Gear

Man Cave: Mark Zona

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Mark Zona has built a reputation in the bass fishing world for being just a little bit different. He has no problem making fun of himself and having a great time, while getting the work done. His Man Cave is no different. It’s full of fun and has all the essentials for catching fish, finding fish, watching fish and talking fish. It even includes a hand-carved, “Man Cave” wood sign, so you know just where you are when you enter. <p> <em>All captions: Steve Bowman</em>
Mark Zona has built a reputation in the bass fishing world for being just a little bit different. He has no problem making fun of himself and having a great time, while getting the work done. His Man Cave is no different. It’s full of fun and has all the essentials for catching fish, finding fish, watching fish and talking fish. It even includes a hand-carved, “Man Cave” wood sign, so you know just where you are when you enter.

All captions: Steve Bowman

Currently, Zona’s Man Cave, a 30 x 60 shop has three boats and a lot of fishing tackle, with a lounge area for watching episodes of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.
Currently, Zona’s Man Cave, a 30 x 60 shop has three boats and a lot of fishing tackle, with a lounge area for watching episodes of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.
As Zona says “welcome to my world, come on in and sit a spell.”
As Zona says “welcome to my world, come on in and sit a spell.”
You will be doing that sitting in what Zona refers to (in Zona’s favorite over pronunciation) “The Lounge Area.” It’s complete with wall decorations and a high definition television in the corner.
You will be doing that sitting in what Zona refers to (in Zona’s favorite over pronunciation) “The Lounge Area.” It’s complete with wall decorations and a high definition television in the corner.
Nearby Zona recently made the switch to Daiwa rods and reels, and his Man Cave has a healthy selection of the latest and greatest.
Nearby Zona recently made the switch to Daiwa rods and reels, and his Man Cave has a healthy selection of the latest and greatest.
If there is Bass Pro sign missing from any store in America, we may know where it is. But we can’t confirm or deny the exact location. Scattered around the walls are some deer mounts.
If there is Bass Pro sign missing from any store in America, we may know where it is. But we can’t confirm or deny the exact location. Scattered around the walls are some deer mounts.
The decorations include some custom metal work.
The decorations include some custom metal work.
All the wall coverings are highlighted by Zona’s logo. It’s lit with LED lighting and according to Zona, “It’s crown jewel of all metal logos.”
All the wall coverings are highlighted by Zona’s logo. It’s lit with LED lighting and according to Zona, “It’s crown jewel of all metal logos.”
While Zona is best known for his fishing prowess and his ability to get the story from Elite anglers, he’s also an accomplished hunter (sort of), as evidenced by the deer mounts he hangs on his wall.
While Zona is best known for his fishing prowess and his ability to get the story from Elite anglers, he’s also an accomplished hunter (sort of), as evidenced by the
deer mounts he hangs on his wall.
Near “The Lounge Area” sits a memorabilia cabinet full of pieces and parts of great memories made during his career.
Near “The Lounge Area” sits a memorabilia cabinet full of pieces and parts of great memories made during his career.
Some of that includes a Golden Moose Award, given to him for the best fishing show on Outdoor Channel and a cover of Bassmaster Magazine that features him, ironically it’s noted as “The Outlaw Issue.”
Some of that includes a Golden Moose Award, given to him for the best fishing show on Outdoor Channel and a cover of Bassmaster Magazine that features him, ironically it’s noted as “The Outlaw Issue.”
There are photos of him and co-host Tommy Sanders and good friend James Overstreet.
There are photos of him and co-host Tommy Sanders and good friend James Overstreet.
There are photos from his early tournament days.
There are photos from his early tournament days.
And as an ode to his obsession with fantasy football there’s a Bass Pro hat pronouncing his skills and signed by Stan Lippleman of Bass Pro.
And as an ode to his obsession with fantasy football there’s a Bass Pro hat pronouncing his skills and signed by Stan Lippleman of Bass Pro.
There are even some reminders of him helping a young child on a Make A Wish trip.
There are even some reminders of him helping a young child on a Make A Wish trip.
And no Man Cave would be complete with trophies won prior to becoming the host of his own show and Bassmaster.
And no Man Cave would be complete with trophies won prior to becoming the host of his own show and Bassmaster.
