Mark Menendez returning to fishing

"I haven't done much fishing the past two years, and some of the times I've been out there it felt like the last place I wanted to be."

After a two-year hiatus from the Bassmaster Elite Series, veteran Kentucky pro Mark Menendez is eager to get back to the circuit in 2015. The fan-favorite and three-time B.A.S.S. winner stepped away from the tour to care for his wife Donna, who died of pancreatic cancer earlier this year. It’s been a long and arduous road.

“I’m looking forward to coming back,” Menendez says. “I need it — it’ll be therapy and a familiar lifestyle to escape the stress of the past couple of years. My kids — Caroline and Max — are doing really well, and it’s time to get back out there and pick up the other part of my life.”

Citing family and fishing as the two things he’s ever been truly passionate about, Menendez knows that it won’t be easy.

“I haven’t done much fishing the past two years, and some of the times I’ve been out there it felt like the last place I wanted to be,” he says. “A few times I’ve just stopped fishing, sat down in the boat and had a conversation with Donna. It’s getting better, and now I’m looking forward to it, but I know there will be days when it seems like it’s all uphill.”

For inspiration, the five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier has had to look no further than family, friends and sponsors. All have been behind him since before the tragedy, and all have continued to show their support heading into the next year.

“The group of people I work with and for — my sponsors … my friends — have stuck by me for two years. My contracts have stayed the same through this whole period, and it allowed me to be at home and take care of Donna and the kids. I’m absolutely humbled by that support, and I can never thank them enough.”

Those sponsors include some of the leading names in the industry: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, Lew’s, Power-Pole, Stay ‘N Charge, Lowrance, Seaguar, Line-Rite, Outdoor Friends Forever and Navionics. Menendez remained valuable to them all by writing articles for publication, staying in touch with key media contacts and making promotional appearances when his wife’s health allowed.

“Writing and thinking about fishing allowed me to stay in the groove. It also gave me a place to hide from all the stress and keep my sanity. I did 79 promotional days in 2013, but only a few so far this year. It’s been good to get back in the mix and see some old friends. The support has been just overwhelming.”

An unexpected source of support came from Mark and Donna’s young children. Caroline and Max are just nine and 10 years old, but remarkably intuitive and strong in the face of an event that no one so young should have to experience.

“They’ve seen me pretty low, and they know when Daddy needs help. They can pull me out of the depths and keep me on track. I do the same for them. The toughest part of the upcoming season will be leaving them at home when I have to go on the road. Fortunately, my mom and some friends are there to help. I’m also going to be looking for a nanny. Being a good father to Caroline and Max is what drives me.”

But not all of Menendez’s goals are personal. He has some professional achievements in mind, too.

“I’m pretty close the $1 million mark in B.A.S.S. tournament earnings, and I want to get there. I’d also like to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic again and win another event. I’m not planning to just go through the motions. I want to improve and grow as an angler.”

To reach his professional goals, Menendez has a plan and a process that involves getting physically fit, some medical procedures to repair his elbows and getting back into the competitive bass fishing mainstream. He’ll be ready when the Elite season kicks off next March.

“The past couple of years have been extremely tough for me and my family, but we’re working and fighting through it. The 2015 Elite Series season will be a big step for us all.”