Kevin VanDam announces retirement from tournament fishing following 2023 Bass Pro Tour season
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kevin VanDam – the all-time winningest angler in the history of professional bass fishing – announced Monday that the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season will be his last as a full-time touring pro. VanDam, who will compete this week on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes at B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One presented by Grundéns, released a video on his personal social media detailing his departure from a sport that he has excelled at for over three decades.
“I’m just about to start my 33rd season as a touring bass professional – and man, what a ride it’s been,” VanDam said. “But I’m here today to announce that this is going to be my last season fishing professionally on tour. Being on tour is tough. Spending so much time on the road is hard on your family, and I’ve done it for a really long time and have had so many great memories. I’m very proud of the long-term friendships, relationships and partnerships I’ve been able to make over the years, and that’s something that I really look forward to continuing in the future.”
The greatest of all time
VanDam’s fishing résumé is unmatched in the history of the sport. An eight-time winner of major tour-level Angler of the Year (AOY) titles (1992, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), the Michigan native has collected just over $7 million in tournament winnings and 26 tour-level wins in his storied career (all records).
The winner of four Bassmaster Classics, VanDam earned his first tour-level win in 1991 at the age of 23; his latest win (at Bass Pro Tour Stage Four at Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee) came four months shy of his 54th birthday.
“Today is both a sad day and a time for celebration in our sport,” said MLF President and CEO Boyd Duckett, a longtime competitor of VanDam’s. “Having known Kevin through my entire pro career, he is not only the best angler of all time, but also one of the best human beings that I know. He is the most liked and caring individual that I have ever met. There are thousands of stories of him loaning a bait to another angler or competitor, or talking fishing and taking pictures with fans in the parking lot after a full day of competition. It truly speaks volumes about him as a human being.”
Remaining in the fishing community
VanDam was explicit in his retirement video that he would remain a visible, active member of the fishing community, and will continue to support both youth and conservation initiatives through the Kevin VanDam Foundation and many other charitable functions that he’s participated in throughout his career.
“I’m not retiring from the industry,” VanDam said. “I still have as much drive and passion for this sport as I’ve ever had. I look forward to being a great voice for fishing, the outdoors and conservation long into the future and I’m just looking forward to what the next chapter of my career is going to be.”
Bass-fishing fans will see plenty of VanDam at multiple stops on the 2023 Bass Pro Tour, with interactive, fan-friendly activities occurring at multiple locations in the nine-event schedule. Go to each BPT event’s individual page for updates on activities and opportunities to meet VanDam and other Bass Pro Tour pros.
“I’m really looking forward to a lot of great fan interactions and special things that we’re going to be doing, so stay tuned for more info on special things for all of our fans,” VanDam said. “Not just my fans, but fans of the sport.”
VanDam will compete on the Kissimmee Chain on Tuesday as part of Group B. Follow the action at MajorLeagueFishing.com.