Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: James Niggemeyer

Niggemeyer needs more than baits and reels to maintain his Elite pro status.

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In more than 15 years of professional fishing, James Niggemeyer has accumulated 17 Top 10 finishes in B.A.S.S. events. Recently Seigo Saito was invited aboard Niggemeyer's Z520C Ranger that's powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO. Let's take a closer look at his preferred tools and technology.
In more than 15 years of professional fishing, James Niggemeyer has accumulated 17 Top 10 finishes in B.A.S.S. events. Recently Seigo Saito was invited aboard Niggemeyer’s Z520C Ranger that’s powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO. Let’s take a closer look at his preferred tools and technology.
Niggemeyer uses a MotorGuide Tour Edition 109-pound thrust trolling motor.
Niggemeyer uses a MotorGuide Tour Edition 109-pound thrust trolling motor.
Up front, Niggemeyer runs a Raymarine e97, and an e127 is run at the console.
Up front, Niggemeyer runs a Raymarine e97, and an e127 is run at the console.
Niggemeyer keeps his St. Croix Rods equipped with Ardent Reels stowed in the boat's left rod locker. Though he previously carried up to 30 reels, now the total is regularly 15 to 20 rods.
Niggemeyer keeps his St. Croix Rods equipped with Ardent Reels stowed in the boat’s left rod locker. Though he previously carried up to 30 reels, now the total is regularly 15 to 20 rods.
Rod socks are used on the stowed rods. St. Croix makes a sleeve that Niggemeyer uses for the spinning rods.
Rod socks are used on the stowed rods. St. Croix makes a sleeve that Niggemeyer uses for the spinning rods.
The center box holds tackle including various hard baits and plastics. They are stored in Cabela's plastic bins.
The center box holds tackle including various hard baits and plastics. They are stored in Cabela’s plastic bins.
This bin contains square-bill crankbaits. These are KVD HC 1.5 Square Bill crankbait by Strike King.
This bin contains square-bill crankbaits. These are KVD HC 1.5 Square Bill crankbait by Strike King.
Niggemeyer shows off his selection of medium and deep-running crankbaits. These are Series 5 and Series 6 XDs by Strike King.
Niggemeyer shows off his selection of medium and deep-running crankbaits. These are Series 5 and Series 6 XDs by Strike King.
Niggemeyer keeps his Strike King spinnerbaits in a soft-sided bait binder.
Niggemeyer keeps his Strike King spinnerbaits in a soft-sided bait binder.
The binder helps preserve the skirts while reducing the bulk that a box entails.
The binder helps preserve the skirts while reducing the bulk that a box entails.
The plastics are stored in zip bags to keep water away. The Strike King Rodent and Ocho have salt in them, and both tend to draw water. Here, too much water will turn the bait colors milky over time.
The plastics are stored in zip bags to keep water away. The Strike King Rodent and Ocho have salt in them, and both tend to draw water. Here, too much water will turn the bait colors milky over time.
A pull cord is added to the storage boxes for easier retrieval.
A pull cord is added to the storage boxes for easier retrieval. “It’s just real easy to pull them out, especially if they’re so close together … it’s hard to get your fingers in there,” he says.
Niggemeyer likes to carry lots of different colors of plastics. Since these plastics are heavier, they are stored closest to the rear of the boat.
Niggemeyer likes to carry lots of different colors of plastics. Since these plastics are heavier, they are stored closest to the rear of the boat.
Niggemeyer's Red Eye Shads are all stored in a special bin.
Niggemeyer’s Red Eye Shads are all stored in a special bin.
On the right side rod locker, Niggemeyer keeps a duffle bag and a Cabela's rain suit.
On the right side rod locker, Niggemeyer keeps a duffle bag and a Cabela’s rain suit.
The duffle bag contains various items including plenty of extra line.
The duffle bag contains various items including plenty of extra line.
The rain suit is stored inside a large zip bag to protect it from water and moisture. This helps prevent mold and stains and preserves the suit's appearance.
The rain suit is stored inside a large zip bag to protect it from water and moisture. This helps prevent mold and stains and preserves the suit’s appearance.
During a regular day of fishing, Niggemeyer uses more plastic and jigs.
During a regular day of fishing, Niggemeyer uses more plastic and jigs. “That’s just the type of fisherman I am.”
