Preston Clark is on a hot streak heading into the Bassmaster Elite Series' Southern Challenge on Lake Guntersville in Alabama next week, and it isn't simply the result of his winning ways on the tournament trail.
Lately, it seems everything is going right for the second-year Florida pro.
In early April, the Palatka, Fla., angler won the third Elite Series event in South Carolina and set a new record for heaviest weight in a four-day tournament, 115 pounds, 15 ounces.
Since then, Clark taped a special segment for BassCenter with show co-host and fellow angler Byron Velvick. The duo traveled to one of Velvick's fondest fishing destinations, Walt Disney World's catch-and-release Bay Lake in Central Florida. The piece aired on ESPN2 on Saturday, April 8.
From there, Clark visited with executives of his top sponsor, Beef O' Bradys.
Clark originally captured the sponsorship in October 2005 when he met with company officials and showed them an electronic presentation that outlined both angler and sponsor opportunities. The family-pub restaurant chain signed on and recently estimated that Clark's media exposure following his record-breaking win was worth between $2 million and $3 million for its brand, Clark said.
Already, the two parties are in discussions to extend their partnership and have Clark appear in television commercials.
"There's so much going on right now, it's just wonderful," said Clark. "But I'm tired and feel like I need to recharge my batteries."
With no time to spare, Clark returned to Palatka and worked a few Florida boat shows. He is also in discussions to develop custom push poles for Airrus, his current fishing rod sponsor, and is speaking with Findlay, Ohio-based Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for a possible sponsorship.
All of the good fortune couldn't have come at a better time for Clark, who is quickly preparing to deal with an increased onslaught of women in his life. His wife Katrina, a federal probation officer, is pregnant with triplets, and her first sonogram indicated all of the babies are girls. They will join Clark's majority-feminine household, where he already has a 1-year-old daughter and a female cat.
"It's fine with me. My mother owned a beauty salon and my playpen was next to her station," Clark said. "I've been around women my whole life."