IRVINE, Calif. — One of professional bass fishing’s hot young anglers, Jonathon VanDam, a 2013 Bassmaster Classic qualifier, is now using Shimano reels, G.Loomis rods, and PowerPro braided line to fish against the top anglers in the world, announces Brian Nolte, Shimano American Corp.’s retail services senior manager.
“Not only are we pleased to support an angler who has used our tackle for most of his young life,” said Nolte, “but he also knows the Shimano, G.Loomis and PowerPro products well and will be a great product advocate on the tournament trail and when helping anglers at D&R Sports Center, his family’s tackle shop in Kalamazoo, Mich.”
Known now in the pro bass fishing circles as ‘JVD,’ VanDam has quickly shown his angling expertise on the Bassmaster Elite Series circuit, including a win at the 2012 Green Bay Challenge on Lake Michigan.
“JVD will continue to use our reels spooled with PowerPro braid when needed, and rigged on the right G.Loomis rod for the fishing technique or situation he’s facing,” notes Bob Mahoney, marketing manager for Shimano and its G.Loomis and PowerPro brands. “Plus he’ll help us out at events and shows when he’s not fishing tournaments — and our product development group will be asking him his thoughts on rods, reels and braid.”
JVD credits his dad and grandfather for introducing and teaching him about fishing. “And because of that family support and the opportunity to learn about tackle from working in the family business, I now am able to represent three of the best brands in the fishing industry,” VanDam said. “I look forward to throwing big crankbaits with Calcutta D reels on GLX rods, working a drop shot rig with a Sustain reel on a NRX rod — and bringing a few additional Elite wins back to Kalamazoo.”
Along with his Shimano, G.Loomis and PowerPro affiliation, JVD drives a Mercury-powered Triton boat wrapped by RadicalOutdoors.com, keeps anchored with Power-Pole, trolls with MotorGuide, finds fish with Humminbird Electronics and LakeMaster Maps — and when not fishing or helping out at D&R Sports Center, hunts for deer, turkey and ducks.
