Elite Series predictions from Mark Zona

Elite Series predictions from Mark Zona.

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Mark Zona has fished competitively and, along with being an analyst on Bassmaster TV, hosts his own fishing show, spending time on a myriad of fisheries with anglers like 2014 Classic champ Randy Howell.
Mark Zona has fished competitively and, along with being an analyst on Bassmaster TV, hosts his own fishing show, spending time on a myriad of fisheries with anglers like 2014 Classic champ Randy Howell.
Zona, here doing a Hooked Up segment for Bassmaster.com, was asked to give his predictions of the 2015 Elite Series events.
Zona, here doing a Hooked Up segment for Bassmaster.com, was asked to give his predictions of the 2015 Elite Series events.
The Sabine River is the first stop, where Dean Rojas does some junk fishing. Zona said the layout there doesn’t allow anglers to move freely, but rather hunker down and try to pick apart spots.
The Sabine River is the first stop, where Dean Rojas does some junk fishing. Zona said the layout there doesn’t allow anglers to move freely, but rather hunker down and try to pick apart spots.
Todd Faircloth caught 49 pounds, 6 ounces to win the 2013 event on the Sabine, surprising to Zona since he fished west where he believed more quality fish were north and east from the takeoff.
Todd Faircloth caught 49 pounds, 6 ounces to win the 2013 event on the Sabine, surprising to Zona since he fished west where he believed more quality fish were north and east from the takeoff.
Zona’s pick to win on the Sabine is Cliff Crochet, a special fisherman who is due.
Zona’s pick to win on the Sabine is Cliff Crochet, a special fisherman who is due.
In the 2014 Classic, Randy Howell plied this bridge on Lake Guntersville for 29-2 on the final day en route to victory.
In the 2014 Classic, Randy Howell plied this bridge on Lake Guntersville for 29-2 on the final day en route to victory.
Zona said some true Elite Series rookies will feel good about having a bag in the upper teens, then go to the Guntersville weigh-in and have their face punched in.
Zona said some true Elite Series rookies will feel good about having a bag in the upper teens, then go to the Guntersville weigh-in and have their face punched in.
While he doesn’t foresee any Century Belts this time, Zona said his pick to win on Guntersville is reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney.
While he doesn’t foresee any Century Belts this time, Zona said his pick to win on Guntersville is reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney.
Local knowledge will certainly be an advantage at the Sacramento River, where Aaron Martens has won in the past.
Local knowledge will certainly be an advantage at the Sacramento River, where Aaron Martens has won in the past.
John Crews of Virginia bucked that trend when he scored a victory on the Delta, a run downstream from Sacramento.
John Crews of Virginia bucked that trend when he scored a victory on the Delta, a run downstream from Sacramento.
While the largest bass caught in a Bassmaster event was Mark Tyler’s 14-9 (shown here in a replica mount) from the Delta in 1999, Zona said the fish will be in transition when the Elites visit, so don’t expect records.
While the largest bass caught in a Bassmaster event was Mark Tyler’s 14-9 (shown here in a replica mount) from the Delta in 1999, Zona said the fish will be in transition when the Elites visit, so don’t expect records.
But he’s sticking to California anglers, offering the winner as either Ish Monroe…
But he’s sticking to California anglers, offering the winner as either Ish Monroe…
...or Skeet Reese. It’s basically a coin flip between the two, he says.
…or Skeet Reese. It’s basically a coin flip between the two, he says.
Lake Havasu hasn’t been on the B.A.S.S. schedule for a decade, but it’s a real playground, Zona said.
Lake Havasu hasn’t been on the B.A.S.S. schedule for a decade, but it’s a real playground, Zona said.
The lake has become an impressive smallmouth fishery, and Zona said he’s curious to see how much they factor into the event.
The lake has become an impressive smallmouth fishery, and Zona said he’s curious to see how much they factor into the event.
Zona said he’s going with another two-headed monster to win on Havasu. It will be Brett Hite…
Zona said he’s going with another two-headed monster to win on Havasu. It will be Brett Hite…
…or roommate Brent Ehrler, a newcomer this season to the Elites. “They’re fishing as well as anybody on earth right now, and it will come down to one of them on Sunday.”
…or roommate Brent Ehrler, a newcomer this season to the Elites. “They’re fishing as well as anybody on earth right now, and it will come down to one of them on Sunday.”
