Act II for the Class Act

Following a graceful retirement, Kevin VanDam looks forward to his next chapter.

Curtains close, a low murmur becomes a steady rumble that soon crescendos with exuberant applause as the house lights yield to explosive brilliance. The break was brief and now—the show continues. It’s called an encore—that moment when artists conclude one part of their performance before retaking the stage for another round. Perhaps there’s an outfit change, a surprise acoustic set, or gratuitous fan engagement (wink). Whatever the format, those who’ve come to see the act they love typically relish the return even more than the show’s opening. The show du jour: Kevin VanDam.

Not a stretch for the Bass Fishing Hall of Famer with a guitar collection accenting his tackle room. For clarity, no one’s booking a summer concert tour and the VanDam Christmas album has yet to materialize. But if you thought his retirement from competitive fishing after the 2023 season implied any sense of fading into the sunset, rest assured, this is just another sunrise.

That’s how it is for the man inarguably regarded as the most formidable bass angler ever to spool a reel. With a trophy display that would over­flow his Nitro boat, VanDam’s passion for performance has yielded a simply superlative record.

You know what else he’s passionate about? Helping other folks embrace the sport, deepen their understanding of its intricacies, and develop the requi­site skills for their own success story.

“I’ll be staying busy with a lot of content creation for sponsors, for my YouTube channel and other social media platforms, and filming for various projects,” VanDam said of his new schedule. “I love teaching and now I’ll have more time to do that.

“At this stage of my career, I should be able to make myself more valuable to everybody who trusts what I say. I’ve been very successful doing things my way and I enjoy teaching people what works for me and then letting them figure out what works for them.”

The Classroom Expanded

The world has already seen lots of Kevin VanDam content, and whether it’s Bass Pro Shops, Strike King, Lew’s, or any other brand he represents, the followings/responses reflect an insatiable appetite for his lessons. Not to oversimplify, but it’s a more-is-better premise.

Safe to say it would take two lifetimes to fully download—in mentally digestible form—every detail that 33 years of professional fishing has packed into the clearly atypical space between VanDam’s ears. Ambitious as it sounds, he’s planning to fill the time he once spent practicing and competing with an equally driven effort to educate and equip anyone inter­ested in listening.

“As a content creator, influencer and brand ambassador, I’ve always enjoyed teaching people,” VanDam said. “It’s very meaningful when people come up to me and say, ‘I saw this story you did on shallow cranking and then I used your technique and had a great day,’ or, ‘I saw that show you did on catching smallmouth on a jerkbait and that technique helped me out.’

“I love being able to help people have a better time on the water. Tournament fishing has always been a platform that allowed me to do that. In this new phase of my career, that’s what I’ll focus on all the time—helping people be more successful on the water by utilizing their electronics and their equipment better.”

Like reaching the end of an idle zone, VanDam’s unleashing the educational machine. For decades, these efforts have run concurrent with his tournament career, but now that competitive fishing’s time requirements no longer restrain him, VanDam’s flooring the Hot Foot.

“All of those things that I’ve been doing on the side—now I can focus on it full time,” VanDam said.

A Proven Brand

The instantly recognized KVD logo has long projected exemplary work ethic. Also consistent is VanDam’s inspir­ing blend of perfectionism and professionalism.

Once the fresh-faced prodigy known as the “Kalamazoo Kid,” Van Dam has played the sweet melodies of success for more than three decades, every stage marked with nothing short of virtuoso skill. Some do what they do to make a good living, others do it for their love of the game. Van Dam has masterfully blended both.

Like a tuxedoed cellist that confidently strides across the stage, gracefully takes that forward seat, and proceeds to dazzle with engaging presentation and jaw-dropping precision, VanDam showed up at every tournament takeoff sharply dressed and clean-shaven, as if he could just as easily be headed to a Fortune 500 board meeting.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has not savored the show-except, perhaps, fellow competitors. But like all great concerts, operas, and Broadway plays, VanDam’s illustrious career came to its inevitable end, concluding the first week of August with his final MLF event at Michigan’s Saginaw Bay.

Classy Departure

VanDam said it was important to make this momentous decision on his time and in his way. Departing with dignity beats hanging on until you can no longer hang on.

