As a lanky 22-year-old angler, Kevin VanDam burst onto the professional fishing scene nine seasons ago with an impact reminiscent of a young Roland Martin by cashing checks in his first 18 tournaments after turning pro. That proved to be just the coming-out party for the Whiz Kid from Michigan who has remained a force on the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail each and every season.  
 
VanDam's career has always been in the same gear that he fishes - high. He went on to win the 1992 and '96 B.A.S.S. Angler-of-the-Year titles, capture five BASSMASTER tournaments, qualify for the prestigious BASS Masters Classic world championship each of his nine seasons and pocket more than $800,000 in B.A.S.S. funds.  
 
On May 16, VanDam joined a very exclusive club by winning his third B.A.S.S. Angler-of-the-Year award. His heady company is limited to just Roland Martin and Bill Dance as the owners of three or more Angler-of-the-Year crowns.  
 
It was at the $621,000 Kmart BASSMASTER MegaBucks Tournament on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville that the 32-year-old fishing phenom wrapped-up his third MVP title by qualifying for the MegaBucks finals (finishing eighth). He finished the 1998-99 season with 849 points, followed by Texas' Zell Rowland (800), Larry Nixon of Arkansas (799) and Texan Alton Jones (791).  
 
"It really took a couple of days for it to sink in that I had won my third Angler of the Year. It's something that I strive for each year, one of my main goals for the season. Angler of the Year is the ultimate sign of consistency. So it's real satisfying to win another one. Now, though, my mind is on the Classic."  
 
VanDam enjoyed a solid season, finishing no worse than 24th the entire season. He had three top-10 showings, as well as three top-16 performances. Although the Angler of the Year award is decided on points (based on the pro's finish in each event), VanDam also caught more overall weight during the season (228 1/2 pounds) than his closest competitor (Rowland with 182.5 pounds).  
 
His consistency is not lost on his fellow pros.  
 
"I think he's the ultimate student of the sport," four-time Classic champion Rick Clunn said. "He's had a total commitment from a very early age. I think that's his strongest point. He's got youth on his side. He's intelligent. He's confident.  
 
"He's yet to meet his greatest tests. But a lot of people never get to that stage. He will get to that. And that is when you've accomplished all of your goals - and I think Kevin has - and there's nothing else to shoot at, but yourself, can you shoot at yourself? When you first get started, you're shooting at other things, like the Classic, Angler of the Year, you're shooting at Roland Martin or Rick Clunn. But once you've shot all of those down and you become the target, then it's a little bit harder."  
 
VanDam acknowledges Clunn's praise, but points to the upcoming Classic (July 29-31 in New Orleans) as his next target and the most important goal he has yet to accomplish.  
 
"There are still a lot of things I haven't accomplished at this level," he said. "I really want to win a Classic badly, like every angler does.  
 
"I haven't won a MegaBucks tournament. I can point out a lot of things I want to win. After I win one Classic, it's like, well, I want to win two or three or four. It's like when you've got a 20-pound stringer, you want to get a 25. It's about never being satisfied."  
 

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