ADVERTORIAL
TOYOTA AND THE GOAT
Long before Kevin VanDam was labeled pro bass fishing ’ s greatest of all time , aka “ The GOAT ,” he was best known as the highly competitive skinny kid from Kalamazoo — and even back then , he was driving a Toyota T100 .
“ Fans who have been around a while may remember a time in the mid-1990s when the Tracker Marine team all towed their boats with Toyotas . So , not only have I been towing with a Tundra for a long time , but the powerhouse relationship between Bass Pro Shops and Toyota has been in place for decades , too ,” VanDam said .
The ability to count on Toyota to keep him and his family safe plays a huge role in the fact that the VanDams and their extended family own enough Toyota vehicles to fill up a boat ramp parking lot .
“ My nephew Jonathon , my sons , Jackson and Nicholas , and several of the ladies in our family all bought and drive Toyotas . We appreciate their quality , first and foremost , but equally as much , we appreciate the fact no automaker in the world gives as much to bass fishing as Toyota . Period ,” VanDam emphasized .
KVD announced his retirement from professional tournament competition in 2023 , but his consistency on the water qualified him to compete in two final events in 2024 , including General Tires Heavy Hitters on the Kissimmee Chain in Florida .
It was there the GOAT put an exclamation point on his unparalleled competitive fishing career . He caught the biggest bass of the Championship Round , which awarded VanDam a $ 100,000 prize and deserved walk-off celebration on his last day as a tournament angler . VanDam has achieved just about every accolade in bass fishing , but he had never caught a single fish worth $ 100,000 until the last hours of his illustrious career .
He may not be competing anymore , but don ’ t expect him to slow down much . KVD is currently filming a brand-new television show , “ The VanDam Experience ,” that will air on The Outdoor Channel in 2025 , where VanDam will continue to educate and entertain fishing fans for years to come .
More than 30 years after the skinny kid from Kalamazoo was towing with a Toyota T100 , his 33 seasons as a pro are indeed incomparable . Eight Angler of the Year titles , four Bassmaster Classic victories , 29 pro tournament wins and nearly $ 8 million in prize money , including his swan-song $ 100K bass : It ’ s a career that will likely never be surpassed , and certainly not with the level of class and loyalty VanDam has showcased every mile of the journey . n
Kevin VanDam — the GOAT and long-time Toyota Fishing Team Pro / Toyota Truck Owner
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AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 31