Vice President of Investor Relations, Hilton Gr Vacations
Search every verified Mark Melnyk interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2014 appearance on WorldFishingNetwork.com, Mark Melnyk, host of the program *Guided*, discussed his personal fishing bucket list and offered advice to anglers planning trips. Melnyk named the Great Barrier Reef as a top destination for billfish and expressed interest in attempting an IGFA offshore Grand Slam. He also described the she fish, or inconnu, of Northern Canada as a rare and challenging freshwater species. Melnyk advised prospective travelers to scrutinize outfitter photographs for signs of equipment condition, stating that well-maintained gear is indicative of a quality trip. He recommended WorldFishingNetwork.com and the IGFA as sources for vetted, conservation-minded guides. Melnyk noted that, if money were no object, he would fish for billfish in Panama and target sailfish on the fly in Guatemala. He also announced that he was preparing to travel to the Bahamas, Key West, and St. Augustine, Florida, for the second season of *Guided*, which was scheduled to begin in April 2014.
“Number one would be definitely just off the Great Barrier Reef in the South Pacific fishing for blue marlin, black marlin — any sort of billfish — and I'd love to try my hand at an IGFA offshore Grand Slam or Royal Grand Slam.”
“There's a fish in Northern Canada called a she fish — locals call it an incano — it's more like a freshwater tarpon, grows up to 60 lbs, is very elusive and when you hook one it jumps, fights and runs; they are absolutely incredible.”
“Before you ever accept or book or send somebody your credit card information, go on the outfitter's website, open the gallery and forensically inspect the photographs — that will give you a great indication of the time you're going to have.”
“If you blow up the photos and the reels are salt‑kissed and rusted, the lures look old and the hooks are rusty, chances are that's indicative of the kind of trip you'll have; if everything looks spic and span and well cared for, that pride will come off in your trip.”
The host of Guided shares his list in this Web Extra for WorldFishingNetwork.com.
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