Buzzbaits and other wire baits are kept in individual zip bags inside of a plastic storage bin.
Buzzbaits and other wire baits are kept in individual zip bags inside of a plastic storage bin.
Plenty of plastics are stored in the small box right in front of the driver's seat. Bulk plastics are kept here in 1-gallon storage bags. These are baits Niggemeyer will use anywhere, and they include the Strike King Rage Menace Grub, Rage Tail Recon Worms and KVD Perfect Plastic Finesse Worms that are 6 1/2 inches long.
Plenty of plastics are stored in the small box right in front of the driver’s seat. Bulk plastics are kept here in 1-gallon storage bags. These are baits Niggemeyer will use anywhere, and they include the Strike King Rage Menace Grub, Rage Tail Recon Worms and KVD Perfect Plastic Finesse Worms that are 6 1/2 inches long.
Niggemeyer keeps his lead box in the back of the boat because it's heavier. Keeping the heaviest items in the back keeps his Ranger running at its best.
Niggemeyer keeps his lead box in the back of the boat because it’s heavier. Keeping the heaviest items in the back keeps his Ranger running at its best.
The bin includes drop shot weights, Carolina rig beads and swivel weights and weights for wacky worms. Niggemeyer uses both tungsten and lead.
The bin includes drop shot weights, Carolina rig beads and swivel weights and weights for wacky worms. Niggemeyer uses both tungsten and lead.
This terminal tackle box has everything needed for flipping and punching into heavy cover.
This terminal tackle box has everything needed for flipping and punching into heavy cover.
In the driver's seat, the Raymarine unit is easily visible.
In the driver’s seat, the Raymarine unit is easily visible.
The screen includes three separate displays: Mapping is found on the left; traditional 2-D sonar technology is in the upper right; and a CHIRP technology readout is in the lower right. CHIRP technology is a different type of sonar that uses a multi-frequency pinging sound. It delivers and receives more sound providing more clarity and greater target separation.
The screen includes three separate displays: Mapping is found on the left; traditional 2-D sonar technology is in the upper right; and a CHIRP technology readout is in the lower right. CHIRP technology is a different type of sonar that uses a multi-frequency pinging sound. It delivers and receives more sound providing more clarity and greater target separation.
The box between the seats includes an extra set of Ranger keys for the compartments, a Power-Pole remote lanyard, Ardent screen cleaner, microfiber cloths for cleaning electronics and sunglasses and the Yamaha manual.
The box between the seats includes an extra set of Ranger keys for the compartments, a Power-Pole remote lanyard, Ardent screen cleaner, microfiber cloths for cleaning electronics and sunglasses and the Yamaha manual. “I usually keep [the manual] in there,” Niggemeyer says. “At the beginning of the year, when I’m breaking in my boat, I try to follow it as close as I can.” Also, if the motor sounds an alarm, the manual will reveal the issue.
Amen!
Amen!
In the box behind the driver's seat, Niggemeyer stores spare sunglasses, a scale, culling tags, a culling beam, different docking ropes, Cabela's sun gloves, regular gloves, beanies and a spare cap.
In the box behind the driver’s seat, Niggemeyer stores spare sunglasses, a scale, culling tags, a culling beam, different docking ropes, Cabela’s sun gloves, regular gloves, beanies and a spare cap.
Inside this waterproof box are his insurance papers and Navionics SD mapping cards for his Raymarine units.
Inside this waterproof box are his insurance papers and Navionics SD mapping cards for his Raymarine units.
Behind the passenger seat, the spare prop is stored with spare trolling motor props, a toolbox, an extra life jacket and spare rope.
Behind the passenger seat, the spare prop is stored with spare trolling motor props, a toolbox, an extra life jacket and spare rope.
In the battery box, there is a throwable seat cushion to make sure the boat is Coast Guard approved. Boots are also stowed in this area.
In the battery box, there is a throwable seat cushion to make sure the boat is Coast Guard approved. Boots are also stowed in this area. “If I go out there and I’m wearing tennis shoes or something, and it starts to pour down rain, I just slip my rubber boots on to keep my feet dry,” Niggemeyer says.
A Stiffy push-pole resides behind the Ranger's seats. Thanks for the tour, James!
A Stiffy push-pole resides behind the Ranger’s seats. Thanks for the tour, James!

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