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JVD Making his Mark

Category: Tournament

 Sep 9th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Sep 9th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Let there be no doubt about it, Triton/Mercury pro Jonathon VanDam is the real deal. Sure, he has a pedigree name in the fishing biz, but his fishing resume stands up against many grizzled veterans. VanDam has victories on both the Bassmaster Open, and Elite trails and he qualified for the Bassmaster Classic for the second time this year thanks to finishing 23rd in the Angler of the Year rankings.
 
Adjusting to tour life has helped VanDam this season.

	JVD heading out into Lake St. Clair (Joel Shangle)

 
“I really didn’t do much different as far as fishing this season on the Elites,” said VanDam. “I think my consistency and where I finished in the Angler of the Year points was due to being more comfortable and more experienced.
 
“Right now I am prepping to fish the B.A.S.S. Northern Open on Lake Erie. I am relaxed. I am going to go for a win, but there is no pressure on me. I’m not worried about things. Plus, this event is close to home and I’ve fished out here a lot. I’m just much more relaxed than in the past. That comes from experience.”
 
Many observers of pro bass fishing assumed that Jonathon would have taken advantage of his famous name and simply adopted all of the sponsors his famous Uncle Kevin has, but that’s not so. VanDam opted to pursue professional relationships with products he used and believed in.
 
“I didn’t attempt to get sponsors that were different from my uncle,” said VanDam. “It just kind of happened that way. I’ve been using G. Loomis rods, Shimano reels and my other sponsored gear before I was fishing the Elites. I believe in the gear I use, so that is why I wanted to work with them.
 
“My sponsor relationships are an area of my career that is growing. I really try to focus on that portion of my career. I have great sponsors.”