Zona and Ehrler team up for 2017 LIVE finale

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The final Zona LIVE of the year brings us to Michigan where Mark Zona teamed up with Elite Series pro Brent Ehrler as they battled the cold temperatures and wind for the sake of the LIVE show.
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The final Zona LIVE of the year brings us to Michigan where Mark Zona teamed up with Elite Series pro Brent Ehrler as they battled the cold temperatures and wind for the sake of the LIVE show.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona prepares correctly by synching up his Carhartt boots for a day of battling smallmouth
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Zona prepares correctly by synching up his Carhartt boots for a day of battling smallmouth.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He equips drift paddles onto his Power-Pole shallow water anchors in case he fishes big water.
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He equips drift paddles onto his Power-Pole shallow water anchors in case he fishes big water.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Here is the special guest and co-star this week, Brent Ehrler.
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Here is the special guest and co-star this week, Brent Ehrler.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He first graced Mark Zona with his smiling photo sticker at iCast where Zona wore it on his shirt, now his boat is also graced with Ehrler's presence.
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He first graced Mark Zona with his smiling photo sticker at iCast where Zona wore it on his shirt, now his boat is also graced with Ehrler's presence.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

The anglers and camera crew got an early start as we headed out two hours before sunrise.
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The anglers and camera crew got an early start as we headed out two hours before sunrise.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

We make it to the ramp and Zona is ready to get Zona LIVE presented by Daiwa underway.
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We make it to the ramp and Zona is ready to get Zona LIVE presented by Daiwa underway.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

The water is as clear as you would imagine.
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The water is as clear as you would imagine.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler and Zona are ready for a fun filled day.
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Ehrler and Zona are ready for a fun filled day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler couldn't resist dropping down a bait to a fish they saw on their Humminbird graphs. The LIVE show was just moments from getting started.
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Ehrler couldn't resist dropping down a bait to a fish they saw on their Humminbird graphs. The LIVE show was just moments from getting started.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

So Zona started it off real quick as Ehrler fought the fish
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So Zona started it off real quick as Ehrler fought the fish.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

And then Ehrler boat flipped this smallmouth to break the ice on the first cast of Zona LIVE.
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And then Ehrler boat flipped this smallmouth to break the ice on the first cast of Zona LIVE.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona took his perch on the front deck and began throwing his bait of choice today, an umbrella rig.
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Zona took his perch on the front deck and began throwing his bait of choice today, an umbrella rig.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

It didn't take long for Zona to hook up
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It didn't take long for Zona to hook up.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He fights it beside the boat moments into his 4-hour LIVE show.
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He fights it beside the boat moments into his 4-hour LIVE show.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

His first fish is a solid smallie.
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His first fish is a solid smallie.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He hooked up quickly a few minutes later.
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He hooked up quickly a few minutes later.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Another chunky smallmouth. They were pleased with the fast start as the temperatures were in the low 40's with sustained winds throughout the day
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Another chunky smallmouth. They were pleased with the fast start as the temperatures were in the low 40's with sustained winds throughout the day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Camera boat driver Neil Vandebeizen helps steady cameraman Jason Dillard as the wind created some waves.
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Camera boat driver Neil Vandebeizen helps steady cameraman Jason Dillard as the wind created some waves.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

It's all smiles on Zona LIVE.
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It's all smiles on Zona LIVE.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler picked up an umbrella rig and also went to catching some.
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Ehrler picked up an umbrella rig and also went to catching some.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He pulled this one towards the boat as cameraman Wes Miller was locked in.
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He pulled this one towards the boat as cameraman Wes Miller was locked in.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

That's a good one!
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That's a good one!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler shows it off for the viewers watching
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Ehrler shows it off for the viewers watching.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona decides to make a spot change as he pulls the trolling motor.
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Zona decides to make a spot change as he pulls the trolling motor.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

They head out in hopes of catching some giants.
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They head out in hopes of catching some giants.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He tells a funny story about how he accidentally hooked one of his sons in the nose with a bait just a few months ago.
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He tells a funny story about how he accidentally hooked one of his sons in the nose with a bait just a few months ago.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona sees a fish on the graph and drops to it and gets it to bite.
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Zona sees a fish on the graph and drops to it and gets it to bite.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

This one came on a dropshot with a Strike King Z-Too soft plastic
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This one came on a dropshot with a Strike King Z-Too soft plastic.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

This one just wouldn't give up.
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This one just wouldn't give up.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

But Zona was still cutting jokes as he landed it.
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But Zona was still cutting jokes as he landed it.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

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"Yea bud!"

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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"How about that one?"

