Zona works on going LIVE

Posted on
Cameramen Eric Kaffka and Wes Miller prepare their equipment upon arriving near Mark Zona’s homestead in southwestern Michigan.
Cameramen Eric Kaffka and Wes Miller prepare their equipment upon arriving near Mark Zona’s homestead in southwestern Michigan.
This is Mark Zona’s weapon of choice for the latest taping of <em>Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show</em>.”
This is Mark Zona’s weapon of choice for the latest taping of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.”
Zona prepares to start the show.
Zona prepares to start the show.
Miller and Kaffka capture Zona as he bounces out of his truck for the show opener.
Miller and Kaffka capture Zona as he bounces out of his truck for the show opener.
Zona explains that he and long-time tournament partner “Vande” made hay on this body of water the day before.
Zona explains that he and long-time tournament partner “Vande” made hay on this body of water the day before.
Vande served mostly as camera boat driver but helped remind Zona who caught what and where the day before.
Vande served mostly as camera boat driver but helped remind Zona who caught what and where the day before.
After a run on the chilly morning, Zona was surprised to hooks into a largemouth, wondering what Mr. Green Jeans was doing there.
After a run on the chilly morning, Zona was surprised to hooks into a largemouth, wondering what Mr. Green Jeans was doing there.
Ah, a smallmouth. That’s more what he expected.
Ah, a smallmouth. That’s more what he expected.
Zona shows off another largemouth. It almost seemed like the catches switched back and forth between the two.
Zona shows off another largemouth. It almost seemed like the catches switched back and forth between the two.
A small largemouth comes flipping in.
A small largemouth comes flipping in.
Now here’s one Zona is proud of.
Now here’s one Zona is proud of.
A steady morning breeze kept a slight chop on the water.
A steady morning breeze kept a slight chop on the water.
And kept the fish biting.
And kept the fish biting.
This one makes Zona crow.
This one makes Zona crow.
Miller gets a close-up of the brown beauty.
Miller gets a close-up of the brown beauty.
The biggest fish so far has Zona stoked. It is on, he said.
The biggest fish so far has Zona stoked. It is on, he said.
Another comes in and the crew actually lost count.
Another comes in and the crew actually lost count.
This Rage Swimmer in KVD Magic was magic.
This Rage Swimmer in KVD Magic was magic.
Another fish has Miller shooting underwater with a GoPro.
Another fish has Miller shooting underwater with a GoPro.
Another largemouth comes in but Zona was most pleased with catching several large smallmouth.
Another largemouth comes in but Zona was most pleased with catching several large smallmouth.
After the day, Zona headed to his man cave to prepare for Thursday’s Zona Live.
After the day, Zona headed to his man cave to prepare for Thursday’s Zona Live.
Zona has long-time friend Kevin VanDam coming from nearby Kalamazoo to fish with him live from 8 a.m. to noon ET on their “Sneaky Lake.”
Zona has long-time friend Kevin VanDam coming from nearby Kalamazoo to fish with him live from 8 a.m. to noon ET on their “Sneaky Lake.”
Zona applies the coup de grace with to a jig he was preparing for the KVD live shoot.
Zona applies the coup de grace with to a jig he was preparing for the KVD live shoot.
Zona worked on getting five rods, reels and lures ready.
Zona worked on getting five rods, reels and lures ready.
No. 1 is done.
No. 1 is done.
It’s been a busy week for Zona. He scouted a number of lakes, not only for the shooting of his show on Wednesday, but also for Zona Live, where he needed great cell service.
It’s been a busy week for Zona. He scouted a number of lakes, not only for the shooting of his show on Wednesday, but also for Zona Live, where he needed great cell service.
Zona also had another show shoot on Friday and Saturday with his twin sons.
Zona also had another show shoot on Friday and Saturday with his twin sons.
One of Zona’s friends, Louis, stopped by his man cave to chat about the local tournament scene.
One of Zona’s friends, Louis, stopped by his man cave to chat about the local tournament scene.
Z shows off a Strike King Redeye Shad with the paint chewed off.
Z shows off a Strike King Redeye Shad with the paint chewed off.
A Strike King swim jig with a Rage Swimmer trailer is also in his arsenal.
A Strike King swim jig with a Rage Swimmer trailer is also in his arsenal.
A Rage Swimmer should elicit big bites.
A Rage Swimmer should elicit big bites.
Zona’s is big-eyed about his lineup, and he hopes the fish are too.
Zona’s is big-eyed about his lineup, and he hopes the fish are too.