Entry 322-2

2009 Angler-of-the-Year Contender Mark Menendez

Part 2: From the Middle of the Pack to a Front Runner

Question: Mark, 2009 has been one of the best years you’ve had for tournament bass fishing. What’s made this year so special for you?

Menendez: I put more emphasis on my fishing this year than I have during previous years, because for the last 2 years, I’ve been the last man to get dropped from the Bassmaster Classic roster. If a Classic contender can’t participate for any reason, I’m the alternate. Being a bridesmaid to the Classic for 2-consecutive years is a terrible thing. The first thing I set-out to do this season was qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.

The second factor that set the tone for this year was my win at Lake Dardanelle, which gave me the financial stability I needed to peel-off a layer as a fisherman who was just trying to make a paycheck at every tournament to feed his family, and find the different fisherman underneath.Once I had the financial security of the $100,000 that I won at Lake Dardanelle, then instead of competing for a paycheck, I could compete to win, which helped me make better decisions.

Question: When was the tournament at Lake Dardanelle?

Menendez: The Lake Dardanelle tournament was the second tournament of 2009.

Question: How did your win at Dardanelle help you “peel-off a layer,” and what do you mean by that statement?

Menendez: After the Lake Dardanelle tournament, I knew all the financial responsibilities I had at home would be taken care of for a year. This meant I solely could focus on trying to win, instead of just attempting to make a $10,000 check in each tournament to be able to pay bills for the next 6 weeks. Because of that big monetary win, I was able to fish much-more relaxed throughout the rest of the season and make better decisions on the water. Consequently, I had three more top-10 finishes, following my win at Lake Dardanelle.

Question: Was there a defining moment, other than your win at Lake Dardanelle, that changed your season?

Menendez: Yes, there was. I can remember the spot, the strike and the bass that changed my career after Lake Dardanelle. I was fishing on Wheeler Lake the week after I won the tournament at Lake Dardanelle, and the first morning of the tournament, I caught a 13-pound limit really quickly. By 11:00 am, I started feeling those old urges like, “You’ve got to try to upgrade your stringer and make sure you get at least a $10,000 check for this tournament. Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go.”

Then I realized, “I don’t have to do a darn thing. I just won $100,000 last week. I need to put on my big-boy pants and start fishing to win instead of fishing to make sure I don’t lose the last place that pays.” I sat down, ate a sandwich, drank a soft drink, looked at the bottom of the boat and saw a Strike King Football Jig. I tied it on and put a Rage Craw trailer on it. On my second cast, I hooked and landed a 5-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth bass. Since that tournament and catching that big smallmouth, instead of fishing to make sure I get a check, I’ve started fishing to win.

Next: A Ragin’ Season

Contents:

• Part 1: How and Why I�ll Fish the Next Two Tournaments
• Part 2: From the Middle of the Pack to a Front Runner
• Part 3: A Ragin� Season
• Part 4: Flippin� and Crankin� in Big-Boy Britches
• Part 5: Prepare to Win