Gear

Inside Kevin Hawk’s boat

From the rod lockers to the livewell, take a quick tour of Elite Series pro Kevin Hawk's Ranger boat.

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<p>Kevin Hawk has proved his bassin' mettle from the West Coast to Georgia's Lake Lanier, where he won the Forrest Wood Cup and the accompanying fame and glory. Since then, he's transitioned to the Bassmaster Elite Series, where he's just completed his rookie season. He's been in all manner of bass boats and has a solid system for keeping them organized. He carries less tackle and gear than the average Elite pro, but isn't sacrificing anything by keeping a lighter load. In fact, he's gaining performance and efficiency from his Ranger Z520C and Mercury ProXS 250. Let's take a look inside his rig.</p>
Kevin Hawk has proved his bassin' mettle from the West Coast to Georgia's Lake Lanier, where he won the Forrest Wood Cup and the accompanying fame and glory. Since then, he's transitioned to the Bassmaster Elite Series, where he's just completed his rookie season. He's been in all manner of bass boats and has a solid system for keeping them organized. He carries less tackle and gear than the average Elite pro, but isn't sacrificing anything by keeping a lighter load. In fact, he's gaining performance and efficiency from his Ranger Z520C and Mercury ProXS 250. Let's take a look inside his rig.
<p>Welcome aboard Hawk's 2013 Ranger Z520C Comanche, powered by a 250-horse Mercury Optimax ProXS. It's one of the cleaner rigs we've seen and definitely one of the better organized. That's not to say everyone else is a slob; Hawk just likes things easily accessible and tidy. It would be spotless if it weren't for the author/photographer's rods and Diet Mountain Dew bottle in the passenger seat. These photos were taken on Alabama's Lake Guntersville, Hawk's home lake.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Welcome aboard Hawk's 2013 Ranger Z520C Comanche, powered by a 250-horse Mercury Optimax ProXS. It's one of the cleaner rigs we've seen and definitely one of the better organized. That's not to say everyone else is a slob; Hawk just likes things easily accessible and tidy. It would be spotless if it weren't for the author/photographer's rods and Diet Mountain Dew bottle in the passenger seat. These photos were taken on Alabama's Lake Guntersville, Hawk's home lake.
<p>Let's start in one of the more obvious places, the rod locker. Hawk's boat holds more than enough rods. All are Abu Garcia Revos of different grades mated to iRods. Several have Stick Jackets on them for protection and tangle reduction.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Let's start in one of the more obvious places, the rod locker. Hawk's boat holds more than enough rods. All are Abu Garcia Revos of different grades mated to iRods. Several have Stick Jackets on them for protection and tangle reduction.
<p>In the main center storage area, Hawk keeps a variety of soft plastics as well as his throwable PFD (you do have one in your boat, right?).</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - In the main center storage area, Hawk keeps a variety of soft plastics as well as his throwable PFD (you do have one in your boat, right?).
<p>In the small day box in front of his console, Hawk keeps a variety of Duo Realis hard baits as well as some terminal tackle.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - In the small day box in front of his console, Hawk keeps a variety of Duo Realis hard baits as well as some terminal tackle.
<p>In the big box opposite the rod locker and just forward of the day box, Hawk keeps extra clothing in case cold or wet weather appears unexpectedly.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - In the big box opposite the rod locker and just forward of the day box, Hawk keeps extra clothing in case cold or wet weather appears unexpectedly.
<p>This is also where you'll find his PFD and bow and stern lights.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - This is also where you'll find his PFD and bow and stern lights.
<p>In the rear two compartments lie the bulk of his heavy gear, like soft plastics and terminal tackle. On top is a box of Roboworms next to Owner Hooks.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - In the rear two compartments lie the bulk of his heavy gear, like soft plastics and terminal tackle. On top is a box of Roboworms next to Owner Hooks.
<p>On the other side are snacks. Being the healthy guy that he is, Hawk prefers pecans and healthy items. You won't find a Vienna Sausage or pork cracklin' anywhere.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - On the other side are snacks. Being the healthy guy that he is, Hawk prefers pecans and healthy items. You won't find a Vienna Sausage or pork cracklin' anywhere.
<p>His culling system and an oxygen tank for his livewell are also in the back of the boat.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - His culling system and an oxygen tank for his livewell are also in the back of the boat.
<p>More goodies in the back of the boat.</p>
Photo: Kevin Hawk - More goodies in the back of the boat.
<p>If you need an explanation as to what goes in these boxes, you need your head checked. Plus, they're occupied.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - If you need an explanation as to what goes in these boxes, you need your head checked. Plus, they're occupied.
<p>Here's his rearmost compartment, the battery box. Hawk uses four group 31 Deka gel batteries. Note the charger, too.</p>
Photo: Kevin Hawk - Here's his rearmost compartment, the battery box. Hawk uses four group 31 Deka gel batteries. Note the charger, too.
<p>Many anglers are confounded as to the best way to store soft plastics in their boat. Hawk's solution is simple, quick and durable. He uses either plastic zip bags or Tupperware-style boxes. They're organized by type.</p>
Photo: Kevin Hawk - Many anglers are confounded as to the best way to store soft plastics in their boat. Hawk's solution is simple, quick and durable. He uses either plastic zip bags or Tupperware-style boxes. They're organized by type.
<p>You know you wish that box was in your boat.</p>
Photo: Kevin Hawk - You know you wish that box was in your boat.

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