Bassmaster TV team assemble!

The team that produces Bassmaster television, including the shows and LIVE, meet at the JM Associates conference room to discuss the 2017 season.
The team that produces Bassmaster television, including the shows and LIVE, meet at the JM Associates conference room to discuss the 2017 season.
Davy Hite, hired this year full-time as an analyst after 23 years as a touring pro, gets some images from his first real day on the job.
Davy Hite, hired this year full-time as an analyst after 23 years as a touring pro, gets some images from his first real day on the job.
Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona, who have been the Bassmasters TV broadcast team since 2005, start off the working portion of the day with a “Livewell.”
Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona, who have been the Bassmasters TV broadcast team since 2005, start off the working portion of the day with a “Livewell.”
Bassmaster weigh-in emcee Dave Mercer and Davy Hite watch as Sanders and Zona preview the 2017 Elites season.
Bassmaster weigh-in emcee Dave Mercer and Davy Hite watch as Sanders and Zona preview the 2017 Elites season.
Zona, fresh off a shoot for his show with Aaron Martens, breaks down what he thinks will happen at the season opener on Cherokee Lake.
Zona, fresh off a shoot for his show with Aaron Martens, breaks down what he thinks will happen at the season opener on Cherokee Lake.
Davy Hite was next up to do a Livewell with Sanders. While he’s done his popular “First Look” segments for several years, this was his first duty as a full-time analyst.
Davy Hite was next up to do a Livewell with Sanders. While he’s done his popular “First Look” segments for several years, this was his first duty as a full-time analyst.
Hite, who worked the 2016 Classic with the TV team, felt right at home.
Hite, who worked the 2016 Classic with the TV team, felt right at home.
“I have all the respect in the world for you guys and I have always looked up to you,” Hite said. “When I started doing work with … I realized how tough it is and how talented you guys are. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you guys.”
“I have all the respect in the world for you guys and I have always looked up to you,” Hite said. “When I started doing work with … I realized how tough it is and how talented you guys are. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you guys.”
Dave Mercer was next to offer his thoughts on the 12th year of the Elites.
Dave Mercer was next to offer his thoughts on the 12th year of the Elites.
Mercer was pretty much floating on a cloud after his fishing show won its first Golden Moose award the week before.
Mercer was pretty much floating on a cloud after his fishing show won its first Golden Moose award the week before.
Hite and Zona listen intently as Mercer gives his take on the season ahead.
Hite and Zona listen intently as Mercer gives his take on the season ahead.
Bassmaster TV producer Mike McKinnis watches the monitors. His main job is to manage the mayhem.
Bassmaster TV producer Mike McKinnis watches the monitors. His main job is to manage the mayhem.
McKinnis, Sanders, Mercer and Zona all said Hite is a tremendous addition to the team.
McKinnis, Sanders, Mercer and Zona all said Hite is a tremendous addition to the team.
“This is someone who has won every single major title in bass,” Zona said. “Here’s the best way to put it: You’re putting Peyton Manning in studio and saying, bring us into the game. To me, that’s priceless to have.”
“This is someone who has won every single major title in bass,” Zona said. “Here’s the best way to put it: You’re putting Peyton Manning in studio and saying, bring us into the game. To me, that’s priceless to have.”
Tommy Sanders mentioned that exact scenario played out during the morning of meetings. “We were talking about doing features with some guys and what it’s like to win Classic or AOY,” Sanders said. “Davy said, ‘I can tell you because I’ve won both of them.’ That kind of says it all right there.”
Tommy Sanders mentioned that exact scenario played out during the morning of meetings. “We were talking about doing features with some guys and what it’s like to win Classic or AOY,” Sanders said. “Davy said, ‘I can tell you because I’ve won both of them.’ That kind of says it all right there.”
Being the first time the crew assembled, photos were in order. McKinnis joins in this one.
Being the first time the crew assembled, photos were in order. McKinnis joins in this one.
Mercer injected another way in which Hite will bring great insight to productions -- what it’s like to be close and lose a Classic or AOY. “Not to be a jerk, but we don’t ever see that. That dude leaves the stage, and we don’t ever know,” Mercer said. “Davy can tell us what that’s like.”
Mercer injected another way in which Hite will bring great insight to productions — what it’s like to be close and lose a Classic or AOY. “Not to be a jerk, but we don’t ever see that. That dude leaves the stage, and we don’t ever know,” Mercer said. “Davy can tell us what that’s like.”
The four then were videoed during a round-table discussion on all things Bassmaster, which can be seen on the B.A.S.S. Facebook page. They previewed the Classic and gave their picks.
The four then were videoed during a round-table discussion on all things Bassmaster, which can be seen on the B.A.S.S. Facebook page. They previewed the Classic and gave their picks.
The one line that had everyone cracking up came from Mercer, who has been with B.A.S.S. for 7 years. “I’ve been fat, skinny, fat, and now I’m kind of fluffy. I’m like Oprah Winfrey. You tune in each season just to find out which Dave is going to show up.” We tune in because we love fishing, enjoy the highest level of the sport and because we have one of the finest broadcast teams ever assembled.
The one line that had everyone cracking up came from Mercer, who has been with B.A.S.S. for 7 years. “I’ve been fat, skinny, fat, and now I’m kind of fluffy. I’m like Oprah Winfrey. You tune in each season just to find out which Dave is going to show up.” We tune in because we love fishing, enjoy the highest level of the sport and because we have one of the finest broadcast teams ever assembled.