Inside Elite Boats: Keith Combs

Elite Series pro Keith Combs takes us on a tour of his Ranger.

Here is Keith Combs' 2014 Ranger Z521C. It's a battleship that's powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO.
Here is Keith Combs’ 2014 Ranger Z521C. It’s a battleship that’s powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO.
When he's trolling, Combs relies on a 112-pound thrust Minn Kota Fortrex.
When he’s trolling, Combs relies on a 112-pound thrust Minn Kota Fortrex.
Here's the transducer for the Humminbird 360 Imaging he uses.
Here’s the transducer for the Humminbird 360 Imaging he uses.
On the front of his front deck are twin Humminbird 1198 units. The unit on the right is dedicated to the 360 Imaging. The other is used for mapping and 2-D sonar.
On the front of his front deck are twin Humminbird 1198 units. The unit on the right is dedicated to the 360 Imaging. The other is used for mapping and 2-D sonar.
Here's Combs' work space along the Bassmaster Elite Series, and in those Toyota Texas Bass Classics he's so fond of winning.
Here’s Combs’ work space along the Bassmaster Elite Series, and in those Toyota Texas Bass Classics he’s so fond of winning.
In the port side rod locker Combs carries about 15 rods at any given time. The rod socks stay on his sticks at all times.
In the port side rod locker Combs carries about 15 rods at any given time. The rod socks stay on his sticks at all times. “You can double your rod capacity with them and you don’t mess up your line with nicks and cuts,” he says.
Here he grabs one.
Here he grabs one.
This is typical of his cooler box on most tournament days; jerky, an energy drink and some water.
This is typical of his cooler box on most tournament days; jerky, an energy drink and some water.
Although it looks empty, Combs' center box is full until tournament day.
Although it looks empty, Combs’ center box is full until tournament day. “In practice I fill this up, but when the tournament comes around I take out all the stuff I’m not going to use and put just the lightweight stuff up here to make my boat run faster,” he says.
Along the sides of this hulking box are spools of line, some main line and other to be used as leader.
Along the sides of this hulking box are spools of line, some main line and other to be used as leader.
Down in the middle is an assortment of Strike King crankbaits, plastics and jigs.
Down in the middle is an assortment of Strike King crankbaits, plastics and jigs.
Creature baits occupy this box.
Creature baits occupy this box.
Here is his terminal tackle box. Combs prefers Owner hooks.
Here is his terminal tackle box. Combs prefers Owner hooks.
Although these are usually in their own box, Combs grabbed them from his truck at the last minute so they're still in the package.
Although these are usually in their own box, Combs grabbed them from his truck at the last minute so they’re still in the package.
Combs' boat is neat and tidy. He likes to be efficient when searching for something on the water.
Combs’ boat is neat and tidy. He likes to be efficient when searching for something on the water.
Plugs, plugs, plugs!
Plugs, plugs, plugs!
Check out how much some of these have been loved on. Also, note the olive ones with custom Sharpie markings.
Check out how much some of these have been loved on. Also, note the olive ones with custom Sharpie markings.
These are some of his favorite KVD squarebill colors.
These are some of his favorite KVD squarebill colors.
He carries around some of his 2.5s without hooks so he can hold more in a box and reduce tangles.
He carries around some of his 2.5s without hooks so he can hold more in a box and reduce tangles.
In the starboard rod locker is a PFD, a helmet for running in crummy weather...
In the starboard rod locker is a PFD, a helmet for running in crummy weather…
...a butt seat, jumper cables, a paddle and a spare PFD.
…a butt seat, jumper cables, a paddle and a spare PFD.
You know theweather is bad when Combs dons this sucker.
You know theweather is bad when Combs dons this sucker.
Directly in front of his console is rain gear...
Directly in front of his console is rain gear…
...and some extra clothes.
…and some extra clothes. “I usually take three different kinds for different conditions, and also an extra in case one gets completely soaked,” he says.
Here he is at the console.
Here he is at the console.
This is a Tournament Saver Pro jumping system. If Combs' cranking batteries ever go dead, all he has to do is push this button to momentarily get power from his trolling batteries.
This is a Tournament Saver Pro jumping system. If Combs’ cranking batteries ever go dead, all he has to do is push this button to momentarily get power from his trolling batteries.
The graph at Combs' console is usually split between 2-D sonar and Side Imaging. This mount is a factory Ranger one.
The graph at Combs’ console is usually split between 2-D sonar and Side Imaging. This mount is a factory Ranger one.
The box between the seats has necessities for culling and signing autographs.
The box between the seats has necessities for culling and signing autographs.
He'll record weight of fish on this notepad so he never makes a mistake when culling.
He’ll record weight of fish on this notepad so he never makes a mistake when culling.
On the lid that covers his livewell is his culling system.
On the lid that covers his livewell is his culling system. “I always have five of them in here at the start of each day. That way I tag each fish and never have six in the well,” he says. ” I do keep six tags in the boat, and I’ll put two tags on the smallest fish.”
Back behind the driver seat resides heavy items like...
Back behind the driver seat resides heavy items like…
...lead and tungsten.
…lead and tungsten.
Kind of clever, isn't it?
Kind of clever, isn’t it?
This one is important, it's all the chips he'll need for the different lakes he visits each year.
This one is important, it’s all the chips he’ll need for the different lakes he visits each year.
Also in the back are Strike King jigs.
Also in the back are Strike King jigs.
This is one of his favorites, the Denny Brauer Structure Jig.
This is one of his favorites, the Denny Brauer Structure Jig.
In here is his footwear of choice along with some tools.
In here is his footwear of choice along with some tools.
Although Combs runs a light load, he still carries necessary tools.
Although Combs runs a light load, he still carries necessary tools.
You ought to think of putting something like this in your boat. A killer headache can end a day on the water in a hurry.
You ought to think of putting something like this in your boat. A killer headache can end a day on the water in a hurry.
In the battery box is a spare prop, the jumper system and of course batteries.
In the battery box is a spare prop, the jumper system and of course batteries.
Framing his Yamaha are 12-foot Minn Kota Talons. Thanks for the tour, Keith!
Framing his Yamaha are 12-foot Minn Kota Talons. Thanks for the tour, Keith!