By Louie Stout

Jon VanDam

A VanDam will attempt to get back to the Bassmaster Elites, but not THAT one.

Jonathon VanDam, nephew of Kevin VanDam and a former Bassmaster Elite angler, has left the MLF Bass Pro Tour and registered to fish the Bassmaster Opens.

“I want to get back to the Bassmaster Classic,” said the 36-year-old Kalamazoo angler.

He fished Bassmaster Opens from 2006 through 2010, winning one event at Sandusky Ba, Ohio. He qualified for the Elites in 2011 and competed there before leaving to compete on the Major League Fishing circuit in 2018. During his time with B.A.S.S., he logged 18 top 10 finishes, including an Elite win at Green Bay, Wisc. He’s won $563,000 with B.A.S.S. and competed in two Classics, finishing 23 at Grand Lake, Ok. in 2013 and 16th at Lake Guntersville, Ala. in 2014.

VanDam was qualified to return the MLF Bass Pro Tour but chose to fight his way back into the Elites through a very tough Bassmaster Open format.

“I did well over at the other circuit, but I wanted to get back to the B.A.S.S. format which seems to fit me better,” he said.

He added that the new Elite Series “no entry fee” policy is another motivator.

“The BPT requires a major financial commitment and increase in entry fees,” he said. “The fact that B.A.S.S. has eliminated entry fees for pros removes a huge burden. No, the payout isn’t as great, but it’s still more appealing and takes one of the biggest burdens out of the picture.”

VanDam says his maturity and experience since leaving the Elites will be an asset. He’s the father of two children, Matthew who is 6 and Ava Grace who is 5. Plus, he’s assumed a management role at his father’s outdoor store and boat dealership, D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo.

He plans to fish Division 2 of the Opens with tourneys at Sam Rayburn, Kentucky Lake, Norfork and Leech Lake. He also has registered for the St. Lawrence River Open in Division 2.

“I’ve fished tournaments on all of those lakes so I am pretty familiar with them,” he said. “Although St. Lawrence isn’t in my division, I couldn’t pass that up. I love fishing there.”

VanDam said he isn’t intimidated by today’s forward facing sonar trend.

“It’s part of the game and you have to learn it and be proficient with it if you want to compete,” he explained. “I’m constantly learning, but feel I can use it as a tool to enhance what I already know. I don’t view it as an end all to be all.”

He will retain his sponsors, Bass Pro Shops, Nitro Boats, TH Marine, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Miller Tech batteries.