Zona says the June 3-7 event on Kentucky Lake is perfect for a ledge fishing beatdown, as the bass will be grouped and “extremely unintelligent.”
Zona says the June 3-7 event on Kentucky Lake is perfect for a ledge fishing beatdown, as the bass will be grouped and “extremely unintelligent.”
Launching from Paris gives anglers the choice to head north or south. Kevin VanDam won the 2010 Elite event there with 92-5.
Launching from Paris gives anglers the choice to head north or south. Kevin VanDam won the 2010 Elite event there with 92-5.
And Zona picks him again. “Kevin VanDam owns this house – you’ll have to go through him to hold this trophy.”
And Zona picks him again. “Kevin VanDam owns this house – you’ll have to go through him to hold this trophy.”
Zona’s calls St. Lawrence, the sixth Elite stop, “the best fishery on the earth right now,” with bass catchable via every technique and in every water column.
Zona’s calls St. Lawrence, the sixth Elite stop, “the best fishery on the earth right now,” with bass catchable via every technique and in every water column.
Brandon Palaniuk won his second Elite trophy there in 2013, averaging 22 pounds a day.
Brandon Palaniuk won his second Elite trophy there in 2013, averaging 22 pounds a day.
Zona said it will come down to video game fishing. “Aaron Martens should have won the last time we were there; this time he wins.”
Zona said it will come down to video game fishing. “Aaron Martens should have won the last time we were there; this time he wins.”
Ah, the Chesapeake Bay in August certainly won’t be as difficult at last year’s Philadelphia event on the Delaware, Zona says. Knowing how to run the river is critical.
Ah, the Chesapeake Bay in August certainly won’t be as difficult at last year’s Philadelphia event on the Delaware, Zona says. Knowing how to run the river is critical.
Ken Cook won the 1991 Classic there, and Zona goes out on a limb guaranteeing the retired angler won’t win this year’s event there.
Ken Cook won the 1991 Classic there, and Zona goes out on a limb guaranteeing the retired angler won’t win this year’s event there.
Jacob Powroznik, last year’s Rookie of the Year from nearby Port Haywood, Va., is Zona’s choice to win. Zona says he’s his guy, and they might even have been split at birth.
Jacob Powroznik, last year’s Rookie of the Year from nearby Port Haywood, Va., is Zona’s choice to win. Zona says he’s his guy, and they might even have been split at birth.
Chris Lane winning on Lake St. Clair in 2013 stunned Zona. “No 1, to me, that was the biggest upset in the history of bass fishing tournaments ever on the face of the earth.”
Chris Lane winning on Lake St. Clair in 2013 stunned Zona. “No 1, to me, that was the biggest upset in the history of bass fishing tournaments ever on the face of the earth.”
While Zona calls Lane the best on earth at fishing grass, it was certainly out of place to see him battling the waves in the mouth of Lake Huron.
While Zona calls Lane the best on earth at fishing grass, it was certainly out of place to see him battling the waves in the mouth of Lake Huron.
The world order should return this time with Chad Pipkens winning, not because he won an Open there, but because Zona knows the schools, the exact rocks, he will be fishing.
The world order should return this time with Chad Pipkens winning, not because he won an Open there, but because Zona knows the schools, the exact rocks, he will be fishing.
Zona’s calls Sturgeon Bay, site of the season-ending Toyota AOY Championship, as the second best fishery on earth.
Zona’s calls Sturgeon Bay, site of the season-ending Toyota AOY Championship, as the second best fishery on earth.
Zona, looking at the times of year the Elite will visit each lake and the technique required, makes his picks based on who the schedule sets up for well.
Zona, looking at the times of year the Elite will visit each lake and the technique required, makes his picks based on who the schedule sets up for well.
Taking all that into account, Zona believes Aaron Martens will be smiling at the end of the year with another AOY title.
Taking all that into account, Zona believes Aaron Martens will be smiling at the end of the year with another AOY title.
KVD will just miss out and finish second in AOY, Zona says, but the title will be a three-way battle.
KVD will just miss out and finish second in AOY, Zona says, but the title will be a three-way battle.
Brent Ehrler will finish No. 3 in the AOY standings and will take the nod as Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, Zona believes.
Brent Ehrler will finish No. 3 in the AOY standings and will take the nod as Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, Zona believes.