MARK DANIELS JR .: STILL LIVING HIS TBF DREAM
There ’ s not one distinct path to the rank of professional angler . For some , it can be quick – like in the cases of Jordan Lee and Jacob Wheeler . For others , becoming a pro takes a little more time .
Major League Fishing ’ s Mark Daniels Jr . always had dreams of becoming a pro when he was younger , but those dreams took a back seat for a few years while he worked as an agriculture biologist back home in California . He was 32 years old and loved bass fishing , but had yet to find a way to take a crack at living out his dream . That ’ s where The Bass Federation came into play .
“ I fished in TBF events since I was 16 years old ,” Daniels recalls . “ I always liked fishing in TBF events because they offered a guy who works 9-to-5 Monday through Friday a true tournament experience on the weekends at a very low cost . I fished in those events until I got to college ; I took five years off , then went right back to it once I graduated . I definitely didn ’ t become a pro overnight . It took a lot of grinding in those weekend tournaments to get to where I am .”
THE DREAM COMES TRUE
Daniels was able to continue working in agriculture after college while taking advantage of local TBF tournaments during his free time , which included qualifying for the 2013 TBF National Championship on Grand Lake in Oklahoma . Little did Daniels know how much that tournament was going to change his life .
“ Going into that tournament , I was really just a weekend warrior ,” Daniels says . “ I fought my way up to qualify for the National Championship and get my shot at becoming a pro . I knew what was at stake for me if I won that tournament and what winning could do for my future as a fisherman .”
A win in the National Championship would earn Daniels a “ Living the Dream ” prize package which included a brandnew Ranger boat , a new Chevrolet Suburban , entry fees paid into the ( at the time ) FLW Tour , and $ 500 in travel expenses for each event he fished on the Tour . Needless to say , it would be a great way to get his professional career started .
Daniels used a second-day five-fish limit of 24 pounds , 10 ounces to help secure his National Championship win . He then used his “ Living the Dream ” prize package to catapult him into a career as a full-time professional angler and has added three pro-level wins to his resume since joining the ranks in 2013 .
Now entering his third season as an angler on the MLF Bass Pro Tour , Daniels looks back at his time fishing TBF events with fond memories of how he got his start . He says his story of success isn ’ t the only one . Daniels encourages others to take the leap of faith and take advantage of the opportunities that TBF provides for anglers .
“ I will forever be grateful for TBF and the opportunity they gave me ,” Daniels says . “ I wouldn ’ t be where I am today without TBF , in all honesty . I encourage other anglers who are looking to try and make it to the pro level to never lose sight of the goal and always believe in yourself .”
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 77