“It wasn’t easy, for sure,” VanDam said. “Being a sports fan and watching athletes and coaches, you know there’s going to be an end and I think a lot of people don’t come to grips with that. A lot of people in our sport don’t ever stop, even though there’s a falloff in performance.

“I have a family, I have other interests, hobbies. I’ve done it for a long time. It took me a while to come to the realization that this is a good time.”

Appreciating the depth of VanDam’s decision merits a snapshot look at his accolades. Undoubtedly, many can quote these stats, but often a formal statement of details brightens the self-evident sparkle.

• Bassmaster Classic winner, including back-to-back titles (2001, 2005, 2010, and 2011)
• Bassmaster Angler of the Year, including four consecutive titles (2008-2011)
• 25 Bassmaster tour-level wins
• Four Major League Fishing wins (MLF Cup and Bass Pro Tour events)
• FLW Angler of the Year

Does VanDam have enough gas left in the tank for another title or two? Few would bet against him. But it’s not about the odds; it’s about living life intentionally, knowing the path you’ve trodden and the next you’re ready to explore.

“I don’t have to prove anything to anybody else; I don’t have to do it for my sponsors or keep competing for other people,” VanDam said. “I’ve always had a lot of fun at it, and I said, ‘When it’s not fun anymore, I’m going to stop.

“I didn’t want it to get to that point. I talked through it with my family and the decision to say, ‘This is a good time for me to transition into what I love’ happened pretty fast.”

Reflections and Projections

Sinatra’s “My Way,” the chin-up anthem for all self-starters with unshakable beliefs, largely heralds success borne of commitment. However, the second verse balances the highs with the unavoidable lows.

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption

Frank Sinatra

“There are a lot of things I look back at—different decisions you’ve made at certain tournaments,” VanDam said. “I think of events where maybe the weather got you, or maybe you made the wrong decision and you had a chance to win—missed opportunities.

“But the biggest thing I don’t regret is how I’ve played the game. With the partners I’ve had along the way, I’m super proud of the relationships and friendships I’ve built over my career.”
Exemplifying that thought, VanDam points to his long­standing partnerships with Nitro, Bass Pro Shops, Strike King, Mustad, Toyota, and Johnson Outdoors.

Add to the list his mutually appreciative interaction with outdoor media and Van Dam learned early on that time away from home passes more pleasantly in favorable company.

“It’s a second family—this sport and the people around it,” he said. “One of the things that makes it easy to enjoy and be a part of is just how many good people are part of this industry in all facets, from the business side to the tournament organizations.

“It’s the relationships I’ve had with [the late B.A.S.5. founder Ray Scott], [former B.A.S.5. Tournament Directors] Dewey Kendrick and Trip Weldon, and [MLF Senior Tournament Director] Daniel Fennel. It’s the people at JM Productions­—everything that Mike McKinnis and [the late] Jerry McKinnis have done for this sport.”

VanDam’s roster of special people includes legendary outdoors television broadcaster and Bassmaster LIVE host Tommy Sanders, Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer, and Mark Zona, host of Bassmaster LIVE and Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.

As for influential competitors, VanDam counts himself fortunate to have learned from the likes of Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, and Tommy Martin—all early encouragers and lifelong pals.

“If you don’t live in this world, it’s hard to explain what that means. I don’t take it for granted,” Van Dam said. “Within the companies and brands that I work for, it’s way more than having a business relationship; it’s true friendship.

“It’s an understanding of what we all go through. Those relationships mean the world. It’s what makes it easy to get up every day at 5 a.m. and be out there on the water, whether I’m getting ready to fish a tournament, film a show, or do a photoshoot.”

Cementing this truth, Van Dam knows life is a two-way street.

“There are just a lot of great people that have helped me be who I am,” he said. “Along the way, hopefully, I’ve helped them as well.”

Consider a few more of VanDam’s personal glimpses.

Supporting Cast: Along with the people, VanDam lauds the impact of key products and technologies that enabled him to do what he did at the level he did it.

