Opening Day Countdown: Behind the scenes

Go behind the scenes of 'Opening Day Countdown', a new fast-paced TV show hosted by the pros and dedicated to the year’s hottest fishing gear and tips.

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The kickoff of Bass Pro Shops' 2015 Spring Fishing Classic now includes a new fast-paced TV show hosted by the pros and dedicated to the year’s hottest fishing gear and tips.
The kickoff of Bass Pro Shops’ 2015 Spring Fishing Classic now includes a new fast-paced TV show hosted by the pros and dedicated to the year’s hottest fishing gear and tips.
Video crews ready the set for the two-day event.
Video crews ready the set for the two-day event.
<i>Opening Day Countdown</i> is hosted by Kevin VanDam, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders, hosts of <i>The Bassmasters</i> on the Outdoor Channel.
Opening Day Countdown is hosted by Kevin VanDam, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders, hosts of The Bassmasters on the Outdoor Channel.
Camera crews check lighting and camera angles during Friday’s rehearsal.
Camera crews check lighting and camera angles during Friday’s rehearsal.
Theresa Vail will be part of the talent crew over the weekend. Vail is also host of the Outdoor Channel’s hunting show <i>Limitless with Theresa Vail</i>, and was Miss Kansas 2014.
Theresa Vail will be part of the talent crew over the weekend. Vail is also host of the Outdoor Channel’s hunting show Limitless with Theresa Vail, and was Miss Kansas 2014.
Kevin VanDam took every opportunity during breaks to visit with fans and sign autographs.
Kevin VanDam took every opportunity during breaks to visit with fans and sign autographs.
During any television production there needs to be a plan and a schedule of events. Here it is on paper.
During any television production there needs to be a plan and a schedule of events. Here it is on paper.
A camera mounted to a giant boom provided video from above and panning shots of the overall scene.
A camera mounted to a giant boom provided video from above and panning shots of the overall scene.
Hosts Kevin VanDam and Tommy Sanders review the schedule for the first welcoming scene.
Hosts Kevin VanDam and Tommy Sanders review the schedule for the first welcoming scene.
Mike McKinnis, (pictured in the center), orchestrated the show from the production truck.
Mike McKinnis, (pictured in the center), orchestrated the show from the production truck.
VanDam is miked up and ready for the first sound check.
VanDam is miked up and ready for the first sound check.
Multiple cameras were used to isolated individual hosts and the entire scene.
Multiple cameras were used to isolated individual hosts and the entire scene.
The hosts and crew take a short break from rehearsal to tweak the production.
The hosts and crew take a short break from rehearsal to tweak the production.
VanDam can’t seem to get away from smallmouth very long.
VanDam can’t seem to get away from smallmouth very long.
Three versions of KVD?
Three versions of KVD?
After a few light and sound adjustments, the rehearsal moves along.
After a few light and sound adjustments, the rehearsal moves along.
Everybody was looking for just the right camera angle.
Everybody was looking for just the right camera angle.
A one point it was difficult to count the cameras aimed at the hosts.
A one point it was difficult to count the cameras aimed at the hosts.
Gary Parsons, (center), filled in for Mark Zona during the dry run. Many of the crew that knows Zona agreed that must have been quite the chore.
Gary Parsons, (center), filled in for Mark Zona during the dry run. Many of the crew that knows Zona agreed that must have been quite the chore.
Inside the production truck, Michael Middleton monitors all the different camera angles from inside the store. Middleton also helps edit Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.
Inside the production truck, Michael Middleton monitors all the different camera angles from inside the store. Middleton also helps edit Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.
Danny Hampton is the genius that handled the audio portion of the programming.
Danny Hampton is the genius that handled the audio portion of the programming.
A look inside the JM Associates production truck. Jerry McKinnis joined the team during the day to watch as the programming began to come together.
A look inside the JM Associates production truck. Jerry McKinnis joined the team during the day to watch as the programming began to come together.
