Entry 205-4
The Miraculous Recovery of Strike King Pro Mark Menendez
Day 4: How Menendez Has Changed His Lifestyle and His Fishing
Editor’s Note: Mark Menendez of Paducah, Kentucky, has made approximately $3/4 million as a tournament fisherman for the past decade. Although one of the newer Strike King pros, Menendez’s certainly not new to tournament bass fishing and has fished the Bassmasters Classic several times.
Question: Mark, how did this near-death experience change your life and your fishing?
Menendez: Before my bout with death, I had taken everyday things for granted. I’d forgotten what a sunrise looked like and how important it was to see my child’s face light up when they saw me. I’d forgotten how important family was and many of the other things in our lives that I’d taken for granted.
This statement may sound strong, but if competitive fishing goes away tomorrow, of course it will hurt us all – financially, socially and in other ways. However, in the grand scheme of life, how important is competitive fishing, really? For me, it’s a luxury. It’s a great way to make a living, and I love what I do for my job. 
I feel fortunate to fish competitively. But this bout with spinal meningitis has made me put my family first and fishing second.
Question: Mark, how did it change your style of fishing?
Menendez: I don’t rush, and I don’t press my fishing like I once did. Today I try to go out and fish every day the very best I can. When I come in from fishing, I can be satisfied that I’ve done my best. I know I’ll go out tomorrow and do the best I can. But I don’t worry about tomorrow, and I don’t regret today. I have really lightened-up as far as how important competitive fishing is to me, and my having to beat the water to a froth every day and getting so upset if I don’t win.