“One of the greatest marketing successes in my career was the Strike King Sexy Shad color,” he said. “In 2007, I won a tournament at Grand Lake and then I won another one a few months later at Lake Guntersville with a Strike King Series 5 Sexy Shad crankbait.

“In a lot of cases, the lures get a lot of the limelight, but for me, it was also being on the forefront of Humminbird’s technological advancements like Side Imaging, MEGA Side Imaging, MEGA 360, MEGA Live and all of these things in conjunction with the baits have led to a ton of my success.”

Noting the invaluable boat control benefits of Minn Kota’s Talons and Raptor along with the game-changing Ultrex, then Ultrex Quest trolling motors, Van Dam calls Lakemaster Mapping his favorite technology advancement.

Intimate details of his immediate area and surrounding waters provided the advantage of big-picture awareness necessary for anticipating fish movement.

“These advancements in technology are so important in helping people become more successful on the water,” VanDam said. “The engineers I work with at Humminbird and Minn Kota are always asking, ‘What are the features we can add to help anglers improve their fishing?’”

VanDam, whose first big fishing electronics upgrade was going from a Humminbird Super Sixty to a Super Thirty, said his appreciation for the swell of modern electronics and boat control equipment motivates him to help showcase their full potential.

“Most anglers who buy a new Humminbird Apex depth finder, a Minn Kota Ultrex, or shallow-water anchors like Raptors or Talons are using the basic features, but they’re not maxi­mizing the technology,” he said. “That’s going to be a big part of what I focus on in the future—trying to help people understand and get the most out of all of their equipment.

“From the simplest things to the most intricate details, that’s what I love to teach. And to do it in a way that people under­stand and also build their confidence to try—that’s my job.”

Why It Matters: You gotta move product. Anyone who seeks and accepts sponsorship should understand that necessary expectation.

VanDam has had no problem doing so, but in his view, integrity holds equal priority.

“Over my career, I’ve tried to be honest and true to my fans,” he said. “If they read a story or see a show or video I’ve done on a particular bait or technique, they know that if I tell them, ‘You can cast a Strike King 6XD this far, it works this way and you can hit the bottom in 20 feet,’ that’s an accurate description.

“I’ve built that reputation of honesty and credibility with my fan base so they can believe the things I say about the prod­ucts and brands that I represent. Credibility is something I’m very proud of.”

Life Lesson: Longevity is the cornerstone of integrity.

“That loyalty I’ve had and the loyalty that has been recip­rocated to me through working with the best brands in the industry means something to my fan base,” VanDam said. “I have a very loyal fan base because I’ve tried to always be accessible and I’ve never tried to be something that I’m not. One of the things I’ve been most proud of over my career is those brand relationships that I have.”

Grace Amid Greatness

Through all the accomplishments, all the brand building, all the record book entries, VanDam never lost sight of who he was and how he got there. Kenny Chesney said it best in “Big Star”:

If you work hard to get where you
are It feels good in the hot spotlight

Kenny Chesney

Is VanDam confident? You bet. Kinda naive to think that doubt could exist in a career like his.

A little intimidating? Yep, but only for competitors.

Those seeking a handshake, autograph, or treasured selfie never saw anything but that welcoming smile. Stories abound of VanDam taking time for every fan request—often when he had little to spare. They were and still are the audience for sponsor messaging­—potential customers, each.

Public interaction’s part of the job. But if you’ve ever watched VanDam at tournaments, trade shows, or con­sumer events, his genuine appreciation, respect, and value for those who stop their lives to watch him do what he loves to do—man, you can’t fake that.

Climbing the mountain doesn’t mean you have to live on that peak. VanDam values his summits and he’s always valued fellow mountain climbers, as well as those who challenge smaller hills.

“No tournament angler, no television personality is success­ful without fan support,” VanDam said. “In the end, that’s what sponsors are interested in: the platform you’ve built and the audience we have.”

Kevin VanDam has earned the right to look in the mir­ror and smile with due pride. However, he finds greater fulfillment in smiling at the folks who hand him a hat or photo to autograph.

“A lot of the person who I am and how I treat people is how I was raised, so I have to give my parents a lot of credit,” VanDam said. “But my wife has made a huge impact on who I am, who our brand is, and how we do things. She doesn’t want to be in the spotlight, she’s not on camera, she’s not out there doing things on social media, but she’s constantly there monitoring and she’s watching what I’m doing.

