Mark Menendez – Paddling as Fast as I Can

As the pages of the calendar turns in to the fourth quarter of 2013, I have just finished my Activity Report for the last three months. My calendar is black with all of the activity entries. Ten filming dates, twelve appearances, and 15 articles were done this quarter. This is on top of caregiver for my wife and executive carpooler (taxi driver) for my children! I even managed to fish a Professional Team Trail event on Kentucky Lake and qualified for their Classic Event! How did I manage?

Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards and I have worked together for over ten years. This group has provided me the top notch equipment to compete on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. They have also stood behind me through my wife’s battle with Pancreatic Cancer. This team of people has been so supportive of my family; I have worked with them at many promotions this season. I will attend more year end Skeeter/ Yamaha Classics this fall than most anglers will qualify to fish. This will be fantastic for me. I love to meet the fishermen and their families that love our sport. Without a doubt, I receive more encouragement, love, and prayers from these anglers than one can imagine. These well-wishers fuel my mind and body through their compassion. They help me take care of Donna with constant comments on Facebook and cards. They cheer my children on their accomplishments too. I am so grateful to the fishing community. Thank you.

Max and I attended a Cub Scout event a couple of weekends ago. We met with the regional packs for a day of fishing, shooting instruction, and crafts. This little boy was on top of the world! He had a hard time during the fishing portion. There was a major two-day bass event on Ky. Lake while we were bank fishing. A boat would roar through the nearby secondary channel and Max would proclaim brand and outboard manufacturer! I was really impressed when an FX20 came through the red and green buoys! Max screamed, “Look Daddy! It is boat just like my Skeeter!” All of my boats have been claimed by Max upon arrival. I’m sure that when he turns 16 he will want the keys to the boat before the truck keys!

Next on the agenda is a Media Conference with Strike King Lures and Lew’s. We will have three days of photos, stories, and good fun. We are hosted by the best fishing resort on Ky. Lake. The folks at Fish Tales Lodge at Paris Landing bend over backwards while we are there. They do this for all of the fishermen that stay with them on a regular basis! David and Sharon Seaton love to fish and love people that fish as well. This event will not be work! It will be a working vacation because of Fish Tales!

I have started a new YouTube Channel called “MM BASS TV”. It is my goal to post video tips that will help your fishing. We will have action packed videos, instructional, and VLogs from Tacklewarehouse.com. Please subscribe to “MM BASS TV” at YouTube. Let us know what kind of tips and tactics you would like to learn!