Michael Ray of Elk River, Minn., is the lucky winner of the Fish with Kevin VanDam Sweepstakes, and he could not be happier about it.

“I was so excited when I received the news I had won the sweepstakes, I couldn’t believe it,” Ray said. “I forwarded the message to my son just to make sure that I had won! I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

Ray has always enjoyed fishing, especially at Northern Minnesota’s Pine Lake.

Getting to fish with a superstar like VanDam is something that many people can only dream of. Now that Ray has the chance, he is looking forward to getting a few tips from one of the greatest professional bass anglers in the sport.

Ray will take a trip to a U.S. location that has yet to be determined to fish with the four-time Classic champion. The trip includes airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations and $500 spending money.

Besides the opportunity to fish with VanDam, Ray is the proud winner of a Nitro Z18 boat that includes all of the following: a Mercury 150 Pro XS, Humminbird Helix 12 Mega SI unit with a LakeMaster Map of his choice, a T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate, KVD Signature Series HydroWave, KVD Signature Series Kong Wave Tamer and a Motorguide X5 trolling motor.

He will also receive an assortment of Bass Pro Shops XPS KVD Signature Series fluorocarbon fishing line; a Yeti Hopper Flip 18, Tundra 65 and 1 Gallon jug; a GoPro Karma drone; a HUK Next Level rain jacket; two Quantum Smoke S3 baitcast reels; a Tour KVD 7-10 cranking rod and Tour KVD 7-2 medium casting rod; a KVD Toyota fishing jersey; and a Plano KVD Signature tackle bag and tackle storage unit. He also gets prize packs from VanDam’s sponsors, including Strike King, Anheuser Busch, Mossy Oak, Mustad Hooks and Oakley Sunglasses. The total prize value is $45,000.

When asked what made him apply for this particular sweepstakes, Ray replied, “The fantastic prizes. I have always enjoyed fishing, but have also dreamed of winning a boat. Now that this has happened, I am even more excited that I no longer have to fish from the shore.”

Fans can now enter the Fish with Brandon Palaniuk Sweepstakes, which kicked off Jan. 1.

The grand prize will include a trip for one person to fish with the current Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Brandon Palaniuk, at a to-be-determined U.S. location as well as a new Skeeter/Yamaha bass boat rig and prize packs totaling $57,500 in value.

Fishing fans can enter daily until March 31 at Bassmaster.com/Sweepstakes.