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Inside Elite Boats: Justin Lucas

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When all was said and done on the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series, California native Justin Lucas had a dynamite season. Lucas rode his Phoenix boat to success on a wide variety of fisheries, from Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to California's Sacramento River.
When all was said and done on the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series, California native Justin Lucas had a dynamite season. Lucas rode his Phoenix boat to success on a wide variety of fisheries, from Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to California’s Sacramento River.
Lucas started 2015 with Top 10 finishes at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River. But the year's highlight was his first Elite Series victory on his home fishery, the Sacramento River in California. Another Top 10 finish in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu drove Lucas' impressive second-place finish in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Lucas started 2015 with Top 10 finishes at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River. But the year’s highlight was his first Elite Series victory on his home fishery, the Sacramento River in California. Another Top 10 finish in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu drove Lucas’ impressive second-place finish in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
For the 2015 tournament season, Justin Lucas ran a Phoenix 921 Pro XP.
For the 2015 tournament season, Justin Lucas ran a Phoenix 921 Pro XP.
Lucas' Minn Kota Fortrex provided 101 pounds of thrust for slowly working targeted areas or staying stable in shifting waters.
Lucas’ Minn Kota Fortrex provided 101 pounds of thrust for slowly working targeted areas or staying stable in shifting waters.
The bow of the boat is equipped with two Lowrance HDS-12s. Lucas explained that the center screen is used to display map and sonar information. The side unit is designated for structure scan.
The bow of the boat is equipped with two Lowrance HDS-12s. Lucas explained that the center screen is used to display map and sonar information. The side unit is designated for structure scan.
In the front, left rod locker, Lucas usually carries 12 to 20 rods ready for use.
In the front, left rod locker, Lucas usually carries 12 to 20 rods ready for use.
When asked to select his favorite rod and reel combo, Lucas is quick to show off his choice.
When asked to select his favorite rod and reel combo, Lucas is quick to show off his choice.
The rod is a 7-foot, 6-inch Veracity made by Abu Garcia equipped with a Abu Garcia STX reel.
The rod is a 7-foot, 6-inch Veracity made by Abu Garcia equipped with a Abu Garcia STX reel.
In the front storage compartment, a green bin holds a selection of line spools. Lucas said he always carries a lot of spare line, even during tournament season.
In the front storage compartment, a green bin holds a selection of line spools. Lucas said he always carries a lot of spare line, even during tournament season.
Lucas noted,
Lucas noted, “I like the bulk spools. It’s easier than keeping track of how many yards I have on smaller spools.”
But the bin is just the tip of the line iceberg, Lucas pulls out three more bags full of spare line.
But the bin is just the tip of the line iceberg, Lucas pulls out three more bags full of spare line.
One bag holds mono and fluorocarbon lines, one bag has 10- to 30-pound braid and the third holds 50- to 65-pound braid.
One bag holds mono and fluorocarbon lines, one bag has 10- to 30-pound braid and the third holds 50- to 65-pound braid.
The front box is also home to something of a
The front box is also home to something of a “catch-all” box that holds scissors, markers, small tools and assorted items.
Lucas is always prepared for an unsettling day rolling on wild waves with both Dramamine pills and Sea-Band Wristbands that fight motion sickness and nausea.
Lucas is always prepared for an unsettling day rolling on wild waves with both Dramamine pills and Sea-Band Wristbands that fight motion sickness and nausea.
The Phoenix's large center box is home to Lucas' tackle, life jackets and other items.
The Phoenix’s large center box is home to Lucas’ tackle, life jackets and other items.
The tackle boxes are lined up and labeled for ease of access and quick selection. Lucas said he is constantly changing out these tackle boxes during the season.
The tackle boxes are lined up and labeled for ease of access and quick selection. Lucas said he is constantly changing out these tackle boxes during the season.
A selection of plastics are kept in their original packaging and stored in a small upper box in this compartment.
A selection of plastics are kept in their original packaging and stored in a small upper box in this compartment.
Lucas stores his hooks in their original packaging as well. The packages allow him to easily tell what sizes the hooks are. The hooks stay organized in a Bass Mafia Bait Coffin box with different compartments. The box has the advantage of being a sturdy, protective box that is also waterproof.
Lucas stores his hooks in their original packaging as well. The packages allow him to easily tell what sizes the hooks are. The hooks stay organized in a Bass Mafia Bait Coffin box with different compartments. The box has the advantage of being a sturdy, protective box that is also waterproof.
Next up is Lucas' jig skirt box. Various colors are kept on hand to match the forage in various Elite Series venues.
Next up is Lucas’ jig skirt box. Various colors are kept on hand to match the forage in various Elite Series venues.
A clear plastic box is used to store Lucas' weights. The different weight compartments are labeled on the outside of the box.
A clear plastic box is used to store Lucas’ weights. The different weight compartments are labeled on the outside of the box.
Frogs, frogs everywhere – Lucas reveals his selection of topwater frogs in multiple colors. The collection here appears to skew towards darker colors.
