Behind the scenes at Bassmaster LIVE

It's a weekend morning in Little Rock, Ark., and you'd never know when you enter this two-story brick building you are at the epicenter of bass fishing. But that's just how JM Associates, the production company that creates Bassmaster LIVE, likes it.
It’s a weekend morning in Little Rock, Ark., and you’d never know when you enter this two-story brick building you are at the epicenter of bass fishing. But that’s just how JM Associates, the production company that creates Bassmaster LIVE, likes it.
JM stands for Jerry McKinnis, a co-owner of B.A.S.S. Jerry was the driving force on building this studio in LIttle Rock.
JM stands for Jerry McKinnis, a co-owner of B.A.S.S. Jerry was the driving force on building this studio in LIttle Rock.
The building was designed specifically for one purpose -- to produce award winning outdoor content.
The building was designed specifically for one purpose — to produce award winning outdoor content.
In the lobby, JM, which is part of B.A.S.S., has a few awards to prove it.
In the lobby, JM, which is part of B.A.S.S., has a few awards to prove it.
The Fishing Hole, hosted by Jerry, was the longest running fishing show on television, clocking in at 44 years.
The Fishing Hole, hosted by Jerry, was the longest running fishing show on television, clocking in at 44 years.
Now, it's a whole new era at JM, which produces 18 hours of live television during every Elite Series event, and the Bassmaster Classic, while still producing a television show of the event for ESPN2.
Now, it’s a whole new era at JM, which produces 18 hours of live television during every Elite Series event, and the Bassmaster Classic, while still producing a television show of the event for ESPN2.
Half of the large studio space is occupied by the Bassmaster LIVE set...
Half of the large studio space is occupied by the Bassmaster LIVE set…
and the familiar faces to anyone who watches LIVE.
and the familiar faces to anyone who watches LIVE.
Ronnie Moore (left) and Mike Suchan provide analysis and information for the show.
Ronnie Moore (left) and Mike Suchan provide analysis and information for the show.
Ronnie also builds the LIVE clips that run here on Bassmaster.com.
Ronnie also builds the LIVE clips that run here on Bassmaster.com.
The two hosts of Bassmaster LIVE occupy the main desk.
The two hosts of Bassmaster LIVE occupy the main desk.
Tommy Sanders (left) and Davy Hite.
Tommy Sanders (left) and Davy Hite.
They watch Timmy Horton catch a fish on the monitor, offering commentary at times and at others letting the angler tell viewers what's going on.
They watch Timmy Horton catch a fish on the monitor, offering commentary at times and at others letting the angler tell viewers what’s going on.
As we go behind-the-scenes, the first thing you see is the station where Ronnie Moore uploads video clips to Bassmaster.com. Here, three clips had just been sent to BassCam.
As we go behind-the-scenes, the first thing you see is the station where Ronnie Moore uploads video clips to Bassmaster.com. Here, three clips had just been sent to BassCam.
In the garage sits a giant production truck, along with a table with snacks for the crew. All the production of the LIVE show occurs from the truck. The main reason -- when the show needs to go on the road, it's ready. Every year for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic, the LIVE show is on site. And the truck travels to cover other sports besides bass fishing. So it doesn't make sense to pull all the equipment out.
In the garage sits a giant production truck, along with a table with snacks for the crew. All the production of the LIVE show occurs from the truck. The main reason — when the show needs to go on the road, it’s ready. Every year for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic, the LIVE show is on site. And the truck travels to cover other sports besides bass fishing. So it doesn’t make sense to pull all the equipment out.
At JM there is clearly not a concern about bananas. Some superstitious anglers believe having a banana in the boat will keep fish away.
At JM there is clearly not a concern about bananas. Some superstitious anglers believe having a banana in the boat will keep fish away.
In the truck is a dedicated group of professionals who build nearly everything you see on LIVE.
In the truck is a dedicated group of professionals who build nearly everything you see on LIVE.
Sound mixing, in this case combining the angler commentary, the natural sound of the water, along with the voices of the hosts, is a complicated job.
Sound mixing, in this case combining the angler commentary, the natural sound of the water, along with the voices of the hosts, is a complicated job.
Nearby there are decisions about which shot to use and the graphics to show.
Nearby there are decisions about which shot to use and the graphics to show.
Good advice above the control room.
Good advice above the control room.
David Lipke produces the show. Here he's getting some information from Kevin Witherspoon about the upcoming segment.
David Lipke produces the show. Here he’s getting some information from Kevin Witherspoon about the upcoming segment.
Having four cameras (sometimes five with Dave Mercer) means part of the job is looking out for the interesting shot, or a fish on the line.
Having four cameras (sometimes five with Dave Mercer) means part of the job is looking out for the interesting shot, or a fish on the line.
Howard Downs is the technical director, routing the sources of video and graphics, while Michael Middleton is the director, deciding the next shot to take.
Howard Downs is the technical director, routing the sources of video and graphics, while Michael Middleton is the director, deciding the next shot to take.
In the back, Mike McKinnis, the head honcho here, produces segements of the show like Taste The Bait.
In the back, Mike McKinnis, the head honcho here, produces segements of the show like Taste The Bait.
Kevin Witherspoon makes the 3D maps that show where anglers are fishing, using data from Google Earth and Humminbird.
Kevin Witherspoon makes the 3D maps that show where anglers are fishing, using data from Google Earth and Humminbird.
Outside the truck, more signs of the long history of this production company. JM was producing Bassmaster shows long before it was a part of B.A.S.S.
Outside the truck, more signs of the long history of this production company. JM was producing Bassmaster shows long before it was a part of B.A.S.S.
SD Cards from on-the-water cameras are put into ziploc bags. As soon as the LIVE show ends, the team shifts from a live role to a traditional post production format to produce the television show for ESPN2.
SD Cards from on-the-water cameras are put into ziploc bags. As soon as the LIVE show ends, the team shifts from a live role to a traditional post production format to produce the television show for ESPN2.
JM began producing the LIVE show in 2015 and since then it has become a key part of Elite Series and Classic coverage on Bassmaster.com. You can also find the show on WatchESPN.
JM began producing the LIVE show in 2015 and since then it has become a key part of Elite Series and Classic coverage on Bassmaster.com. You can also find the show on WatchESPN.
Hope you enjoyed this look at how Bassmaster LIVE comes together.
Hope you enjoyed this look at how Bassmaster LIVE comes together.