Inside Elite Boats: Keith Combs

Welcome to another edition of Inside Elite Boats. This time we take a deep dive into Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Keith Combs’ 2025 tournament rig.

Combs racked up a pair of Top 10 finishes in 2025 and did his damage out of a Ranger 520R powered by a 250-horsepower Yamaha SHO.

A look at the clean bow of the boat.

Combs relies on the ultra-popular Minn Kota Ultrex Quest trolling motor.

Combs runs the 45-inch version of the Ultrex Quest. “It’s a good overall size for a Ranger because they don’t lift, so it works really well for me.” he said.

At the bow, Combs runs a Humminbird APEX 13 unit as well as a secondary unit for his forward-facing sonar.

The bow trim switch sits just below his electronics.

A look a the layout of his Ranger.

Combs keeps a wide variety of casting and spinning models in the rod locker, but he still keeps a few setups in the center compartment as well.

The rods he keeps in the center compartment are typically the rods he knows he’s going to pull out first.

The compartment on the driver’s side of the boat is home to a variety of different items including his life jackets, AFTCO rainsuit and a spare prop.

The smaller compartment is home to tools, a first aid kit as well as a spare trolling motor prop.

The Ranger has slots for easy access tools such as scissors, pliers and clippers.

More of the same on the other side.

The step to the front deck also serves as a large cooler.

On to the tackle!

Combs is well known as one of the best crankbait fisherman on tour, so of course he carries plenty of crankbaits.

This box is full of Strike King KVD 1.5 Squarebills, a bait Combs has made plenty of money throwing.

Combs uses a Bass Mafia Blade Coffin to store his line for easy access on the water.

The Blade Coffin is full of Seaguar Fluorocarbon and Braid.

Combs shows off a box full of Strike King Cut-R Worms.

Combs was preparing to fish the final 2025 Elite event at the Mississippi River, so the Cut-R worm was a must-have.

Combs never launches his boat without his AFTCO rainsuit.

A look a the driver’s console.

Two Humminbird Units are mounted at the console.

Combs’ units of choice for the console are Humminbird APEX 13s.

“I typically have one unit dedicated to mapping and the other unit is used for side-imaging and down-imaging.”

Combs relies on Bass Boat Technologies mounts for all of his units.

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A look at the Ranger control panel to the right of the steering wheel.

The lights, bilge pump and livewell buttons are all on a separate panel.

Combs also has his Minn Kota Raptor switch mounted for easy access.

A closer look at the trim switches for his Yamaha SHO outboard as well as his jack plate.

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The compartment between the seats is home to a variety of different items.

On to the livewells.

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Combs has a YOLOtek mount that goes into the seat pedestal on the back deck.

The compartment behind the driver’s seat is home to more tackle.

A box full of dye pens and bait customization tools has a place in this compartment.

He also keeps a box full of his LakeMaster Mapping chips for easy access.

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Combs relies on Lithium Pros to keep his Ranger going. The veteran Elite angler has two 36v for his trolling motor batteries, two 12v for his electronics.