CLAYTON, N.Y. — Sad faces and nervous pacing are what you notice backstage every year on Day 2 of the final Elite Series tournament of the year. For several of the 102 professional anglers competing in the Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence River, the day will mark their last time to cross this stage. They won’t have met qualifying standards to return next year.
Others are stressed about making the cut to qualify for the ’24 Bassmaster Classic. For some, that depends on making the Day 2/Top 50 cut and keeping the dream alive for one more day.
It’s an uncommon mixture of joy and sorrow.
For 58-year-old Mark Menendez, a 99th-place finish in the tournament left him 69th in Angler of the Year points. He’s right on the cusp of failing to re-qualify for the Elite Series. Menendez has been a full-time pro angler for over three decades and earned almost $1.5 million in B.A.S.S. winnings.
“This could be the end, I don’t know,” he said. “I’m not ready for it to be. This could be the last day I walk across that stage. I want to keep doing this. It’s your identity. What am I going to do at home?
“I do have a lovely wife and a wonderful family to go home to, so that takes a lot of the sting out of it. I don’t think Melissa cares whether I do this or not. That’s an awfully good feeling.”
While Menendez is waiting so see if he makes the final re-qualifying cut, 28-year-old Skylar Hamilton knows his Elite Series career is over. Hamilton is 89th in AOY points based on Friday’s standings.
“I’ve kind of come to terms with it,” said Hamilton, who lives in Dandridge, Tenn. “I feel like it’s a new chapter for me. I’ve done this for a while, even though I’m still young. I’ve done this my whole life. I’m kind of looking forward to enjoying another part of my life.
“I’ve still got my guide service at home. It’s doing well there in east Tennessee. I really enjoy doing that. It’s just a different pace. I’ll have more time with my family. My parents are getting older. I’m married now. We hope to start having some kids. It’s a new chapter.”
But there were others who aren’t ready to look at a new chapter in their lives. Gerald Swindle gave a big hug to his friend Darold Gleason backstage. Gleason, 41, of Many, La., was having a good season until slump at the end left him in 74th place in the AOY standings as of Friday, when he finished 97th in the tournament.
“He’s one of the greatest guys we’ve got out here,” Swindle said. “It hurts to see those long faces. Your heart is broke. This is all he’s ever wanted. It’s the same for my best friend Gary Clouse.
“It’s a tough deal. It’s a fun sport. It’s got a lot of highs, but it’s got a lot of lows. Today is one of them. I feel their pain. It just hurts.”