“If I had a bad day and she felt like I didn’t spend enough time with a group of fans, she’s gonna let me know. From day one [they’ve been together for 36 years and married for 31], until this day, it’s always been that way. You can’t make everyone happy, but we try to do the best job we can on all fronts.”

VanDam’s insight on connecting with his audience is as sensible as it is expected. But it might surprise you to know just how far back VanDam’s impression of human interaction reaches.
Wanna go deep for a moment? OK, buckle up.

He Gets It

Understandably, you wouldn’t expect anyone to inten­tionally snub today’s KVD. But not everyone sees life through the same lens, and for some, arrogance spurs cruel contempt. Fortunately, a young Kevin VanDam turned a childhood let down into a foundational belief.

“Early in my life, I got shunned by a professional athlete at a sporting event and it made no sense,” VanDam said. “That really hit me as a 7-year-old boy. It would have been super easy [to respond]; it would have taken them 15 seconds.”

It happened during a Detroit Tigers game. VanDam’s father asked a couple of players to sign a ball for an aspiring young fan, but they blew off the request. As his career developed and his fan base grew, so did VanDam’s commitment to treating others with patience and kindness.

“It really sticks in my mind today that it’s not that hard to make a difference to people,” VanDam said. “As a professional angler, it’s part of my job. The fans are the reason sponsors pay me.

“For those people who come to see you, it means some­thing and I’ve always tried to be respectful of that. From the letters, cards, and emails I get, it’s important for me to be connected to my fan base and understand that they are the reason I’ve been able to make a living in the sport I love.”

Surely there were times VanDam surveyed a push of fans and pictured a 7-year-old boy holding an unsigned baseball.

Internally generated reminders always speak the loudest.

“If I was that person on the other side of the fence in the morning at the Classic launch, what would it mean for me if someone refused to sign that autograph?” VanDam asked. “I’ve always stayed late after a tour­nament, because I know what it feels like to be that person on the other side of the fence.

“I know there have been people who I’ve let down because maybe they didn’t understand the duties that I’ve had to do. At big events, you get pulled around by the media and you can only do so much, but I’ve always tried to go above and beyond.”

It’s this sentiment, in the largeness of its earnest meaning, that drives Van Dam’s commitment to passing along the knowledge and insight he’s gained from competing at the sport’s highest level.

The Next Act

Remember, the show is not over. Some might say the best is yet to come.

With the immediate plans, as well as those ships still on the horizon, Van Dam’s enthusiasm for each new teaching opportunity matches that wheel-gripping anticipation of a tournament takeoff.

As with those competitive fishing days, where a goal­-oriented vision guided succinct strategies, VanDam believes his educational efficacy demands equal clarity.

“I’m not a comedian,” he said. “I’m not an entertainer who relies on shock value. I’m not about drama; I’m an educator, first and foremost. Who doesn’t want to catch more fish? Who doesn’t want to be more successful on the water?

“My goal has always been to help people shorten that learning curve and build confidence in their equipment and their techniques.”

No doubt, some of VanDam’s educational efforts may benefit active tournament competitors—from touring pros to weekenders.

Or, it could be the guy who spends a few days a month fishing with friends or family. Notably, Van Dam believes the latter scenario matters just as much as the person fishing for a six-figure prize.

“So many casual fishermen may only get to go once a week and they want to make the most of those six hours they get on the water,” VanDam said. “That’s why I’ve always felt that even the casual fisherman is very similar to me as a tournament angler. We have limited time on the water. We’ve gotta go out there and make it happen, and we want to have the most success in that time frame.

“I just happen to do it against some of the best anglers in the world on the big stage. The average weekend angler is doing the same thing at a different place, but we all want to be better.”

So, could we see VanDam show up at a few tournaments down the road? Anything’s possible, and sometimes you just have to scratch the itch.

Little is guaranteed in life, much less the fishing industry. But you can take this to the bank (and not the one to which he’s made countless casts): Whatever Kevin VanDam’s future holds, you can expect nothing short of a tour de force performance.