Zona’s Man Cave includes two Nitro Bass Boats, one for him and the other for his sons Hunter and Jakob.
Zona’s Man Cave includes two Nitro Bass Boats, one for him and the other for his sons Hunter and Jakob.
Of course, Zona’s has his name on it.
Of course, Zona’s has his name on it.
The walls on the opposite side of the Man Cave from “The Lounge Area,” include a drying rack for rain gear and plenty of space for other things to be stored.
The walls on the opposite side of the Man Cave from “The Lounge Area,” include a drying rack for rain gear and plenty of space for other things to be stored.
Back to “The Lounge Area,” side of things, and the Man Cave takes on a look resembling more of a tackle store, including a line up of rods and reels.
Back to “The Lounge Area,” side of things, and the Man Cave takes on a look resembling more of a tackle store, including a line up of rods and reels.
Most of his new Daiwa rods and reels are rigged and ready to go, while the others are waiting for their chance.
Most of his new Daiwa rods and reels are rigged and ready to go, while the others are waiting for their chance.
Shelving units hold a plethora of tackle boxes filled to the max with tackle, easy to see and easy to grab.
Shelving units hold a plethora of tackle boxes filled to the max with tackle, easy to see and easy to grab.
The Bass Mafia boxes line a big part of the wall. And are organized in a fashion only Mark Zona understands.
The Bass Mafia boxes line a big part of the wall. And are organized in a fashion only Mark Zona understands.
These have secret baits in them.
These have secret baits in them.
Sunglass racks are filled with different lenses and styles, so Zona always has the perfect blend for fishing and looking good.
Sunglass racks are filled with different lenses and styles, so Zona always has the perfect blend for fishing and looking good.
On one of the shelves is a photo of his wife, Karin and two sons many years ago. The sons, Hunter and Jakob, graduated high school this year.
On one of the shelves is a photo of his wife, Karin and two sons many years ago. The sons, Hunter and Jakob, graduated high school this year.
And there’s a photo of him and his sons with Jerry McKinnis, along with an inspirational book, a turkey striker, a shotgun shell and a TH Marine Prop Nut. It is almost the most interesting grouping of things in the whole Man Cave.
And there’s a photo of him and his sons with Jerry McKinnis, along with an inspirational book, a turkey striker, a shotgun shell and a TH Marine Prop Nut. It is almost the most interesting grouping of things in the whole Man Cave.
Until you see the next shelf with a photo of Zona, Kevin VanDam and Louie Stout next to a sour-faced photo of Zona and behind a sheathed knife with an antler handle, a couple of reels, with some scattered jig heads and some sort of pink pig.
Until you see the next shelf with a photo of Zona, Kevin VanDam and Louie Stout next to a sour-faced photo of Zona and behind a sheathed knife with an antler handle, a couple of reels, with some scattered jig heads and some sort of pink pig.
The line up of soft plastics and crankbaits takes your mind off pink pigs. On this rack you can find just about anything Strike King makes.
The line up of soft plastics and crankbaits takes your mind off pink pigs. On this rack you can find just about anything Strike King makes.
It runs down the wall and incudes virtually everything.
It runs down the wall and incudes virtually everything.
His bulk plastics are stored in 2-gallon Money Bags that allow him to carry more plastics than any one man can use in a year. But as Zona says, “I’m nuts over my plastics.” We can only agree.
His bulk plastics are stored in 2-gallon Money Bags that allow him to carry more plastics than any one man can use in a year. But as Zona says, “I’m nuts over my plastics.” We can only agree.
A cubby is filled with Seaguar line, ready to grab when needed.
A cubby is filled with Seaguar line, ready to grab when needed.
Atop the shelf is the “Cone of Injustice,” a device Zona made famous that is actually called the Flogger. It’s used for looking in deep, clear water for spawning smallmouth bass.
Atop the shelf is the “Cone of Injustice,” a device Zona made famous that is actually called the Flogger. It’s used for looking in deep, clear water for spawning smallmouth bass.
Zona points to a 3 pound, 15 ounce largemouth he caught in 1984. He won a contest and was awarded a mount of the fish. He caught it on the lake where he currently lives on a Snag Proof Moss Boss. It sits proudly on the wall, just outside “The Lounge Area.”
Zona points to a 3 pound, 15 ounce largemouth he caught in 1984. He won a contest and was awarded a mount of the fish. He caught it on the lake where he currently lives on a Snag Proof Moss Boss. It sits proudly on the wall, just outside “The Lounge Area.”
