‘Opening Day Countdown’ premieres

The kickoff of Bass Pro Shops' 2015 Spring Fishing Classic now includes a new fast-paced TV show premiering Monday on Outdoor Channel.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — You can fish every day of the year, right?

Unlike many outdoor pursuits, fishing doesn’t have a set season for many of us.

“But we all know when it’s time to go fishing,’’ said Mark Zona, host of  The Bassmasters television show and Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show. “For most of my adult life, at the end of the (Bass Pro Shops) Spring Classic, I knew it was time to be on the water somewhere.”

That is the case for many fishing fans. That’s why Bass Pro Shops, Bassmaster and Outdoor Channel are unofficially, officially declaring this week the countdown to the opening day of fishing season. That declaration comes with an unprecedented amount of fanfare.

The most impressive of that fanfare is Opening Day Countdown, a series of seven television shows that will air nightly, beginning Monday night (11:30 p.m. EST), on Outdoor Channel. Hosted by Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona of The Bassmasters television show and Kevin VanDam, 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion, the show will air a new episode every night this week through Sunday, flowing seamlessly into Bassmaster Classic week.

“The guy who has never fished, but drives by a lake every day and says ‘maybe one day,’ will get something out of this show,’’ VanDam said. “The guy who fishes on the Elite Series and everyone in between will get something out of this show.

“How do I know? I’ve learned a trick or two I can’t wait to try in bass fishing while working on these shows.”

That’s high praise from one of the top anglers in the country. VanDam’s praise was given as he watched segments of the show being taped in front of a live audience. That audience was on hand to take advantage of the annual “Spring Classic,” but quickly became part of one of the seven shows.

Producer’s of the show, a combination of JM Associates, which produces The Bassmasters television show, and Bass Pro Shops Video Productions, which produces The Bass Pros television show, are working together all week to bring the energetic kick-off to the fishing season to television.

“This is definitely something new,’’ said Stan Lippelman, vice-president of marketing for Bass Pro Shops. “It’s like College Game Day for fishing, but just every day for a week.”

Lippelman said the show is unique in that it showcases some of the most incredible names in fishing. Along with VanDam, Zona and Sanders on the hosting side, top anglers from Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston and Stacy King to Edwin Evers, Timmy Horton, Ott DeFoe and Dave Mercer are featured in a 30-minute showcase of bass fishing talent that has never been seen in one show. But the list doesn’t stop there. Gary Parsons, a top walleye professional, adds insight to his world, and top crappie anglers will provide guidance as well. Theresa Vail, former Miss Kansas and current Bass Pro Shops spokesperson and host of Outdoor Channel’s show Limitless, handles the duties of tying all of those uber-talented anglers together with the audience.

“I’m not sure you could find a show anywhere that had that many names in one place,’’ Lippelman said.

The impressive lineup of anglers have all come together to offer useful advice for those who are just getting into fishing as well as anglers who have spent hundreds of hours on the water. Topics discussed by the experts will include everything from what angler is poised to dominate the upcoming Bassmaster Classic and where the hottest lakes in the country are to the latest lures and cutting edge bass fishing techniques.

“If you are into bass fishing you need to watch this show,’’ Evers said. “It will tell you the latest and greatest in products and techniques. You are going to learn what to look for in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic.

“It’s just a big primer for the season. It’s like a steroid shot in the arm for what’s fixing to happen in the fishing world.”

As an example, Evers and VanDam were both overly interested in what Parsons had to say.

“He’s taken a new bait designed for ice fishing and is utilizing it to cast to walleye,” VanDam said. “Now I’m thinking about how that might work for me in bass fishing. I will use that knowledge somewhere, some place this season.”

You could too. But you’ll have to watch all the shows to get more than just a clue.

The shows begin Monday night at 11:30 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel and will air every night for the rest of the week through Sunday.

For a behind-the-scenes look at Opening Day Countdown, click here.