Inside Elite Boats: Brandon Palaniuk

The 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk took a few minutes to give us an up-close and personal tour of his 2018 Skeeter FX.
The 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk took a few minutes to give us an up-close and personal tour of his 2018 Skeeter FX.
He had to quickly straighten up the back of his Toyota Tundra for this picture, but I told him a little slop shows you're busy. But it does look better than it did before.
He had to quickly straighten up the back of his Toyota Tundra for this picture, but I told him a little slop shows you’re busy. But it does look better than it did before. “The Tundra Suites” as he calls it.
He pulls out the storage drawers for a quick look inside.
He pulls out the storage drawers for a quick look inside.
Moving to the trailer, he has a pair of Pit BoxX storage containers by ProCiseOutdoors.
Moving to the trailer, he has a pair of Pit BoxX storage containers by ProCiseOutdoors.
The Bolt lock that secures it can be opened with his truck's ignition key. 
Pretty cool!
The Bolt lock that secures it can be opened with his truck’s ignition key.
Pretty cool!
Lots of room for storage, maybe a good place for emergency tools if he were to blow a tire or need a hub kit for his trailer. It happens, any of us with boats know the risks. Being prepared is key.
Lots of room for storage, maybe a good place for emergency tools if he were to blow a tire or need a hub kit for his trailer. It happens, any of us with boats know the risks. Being prepared is key.
He also protects the hull of his boat while traveling with the Rock Tamers. They deflect gravel or debris while hauling his boat across the country.
He also protects the hull of his boat while traveling with the Rock Tamers. They deflect gravel or debris while hauling his boat across the country.
Onto the boat. Here's a look down the bow where most of the work gets accomplished.
Onto the boat. Here’s a look down the bow where most of the work gets accomplished.
The front-end power is produced from a Minn Kota Ultrex that carries the Humminbird 360 transducer.
The front-end power is produced from a Minn Kota Ultrex that carries the Humminbird 360 transducer.
A pair of Humminbird Solix units provide by-the-second information.
A pair of Humminbird Solix units provide by-the-second information.
His HydroWave is neatly tucked in behind the Solix units, right next to the foot pedal for the Minn Kota Talons.
His HydroWave is neatly tucked in behind the Solix units, right next to the foot pedal for the Minn Kota Talons.
GPS pucks are hooked up and out of the way.
GPS pucks are hooked up and out of the way.
Now a look inside the Idaho pro's rod locker.
Now a look inside the Idaho pro’s rod locker.
As you'd expect, it's jammed full of combinations.
As you’d expect, it’s jammed full of combinations.
Here are three of his favorites.
Here are three of his favorites.
And these rod covers build by Angler Innovations are pretty cool. He says they protect his gear without question.
And these rod covers build by Angler Innovations are pretty cool. He says they protect his gear without question.
In the small storage box directly in front of the driver's console is some line and other knick-knacks.
In the small storage box directly in front of the driver’s console is some line and other knick-knacks.
In the center storage compartment are piles of baits.
In the center storage compartment are piles of baits.
Inside this bag is a Top-Secret Prototype that he decided to share with us. Only not. Well played, Brandon, well played ...
Inside this bag is a Top-Secret Prototype that he decided to share with us. Only not. Well played, Brandon, well played …
You know he's a crankbait junky. Check these two Bass Mafia trays out. Packed full of Rapala and Storm hardbaits.
You know he’s a crankbait junky. Check these two Bass Mafia trays out. Packed full of Rapala and Storm hardbaits.
This is a jerkbait box by Bass Mafia ....
This is a jerkbait box by Bass Mafia ….
Ya, that's probably the best way to store jerkbaits. Impressive system.
Ya, that’s probably the best way to store jerkbaits. Impressive system.
More ...
More …
... Bass Mafia storage soft-side bags. This one has Zoom Horny Toads in multiple colors.
… Bass Mafia storage soft-side bags. This one has Zoom Horny Toads in multiple colors.
Moving on to the driver side rod locker, that, like most boats, doesn't have any rods in it. More Bass Mafia bags.
Moving on to the driver side rod locker, that, like most boats, doesn’t have any rods in it. More Bass Mafia bags.
Look how Palaniuk stores his swimbaits.
Look how Palaniuk stores his swimbaits.
Pretty smart, really.
Pretty smart, really.
They won't spill out as he's looking for the next fresh bait.
They won’t spill out as he’s looking for the next fresh bait.
Gotta keep raingear within easy reach.
Gotta keep raingear within easy reach.
