Zona and Reese Inducted into Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

At Mercury, there aren’t many things that excite us more than the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of our Pro Team members. After all, our Pro Team is made up of some truly exceptional individuals. Innovators, environmentalists and educators, our Pro Team member plays a vital role in supporting the Mercury brand by acting with integrity in all they do.

On September 26, two of our pros, Mark Zona and Skeet Reese, were officially welcomed into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Selection is not something the Hall’s board of directors takes lightly. The process for induction is a stringent one designed to honor those whose contributions to the sport of bass fishing have elevated the sport on a national level, and truer words couldn’t be spoken about these two living legends.

Mark Zona: A Lifelong Passion for Fishing and Outdoor Television

Michigan angler Mark Zona (a.k.a. Z) is one of those guys who was born to fish. Z was only 9 years old when he won his first bass fishing tournament. And he knew right then and there that fishing professionally was his calling. For Zona, fishing is more than a sport or a career, it is a lifelong passion. One in which he continues to find new ways to reinvent himself, innovate and advocate.

There isn’t much he hasn’t done in the world of fishing. From selling pontoons earlier in his career to becoming the 2003 FLW Everstart Northern Division Angler of the Year, Zona is the real deal. And when it comes to big personalities in bass angling, there aren’t many bigger than his. With his induction, he joins longtime Bassmaster LIVE and Bassmaster TV partner Tommy Sanders in the Hall of Fame.

His work on outdoor television is extensive, and includes Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, BassCenter, The Greatest Angler Debate, The Bass Pros, Strike King’s Fish Hard, Kings of Bass, The World’s Greatest Fishing Show and Zona Live. He also played the part of an ESPN announcer in the 2008 slapstick comedy Bait Shop.

Skeet Reese: A Legendary Career in Competitive Bass Fishing

Widely regarded as one of the top tournament anglers of all time, Skeet Reese turned pro in 1997, and 10 years later he earned the title of Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year. In 2009, he hoisted the trophy at the Bassmaster Classic, held on the Red River out of Shreveport, Louisiana, making him one of just a handful of anglers to win both the Classic and AOY at B.A.S.S.’s premier level of competition. He is also the only Western-based angler to win the Classic. And just this year, Reese celebrated his 55th birthday by winning the 2024 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Stage Six event on the James River.

Today, the yellow-clad Reese is still an active competitor on Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. Traveling and fishing, he is also a consummate businessman, driving cutting-edge product development with his signature gear and tackle. Reese is also one of the original 15 anglers to launch Major League Fishing.

From all of us here at Mercury, Mark and Skeet, our hats come off for you, and we celebrate all that you have done for pro fishing, your fans and Mercury Marine. Congratulations on your incredible achievements.

About the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is housed at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. It is dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers and members of the media who further the sport of bass fishing, and serves to honor those who have made significant contributions to the sport.