Kevin VanDam is regarded as the most tenaciously competitive and accomplished angler in modern day bass fishing. Born in 1967, The Michigan native has dominated the sport for the past two decades – collecting 7 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, 4 Bassmaster Classic Championships, 21 tournament wins, nearly 9,000 pounds of bass and nearly 6 Million dollars in prize money.
“KVD” remains extremely well grounded despite being tagged “The Most Dangerous Man in Professional Bass Fishing”, he works relentlessly for his sponsors, and craves time at home in Kalamazoo, with his family and friends more with each passing year.
Hometown:
Kalamazoo, MI
Birthday:
Oct 14, 1967
Family:
(wife) Sherry,
(children) Nicholas, Jackson
Hobbies:
Deer Hunting, attending NASCAR and Detroit Lions and Tigers games.
Highlights:
Bassmaster Elite Series Champion-St. Lawrence (2017)
3-time Bassmaster Elite Series Champion in 2016
4 — time Bassmaster Classic Champion ('01, '05, '10, '11)
7 — time Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year ('92, '96, '99, '08, '09, '10, '11)
24 — time Bassmaster Tournament Champion
Quick Stats:
Times in Classic: 27
Best Classic finish: 1st (four times)
B.A.S.S. Top 10 finishes: 111
B.A.S.S. career earnings: $6.2 Million
Terry Scroggins might just win the Mr. Congeniality award if pro bass fishing had such a thing. The central Florida native is upbeat, always optimistic and quick to lend his mechanical mind to fix just about anything he or his fellow pros tear up along their 40,000 miles of travel each year. He can fix a pretty mean ribeye on the grill too.
Scroggins is pretty quick to figure out the winning fishing pattern too. He reached the $1,000,000 in BASS winnings faster than just about anybody in the history of the sport. Once perceived as only being able to win in his home state of Florida where he earned the nickname “Big Show” -- Scroggins has proven he can succeed anywhere in America. In early 2008, he missed eclipsing the BASS single-day catch record by just ounces in south Texas.
Hometown:
Palatka, FL
Birthday:
Nov 18, 1968
Family:
(children) Kristi, Jonathon
Hobbies:
Saltwater fishing, chillin', and grillin
Highlights:
5 — time Bassmaster Champion
3rd in 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Points Standings
2009 Bassmaster Southern Open Points Champion
2009 4th place Bassmaster, Santee Cooper, SC
2009 5th place Bassmaster, Wheeler Lake, AL
2008 2nd place Bassmaster Lone Star Shootout, TX
2008 3rd place Bassmaster Southern Challenge, AL
Quick Stats:
Times in Classic: 11
Best Classic finish: 4th
B.A.S.S. Top 10 finishes: 47
B.A.S.S. career earnings: $1.8 Million
Gerald Swindle’s upbringing took place in the Deep South and his accent proves it. Gerald Swindle is without a doubt the funniest man in fishing, and also one of the best anglers on tour as proven by his 2004 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Swindle has been to the Bassmaster Classic 12 times and has been in contention to win it more than once. His lanky frame is always in overdrive, and his energy is contagious. He brings non-stop fun to a sport that is often overwhelmingly humbling.
Hometown:
Warrior, AL
Birthdate:
Dec 17, 1969
Family:
(wife) Le Ann,
(children) Whitney
Hobbies:
Deer Hunting, Health and Fitness, Auto Restoration
Highlights:
2016 — Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year
2011 — Bassmaster Southern Open Champion, Kissimmee, FL
2011 — Bassmaster Southern Open Points Champion
3rd in 2011 AOY Points Standing
2009 — 5th place Bassmaster Trophy Chase
2007 — 4th place Bassmaster Golden State Shootout
2006 — 3rd place Bassmaster American
2005 — 3rd place Bassmaster Classic
2004 — Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year
Quick Stats:
Times in Classic: 17
Best Classic finish: 3rd
B.A.S.S. Top 10 finishes: 51
B.A.S.S. career earnings: $1.97 Million
Mike Iaconelli destroyed all stereotypes of what a bass fisherman is perceived to be. Iaconelli is a city kid; he grew up in New Jersey, a stone’s throw to the east of Philadelphia. He’s proud of his urban upbringing, and he backs-up his pride with a fishing career that’s been filled with peak performance.
He brought loud screams of celebration and break-dancing to bass fishing, and has celebrated often as he won the 2003 Bassmaster Classic and the 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
When not on the road competing or working for sponsors, Iaconelli relaxes by collecting antique glass ink bottles and spending time with his wife Becky and four children.
Hometown:
Pittsgrove, NJ
Birthdate:
Jun 17, 1972
Family:
(wife) Becky,
(children) Drew, Rylie, Vegas and Estella
Hobbies:
Hangin' with the family, Collecting antique ink bottles, Philadelphia pro sports
Highlights:
8 — time Bassmaster Tournament Champion
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series, Delaware River Champion)
2013 Bassmaster Northern Open, Lake Erie Champion
2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion`
2006 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year
Quick Stats:
Times in Classic: 19
Best Classic finish: 1st (2003)
B.A.S.S. Top 10 finishes: 66
B.A.S.S. career earnings: $2.4 Million