Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Jonathon VanDam

See the boat and gear that Jonathon VanDam depends on to blaze his own trail in the Bassmaster Elite Series.

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Known earlier in his career because he is the nephew of bass fishing superstar Kevin VanDam, 27-year-old Michigan native Jonathon VanDam is now blazing his own trail on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Known earlier in his career because he is the nephew of bass fishing superstar Kevin VanDam, 27-year-old Michigan native Jonathon VanDam is now blazing his own trail on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
VanDam has fished 66 tournaments with B.A.S.S., winning twice and placing 13 times in the Top 10. He was recently named by Bassmaster.com as one of the Top 30 bass anglers under the age of the 30 on the B.A.S.S. circuit.
VanDam has fished 66 tournaments with B.A.S.S., winning twice and placing 13 times in the Top 10. He was recently named by Bassmaster.com as one of the Top 30 bass anglers under the age of the 30 on the B.A.S.S. circuit.
JVD has already made two appearances in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, and he was one spot away from the 2016 event. Read on for a look inside the boat he uses to do all of his damage on the pro circuit.
JVD has already made two appearances in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, and he was one spot away from the 2016 event. Read on for a look inside the boat he uses to do all of his damage on the pro circuit.
His ride is a Nitro Z9, powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS.
His ride is a Nitro Z9, powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS.
VanDam has some heavyweight sponsors represented on the front half of his boat wrap.
VanDam has some heavyweight sponsors represented on the front half of his boat wrap.
JVD trolls with the new Motorguide X5.
JVD trolls with the new Motorguide X5.
VanDam's front deck features a Hydrowave, Power-Pole controls and two Humminbird graphs - an Onix 10 and an 1199. He uses one for mapping and one for sonar and down imaging.
VanDam’s front deck features a Hydrowave, Power-Pole controls and two Humminbird graphs – an Onix 10 and an 1199. He uses one for mapping and one for sonar and down imaging.
In his left rod locker, VanDam keeps 15 to 20 G.Loomis rods and Shimano reels ready to go.
In his left rod locker, VanDam keeps 15 to 20 G.Loomis rods and Shimano reels ready to go.
The G.Loomis NRX 822 drop shot rod with the new Shimano Stradic 2500 reel is one JVD's favorite combinations.
The G.Loomis NRX 822 drop shot rod with the new Shimano Stradic 2500 reel is one JVD’s favorite combinations.
Like most good smallmouth fishermen, VanDam keeps a good mix of baitcasters and spinning rigs ready at all times.
Like most good smallmouth fishermen, VanDam keeps a good mix of baitcasters and spinning rigs ready at all times.
In the front box closest to the trolling motor, VanDam keeps mostly plastics like Strike King Dream Shots and Ochos. He also keeps a jig box in the compartment.
In the front box closest to the trolling motor, VanDam keeps mostly plastics like Strike King Dream Shots and Ochos. He also keeps a jig box in the compartment.
VanDam said he keeps plastics in their original packages as he stores them in hard-plastic bins.
VanDam said he keeps plastics in their original packages as he stores them in hard-plastic bins. “It helps keep them organized, so it’s easier to find them,” he said.
You see how organized he is.
You see how organized he is.
A closer look at the Strike King Dream Shot in one of his favorite color patterns, morning dawn.
A closer look at the Strike King Dream Shot in one of his favorite color patterns, morning dawn.
Inside the right rod locker, VanDam stores an Under Armour rain jacket, a life jacket, a sweatshirt and dry bag that he uses for his phone, wallet and important paperwork.
Inside the right rod locker, VanDam stores an Under Armour rain jacket, a life jacket, a sweatshirt and dry bag that he uses for his phone, wallet and important paperwork.
A closer look at his Under Armour rain jacket.
A closer look at his Under Armour rain jacket.
Another compartment is fully stacked with everything VanDam needs for fishing soft plastics.
Another compartment is fully stacked with everything VanDam needs for fishing soft plastics.
Do you think JVD likes to fish a drop shot rig every now and then?
