Zona and Zaldain's scouting trip

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

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Zaldain was ready for this fun week of fishing.

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

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Zona fires up his Mercury Pro XS 2-stroke.

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

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Zaldain rigs up a jerkbait before he starts.

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Zona hooks up relatively quick.

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It's not what we expected to catch.

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It's a largemouth...

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A very feisty largemouth.

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

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

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

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Zona LIVE is presented by Trokar this week.

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Zaldain hooks into something big, with some pulling force.

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It drags line off his reel at will.

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It ends up being a trout!

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

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

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Look at that beauty!

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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

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

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Zona hooks up.

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This one is of the brown variety.

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

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Got you!

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

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That's a pretty smallmouth.

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Back to search mode.

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

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

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That one.

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

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He searches for another hook.

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Maybe a swimbait would work well?

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Who's that guy?

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Zona recognizes that smile.

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

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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

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Zona and Zaldain's scouting trip

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