Every single time I’ve ever shared a boat, or even a passing conversation, with Team Toyota pro Mark Daniels, Jr. I have noticed one commonality that’s difficult to ignore. Aside from his endless optimism and smiles, he’s the kind of person who always brings up his family. I’ve worked with this man for many years, and it’s very apparent that family means the world to him. As one of the best professional anglers in the world, it would be easy for him to lose sight of the importance of his core, but he has never — and will never — waver.
Daniels and I crossed paths recently, and with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, his views of family and commitment warranted a long and thoughtful conversation. At a time filled with often chaotic family schedules and lots of travel, he doubled-down on the importance to stay flexible and enjoy every single minute with your loved ones.
“Family is the foundation of any man’s life, in my opinion,” Daniels said. “We are the providers, and everything I do is to provide for my family and my two children, Mark and Morgan. If I’m not taking care of my family, I’m not doing anything. Any amount, no matter how big or small, I want to share it with my family.”
This comes from a man who, against astronomical odds, made it to the top ranks of professional bass fishing. You’ll see him in commercials, on national television shows and social media, but again, it all comes down to his family’s support, his grit and his never-die spirit to turn a dream into a reality.
“I spent a lot of time fishing the California Delta growing up,” he said. “I’m originally from the bay area across from San Francisco; I grew up saltwater fishing as a kid and we’d fish jetties, piers — anything we could get access to. But through television and after moving to another town, I got into city pond freshwater fishing.
“I was watching legends like Roland Martin, Bill Dance, and Hank Parker. I was copying every single technique they shared on these ponds. Most of the bass I was catching were tiny, but for whatever reason, it really excited me.” In comes the Bass Anglers of Northern California (BANC) club. That’s when Daniels got the proverbial bug. He was hooked before he even knew it.
Neither he, nor his father owned a boat. But as fate would have it, the club was full of very engaged boaters willing to teach non-boaters everything they knew. Whether it was spinnerbait fishing or split-shot rigs, the boat owners were more than happy to teach Daniels and his father the ins and outs of the tournament bass-fishing game.
“I can’t say enough about the boaters who took us under their wing,” Daniels said. “They’d tell me everything they were doing throughout an entire day of fishing and I was just trying to be a sponge the entire time; I wanted to learn everything. When I was 14 years old, we were finally able to get an old bass boat and once that happened, I was on the water every single weekend. If I wasn’t in school or playing ball, I was on the water. Period.”
After several years and hundreds of weekend tournaments, earning an Agriculture degree, and working in the agriculture industry for six years, some folks thought he was crazy to give up such a solid career. But deep down, Daniels knew he was meant for something different. And with the help of his family, he was able to pivot and turn his dream into a reality.
“It all came down to the undying support I received from my parents, sisters and brothers who understood my deep passion for this. They knew I had the talent and they knew I was going to give it my all. Without them, I might have been too cold-footed to take the jump but I knew if I had their support, I’d reach my goals.”
It comes as no surprise that the California-based angler is champing at the bit to see his family this Thanksgiving. Following his pivot to full-time professional bass fishing, Daniels made the very tough decision to relocate from California to Alabama. Between the tournament schedules and travel demands, it was the most logical choice.
It didn’t come without significant sacrifice, however, and he can’t wait to make up for lost time this week.
“I miss my California family tremendously,” Daniels said. “That’s the hardest thing about living where I do. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet but I don’t get to see my elders. These sacrifices hurt me a lot. It absolutely kills me to not see my mom; I haven’t seen her in a year, man. And she’s 74 years old.”
With up to 70 family members awaiting him with open arms in California, Daniels can’t wait to fly his Alabama-based family to the West Coast. With all of the support they’ve showered him with throughout his career, he’s tickled pink to hug their necks, catch up on everyone’s lives, and take a break from the chaotic world of professional bass fishing.
“Always remember the people who held you up when you were grinding,” Daniels said. “I know the fish are biting, the bucks are rutting and the ducks are flying this time of year. But please, if you don’t hear anything else I say, show up to those holiday gatherings, love your people, haul the casseroles around and enjoy every single breath you have with your loved ones. They are the people who will have your back each step of the way.”
Holidays can, indeed, be chaotic but we could probably all take something from Daniels’ perspective. As we gather around tables and enjoy ourselves this week with our loved ones, soak in every moment. Because the people at that table will be the ones who will have your back and love you no matter what.
