...
Anglers' Legacy feature - Bass Fan bio (extensive stats)
- Kevin VanDam CATT/Outdoor Alliance Fishing seminar
- The Woman Behind the Man (ESPN story)