Gear

Inside Randall Tharp’s boat

Check out the inside of Elite Series pro Randall Tharp's boat.

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Randall Tharp drives a Ranger Z520C with a 250-horse Evinrude E-Tec HO outboard.
Randall Tharp drives a Ranger Z520C with a 250-horse Evinrude E-Tec HO outboard.
Tharp uses a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor.
Tharp uses a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor.
He uses a T-H Marine G-Force trolling motor handle to pick up his Minn Kota. Unlike the factory rope, this cable unit will never fray.
He uses a T-H Marine G-Force trolling motor handle to pick up his Minn Kota. Unlike the factory rope, this cable unit will never fray.
Lowrance's HDS-9 works best for him up front.
Lowrance’s HDS-9 works best for him up front.
He keeps his rods in the left front compartment.
He keeps his rods in the left front compartment.
Tharp has a little more than 20 rods on his boat this week. When fishing lakes in Florida, he usually carries fewer rods.
Tharp has a little more than 20 rods on his boat this week. When fishing lakes in Florida, he usually carries fewer rods.
Rod socks keep Tharp's rod locker organized.
Rod socks keep Tharp’s rod locker organized.
In the center console, he keeps his lures and terminal tackle in plastic tackleboxes. Some boxes stay in all the time, many of them come in and out depending on where he is fishing.
In the center console, he keeps his lures and terminal tackle in plastic tackleboxes. Some boxes stay in all the time, many of them come in and out depending on where he is fishing.
This is one of his money baits that is made by TriggerX. He likes this bait because of its unique tail style. He keeps original packaged plastics in the plastic bins.
This is one of his money baits that is made by TriggerX. He likes this bait because of its unique tail style. He keeps original packaged plastics in the plastic bins.
There is a lot going on in here!
There is a lot going on in here!
Weights are arranged by size and use.
Weights are arranged by size and use.
One of his DT-series boxes never leaves the boat. He has DT4s to DT10s in one box. If one of these works well on the water, he will grab four or five more of the same bait from his tacklebox in his truck.
One of his DT-series boxes never leaves the boat. He has DT4s to DT10s in one box. If one of these works well on the water, he will grab four or five more of the same bait from his tacklebox in his truck.
Tharp shows one of his money baits, a DT6 with many bite marks on it.
Tharp shows one of his money baits, a DT6 with many bite marks on it.
The frog box is another one that stays in the boat most of the time.
The frog box is another one that stays in the boat most of the time.
VMC hooks are also put in plastic boxes; in here are worm hooks, swimbait hooks, straight-shank hooks, wide gap offset hooks and some other styles in different sizes.
VMC hooks are also put in plastic boxes; in here are worm hooks, swimbait hooks, straight-shank hooks, wide gap offset hooks and some other styles in different sizes.
His ChatterBait box also stays in his boat.
His ChatterBait box also stays in his boat.
One of his favorite jigs is made by 4x4 Bass Jigs.
One of his favorite jigs is made by 4×4 Bass Jigs.
They are separated by colors and sizes.
They are separated by colors and sizes.
Here's his signature series jig from 4x4.
Here’s his signature series jig from 4×4.
The front right compartment holds life jackets and rain gear.
The front right compartment holds life jackets and rain gear.
In the small compartment close to driver seat, he keeps his helmet, Buffs, gloves and some extra clothing.
In the small compartment close to driver seat, he keeps his helmet, Buffs, gloves and some extra clothing.
His culling system is also stowed in this small compartment.
His culling system is also stowed in this small compartment.
Tharp's cooler box could be the most organized: water on the right, Gatorade on the left and cranberry juice in the center for breakfast.
Tharp’s cooler box could be the most organized: water on the right, Gatorade on the left and cranberry juice in the center for breakfast.
He has a unique mount system for his two Lowrance HDS-9 units made by his fishing partner. He was the first person to use this mount system.
He has a unique mount system for his two Lowrance HDS-9 units made by his fishing partner. He was the first person to use this mount system.
He likes using this system because he can keep his hand on the handle while he touches his Lowrance screen.  He tried a single HDS-12 last year, but he said two HDS-9 units work better for him.  He uses the left one for GPS showing a big map. He splits the screen on the right one for tighter GPS map and one for a depthfinder.  Once he is in an area, sometimes the left unit will be used for the Side Imaging system.
He likes using this system because he can keep his hand on the handle while he touches his Lowrance screen.  He tried a single HDS-12 last year, but he said two HDS-9 units work better for him.  He uses the left one for GPS showing a big map. He splits the screen on the right one for tighter GPS map and one for a depthfinder.  Once he is in an area, sometimes the left unit will be used for the Side Imaging system.
A small rubber piece kills vibrations in between the unit and the mount.
A small rubber piece kills vibrations in between the unit and the mount.
The box between the seats holds spare sunglasses, glass cleaner and two waterproof cases.
The box between the seats holds spare sunglasses, glass cleaner and two waterproof cases.
One of the waterproof cases houses a first aid kit.
One of the waterproof cases houses a first aid kit.
The other one is to store SD cards for his GPS.
The other one is to store SD cards for his GPS.
He keeps his culling tags inside his livewell lid.
He keeps his culling tags inside his livewell lid.
He keeps marker buoys, a tool box and ropes in a box behind the driver seat.
He keeps marker buoys, a tool box and ropes in a box behind the driver seat.
In his tool box, he keeps an extra prop for his trolling motor, an extra kill switch and insurance paperwork.
In his tool box, he keeps an extra prop for his trolling motor, an extra kill switch and insurance paperwork.
He keeps the box behind the passenger seat empty for his partner to store personal belongings and toilet paper for emergencies.
He keeps the box behind the passenger seat empty for his partner to store personal belongings and toilet paper for emergencies.
In the very back of the boat is the battery box. Here, four batteries live with the pumps for the Power-Poles, oil for the outboard, other pumps and the on-board charger reside.
In the very back of the boat is the battery box. Here, four batteries live with the pumps for the Power-Poles, oil for the outboard, other pumps and the on-board charger reside.
A push pole is strapped down behind the seats.
A push pole is strapped down behind the seats.
Thanks for the tour, Randall!
Thanks for the tour, Randall!

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