Friday: Impromptu Zona LIVE with Martin Truex Jr.

With the recent turn of events in the world and the recommended quarantines, outdoorsmen are getting out and spending time away from the crowds, enjoying their favorite fishing spots. Mark Zona isn’t any different as he heads out Friday to one of the best fishing holes in the United States. Joining him is none other than NASCAR superstar Martin Truex Jr., who is a self-proclaimed fishing and hunting fanatic. The duo will kick off the 2020 Zona LIVE calendar year in Arkansas. The show is presented by Humminbird.

“I’ve fished with a lot of celebrities and athletes from other sports,” Zona said. “They like fishing but are not necessarily a fisherman deep down in their soul. Martin [Truex] is undoubtedly a fisherman at heart.”

With the spur-of-the-moment Zona LIVE and a tight schedule to fish with Truex, Zona made the decision to use his one private LIVE show per year to kick off the Zona LIVE viewing season. This secluded Arkansas gem is one that fans and viewers have been exposed to over the last two or three years. From cold weather fishing with Greg Hackney for an episode of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show to the frog fishing onslaught that viewers saw LIVE with Clark Wendlandt, there will be no shortage of fun during this Bassmaster.com airing.

“Sometimes you just have to play hooky and go to a private lake treasure,” Zona said. “It’s so fun to spool up 20-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon and 65-pound Smackdown braid and catch as many fish as you want. Plus, they are all big ones!” 

Truex’s race car is fittingly wrapped in Bass Pro Shops colors and insignia, which fits who he is as a person. The 26-time NASCAR Cup Series winner loves the outdoors whether it’s hunting or fishing. He’s especially excited that Zona called and offered up such a great place for a quick getaway.

“Fishing was probably my first hobby as a kid,” Truex said. “I came from a fishing family and it’s one thing I’ve done more than racing. I did it before I strapped into a car and I’ll continue doing it well after I retire, it’s in my blood. We will have fun, but everything is a competition, so I’ll be gunning for Zona.”

Zona and Truex square off for the three-hour broadcast that can be seen on Bassmaster.com from 9 a.m. to noon ET. Fans can interact and send in questions on social media. Zona will have numerous prizes and giveaways for lucky fans that tune in and submit a question for the show. Use #zonalive and #sweepstakes on Twitter to submit your questions and on Facebook find the designated post on the Bassmaster and Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show page to ask questions or leave comments.

There are numerous prizes up for grabs including a Humminbird LakeMaster mapping chip (region selected by the winner) with a Humminbird Apparel package, two Zona prize packs and a T-H Marine goody bag. Viewer questions do not have to be answered on LIVE in order to win. Every participant gains entry by using the proper hashtags. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Sweepstakes ends after the live broadcast of the show. For official rules, go to www.bassmaster.com/sweepstakes.