Zona LIVE: KVD crushes it

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Mark Zona’s guest for his second Zona LIVE webcast was none other than Kevin VanDam. They visited a small lake near their homes in southwest Michigan.
Mark Zona’s guest for his second Zona LIVE webcast was none other than Kevin VanDam. They visited a small lake near their homes in southwest Michigan.
VanDam had just finished the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend and had a free morning in his schedule, so Zona booked him. A check on the weather, which showed a front with rain approaching, had both anglers knowing the fish would bite.
VanDam had just finished the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend and had a free morning in his schedule, so Zona booked him. A check on the weather, which showed a front with rain approaching, had both anglers knowing the fish would bite.
Zona and KVD go back a long ways and became family to one another. (See the Daily Limit on Zona, VanDam family ties.)
Zona and KVD go back a long ways and became family to one another. (See the Daily Limit on Zona, VanDam family ties.)
VanDam is ready for 8 a.m. ET to get there so he could cast.
VanDam is ready for 8 a.m. ET to get there so he could cast.
It’s go time.
It’s go time.
It didn’t take long before VanDam hooked up.
It didn’t take long before VanDam hooked up.
His jerkbait drew a bite within the first moments of Zona LIVE.
His jerkbait drew a bite within the first moments of Zona LIVE.
Of course, he has to show it to cameraman Wes Miller.
Of course, he has to show it to cameraman Wes Miller.
A minute later and KVD brought in a little nicer fish.
A minute later and KVD brought in a little nicer fish.
While KVD shows it to Miller, Zona didn’t want to get too far behind, so he set the hook and reeled in … a stick.
While KVD shows it to Miller, Zona didn’t want to get too far behind, so he set the hook and reeled in … a stick.
KVD laughed hard and commented, “all the way to the boat, dude.”
KVD laughed hard and commented, “all the way to the boat, dude.”
Not long after, Zona hooks into a fish. Yep, a fish.
Not long after, Zona hooks into a fish. Yep, a fish.
And Zona is so relieved he crumples flat on his face after VanDam got it in the boat.
And Zona is so relieved he crumples flat on his face after VanDam got it in the boat.
Zona was plenty pleased to catch a nice one as the show was off to an incredible start.
Zona was plenty pleased to catch a nice one as the show was off to an incredible start.
The fish was a sign of things to come. A good sign.
The fish was a sign of things to come. A good sign.
Another big fish for Zona with another assist from KVD.
Another big fish for Zona with another assist from KVD.
It’s catch and release season in Michigan, so back he goes into the …
It’s catch and release season in Michigan, so back he goes into the …
Wait, let’s give Miller a look.
Wait, let’s give Miller a look.
A smaller fish comes flying into the boat … as would many more.
A smaller fish comes flying into the boat … as would many more.
Zona explains to viewers why they are having such success.
Zona explains to viewers why they are having such success.
Zona gets prone to scoop up another bass for KVD.
Zona gets prone to scoop up another bass for KVD.
This one’s worth a high five or fish pump.
This one’s worth a high five or fish pump.
VanDam seems pleased.
VanDam seems pleased.
The crush of catches continues.
The crush of catches continues.
Zona releases this one, nice and gentle.
Zona releases this one, nice and gentle.
VanDam yanks this wriggler in the boat.
VanDam yanks this wriggler in the boat.
It’s got plenty of fight left.
It’s got plenty of fight left.
It’s Zona’s turn. They literally caught fish after fish, explaining afterward that most anglers from the area …
It’s Zona’s turn. They literally caught fish after fish, explaining afterward that most anglers from the area …
… would not believe the quantity and quality of the fish they caught, unless they saw it.
… would not believe the quantity and quality of the fish they caught, unless they saw it.
Zona has another solid fish.
Zona has another solid fish.
Then goes after one for KVD.
Then goes after one for KVD.
VanDam admires it for a moment. But the best was yet to come.
VanDam admires it for a moment. But the best was yet to come.
Talk of “big-un” turned to “giant.”
Talk of “big-un” turned to “giant.”
Zona knows this one was special, and it was just a huge slathering of icing on top.
Zona knows this one was special, and it was just a huge slathering of icing on top.
KVD commented that they couldn’t catch them this well in such a short span on Kentucky Lake or even Guntersville.
KVD commented that they couldn’t catch them this well in such a short span on Kentucky Lake or even Guntersville.
Things were going so well Zona planted a kiss on KVD’s cheek. Zona also had social media power hours, where he and KVD answered fan questions from #ZonaLive.
Things were going so well Zona planted a kiss on KVD’s cheek. Zona also had social media power hours, where he and KVD answered fan questions from #ZonaLive.
Zona awarded prizes to viewers for asking questions while he and KVD continued to catch fish.
Zona awarded prizes to viewers for asking questions while he and KVD continued to catch fish.
Zona said he will remember this outing for decades.
Zona said he will remember this outing for decades.
After one of the four or so moves, they even doubled …
After one of the four or so moves, they even doubled …
… with two nice fish. It was a very eventful day, one KVD said doesn’t happened that often in the area. He remembered one other time he and Skeet Reese caught about 100 fish before picking up Zona and catching a bunch more.
… with two nice fish. It was a very eventful day, one KVD said doesn’t happened that often in the area. He remembered one other time he and Skeet Reese caught about 100 fish before picking up Zona and catching a bunch more.
As his longtime friend, Zona gave KVD a joke trophy reading “Guest of the Century, Calvin VanDam,” spelled incorrectly for effect, but the century part will probably end up being true. Zona doesn’t know how he’ll ever top that.
As his longtime friend, Zona gave KVD a joke trophy reading “Guest of the Century, Calvin VanDam,” spelled incorrectly for effect, but the century part will probably end up being true. Zona doesn’t know how he’ll ever top that.