I grew up fishing with my dad, who is an avid fisherman to this day! We would spend hours trying to catch bass and I treasure those times hanging out with my father. We would talk while he taught me how to put bait on a hook or how to fillet a fish for dinner. While it seems like a lifetime ago, it also feels like it was just yesterday.
When we were shooting the show in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, I was given the opportunity to go fishing with professional fisherman, Marcus Sykora, and his family. Our crew met at the docks and Marcus was there to greet us with his son and daughter. After everyone got their life jackets on, we hopped into his boat and headed out to where the fish were biting. No offense to my dad, but a pro fisherman’s boat is pretty sweet!
Lake of the Ozarks is known for fishing. Anglers come all year long to fish for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, walleye and more. Marcus knew where we’d find good luck catching fish so it didn’t take long for all of us to get some nibbles on our hooks. It was so much fun! We released all of the fish we caught, but we had a great time.
So far, Marcus has won 8 Bass Fishing League events and has placed 26 times in the top ten in FLW competitions. He explained that the Lake of the Ozarks provides a lot of diverse fishing opportunities which helps him in fishing competitions around the country. Marcus’ best advice for getting into fishing is to find a mentor who can show you the ropes.
When you come down to Lake of the Ozarks, there are several fishing guides who can take you out on the lake. You can find a list of some of the guides on the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau’s site. After all, you might have the best vacation story ever about the fish that didn’t get away!
Fun Fact: Marcus Sykora is a State Farm insurance agency owner.
