The fact that KVD continues to be relevant 33 years after his first full season on tour is unheard of , especially as younger players dominate the game . VanDam reps for the old guard .
“ In our sport , nobody retires ” VanDam said , adding that it ’ s simply unthinkable to most . “ It ’ s the competitive nature of the game . What else do you do ? What else do you know ?”
It ’ s true . But then again , nobody else is VanDam . His unprecedented $ 7 million-plus in career earnings , three MLF Cup wins and eight Angler of the Year titles afford him the luxury of going out on his own terms .
vandam leaves an indelible mark
In many ways , VanDam laid the blueprint for the young guns against whom he now competes . At a time when professional bass fishing had no collegelevel or introductory leagues , VanDam was one of the first to go all in on touring nationally in his early 20s .
During his legendary career , VanDam has witnessed the constant evolution of the sport and a monumental shift in the capabilities of those involved .
“ The biggest change has been the dedication and work ethic ( of the top anglers ),” he said . “ It ’ s like what you see in high-school sports . The athletes are more committed and better .”
Ultimately , 30-plus years on the road hasn ’ t diminished VanDam ’ s drive . But it ’ s taken a toll .
“ It ’ s a grueling schedule . You just have no flexibility ,” VanDam confirmed . “ I ’ ve gotten to the point where there are other things I ’ d like to do .”
kvd the teacher
So what ’ s next for KVD ? In many ways , his post-retirement life will look similar to how he ’ s spent recent years . Rivaling only his competitiveness is his passion for teaching others about bass fishing , and VanDam plans to continue to find avenues to do so .
“ I ’ m not funny . I don ’ t cut up like some of the other personalities ,” he said . “ My strength is education .”
Touring for over three decades enabled VanDam to visit some of the best bass fishing waters in the world , a treat not offered to many anglers . As a full-time educator , he looks forward to that continuing .
“ I still want to visit these fisheries ( for filming instructional videos ),” he said . “ I ’ ll still need to figure the fish out — my favorite part . But I can have a choice as to when I go .”
VanDam will not only seek to educate anglers on how to catch more bass , but he ’ ll help shed more light on the steps those anglers can take to make sure there are plenty to be caught by future generations . He credits Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris for impressing upon him the importance of conservation , calling him “ the greatest conservationist of the modern era .”
“ We ’ re growing as a sport , but the lakes are not ,” VanDam said . “ To sustain and have quality fishing , we must consider conservation and how we ’ re managing the resource .”
VanDam will also continue to give back in more direct ways . He ’ s been able to leverage his notoriety into several successful youth outreach programs through the years , most of which are run by his family ’ s Kevin VanDam Foundation .
“ As a connected person in the outdoor industry , I can make a $ 100 donation go a lot further ,” VanDam explained . In addition to activities aimed at introducing and engaging young people in the outdoors , the Kevin VanDam Foundation works with groups like the March of Dimes and St . Jude ’ s to better fund research and care for childhood illness .
Not surprisingly , VanDam will also continue to work on product development , something he ’ s embraced throughout his career . His sponsors and partners , many of which have been there since the beginning , find
VanDam has proven that he ’ s still a threat to win major tournaments and awards .
PHOTOS BY GARRICK DIXON
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 23