Zona and Ehrler team up for 2017 LIVE finale

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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The water is as clear as you would imagine.

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Ehrler and Zona are ready for a fun filled day.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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His first fish is a solid smallie.

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He hooked up quickly a few minutes later.

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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.

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

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It's all smiles on Zona LIVE.

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

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

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That's a good one!

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Ehrler shows it off for the viewers watching.

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

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They head out in hopes of catching some giants.

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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.

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

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

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This one just wouldn't give up.

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But Zona was still cutting jokes as he landed it.

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"Yea bud!"

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"How about that one?"

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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Toothy critters get some love too.

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

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

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So he decides to land it in the passenger seat.

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"Look how fat that fish is!"

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

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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.

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Then they admire all the bait fish on their graph.

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Find the bait, find the fish.

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

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Then he goes to boat flip this one.

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And brings it aboard.

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

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

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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.

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They head over to another spot nearby.

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

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But this was just a smaller sized smallie.

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

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So Zona kept heaving the umbrella rig.

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

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

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

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

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Get over here!

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

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Look at that thing!

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

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

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Absolutely the best ending to the LIVE show possible.

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

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

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They had an awesome day in Pure Michigan.

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But knowing avid anglers...

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They couldn't call it quits immediately.

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So they fished for a little while longer.

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And Zona hooked up with a spinning rod.

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This one did a little dance at the boat.

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But Zona wrangled it.

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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.

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Zona and Ehrler team up for 2017 LIVE finale

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