Zona and Zaldain’s scouting trip

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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 - 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.
Zaldain was ready for this fun week of fishing.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zaldain was ready for this fun week of fishing.
We aren't the biggest boat on the pond today.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - We aren't the biggest boat on the pond today.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Zona fires up his Mercury Pro XS 2-stroke.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona fires up his Mercury Pro XS 2-stroke.
We head out to check cell coverage and see if there are any willing bass ready to bite.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - We head out to check cell coverage and see if there are any willing bass ready to bite.
Zaldain rigs up a jerkbait before he starts.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zaldain rigs up a jerkbait before he starts.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Zona hooks up relatively quick.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona hooks up relatively quick.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
It's not what we expected to catch.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - It's not what we expected to catch.
It's a largemouth...
Photo: Ronnie Moore - It's a largemouth...
Photo: Ronnie Moore
A very feisty largemouth.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - A very feisty largemouth.
Zona was tickled to catch one, but was surprised a smallmouth wasn't his first bite.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona was tickled to catch one, but was surprised a smallmouth wasn't his first bite.
He pulls up stakes after an hour or two with no more bites.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - He pulls up stakes after an hour or two with no more bites.
Time to hit another lake to see what the outlook is.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Time to hit another lake to see what the outlook is.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Zona LIVE is presented by Trokar this week.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona LIVE is presented by Trokar this week.
Zaldain hooks into something big, with some pulling force.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zaldain hooks into something big, with some pulling force.
It drags line off his reel at will.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - It drags line off his reel at will.
It ends up being a trout!
Photo: Ronnie Moore - It ends up being a trout!
The beautiful fish is a dangerous one at the boat, especially with trebled hooks.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - The beautiful fish is a dangerous one at the boat, especially with trebled hooks.
Zaldain grabs it the best way to avoid a slimy hook in the hand.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zaldain grabs it the best way to avoid a slimy hook in the hand.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Look at that beauty!
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Look at that beauty!
Photo: Ronnie Moore
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 - 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.
At this point Zaldain is more confident with their original Plan A, but they are giving this a go.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - At this point Zaldain is more confident with their original Plan A, but they are giving this a go.
Zona hooks up.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona hooks up.
This one is of the brown variety.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - This one is of the brown variety.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Zona tries to corral it, but it's not giving up.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona tries to corral it, but it's not giving up.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Got you!
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Got you!
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Photo: Ronnie Moore - "May not catch many, but the opportunity for a big one is here," Zona said.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Photo: Ronnie Moore
That's a pretty smallmouth.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - That's a pretty smallmouth.
Back to search mode.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Back to search mode.
Photo: Ronnie Moore
We make a run to the ramp to monitor tomorrow's weather and gameplan.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - We make a run to the ramp to monitor tomorrow's weather and gameplan.
He rigs tackle before we head back. Which one will he choose?
Photo: Ronnie Moore - He rigs tackle before we head back. Which one will he choose?
That one.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - That one.
A jerkbait may factor at some point this week, whether or not it is the deal on Zona LIVE on Tuesday.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - A jerkbait may factor at some point this week, whether or not it is the deal on Zona LIVE on Tuesday.
He searches for another hook.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - He searches for another hook.
Maybe a swimbait would work well?
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Maybe a swimbait would work well?
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Who's that guy?
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Who's that guy?
Photo: Ronnie Moore
Zona recognizes that smile.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Zona recognizes that smile.
Fans of bass fishing know all about Zona's passion for a tube. He's one of the best with it.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Fans of bass fishing know all about Zona's passion for a tube. He's one of the best with it.
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 - 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.