2011 Sunshine Showdown - Elite Series Rookies

Jonathon VanDam listens in during the angler meeting for the Sunshine Showdown, his first Elite Series event.

JVD was all smiles at the Day One launch.

As the tournament progressed, so did JVD's catch weight.

There's a new VanDam in town.

Nadine and Dick VanDam, parents of Kevin VanDam, and Randy and Janice VanDam, parents of Jonathon VanDam, cheer at the weigh-in.

VanDam moved up to seventh at the Day Three weigh-in.

Jonathon VanDam had 13-14 on the first day and stood in 20th but climbed into the top 12 with Day Three's biggest bag of 19-0.

VanDam worked a relative small stretch of Lake Dora shoreline for his catch Sunday.

A foursome of golfers paused between holes to watch VanDam attempt to score a limit.

JVD boats a nice keeper on Lake Dora. He patiently worked back and forth adjacent to the bank to milk his spot for all it was worth.

Making the Top 12 in your first event has to be considered a great success for Jonathon VanDam.

VanDam tweaks a lure as he awaits the launch.

VanDam finished the Showdown with 56-13 for fifth, right behind Uncle Kevin.

Brandon Palaniuk was pumped at the Day One launch of his first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.

Brandon Palaniuk got some media attention at the Day One weigh-in of the Sunshine Showdown in Tavares, Fla.

Palaniuk boats a big bass.

Palaniuk with his biggest bass of the tournament.

It's a beaut.

Palaniuk caught his big fish on a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss designed by fellow western angler Skeet Reese.

Palaniuk, who was fourth at the Classic, gathered more respect in his first Elite event, sitting in 12th after Day One.

Brandon Palaniuk stood in 20th after two days.

Palaniuk has had a nice run of tournaments, even though he fell to finish 44th at the Sunshine Showdown.

Bradley Roy, in his sophomore season on the Elite Series, has some advice for the rookies.

Bradley Roy was the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year.