Lee crowned king on Zona LIVE

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The third installment of Zona LIVE presented by Mercury was Wednesday on Lake St. Clair. Mark Zona’s guest was Classic champ Jordan Lee, who gets some tackle ready after being put in with Huron-Clinton Metropark with cameraman Wes Miller.
The third installment of Zona LIVE presented by Mercury was Wednesday on Lake St. Clair. Mark Zona’s guest was Classic champ Jordan Lee, who gets some tackle ready after being put in with Huron-Clinton Metropark with cameraman Wes Miller.
After parking his rig, Mark Zona heads to the boat, his mind constantly scheming on how to make his live webcasts interesting.
After parking his rig, Mark Zona heads to the boat, his mind constantly scheming on how to make his live webcasts interesting.
The two-boat, six-man crew has a long idle out onto Lake St. Clair, passing cormorants still in the roost.
The two-boat, six-man crew has a long idle out onto Lake St. Clair, passing cormorants still in the roost.
Here’s their catch from Tuesday’s scouting mission on St. Clair, a 430-square mile lake near Detroit.
Here’s their catch from Tuesday’s scouting mission on St. Clair, a 430-square mile lake near Detroit.
Zona invited people to come fish around Lee and himself, and here’s one boat going out early.
Zona invited people to come fish around Lee and himself, and here’s one boat going out early.
The camera boat, driven by Zona’s former team partner Neil VandeBiezan, catches up in hopes of shooting these sunrise shots.
The camera boat, driven by Zona’s former team partner Neil VandeBiezan, catches up in hopes of shooting these sunrise shots.
Zona’s in.
Zona’s in.
So is Jordan.
So is Jordan.
Wes Miller mikes up Lee.
Wes Miller mikes up Lee.
Lee, of course, won the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. He set records in rallying from 15th place and 13 pounds, 15 ounces back.
Lee, of course, won the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. He set records in rallying from 15th place and 13 pounds, 15 ounces back.
Almost an hour before the webcast was to begin, Zona gets his rod ready.
Almost an hour before the webcast was to begin, Zona gets his rod ready.
Zona hooks into one and Lee grabs it.
Zona hooks into one and Lee grabs it.
In what might have been an omen for the day, the fish shows it has a bit more fight.
In what might have been an omen for the day, the fish shows it has a bit more fight.
Jody and Ken, who met the Zona crew at the ramp, find early success. The couple, who drove from Commerce, Mich., had attended the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite on St. Clair last weekend, even purchasing Bassmaster shirts.
Jody and Ken, who met the Zona crew at the ramp, find early success. The couple, who drove from Commerce, Mich., had attended the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite on St. Clair last weekend, even purchasing Bassmaster shirts.
Zona coaches Lee on the show opening.
Zona coaches Lee on the show opening.
When Z said to “tighten up,” he didn’t mean this.
When Z said to “tighten up,” he didn’t mean this.
A few more rehearsals and Zona says he’s got it.
A few more rehearsals and Zona says he’s got it.
Lee plays along to Zona’s praise.
Lee plays along to Zona’s praise.
The four-hour show gets under way at 8 a.m.
The four-hour show gets under way at 8 a.m.
After the intro, Zona gives the rundown of what’s been happening on Lake St. Clair. The fishery showed out as two Elites who averaged more than 20 pounds a day didn’t make the Top 12 cut.
After the intro, Zona gives the rundown of what’s been happening on Lake St. Clair. The fishery showed out as two Elites who averaged more than 20 pounds a day didn’t make the Top 12 cut.
As more boats arrive at the spot in the middle of St. Clair, Zona continues explaining where the fish are being caught.
As more boats arrive at the spot in the middle of St. Clair, Zona continues explaining where the fish are being caught.
Finally, Zona and Lee get to fishing.
Finally, Zona and Lee get to fishing.
With the action slow, Zona explains further.
With the action slow, Zona explains further.
Cameraman Ben Oliver is enjoying the morning.
Cameraman Ben Oliver is enjoying the morning.
One of the dozen or so boats lands one and takes a photo.
One of the dozen or so boats lands one and takes a photo.
Zona and Lee had a slow first hour, not hooking up once, which had not happened on a previous Zona LIVE.
Zona and Lee had a slow first hour, not hooking up once, which had not happened on a previous Zona LIVE.
The show returned after a commercial break to a costume change.
The show returned after a commercial break to a costume change.
Zona held a ceremony to crown Lee as king of bass fishing.
Zona held a ceremony to crown Lee as king of bass fishing.
There was a proclamation that Lee had gone from a boy to a king, and there was even a crown.
There was a proclamation that Lee had gone from a boy to a king, and there was even a crown.
