Zona, Hack take whack at Grosse Savanne

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Mark Zona fires a cast after launching with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney at Grosse Savanne Waterfowl and Wildlilfe Lodge south of Lake Charles, La. <p> <em>All captions: Mike Suchan</em>
Mark Zona fires a cast after launching with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney at Grosse Savanne Waterfowl and Wildlilfe Lodge south of Lake Charles, La.

All captions: Mike Suchan

They were out on the water before all the waterfowl left their roosts for the morning.
They were out on the water before all the waterfowl left their roosts for the morning.
Hackney was with Zona as they shot their second “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show” from Miller’s Lake, a 484-acre marsh impoundment designed and maintained for bass fishing. It was also the site for Tuesday’s first “Zona Live” webcast.
Hackney was with Zona as they shot their second “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show” from Miller’s Lake, a 484-acre marsh impoundment designed and maintained for bass fishing. It was also the site for Tuesday’s first “Zona Live” webcast.
Zona is the first to strike on the day, bringing in a decent fish within the first few casts.
Zona is the first to strike on the day, bringing in a decent fish within the first few casts.
There’s a swing into the boat …
There’s a swing into the boat …
… and happy, happy, joy, joy.
… and happy, happy, joy, joy.
Seconds later, Hackney buries a hook in one.
Seconds later, Hackney buries a hook in one.
And quickly has his bass, along with a salad, coming toward the boat.
And quickly has his bass, along with a salad, coming toward the boat.
It’s done just like that, Hackney says nonverbally.
It’s done just like that, Hackney says nonverbally.
The Strike King KVD Popping Perch that Zona threw early makes quite a disturbance.
The Strike King KVD Popping Perch that Zona threw early makes quite a disturbance.
Hackney flips another into the boat with cameraman Wes Miller capturing the action.
Hackney flips another into the boat with cameraman Wes Miller capturing the action.
Next it’s Zona’s turn. Through about four hours of fishing, the two caught around 45 fish.
Next it’s Zona’s turn. Through about four hours of fishing, the two caught around 45 fish.
Friends for some time, Zona and Hackney have a friendly rivalry on the water.
Friends for some time, Zona and Hackney have a friendly rivalry on the water.
There was plenty of talk, and the varied expressions each made throughout the day were varied, for certain.
There was plenty of talk, and the varied expressions each made throughout the day were varied, for certain.
Another bass succumbs to their charms.
Another bass succumbs to their charms.
Zona gets another bait ready for battle.
Zona gets another bait ready for battle.
He quickly hooks up and reels in as Hackney’s bait goes back out.
He quickly hooks up and reels in as Hackney’s bait goes back out.
Oh, now, this is a nice one.
Oh, now, this is a nice one.
With a much larger head than any of its little brothers.
With a much larger head than any of its little brothers.
Get in the boat.
Get in the boat.
There’s reason to get excited.
There’s reason to get excited.
The fish, a chunk going over 5 pounds, is ready for its closeup.
The fish, a chunk going over 5 pounds, is ready for its closeup.
It’s really more “catching” than fishing at Gross Savanne, which both Zona and Hackney said can turn them back into acting like teenagers.
It’s really more “catching” than fishing at Gross Savanne, which both Zona and Hackney said can turn them back into acting like teenagers.
It’s time to move to an area the two found intriguing just the day before.
It’s time to move to an area the two found intriguing just the day before.
Hackney leans back during one of his powerful hooksets.
Hackney leans back during one of his powerful hooksets.
The move pays off quickly with another nice fish in the boat.
The move pays off quickly with another nice fish in the boat.
It’s Zona’s turn next. Zona and Hackney each went on runs, much like a college basketball game.
It’s Zona’s turn next. Zona and Hackney each went on runs, much like a college basketball game.
Zona would catch three or four in a row, then Hackney would reciprocate. Who caught them seemed to hinge on which one was on the productive side when they made a turn in one of the lake’s canals and boat trails.
Zona would catch three or four in a row, then Hackney would reciprocate. Who caught them seemed to hinge on which one was on the productive side when they made a turn in one of the lake’s canals and boat trails.
That last fish allows one to play to the camera.
That last fish allows one to play to the camera.
After Hackney’s flip goes right to Zona, the host has a one-on-one chat with Mr. Bass.
After Hackney’s flip goes right to Zona, the host has a one-on-one chat with Mr. Bass.
Another of the chunkier fish landed was flipped aboard, drawing the quickest of glances from Hackney.
Another of the chunkier fish landed was flipped aboard, drawing the quickest of glances from Hackney.
This fish gets the respect of a solid two-handed hold.
This fish gets the respect of a solid two-handed hold.
Splish, splash, flip flop. Hackney’s turn.
Splish, splash, flip flop. Hackney’s turn.
The catches have come at least 10 an hour, and some only moments apart. This nearby bird is witnessing a fishing clinic.
The catches have come at least 10 an hour, and some only moments apart. This nearby bird is witnessing a fishing clinic.
This bird is helping shoot a fishing clinic for Zona’s show.
This bird is helping shoot a fishing clinic for Zona’s show.
A Zona catch has the anglers playing to the drone camera.
A Zona catch has the anglers playing to the drone camera.
Yeah, a day of catching satisfies.
Yeah, a day of catching satisfies.
Oh, it’s not over. Hackney prepares Strike King Sexy Frog for battle.
Oh, it’s not over. Hackney prepares Strike King Sexy Frog for battle.
It was ready in a hurry.
It was ready in a hurry.
One good turn deserves another.
One good turn deserves another.
Out of the grass she comes.
Out of the grass she comes.
You smell that? Smells like … victory.
You smell that? Smells like … victory.
With more than enough fish catches for a show, the hinges come off, with stuff falling out of the cabinet.
With more than enough fish catches for a show, the hinges come off, with stuff falling out of the cabinet.
Another fish sends Hackney on a monologue of voices and clowning that had the crew in stitches.
Another fish sends Hackney on a monologue of voices and clowning that had the crew in stitches.
But the fish certainly weren’t going to be left to laugh.
But the fish certainly weren’t going to be left to laugh.
Miller goes for underwater shots with a GoPro on a pole.
Miller goes for underwater shots with a GoPro on a pole.
Water lilies are known for their distinctive pads that bass love to use as shade, but here’s the plant’s flower, the lily part.
Water lilies are known for their distinctive pads that bass love to use as shade, but here’s the plant’s flower, the lily part.
The playful banter produces more looks.
The playful banter produces more looks.
This gives new meaning to back-to-back catches.
This gives new meaning to back-to-back catches.
Zona and Hackney seem to enjoy each other’s company as much as one another’s fish catching abilities.
Zona and Hackney seem to enjoy each other’s company as much as one another’s fish catching abilities.
Miller keeps up the work to get every shot needed for the show.
Miller keeps up the work to get every shot needed for the show.
It doesn’t matter if there’s already enough fish catch footage, Hack and Zona just want to keep on whacking ‘em.
It doesn’t matter if there’s already enough fish catch footage, Hack and Zona just want to keep on whacking ‘em.
Here’s one for the money …
Here’s one for the money …
… And one for the funny. Grosse Savanne was a great choice to shoot a ZAFS, get Hackney some “batting practice” before the Classic, and hold the first Zona LIVE.
… And one for the funny. Grosse Savanne was a great choice to shoot a ZAFS, get Hackney some “batting practice” before the Classic, and hold the first Zona LIVE.