Other things on the edge include a deer mount he actually bought from Michael Iaconelli during an auction on Ike Live. We think the T-shirt and headband were part of the deal as well.
Other things on the edge include a deer mount he actually bought from Michael Iaconelli during an auction on Ike Live. We think the T-shirt and headband were part of the deal as well.
More boxes with assorted equipment sit beneath the rack of lures.
More boxes with assorted equipment sit beneath the rack of lures.
Including a box of sunglasses that have yet to be put on the rack. These are the ones Zona wears when he wants to look like a cop.
Including a box of sunglasses that have yet to be put on the rack. These are the ones Zona wears when he wants to look like a cop.
The aluminum Tracker has a special purpose that Zona would rather not reveal. But it’s used in smaller waters and will one day be used for much more.
The aluminum Tracker has a special purpose that Zona would rather not reveal. But it’s used in smaller waters and will one day be used for much more.
One of the boxes below the lures is nothing but gloves. Zona said it’s his number one piece of equipment. Living in Michigan forces one to think about keeping their fingers warm on fishing and hunting trips.
One of the boxes below the lures is nothing but gloves. Zona said it’s his number one piece of equipment. Living in Michigan forces one to think about keeping their fingers warm on fishing and hunting trips.
In Zona’s dis-jointed fashion, we go from lures to gloves and then to the Flemich Cup trophy that Zona won during a filming of his ESPN show at Ray Scott’s lake with KVD and Roland Martin.
In Zona’s dis-jointed fashion, we go from lures to gloves and then to the Flemich Cup trophy that Zona won during a filming of his ESPN show at Ray Scott’s lake with KVD and Roland Martin.
And of course he has to point out the Golden Moose Award one more time.
And of course he has to point out the Golden Moose Award one more time.
Then we are back to lures, primarily crankbaits.
Then we are back to lures, primarily crankbaits.
Followed by a collection of turkey beards, gathered around his home in Michigan.
Followed by a collection of turkey beards, gathered around his home in Michigan.
Tucked away in all that is this knife. It’s a replica of a knife used in the movie “Cobra” with Sylvester Stallone. It came out in 1986, Zona thinks Stallone was nominated for an Oscar in that flick, but the main character was the knife, which Zona went out and bought. He keeps it out in the open just in case he needs it.
Tucked away in all that is this knife. It’s a replica of a knife used in the movie “Cobra” with Sylvester Stallone. It came out in 1986, Zona thinks Stallone was nominated for an Oscar in that flick, but the main character was the knife, which Zona went out and bought. He keeps it out in the open just in case he needs it.
At the end of his tackle rack is a store of Trokar Hooks, including those with his name and face on them.
At the end of his tackle rack is a store of Trokar Hooks, including those with his name and face on them.
Sitting in the middle of them is a colorful fish that was given to Zona from his sons.
Sitting in the middle of them is a colorful fish that was given to Zona from his sons.
Near the door is a painting of a father and two sons fishing and an unused coat rack.
Near the door is a painting of a father and two sons fishing and an unused coat rack.
Zona is a neat freak (sort of) but he really likes keeping his boat clean and has all the products he needs to make that happen.
Zona is a neat freak (sort of) but he really likes keeping his boat clean and has all the products he needs to make that happen.
On to fishing, at the time of this shoot smallmouth were still spawning in Michigan and this is Zona’s favorite box at the moment, a colorful box of Strike King Half Shells.
On to fishing, at the time of this shoot smallmouth were still spawning in Michigan and this is Zona’s favorite box at the moment, a colorful box of Strike King Half Shells.
And of course a good supply of different lenses for sight fishing.
And of course a good supply of different lenses for sight fishing.
Along with plenty of extra reels.
Along with plenty of extra reels.
And a G-Force Cull beam, since he’s been fishing a derby or two with his sons.
And a G-Force Cull beam, since he’s been fishing a derby or two with his sons.
This is a swim jig his sons made, and it completes a thorough look at where Zona relaxes and let’s his hair down a bit. Is it even possible for him to let it down more than he does on air?
This is a swim jig his sons made, and it completes a thorough look at where Zona relaxes and let’s his hair down a bit. Is it even possible for him to let it down more than he does on air?

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