Zona named him “Jordanius Maximus Lee, the new king of bass fishing.”
Zona named him “Jordanius Maximus Lee, the new king of bass fishing.”
Lee played along gleefully, although he seemed a bit embarrassed at times.
Lee played along gleefully, although he seemed a bit embarrassed at times.
Zona bows before his king, hollering his name, then rose, “What the hell are we doing?”
Zona bows before his king, hollering his name, then rose, “What the hell are we doing?”
The night before, Zona took the crew to Party City in Roseville to find a crown and maybe some kingly clothes.
The night before, Zona took the crew to Party City in Roseville to find a crown and maybe some kingly clothes.
Right there in the Halloween aisle, there was a crown and robe.
Right there in the Halloween aisle, there was a crown and robe.
The crew thought the scepter was too much, but Lee spun it around a bit and wondered if he could tie a line on it and yank in a fish.
The crew thought the scepter was too much, but Lee spun it around a bit and wondered if he could tie a line on it and yank in a fish.
The Zona crew had fun with these kids, whose mother didn’t allow Zona to cut in line. Z made nice with the lady, informing her he had no idea how the line there works.
The Zona crew had fun with these kids, whose mother didn’t allow Zona to cut in line. Z made nice with the lady, informing her he had no idea how the line there works.
That trip was made after the Zona crew enjoyed a fantastic steak dinner at Mr. Paul’s Chop House in Roseville.
That trip was made after the Zona crew enjoyed a fantastic steak dinner at Mr. Paul’s Chop House in Roseville.
Zona informs Lee he’s wearing that robe the rest of the day.
Zona informs Lee he’s wearing that robe the rest of the day.
Lee finds humor in Zona’s schtick.
Lee finds humor in Zona’s schtick.
Not long after putting on the robe, Lee hooks up.
Not long after putting on the robe, Lee hooks up.
Almost looks like the Pope fishing. Lee owned it.
Almost looks like the Pope fishing. Lee owned it.
It’s a nice fish. Lee fought several, including the largest smallmouth of his life at 6-13, during his fourth-place finish on St. Clair Sunday.
It’s a nice fish. Lee fought several, including the largest smallmouth of his life at 6-13, during his fourth-place finish on St. Clair Sunday.
That is some sight.
That is some sight.
Zona serves his king. All hail the king!
Zona serves his king. All hail the king!
The king is pleased.
The king is pleased.
And shows his fish to his royal servants.
And shows his fish to his royal servants.
Before quickly hooking up again.
Before quickly hooking up again.
This rock bass ‘tis too small for the king’s liking.
This rock bass ‘tis too small for the king’s liking.
Zona finally hooks up and brings one to the boat.
Zona finally hooks up and brings one to the boat.
The king isn’t too big to return the favor …
The king isn’t too big to return the favor …
… of grabbing and presenting a smallmouth to one of his subjects.
… of grabbing and presenting a smallmouth to one of his subjects.
The court jester is pleased.
The court jester is pleased.
And celebrates with his king.
And celebrates with his king.
About two dozen boats surround the Zona shoot, and some record the moment.
About two dozen boats surround the Zona shoot, and some record the moment.
Or give their approval. Zona said this woman is a regular on Lake St. Clair.
Or give their approval. Zona said this woman is a regular on Lake St. Clair.
All was well.
All was well.
When Jordan hooks into something different.
When Jordan hooks into something different.
Something bigger.
Something bigger.
A lake sturgeon, which can grow to huge sizes, has ramped the show up a few notches. Searches show the lake sturgeon record in the region is 193 pounds. The record for 8-pound test line was a 68-pounder.
A lake sturgeon, which can grow to huge sizes, has ramped the show up a few notches. Searches show the lake sturgeon record in the region is 193 pounds. The record for 8-pound test line was a 68-pounder.
Zona believes this fish could potentially set a line-class record.
Zona believes this fish could potentially set a line-class record.
A request for a net is met by several on the nearby boats.
A request for a net is met by several on the nearby boats.
They know it’s a big sturgeon, but not exactly how big.
They know it’s a big sturgeon, but not exactly how big.
Zona gets his hands on a net as fans try to get a look at the beast.
Zona gets his hands on a net as fans try to get a look at the beast.
“Are you not entertained?” Zona throws a little “Gladiator” in.
“Are you not entertained?” Zona throws a little “Gladiator” in.
Zona clears the line of some grass. The fish is definitely the biggest ever hooked on a Zona LIVE, and the largest freshwater fish Lee has ever had on the line.
Zona clears the line of some grass. The fish is definitely the biggest ever hooked on a Zona LIVE, and the largest freshwater fish Lee has ever had on the line.