Frogs, frogs everywhere – Lucas reveals his selection of topwater frogs in multiple colors. The collection here appears to skew towards darker colors.
Here Lucas shows off two of his favorite soft baits. Left is a Havoc Bottom Hopper and right is the Havoc Pit Boss.
Here Lucas shows off two of his favorite soft baits. Left is a Havoc Bottom Hopper and right is the Havoc Pit Boss. “I’d say I probably caught more fish on those two baits [in 2015] than anything else,” he said.
Lucas included a glove and fish grip in his boat for 2015. They came in handy on the tour's northern lakes to grip
Lucas included a glove and fish grip in his boat for 2015. They came in handy on the tour’s northern lakes to grip “crazy” fish like mudfish and pike.
A storage compartment on the right side of the boat holds extra clothing, life jackets and a smaller box for tackle.
A storage compartment on the right side of the boat holds extra clothing, life jackets and a smaller box for tackle.
The compact box was used for storing Lucas' spinnerbaits during the season.
The compact box was used for storing Lucas’ spinnerbaits during the season.
Whites, greens and yellow are popular with Lucas, and the box's separated storage compartments keep the baits organized and snag-free.
Whites, greens and yellow are popular with Lucas, and the box’s separated storage compartments keep the baits organized and snag-free.
Lucas is surely comfortable in this driver's seat after a full season on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Lucas is surely comfortable in this driver’s seat after a full season on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Similar to the front of the boat, the console has two Lowrance HDS-12s installed. Lucas said he uses these screens here to display the same type of information as the front set of screens: The center screen displays map and sonar information, the side unit is for structure scan.
Similar to the front of the boat, the console has two Lowrance HDS-12s installed. Lucas said he uses these screens here to display the same type of information as the front set of screens: The center screen displays map and sonar information, the side unit is for structure scan.
This handy holder keeps pliers, scissors and other tools safely at hand during tough days of tournament competition.
This handy holder keeps pliers, scissors and other tools safely at hand during tough days of tournament competition.
Lucas uses this small box to store an array of items. The space holds Sharpies, super glue, tape, a knife and more.
Lucas uses this small box to store an array of items. The space holds Sharpies, super glue, tape, a knife and more.
The storage compartment between the seat holds bags of spare Havoc soft plastics, sunglasses and a blue Lowrance bag. Lucas uses the bag as a toolbox.
The storage compartment between the seat holds bags of spare Havoc soft plastics, sunglasses and a blue Lowrance bag. Lucas uses the bag as a toolbox.
The sturdy zip-up bag keeps all the tools Lucas may need in one convenient place, and it prevents the tools from flying loose when the boat bangs around on waves or rough water.
The sturdy zip-up bag keeps all the tools Lucas may need in one convenient place, and it prevents the tools from flying loose when the boat bangs around on waves or rough water.
This compartment also holds Lucas' culling system that includes a balance beam, a small scale and colored culling tags.
This compartment also holds Lucas’ culling system that includes a balance beam, a small scale and colored culling tags.
The boat is equipped with spaces to hold additional tools, but Lucas clips on his culling tags instead. This location makes grabbing the tags easy when Lucas sits down to pull in a fish.
The boat is equipped with spaces to hold additional tools, but Lucas clips on his culling tags instead. This location makes grabbing the tags easy when Lucas sits down to pull in a fish.
A compartment behind the driver's seat is home to additional tackle boxes. These are all clearly labeled so there's no confusion about their contents.
A compartment behind the driver’s seat is home to additional tackle boxes. These are all clearly labeled so there’s no confusion about their contents.
Lucas stores his treble hooks in the original packaging inside a deep Bass Mafia Coffin box. Like the other box of hooks, Lucas chose this storage method because it is sturdy and waterproof.
Lucas stores his treble hooks in the original packaging inside a deep Bass Mafia Coffin box. Like the other box of hooks, Lucas chose this storage method because it is sturdy and waterproof.
The Optima batteries in the rear storage compartment provide the spark and power Lucas needs to run the assorted electronics and equipment utilized during the typical tournament day.
The Optima batteries in the rear storage compartment provide the spark and power Lucas needs to run the assorted electronics and equipment utilized during the typical tournament day.
But the boat's rear storage compartment holds more than just batteries. This long space holds a marker buoy as well as a piece of wood to change the prop, if needed.
But the boat’s rear storage compartment holds more than just batteries. This long space holds a marker buoy as well as a piece of wood to change the prop, if needed.
Under the hammer is a spare weigh-in bag that Lucas keeps on board. The spare bag makes the transfer of fish to another boat easy in case there's any end-of-day issues.
Under the hammer is a spare weigh-in bag that Lucas keeps on board. The spare bag makes the transfer of fish to another boat easy in case there’s any end-of-day issues. “You know, if I run out of gas again and Ish has to pick me up,” Lucas joked.
The boat tour ends with a Yamaha 250 SHO that provided plenty of punch for pushing through rough water or slipping along smooth lakes. The Power-Pole anchoring system with 8-foot blades also provided quick anchoring in shallow water. <p>Thanks for the tour, Justin!
The boat tour ends with a Yamaha 250 SHO that provided plenty of punch for pushing through rough water or slipping along smooth lakes. The Power-Pole anchoring system with 8-foot blades also provided quick anchoring in shallow water.

Thanks for the tour, Justin!

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