Looks like this will be his last season. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/kevin-vandam-retirement.html

Might be imitated but Never duplicated ~

KVD, Thanks for the show.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

He will be the Tom Brady of Bass fishing. At least hopefully, I like watching KVD. Either way, an incredible career!

KVD and Rick Clunn, I don't think anyone else is even close. 

Thanks for all the help Kevin.

 

 

Craziness.  

 

Also, this makes me feel old.

23 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Craziness.  

 

Also, this makes me feel old.

X2!

“ Thanks for the memories “

KVD retiring the same year the MLF format is broken can't be a coincidence. He left B.A.S.S. to start MLF and now he's retiring when MLF is being turned into something like B.A.S.S.

Good luck and thanks for all the information over the years 

KVD will be missed he is in a class by himself, a true sportsman in every sense.

Tom

I bet he has more fun fishing for big bass instead of those little tournament fish.

 

                                 

Kvd will be missed, hope he still works with strike king, he really made great strides in speedy fishing with crankbaits and spinnerbaits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now he can go target double digit bass off shore with glide baits on live scope and have fun in his golden years.  More power to him, the dude has earned it.

At least he gave the tournament anglers in SW Michigan a year to save extra money for their donations. ?

 

KVD is a icon in bass fishing. 

A few years ago we had a bass fishing show sponsored by Anglers Marine in Anaheim California called the Bass A Thon or BAT that had top pro angers doing seminars and mixing with the attending anglers at various tackle displays.

Both KVD and Rick Clunn we’re doing seminars and both are good crowd pleasers.

I was visiting a few old friends when KVD joined in on the conversation like one of the guys. He was comfortable and wanted to learn about our local big bass techniques. 

The fact he was at ease talking with anglers he didn’t know and had nothing to gain impressed me, he truly loves to bass fish.

KVD will continue being a factor in bass fishing, it’s in his blood.

I miss the BAT and hope Anglers Marine restarts the event.

Tournament fishing is tough on your body and your mind.  Sooner or later they all retire.  Clunn is an anomaly.  I can't imagine what he feels like.  Tom Mann wrote a book about this titled "Think Like A Fish".   Roland Martin lives in the Keys.  He fishes for salt water fish as well as bass.  Your mind stays sharp, but your body breaks down. KVD was one of the best.

I have a feeling we'll see him again, he's the Tom Brady of bass fishing for sure...the GOAT, but I also think that just like Brady it'll take more than one retirement for him to be finished .  

Probably won't happen as he said that this season is his last. But I would like to see him return to the B.A.S.S. Elite Series to finish his career where it started. Nothing but respect for him and his accomplishments.

Good luck and Godspeed Spider-Man. 

KVD is only 4 years older than me, so when I was 15 or 16 he was starting on the pro tour or thereabouts. He was my first "favorite" and still is. I know he's earned the right to fish as long as he wants or stop when he wants but it's a bit bittersweet to me to see my GOAT lay'em down.

11 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Tournament fishing is tough on your body and your mind.  Sooner or later they all retire.  Clunn is an anomaly.  I can't imagine what he feels like.  Tom Mann wrote a book about this titled "Think Like A Fish".   Roland Martin lives in the Keys.  He fishes for salt water fish as well as bass.  Your mind stays sharp, but your body breaks down. KVD was one of the best.

 

The truth is Clunn is secretly just 4 Bassmaster Classic trophies in a trenchcoat.

 

Best of luck to KVD, looking forward to what he does after he retires from being a touring pro.

He’s a professional in the best sense of the word.  Loyal to his sponsors and the people who helped him reach his goals. He advocated tackle that was effective and affordable.  Cocky?  I don’t think so. Very confident.  He’s not going anywhere.   He’s been a great spokesperson for bass fishing.  He deserves his accolades.

Thanks for the memories, KVD!  Fifty-five is still young.  Looking forward to whatever comes next.