Editor’s note: Due to a multiday weather system moving through the Kentucky area, Zona LIVE has been postponed. The new date will be posted when availalbe.
The 2018 Bassmaster season closed out last week, but that doesn’t mean the fun is stopped for the year. Mark Zona brings Zona LIVE presented by Daiwa to the viewers one final time this year in what he coined as a Christmas celebration with long-time friend Mark Menendez.
“I’m not quite sure what we are walking into with this Zona LIVE,” Zona said. “Normally I have a concrete plan and have scouted for a day or so, but I left this up to Menendez and the reputation of this fishery. It could be an amazing December day or weather could burn us, but I can promise it will be fun no matter what.”
With a winter storm passing through most of the country, cold temperatures and precipitation have hovered over Kentucky and Tennessee. According to Menendez, the largemouth in this lake are northern strain, which shouldn’t be bothered by the winter cold front as much.
“I expect plenty of big fish and ‘Caddy Shack’ comments from Zona,” Menendez said. “There are so many techniques that could be in play this week.”
The lake record is 12 to 13 pounds, so giants live there. But there is also a healthy population of 4- to 8-pounders swimming around. Even if it gets tough, the possibility of a monumental day is more than likely.
“I just celebrated 21 years of marriage with Karin,” Zona said. “What’s crazy is I’ve known Mark (Menendez) for probably 25 years.”
“The first time I met Zona was in 1993. He had a mullet like Seth Feider, and he was at a boat dealer open house,” Menendez said. “It will be refreshing to fish, have fun and share stories with the viewers.”
The long-time friends emphasized a Christmas theme for the Zona LIVE finale. When asked what his favorite Christmas song was, Zona replied with “’Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by Band Aid.”
“It puts me in a state of happiness and takes me back to the 1980s,” Zona said.
Fans can get involved in the Christmas giveaway season as there will be plenty of stocking stuffers up for grabs from Zona and his sponsors. Prizes like a Daiwa Tatula 100 reel, a Bluewater LED TH Marine light kit and two Zona prize packs.
The broadcast will air on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com. Zona and Menendez will answer your questions throughout the show, and fans who send in questions will be entered to win prizes. You can send in your questions on Twitter and Facebook. When tweeting your questions, use #ZonaLive and #Sweepstakes for a chance to win. On Facebook go to Zona’s Facebook page, or the Bassmaster Facebook page, and look for our post asking for your questions. You must use #ZonaLive and #Sweepstakes in your Facebook comment to be eligible for prizes. 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.