Entry 325-1
Jonathon VanDam Who’s Just 21-Years Old Wins $26,000 Plus Fishing Strike King Lures
Editor’s Note: A member of the new generation of VanDams is making his presence known in the world of professional fishing. Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the nephew of Angler-of-the-Year and Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin VanDam, has begun to come out from under his famous uncle’s shadow. He’s a fast-rising star in his own right as a tournament pro. But this young VanDam is more than a collegiate bass fisherman trying to break into the world of professional fishing. He’s blazing a new trail not only for young bass fishermen, but for those youngsters whose moms and dads say, “You have to get your college education first, and then you can become a professional bass fisherman.” VanDam is pursuing his college education – he’s a junior - while becoming a national touring pro and showing others how to do both at the same time, using that same strong work ethic that Uncle Kevin has used to become one of the nation’s top pros. This week, we’ll let Jonathon VanDam tell his own story.
Part 5: Jonathon VanDam’s Big Win – Money for College and to Keep Fishing
Question: Jonathon, when you were going to the weigh-in, what were you thinking?
VanDam: I knew some of the leaders might slip a little and maybe not catch as many bass as they did the day before, but I was fishing against some of the best Lake Erie fishermen in the world. Although I didn’t think the leaders would falter enough to let me in the door for the win, I knew the weigh-in would make the event really close.
Question: What happened when you weighed-in?
VanDam: I took over the lead in the tournament. The last guy to weigh-in was the competitor who was leading after the first day. He explained that he couldn’t go to the spots he really wanted to fish because of weather. So, he had to fish his backup pattern. I looked at his bag of bass and knew the finish would be close. I thought I might have won the tournament, but I wasn’t really sure.
Question: What happened when the tournament officials announced you as the winner?
VanDam: The feeling was unbelievable. This was a dream come true for me. For as long as I could remember, I’d dreamed of winning a Bassmaster Open tournament. Most kids want to be firemen, policemen or astronauts, but all I wanted to do all my life was be a tournament fisherman.
Question: How old was your Uncle Kevin when he won his first tournament?
VanDam: I think he was 22- or 23-years old, but I’m not really sure. I haven’t really talked to him yet. But he tried to call me when I was sitting on the hot seat during the tournament. My cell phone was ringing off the hook, and I knew it was him. But I didn’t answer because I was waiting to see the end results of the tournament. I’m sure he’ll be excited for me.
Question: What will you do with the more than $26,000 you’ve won? That’s a lot of money for a 21-year-old fisherman to earn in one week.
VanDam: I plan to save a little bit for next year’s tournament fishing events. That money will help pay for some of my tournament-fishing expenses this year, and it will help pay my college tuition.
Question: What did your parents say about the win?
VanDam: I only live about 3-hours away, so my parents decided to drive down, since I felt I’d do pretty well and maybe get a top-five finish. I was so glad they came down. Everyone was smiling and crying at the same time. They were super-excited, just like me.
Question: Do you have a girlfriend?
VanDam: Nope, nope. I’ve tried it, but having a relationship never seems to work out with the demands of tournament fishing, going to college and having to study. 
Keeping a girlfriend and being a tournament fisherman is pretty tough. But I hope to find a good one eventually.
Question: How are you managing to go to college and be a tournament fisherman?
VanDam: The first two tournaments in the Northern Open this year were when I was out of school for the summer, but this tournament was 2 weeks after school started. I knew it would be tough to miss a week’s worth of school to tournament fish. But I talked with all my professors, and they were more than happy to help me work it out. I communicate with them through email and take my books and computer with me when I go to tournaments. I do my homework at the tournaments, usually after I come in from fishing.
Question: What year are you in college?
VanDam: I’m a junior. My major is marketing, and my minor is business finance. I’m working on becoming a tournament pro, and I know I’ll need to know marketing and how to finance a business to be successful.
Question: For how long have you been a Strike King pro?
VanDam: About 2 years.
Question: What advice will you give another young person who wants to be a tournament pro, but also knows he needs to go to college?
VanDam: I’d say definitely go to college, get involved in a collegiate-bass club and start fishing on the collegiate-bass circuit. 
This way, you get to meet a lot of cool people, get some exposure in the media and get a lot of experience. Plus, you get to meet some of the national pros. I think you need to go to as many different tournaments as you can while in college. That’s what is great about the collegiate bass-fishing tours. You get the chance to travel and learn how to fish in different locations all over the country. You get experience on different types of water. But the biggest thing I believe it’s important to remember is don’t give up your dream of becoming a bass fisherman.
Editor’s Note: You can contact Jonathon VanDam on Facebook. He gets a number of messages on Facebook and tries to respond as often as possible.
