In this episode of Bassmaster University, Elite Series pro Mark Menendez breaks down crankbait fishing and answers viewer questions.
Watch the anglers weigh in on stage at the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1 from the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tavares, Fla.
It's a rush and a privilege to be fishing with the best anglers in the world.
I'm here on the Harris Chain in Florida today for the first day of practice of the Elite Series season. I've been idling and trolling around quite a bit trying to put the finishing touches on my game plan.
The past two weeks were good for me. I left Florida with two top 12 finishes, only a few points behind in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of Year.
On the first day of the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Florida's Harris Chain of Lakes, Grant Goldbeck weighed in one small bass for 1 pound, 1 ounce. If one is the loneliest number — as Three Dog Night once claimed — Goldbeck was in a lonely place, indeed, ranking a dismal 97th out of 99 anglers.
There is always disappointment when you're leading a tournament and then don't win, but especially when you lead the whole thing and fall to third. I want to win every event that I fish, but losing in a situation like this is tough.
One of the Citrus Slam's highlights was the Jello Jump for a key to a new ATV.
My success in Florida has been spotty throughout my career, although I did win at Toho a few years ago. So, to kick the season off with a Top 10 was critical for me.