Carter Bittick is a huge fishing fan and loves to follow several Elite Series anglers on Facebook. His mother Misty took several photos of one of his favorite fishermen, Kevin VanDam.
Carter Bittick is a huge fishing fan and loves to follow several Elite Series anglers on Facebook. His mother Misty took several photos of one of his favorite fishermen, Kevin VanDam.
Jimmy Houston and Tommy Sanders visit before taping begins on Day 2 from Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo.
Jimmy Houston and Tommy Sanders visit before taping begins on Day 2 from Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo.
Young, old, and all ages in between stopped by while in the store.
Young, old, and all ages in between stopped by while in the store.
Don’t worry, Zona, when she’s through with Sanders you’re next in line for makeup.
Don’t worry, Zona, when she’s through with Sanders you’re next in line for makeup.
The hosts of <i>Opening Day Countdown</i>, Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and Kevin VanDam in position for taping of the first segment.
The hosts of Opening Day Countdown, Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and Kevin VanDam in position for taping of the first segment.
The hosts were joined by several guests, including Elite Series angler Edwin Evers.
The hosts were joined by several guests, including Elite Series angler Edwin Evers.
Theresa Vail kept the live crowd apprised of what was coming up during each segment of taping.
Theresa Vail kept the live crowd apprised of what was coming up during each segment of taping.
Vail is surrounded by multiple Mark Zona’s. The gentleman pictured in the camo cap is also named Mark Zona; Yes, folks, there are two of them.
Vail is surrounded by multiple Mark Zona’s. The gentleman pictured in the camo cap is also named Mark Zona; Yes, folks, there are two of them.
Jimmy Houston with Kevin VanDam.
Jimmy Houston with Kevin VanDam.
Mark Zona and Kevin VanDam, best friends.
Mark Zona and Kevin VanDam, best friends.
Jimmy Houston may have the most recognizable laugh and hair in the bass fishing world.
Jimmy Houston may have the most recognizable laugh and hair in the bass fishing world.
The shows will include all kinds of fishing for multiple species, including ice fishing with very short fishing rods.
The shows will include all kinds of fishing for multiple species, including ice fishing with very short fishing rods.
Stacey King joins host Tommy Sanders on the set.
Stacey King joins host Tommy Sanders on the set.
Stacey King has been an incredible tournament angler during his career and has shared his fishing knowledge with fishing fans for years. He has qualified for 12 Bassmaster Classics and this year will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Stacey King has been an incredible tournament angler during his career and has shared his fishing knowledge with fishing fans for years. He has qualified for 12 Bassmaster Classics and this year will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Before taking his place in the captain’s chair in the production truck, Mike McKinnis goes over some last minute notes with the hosts.
Before taking his place in the captain’s chair in the production truck, Mike McKinnis goes over some last minute notes with the hosts.
Meanwhile Theresa Vail visits with the live crowd before taping begins.
Meanwhile Theresa Vail visits with the live crowd before taping begins.
A large crowd begins to gather and the cameras are ready to roll on the first segment of <i>Opening Day Countdown</i>.
A large crowd begins to gather and the cameras are ready to roll on the first segment of Opening Day Countdown.
The crowd cheers as cameras fire up and the show starts.
The crowd cheers as cameras fire up and the show starts.
Several large monitors could be viewed if you didn’t have a great viewpoint.
Several large monitors could be viewed if you didn’t have a great viewpoint.
If you were part of the live group of spectators…
If you were part of the live group of spectators…
…you could also view what was happening on-camera.
…you could also view what was happening on-camera.
Edwin Evers waits his turn to join the hosts on the set.
Edwin Evers waits his turn to join the hosts on the set.
Jimmy Houston watched the live taping and signed autographs.
Jimmy Houston watched the live taping and signed autographs.
During every break KVD spent time with the fans.
During every break KVD spent time with the fans.
Stacey Kings waits to be introduced.
Stacey Kings waits to be introduced.