An extra hat if the one you got in blows off.
An extra hat if the one you got in blows off.
And more BM soft side bags. Wonder what he's got in this one ...
And more BM soft side bags. Wonder what he’s got in this one …
Talk about organized.
Talk about organized.
Moving towards the cockpit. Everybody needs a garbage bin. But nobody likes to look at garbage, so here's the best we could do.
Moving towards the cockpit. Everybody needs a garbage bin. But nobody likes to look at garbage, so here’s the best we could do.
And of course looking at his command center, two Humminbird Solix units are ready for work.
And of course looking at his command center, two Humminbird Solix units are ready for work.
Palaniuk uses a TH Marine Hotfoot to throttle his Skeeter.
Palaniuk uses a TH Marine Hotfoot to throttle his Skeeter.
He spends a tremendous amount of time right there, looking, scouting, finding ...
He spends a tremendous amount of time right there, looking, scouting, finding …
And within arm's reach is a cooler beneath the center seat. Cold drinks are critical during a tournament.
And within arm’s reach is a cooler beneath the center seat. Cold drinks are critical during a tournament.
Tool holders are on either side of the step up to the front deck.
Tool holders are on either side of the step up to the front deck.
The dash-mounted Solix units are held by a PROcise Outdoors mount. They don't even budge.
The dash-mounted Solix units are held by a PROcise Outdoors mount. They don’t even budge.
Here are some of Brandon's top waypoints at Grand Lake. Clearly he likes to be dramatic.
Here are some of Brandon’s top waypoints at Grand Lake. Clearly he likes to be dramatic.
He keeps a Talon remote near his throttle and steering wheel.
He keeps a Talon remote near his throttle and steering wheel.
Here'a s look at his hand throttle and control center for the boat.
Here’a s look at his hand throttle and control center for the boat.
Livewell controls and on-board charger plug.
Livewell controls and on-board charger plug.
In front of the passenger seat is a small storage box that keeps other necessities handy like LakeMaster cards, a GoPro, sunblock, sunglasses and other items.
In front of the passenger seat is a small storage box that keeps other necessities handy like LakeMaster cards, a GoPro, sunblock, sunglasses and other items.
Moving to the rear ...
Moving to the rear …
The Skeeter livewell is large and keeps his fish alive and comfortable
The Skeeter livewell is large and keeps his fish alive and comfortable
Behind the driver's seat is a storage box worth looking into.
Behind the driver’s seat is a storage box worth looking into.
This Bass Mafia plastic bag is nearly bullet proof. Here he keeps tools that he might need while on the water.
This Bass Mafia plastic bag is nearly bullet proof. Here he keeps tools that he might need while on the water.
Inside the box you'll find a prop, extra life jackets and other items.
Inside the box you’ll find a prop, extra life jackets and other items.
Moving across to the other side of the rear deck is another storage box. But this one is full of tackle.
Moving across to the other side of the rear deck is another storage box. But this one is full of tackle.
Here's a look inside one of the Bass Mafia trays. Frogs. Lots of frogs.
Here’s a look inside one of the Bass Mafia trays. Frogs. Lots of frogs.
Here's the Crankbait Coffin.
Here’s the Crankbait Coffin.
Another BM Money Bag. He said he used this bag often during his winter seminar tour. Easy to carry, and very durable.
Another BM Money Bag. He said he used this bag often during his winter seminar tour. Easy to carry, and very durable.
Here's an inside look at the boat's powerplant.
Here’s an inside look at the boat’s powerplant.
Nothing too exciting, but this is an area that's absolutely critical to keeping his rig running.
Nothing too exciting, but this is an area that’s absolutely critical to keeping his rig running.
He keeps an extendable crankbait retriever on-hand at all times. It's a money saver, he said.
He keeps an extendable crankbait retriever on-hand at all times. It’s a money saver, he said.
His Skeeter is powered by a Yamaha 250 SHO, and it sits between two Minn Kota Talons.
His Skeeter is powered by a Yamaha 250 SHO, and it sits between two Minn Kota Talons.
The Talons are on tilt brackets and can be collapsed in case he needs the extra
The Talons are on tilt brackets and can be collapsed in case he needs the extra “overhead space.”
A very handy attribute to the shallow-water anchors.
A very handy attribute to the shallow-water anchors.
He even has his logos inside the rims of his trailer. Pretty cool place for added branding.
He even has his logos inside the rims of his trailer. Pretty cool place for added branding.
Thanks Brandon!!
Thanks Brandon!!