Zona and Lee react when they actually get a good look at the size of the fish.
Zona and Lee react when they actually get a good look at the size of the fish.
A fight clock was put up, and Zona refreshes his king during the fight.
A fight clock was put up, and Zona refreshes his king during the fight.
Some loyal subjects who came from more than 3 hours away kneel down to their king.
Some loyal subjects who came from more than 3 hours away kneel down to their king.
Thine king needs cooling off.
Thine king needs cooling off.
Lee gets the fish close to the boat and Zona readies the net. The fight would go on for more than an hour.
Lee gets the fish close to the boat and Zona readies the net. The fight would go on for more than an hour.
Meanwhile, another boat brings in a smallmouth.
Meanwhile, another boat brings in a smallmouth.
Lee gets the tiring fish to the boat and Zona actually slipped the net over its head, but it backed out and, with a splash, pulled off.
Lee gets the tiring fish to the boat and Zona actually slipped the net over its head, but it backed out and, with a splash, pulled off.
Lee crumples to the boat deck in anguish. Feeling his king’s pain, Zona lies down beside him.
Lee crumples to the boat deck in anguish. Feeling his king’s pain, Zona lies down beside him.
The saddest of sad bagpipe music fittingly played on the webcast.
The saddest of sad bagpipe music fittingly played on the webcast.
Lee lay motionless for some time.
Lee lay motionless for some time.
Zona had to give it up to Lee for the spectacular fight, which many fans said took the show into a marvelously different direction than anyone could have imagined.
Zona had to give it up to Lee for the spectacular fight, which many fans said took the show into a marvelously different direction than anyone could have imagined.
Lee helps get the nets back to the fans.
Lee helps get the nets back to the fans.
Disappointed, it’s back to smallmouth fishing.
Disappointed, it’s back to smallmouth fishing.
A move was in order.
A move was in order.
Zona brings Lee’s spirits back up.
Zona brings Lee’s spirits back up.
Lee is back in the groove with another hookup.
Lee is back in the groove with another hookup.
Somewhat a mentor and definitely a good friend, Zona is there for Lee.
Somewhat a mentor and definitely a good friend, Zona is there for Lee.
Zona throws a lasso, which he tied to tail-rope the sturgeon, half-heartedly at the bass.
Zona throws a lasso, which he tied to tail-rope the sturgeon, half-heartedly at the bass.
Then he grabs Lee’s fish.
Then he grabs Lee’s fish.
It’s another nice smallie, like the ones Lee caught in leading the St. Clair event on Day 3 after the event’s big bag of 25-9.
It’s another nice smallie, like the ones Lee caught in leading the St. Clair event on Day 3 after the event’s big bag of 25-9.
Zona again gives it up for his king.
Zona again gives it up for his king.
They were apparently in the same fraternity.
They were apparently in the same fraternity.
Lee, only 26, had a great week catching smallmouth and has already had an impressive career in bass fishing.
Lee, only 26, had a great week catching smallmouth and has already had an impressive career in bass fishing.
With followers to the small fish Zona has on the line, he grabs another rod.
With followers to the small fish Zona has on the line, he grabs another rod.
One fish on the line fires up other. During their practice day, smallmouth catches came after walleye were brought in on more than one occasion.
One fish on the line fires up other. During their practice day, smallmouth catches came after walleye were brought in on more than one occasion.
Zona tells camera boat driver Neil VandeBiezan to get in on the action.
Zona tells camera boat driver Neil VandeBiezan to get in on the action.
The active period produced a musky on this boat.
The active period produced a musky on this boat.
Zona brings a smaller bass to the boat and grabs one of the baitfish it spit out to show viewers.
Zona brings a smaller bass to the boat and grabs one of the baitfish it spit out to show viewers.
Meanwhile nearby, Jody hooks up again.
Meanwhile nearby, Jody hooks up again.
With the show winding down, Zona and Lee give away their costumes to some faithful fans -- everything but the crown, that is. Lee wouldn’t part with it. Zona had given the middle boy that rod some time ago.
With the show winding down, Zona and Lee give away their costumes to some faithful fans — everything but the crown, that is. Lee wouldn’t part with it. Zona had given the middle boy that rod some time ago.
Zona asked folks to come out and show off their fish. As promised, he has Jody and Ken get in the photo.
Zona asked folks to come out and show off their fish. As promised, he has Jody and Ken get in the photo.
The boys put on their giftware.
The boys put on their giftware.
The guys who loaned one of the nets get autographs.
The guys who loaned one of the nets get autographs.
Zona and Lee present their best four fish on the day.
Zona and Lee present their best four fish on the day.
Some of the royal court gather for a group shot.
Some of the royal court gather for a group shot.