The 12 finalists wait at the tanks for the Citrus Slam winner to be determined.

Mar. 18, 2008 – Mercury and MotorGuide professional angler Kevin VanDam, 40, won the Bassmaster Elite Series Citrus Slam in Lake Wales on Sunday, March 16 by one pound, 11 ounces over fellow Mercury and MotorGuide teammate Ray Sedgwick. In so doing, he banked the $100,000 first-place check on the Kissimmee Chain.

The title marks VanDam’s third victory in the Bassmaster Elite Series, the most visible and prominent tournament trail in the world, and his 13th Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society (BASS) win.

The two-time Bassmaster Classic winner and three-time BASS Angler of the Year finished Day One of the four-day tournament in eighth place and Day Two in third.

He took the lead on Day Three and held on despite having his lowest total weight on Day Four. He finished the tournament with a four-day total weight of 59 pounds, seven ounces.

Commenting on his continuing Bassmaster success, Van Dam said, "It never gets old."

The top four finishers at the Citrus Slam were powered by Mercury engines and MotorGuide trolling motors. Ray Sedgwick finished second with a four-day combined weight of 57 pounds, 12 ounces; Scott Rook finished third with 56 pounds, seven ounces; and Kenyon Hill finished fourth with 54 pounds, two ounces.

For the first time in Bassmaster history, pro anglers are able to fish from their own boats and with their own engines in all 2008 Bassmaster tournaments.

The Citrus Slam is the second of 11 events in the 2008 Elite Series. The next Bassmaster Elite Series event – Lone Star Shootout – is slated for April 3-6 on Falcon Lake in Zapata, Texas.

Mercury Marine is an official engine sponsor of BASS.