Do you think JVD likes to fish a drop shot rig every now and then?
Another look at the all-important drop shot box.
Another look at the all-important drop shot box.
He goes armed with plenty of square bills...
He goes armed with plenty of square bills…
...and like most anglers, he's always fiddling with his tackle.
…and like most anglers, he’s always fiddling with his tackle.
A Strike King Rage Blade rigged with a Blade Minnow.
A Strike King Rage Blade rigged with a Blade Minnow.
JVD keeps plenty of terminal tackle, but not as many sizes of hooks as some other anglers.
JVD keeps plenty of terminal tackle, but not as many sizes of hooks as some other anglers. “You really don’t need very many sizes,” he said. “I just find a couple that I like, and that’s what I carry.”
The right rod locker stores larger life jackets and a fire extinguisher.
The right rod locker stores larger life jackets and a fire extinguisher.
The locker also holds several spinnerbait boxes that are too large to fit in JVD's other tackle compartments.
The locker also holds several spinnerbait boxes that are too large to fit in JVD’s other tackle compartments.
Jonathon VanDam holds a Strike King spinnerbait in the sexy shad pattern that was basically named by his famous uncle.
Jonathon VanDam holds a Strike King spinnerbait in the sexy shad pattern that was basically named by his famous uncle.
A Tune Tray inside the right rod locker allows VanDam to listen to his iPod when he's on the lake.
A Tune Tray inside the right rod locker allows VanDam to listen to his iPod when he’s on the lake.
VanDam said cookies and snacks can usually be found in the cooler, because
VanDam said cookies and snacks can usually be found in the cooler, because “you always gotta have food.”
VanDam's day box holds line, gloves and
VanDam’s day box holds line, gloves and “other miscellaneous stuff that really doesn’t have a place.”
JVD looking stylish behind the wheel.
JVD looking stylish behind the wheel.
VanDam runs two graph units on his console - a Humminbird Onix 10si for side imaging, down imaging and sonar and a Humminbird 1199 just for mapping.
VanDam runs two graph units on his console – a Humminbird Onix 10si for side imaging, down imaging and sonar and a Humminbird 1199 just for mapping.
The Onix unit is mounted on a Kong Electronics Mount by TH Marine. JVD said it's
The Onix unit is mounted on a Kong Electronics Mount by TH Marine. JVD said it’s “built to withstand the beating of the great lakes and places like that.”
His impressive list of sponsors is well-represented on his console.
His impressive list of sponsors is well-represented on his console.
VanDam keeps his culling tags on his trim bar for easy access.
VanDam keeps his culling tags on his trim bar for easy access.
The box behind JVD's driver’s seat holds heavier items like tungsten, jerkbaits and crankbaits -- all in Plano boxes.
The box behind JVD’s driver’s seat holds heavier items like tungsten, jerkbaits and crankbaits — all in Plano boxes.
A peek inside the jerkbait box.
A peek inside the jerkbait box.
The Strike King Red Eye Shad is a favorite lipless crankbait selection for many anglers.
The Strike King Red Eye Shad is a favorite lipless crankbait selection for many anglers.
JVD's
JVD’s “heavy box” is filled with Tungsten weights.
Still more Strike King hard baits.
Still more Strike King hard baits.
A box near the passenger seat holds all of VanDam's tools, a drill and his father's old Cul-M-Rite scale.
A box near the passenger seat holds all of VanDam’s tools, a drill and his father’s old Cul-M-Rite scale.
A small compartment near the passenger's seat provides a spot for an extra prop.
A small compartment near the passenger’s seat provides a spot for an extra prop.
VanDam said this old set of Cul-M-Rite scales is still one of the more accurate models ever made.
VanDam said this old set of Cul-M-Rite scales is still one of the more accurate models ever made.
You never know when you might need a drill.
You never know when you might need a drill.
He runs lights from Rigid Industries in green and white to match his boat.
He runs lights from Rigid Industries in green and white to match his boat.
An Atlas jack plate from TH Marine helps VanDam get the most out of his Mercury.
An Atlas jack plate from TH Marine helps VanDam get the most out of his Mercury.
Dual 10-foot Power-Poles with drift paddles complete JVD's rig.
Dual 10-foot Power-Poles with drift paddles complete JVD’s rig.

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