Zona and Zaldain's scouting trip

1 / 54

Mark Zona, host of Bassmaster TV and Zona's Awesome Fishing Show, invited Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain to Michigan for a smallmouth beat down on Zona LIVE. They prepped for the trip by scouting some other fisheries to ensure they covered every option possible.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

2 / 54

Zaldain was ready for this fun week of fishing.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

3 / 54

We aren't the biggest boat on the pond today.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

4 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

5 / 54

Zona fires up his Mercury Pro XS 2-stroke.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

6 / 54

We head out to check cell coverage and see if there are any willing bass ready to bite.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

7 / 54

Zaldain rigs up a jerkbait before he starts.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

8 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

9 / 54

Zona hooks up relatively quick.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

10 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

11 / 54

It's not what we expected to catch.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

12 / 54

It's a largemouth...

Photo: Ronnie Moore

13 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

14 / 54

A very feisty largemouth.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

15 / 54

Zona was tickled to catch one, but was surprised a smallmouth wasn't his first bite.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

16 / 54

He pulls up stakes after an hour or two with no more bites.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

17 / 54

Time to hit another lake to see what the outlook is.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

18 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

19 / 54

Zona LIVE is presented by Trokar this week.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

20 / 54

Zaldain hooks into something big, with some pulling force.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

21 / 54

It drags line off his reel at will.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

22 / 54

It ends up being a trout!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

23 / 54

The beautiful fish is a dangerous one at the boat, especially with trebled hooks.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

24 / 54

Zaldain grabs it the best way to avoid a slimy hook in the hand.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

25 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

26 / 54

Look at that beauty!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

27 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

28 / 54

The wind begins to pick up. This was the reason for a scouting trip. Zona and Zaldain's Plan A location could be hindered by wind depending on the level it blows at.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

29 / 54

At this point Zaldain is more confident with their original Plan A, but they are giving this a go.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

30 / 54

Zona hooks up.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

31 / 54

This one is of the brown variety.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

32 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

33 / 54

Zona tries to corral it, but it's not giving up.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

34 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

35 / 54

Got you!

Photo: Ronnie Moore

36 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

37 / 54

"May not catch many, but the opportunity for a big one is here," Zona said.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

38 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

39 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

40 / 54

That's a pretty smallmouth.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

41 / 54

Back to search mode.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

42 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

43 / 54

We make a run to the ramp to monitor tomorrow's weather and gameplan.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

44 / 54

He rigs tackle before we head back. Which one will he choose?

Photo: Ronnie Moore

45 / 54

That one.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

46 / 54

A jerkbait may factor at some point this week, whether or not it is the deal on Zona LIVE on Tuesday.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

47 / 54

He searches for another hook.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

48 / 54

Maybe a swimbait would work well?

Photo: Ronnie Moore

49 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

50 / 54

Who's that guy?

Photo: Ronnie Moore

51 / 54

Photo: Ronnie Moore

52 / 54

Zona recognizes that smile.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

53 / 54

Fans of bass fishing know all about Zona's passion for a tube. He's one of the best with it.

Photo: Ronnie Moore

54 / 54

Everything is packed up as we make our way back to the hotel for more prep. Zona LIVE with Chris Zaldain presented by Trokar is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2nd from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.

Photo: Ronnie Moore