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler notices all the smallmouth that appeared on the graph after Zona fought that fish to the boat.
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Ehrler notices all the smallmouth that appeared on the graph after Zona fought that fish to the boat.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Northern Michigan was treating these two anglers and the viewers well so far.
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Northern Michigan was treating these two anglers and the viewers well so far.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona had a good one-two punch between the Umbrella Rig and a dropshot, both on Daiwa combos.
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Zona had a good one-two punch between the Umbrella Rig and a dropshot, both on Daiwa combos.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Every so often they would coax a fish below the boat to bite and they would bring them in the boat fast.
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Every so often they would coax a fish below the boat to bite and they would bring them in the boat fast.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

After catching a few smaller fish, they decided to idle over to another part of their flat to try it.
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After catching a few smaller fish, they decided to idle over to another part of their flat to try it.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona set the hook on what he thought was a giant, but it was a Northern Pike.
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Zona set the hook on what he thought was a giant, but it was a Northern Pike.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Toothy critters get some love too.
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Toothy critters get some love too.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona and Ehrler laugh like good buddies do and keep fishing.
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Zona and Ehrler laugh like good buddies do and keep fishing.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler sets the hook and knows this is a big one.
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Ehrler sets the hook and knows this is a big one.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

So he decides to land it in the passenger seat
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So he decides to land it in the passenger seat.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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"Look how fat that fish is!"

Photo: Ronnie Moore

That is a good one and so far the best of the day
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That is a good one and so far the best of the day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona takes a moment to explain how he rigs his Strike King Titanium Umbrella Rig with 3.75-inch Rage Swimmers.
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Zona takes a moment to explain how he rigs his Strike King Titanium Umbrella Rig with 3.75-inch Rage Swimmers.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Then they admire all the bait fish on their graph.
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Then they admire all the bait fish on their graph.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Find the bait, find the fish.
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Find the bait, find the fish.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona was so pumped up he wanted a fist bump before he ever landed the fish.
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Zona was so pumped up he wanted a fist bump before he ever landed the fish.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Then he goes to boat flip this one.
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Then he goes to boat flip this one.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

And brings it aboard.
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And brings it aboard.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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"Look at that pot of brown gold in the livewell!"

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Every so often they would set the hook and catch a perch.
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Every so often they would set the hook and catch a perch.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

You wouldn't be able to tell it was cold on the water because fans were chiming in with questions and the two stars were willing to answer.
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You wouldn't be able to tell it was cold on the water because fans were chiming in with questions and the two stars were willing to answer.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

They head over to another spot nearby
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They head over to another spot nearby.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona sets the hook for what seems like the 50th time today
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Zona sets the hook for what seems like the 50th time today.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

But this was just a smaller sized smallie.
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But this was just a smaller sized smallie.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

They fist bump because they know they will run into a big one at some point.
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They fist bump because they know they will run into a big one at some point.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

So Zona kept heaving the umbrella rig.
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So Zona kept heaving the umbrella rig.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

They decide to hit one more spot before the LIVE show ends.
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They decide to hit one more spot before the LIVE show ends.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

With 10 minutes left, Zona hooks up with a giant.
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With 10 minutes left, Zona hooks up with a giant.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He finishes answering the viewers question as he walks to the driver seat.
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He finishes answering the viewers question as he walks to the driver seat.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

If he lands this one it will be the biggest of the day.
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If he lands this one it will be the biggest of the day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Get over here!
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Get over here!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Zona gets his hands in the cold water, but grabs the fish
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Zona gets his hands in the cold water, but grabs the fish.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Look at that thing!
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Look at that thing!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

That is a big one for sure. Biggest of the day
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That is a big one for sure. Biggest of the day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Ehrler dishes a fist bump showing the fish some rightful props.
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Ehrler dishes a fist bump showing the fish some rightful props.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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Photo: Ronnie Moore

Absolutely the best ending to the LIVE show possible.
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Absolutely the best ending to the LIVE show possible.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

The four hour show was coming to a close as he gave a farewell message.
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The four hour show was coming to a close as he gave a farewell message.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

Thanking the fans, guests and production people that make it all possible.
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Thanking the fans, guests and production people that make it all possible.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

They had an awesome day in Pure Michigan.
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They had an awesome day in Pure Michigan.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

But knowing avid anglers...
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But knowing avid anglers...

Photo: Ronnie Moore

They couldn't call it quits immediately.
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They couldn't call it quits immediately.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

So they fished for a little while longer.
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So they fished for a little while longer.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

And Zona hooked up with a spinning rod.
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And Zona hooked up with a spinning rod.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

This one did a little dance at the boat.
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This one did a little dance at the boat.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

But Zona wrangled it.
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But Zona wrangled it.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

He shows off the prize and the equipment used to catch it. They called it quits and wrapped up the fantastic day.
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He shows off the prize and the equipment used to catch it. They called it quits and wrapped up the fantastic day.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

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