Mark Zona -Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Kurt Mazurek | Last updated Feb 23, 2024 10:25 PM ET

In the studio this morning on BASS LIVE, while covering the Bassmaster Elite event on Toledo Bend Reservoir, co-host, and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Tommy Sanders surprised Mark Zona with the good news that he has been inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Known as someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, Zona was clearly emotional as he tried to find the right words.

“I, uh…wow. Oha oh…that is, uh…that is humbling. That is, umm…I, I’m, I’m very…it’s…it’s very rare I’m at a lllwwwaaw…ooh…a loss for words.”

His response was exactly what makes him so valuable to this sport. He is real, and relatable, and unique, and his passion for bass fishing is unmistakable.

There just isn't anyone else who has had such a positive influence on bass fishing, opening the doors for so many new fans to get on board. He’s the guy everyone wants to fish with because he just plain knows how to catch them and because he has more fun doing it than anyone has ever seen. His love of the sport is contagious, which is exactly what fishing needs.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE REVEAL HERE:

A Chicago native, Mark Zona caught his first bass at the age of four when his parents traveled to Sturgis, Michigan. His first bass sparked an immediate passion for fishing and set the course for the rest of his life in and around the sport.

After winning the FLW Everstart Northern Division AOY title in 2003, Zona seriously considered a move to full-time tour level fishing, but when his wife, Karin, gave birth to twin boys, he chose a different path.

Around that time Kevin VanDam mentioned Zona’s name to Jerry McKinnis, who then mentioned Zona to an ESPN producer. After a tryout, Zona became the co-host with Jay Kumar of a show called “Loudmouth Bass” in 2004. And so began Zona’s career in front of the camera.

In 2005, ESPN tapped into Zona’s extensive knowledge of the sport by assigning him to co-host “The Bassmasters” show with Tommy Sanders, a 2018 Hall of Fame inductee. His personality and spontaneous humor then earned him the host position on ESPN’s popular Outdoor Block, making him one of the most recognizable faces in outdoor television. He has since appeared in numerous other fishing shows on multiple networks and platforms, including the 2008 film “Bait Shop”.

In addition to hosting “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show” in which he frequently shares the boat with current pro anglers to target bass while applying seasonal patterns and techniques in his signature unscripted, high-energy manner, Zona continues to have a strong presence across broadcast and live-streamed web-based coverage of Bassmaster Elite Series events and the Bassmaster Classic, either in studio or on location. His insight and fun-loving commentary have endeared him to viewers and fans over the years. The 2024 season will mark the 20th year Zona and Sanders have co-hosted Bassmaster shows together.

The annual induction ceremony for Zona and the rest of the 2024 field will be held on September. 26, 2024, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.

To learn more about the efforts of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and to become a member, go to www.bassfishinghof.com.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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