Kevin VanDam facts for kids
Kevin VanDam (born October 14, 1967), often called "KVD," is a very successful professional bass fisherman from Otsego, Michigan. He has won more money than anyone else in professional bass fishing, earning over $7 million by August 2022. Kevin has won many big titles, including four Bassmaster Classic championships and seven Angler of the Year awards. He has mostly fished in the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) tournaments and also helped start Major League Fishing.
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KVD's Amazing Fishing Career
Kevin VanDam started his fishing career in 1990 when he was 23 years old. By 1992, at age 25, he became the youngest person to win the BASS Angler of the Year award. He and another famous angler, Rick Clunn, are the only two to have won four Bassmaster Classic titles.
Tournament Wins and Achievements
Kevin VanDam holds the record for the most career wins on the Bassmasters tournament trail, with 25 victories. His 25th win happened at the Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake on April 29, 2018. He has also finished in the top 10 in 111 tournaments. In 2002, ESPN honored him with the first-ever Outdoorsman of the Year ESPY Award.
KVD's Sponsors
Many companies support Kevin VanDam in his fishing career. His sponsors include Busch Beer, Nitro, Mercury Marine, Toyota, Strike King, Mustad, Plano, MinnKota, Lew's, Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Oakley, D&R Sports, Hydrowave, and RMR Industries.
Retirement from Tournament Fishing
In February 2023, Kevin VanDam announced that he would retire from tournament fishing. His last season on the Bass Pro Tour was in 2023.
Key Career Statistics
- 3 Major League Fishing Cup wins
- 4 Bassmaster Classic Titles
- 8 Angler of the Year Titles (7 from B.A.S.S., 1 from FLW)
- Career winnings: more than $6,300,000 (from B.A.S.S. and FLW)
- Career Top Ten finishes: 111
- Times in the BASSMASTER Classic: 26
- Tournaments Won: 25 (B.A.S.S.)
- Tournaments Runner-Up: 16
Kevin VanDam's Personal Life
Kevin VanDam was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Otsego High School. Today, he still lives in Otsego with his wife, Sherry, and their sons, Jackson and Nicholas.
