Bassmaster LIVE studio suite

Go inside the JM studio to see what goes into producing Bassmaster LIVE.

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The world was rolling along early Sunday morning, May 3. A bike race was being held in downtown Little Rock.
The world was rolling along early Sunday morning, May 3. A bike race was being held in downtown Little Rock.
Less than a block away, the Bassmaster offices of JM Associates, aka the Fish Factory, appear peaceful on the sunny morn.
Less than a block away, the Bassmaster offices of JM Associates, aka the Fish Factory, appear peaceful on the sunny morn.
All quiet in the foyer, no receptionist, no lights. Quiet.
All quiet in the foyer, no receptionist, no lights. Quiet.
Inside this door is the JM studio, where there’s plenty of activity as headquarters for Bassmaster LIVE.
Inside this door is the JM studio, where there’s plenty of activity as headquarters for Bassmaster LIVE.
Bassmaster co-hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona are on set, with cameraman Anthony Clayton and sound man William Stewart all preparing to go live.
Bassmaster co-hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona are on set, with cameraman Anthony Clayton and sound man William Stewart all preparing to go live.
Zona and Sanders monitor a big screen in front of them to see what viewers on Bassmaster.com see. The screens behind them are the four live cameras out on the California Delta for the Sacramento Elite event. This week was the first for LIVE coming from the studio.
Zona and Sanders monitor a big screen in front of them to see what viewers on Bassmaster.com see. The screens behind them are the four live cameras out on the California Delta for the Sacramento Elite event. This week was the first for LIVE coming from the studio.
It’s been weird go be 2,000 miles away from the action, Zona said, but a good weird. The comforts of the studio have helped the JM editors put together a slicker production.
It’s been weird go be 2,000 miles away from the action, Zona said, but a good weird. The comforts of the studio have helped the JM editors put together a slicker production.
The JM production truck, which usually is at the weigh-in site for Elite events, sits inside the quiet garage.
The JM production truck, which usually is at the weigh-in site for Elite events, sits inside the quiet garage.
But inside is where all the wires are connected. And there’s not a seat left in the truck, with tech expert Julius Morgan making sure everything stays online.
But inside is where all the wires are connected. And there’s not a seat left in the truck, with tech expert Julius Morgan making sure everything stays online.
Editor Michael Middleton watches feeds from all four cameras, alerting producer Mike McKinnis of any pertinent action.
Editor Michael Middleton watches feeds from all four cameras, alerting producer Mike McKinnis of any pertinent action.
Danny Hampton mans the sound board, making sure everything that needs to be heard is audible. And vice versa.
Danny Hampton mans the sound board, making sure everything that needs to be heard is audible. And vice versa.
Four editors man the main production area in the front of the truck.
Four editors man the main production area in the front of the truck.
Mike McKinnis asks David Lipke to cue up a video.
Mike McKinnis asks David Lipke to cue up a video.
As producer, McKinnis watches all the feeds and calls all shots on what everyone sees and hears at home.
As producer, McKinnis watches all the feeds and calls all shots on what everyone sees and hears at home.
David Lipke and Paul Bing are at his beck and call, with video features, maps and type that appears on screen.
David Lipke and Paul Bing are at his beck and call, with video features, maps and type that appears on screen.
Back in the studio, Sanders and Zona keep up with the latest tournament doings on BASSTrakk and the Live Blog, as well as responding to social media comments.
Back in the studio, Sanders and Zona keep up with the latest tournament doings on BASSTrakk and the Live Blog, as well as responding to social media comments.
Bassmaster LIVE has some interesting features for the hosts, like trivia for Zona and posting some old photos of the Z Train.
Bassmaster LIVE has some interesting features for the hosts, like trivia for Zona and posting some old photos of the Z Train.
After a good laugh, Zona explains the look. He and Sanders have had some fun, including a drawn out enunciation of ‘live.’
After a good laugh, Zona explains the look. He and Sanders have had some fun, including a drawn out enunciation of ‘live.’
Their LIVE desk has been decorated with items from around the office, but they’ve made a call for fans to send any bric a brac for consideration to 1200 Scott St. Little Rock, AR, 72202-5050. You could see it on the next LIVE from Lake Havasu.
Their LIVE desk has been decorated with items from around the office, but they’ve made a call for fans to send any bric a brac for consideration to 1200 Scott St. Little Rock, AR, 72202-5050. You could see it on the next LIVE from Lake Havasu.