Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: David Mullins

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Mullins’ office is based out of a Phoenix 721, which is rigged out to ensure he can easily get to and from his fishing areas while capitalizing on every bite. Here’s a look at his setup.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Mullins’ office is based out of a Phoenix 721, which is rigged out to ensure he can easily get to and from his fishing areas while capitalizing on every bite. Here’s a look at his setup.
Mullins’ Phoenix is equipped with a Garmin Force trolling motor, one of the latest releases. The motor features a brushless motor, which has some distinct advantages. “The brushless motor cuts down on interference (with his electronics),” Mullins said. “And it’s super quiet. I can’t believe the power: It’s running my boat over 4 mph on high speed, so it’s incredible power.
Mullins’ Phoenix is equipped with a Garmin Force trolling motor, one of the latest releases. The motor features a brushless motor, which has some distinct advantages. “The brushless motor cuts down on interference (with his electronics),” Mullins said. “And it’s super quiet. I can’t believe the power: It’s running my boat over 4 mph on high speed, so it’s incredible power.”
The Garmin Force has integrated transducers and LiveScope that pair perfectly with his Garmin electronics. “With it being a Garmin, I can now link my unit straight to my trolling motor,” Mullins said. “It’s an all-integrated system that works well together.”
The Garmin Force has integrated transducers and LiveScope that pair perfectly with his Garmin electronics. “With it being a Garmin, I can now link my unit straight to my trolling motor,” Mullins said. “It’s an all-integrated system that works well together.”
The trolling motor also features a wireless foot pedal so there are no cables to break. Mullins has the pedal recessed in his front deck to make it easier to stand all day while operating the motor.
The trolling motor also features a wireless foot pedal so there are no cables to break. Mullins has the pedal recessed in his front deck to make it easier to stand all day while operating the motor.
The Force trolling motor even has a notch on the mount to hold the pull cable to keep it from slapping around.
The Force trolling motor even has a notch on the mount to hold the pull cable to keep it from slapping around.
Mullins runs a pair of Garmin Echomap Ultras.
Mullins runs a pair of Garmin Echomap Ultras. “The top 10-incher is nothing but LiveScope, and then the bottom 12-inch unit I’ll use for sonar and mapping,” Mullins explained. “For LiveScope, it just makes the screen bigger so I can see my lure out a little bit farther, and any fish that may be out there, as well. The bottom one, I wanted a 12-inch (unit) so I could get the map as big as I can and still look at some sonar.”
All of his electronics — at the bow and on the console — are held securely by BoatLogix mounts. “This is the dual mount upfront,” Mullins said. “You can move it left, right, or back, up and down, so they are really adjustable more than other units. And they are rock solid.”
All of his electronics — at the bow and on the console — are held securely by BoatLogix mounts. “This is the dual mount upfront,” Mullins said. “You can move it left, right, or back, up and down, so they are really adjustable more than other units. And they are rock solid.”
Power-Pole foot controls are placed to the left of the trolling motor foot pedal so they are out of the way while remaining accessible.
Power-Pole foot controls are placed to the left of the trolling motor foot pedal so they are out of the way while remaining accessible.
The front deck of the Phoenix 721 is spacious so there’s ample room to work. It features two rod lockers and two storage compartments so all of Mullins’ gear remains within reach.
The front deck of the Phoenix 721 is spacious so there’s ample room to work. It features two rod lockers and two storage compartments so all of Mullins’ gear remains within reach.
The front center compartment is used to keep his rain suit and an extra life jacket handy.
The front center compartment is used to keep his rain suit and an extra life jacket handy.
The rear center compartment is for tackle he knows he’ll need during his day on the water. He keeps tackled stored in boxes so he doesn’t have to hunt and peck for what he needs.
The rear center compartment is for tackle he knows he’ll need during his day on the water. He keeps tackled stored in boxes so he doesn’t have to hunt and peck for what he needs.
The compartment is spacious, with room for a number of boxes filled with any necessary tackle.
The compartment is spacious, with room for a number of boxes filled with any necessary tackle.
The starboard rod locker is designated for an extra rain suit, extra plastics and a throw cushion.
The starboard rod locker is designated for an extra rain suit, extra plastics and a throw cushion.
The port locker is filled with rods. The locker holds about 20 rods, so Mullins is never caught short. While he generally keeps the rods he expects to use on the deck during a competition day, he keeps extra rods stored in the locker.
The port locker is filled with rods. The locker holds about 20 rods, so Mullins is never caught short. While he generally keeps the rods he expects to use on the deck during a competition day, he keeps extra rods stored in the locker.
Two small compartments beneath the step for the front deck are used for storage of miscellaneous items he doesn’t use all the time. For instance, the left box is where he keeps his trolling motor remote, extra pliers and other small tools. The right box holds his fizzing needles and hook file.
Two small compartments beneath the step for the front deck are used for storage of miscellaneous items he doesn’t use all the time. For instance, the left box is where he keeps his trolling motor remote, extra pliers and other small tools. The right box holds his fizzing needles and hook file.
Also at the back of the front deck is an ice chest where Mullins can keep drinks and his day’s lunch cool.
Also at the back of the front deck is an ice chest where Mullins can keep drinks and his day’s lunch cool.
His console is flanked by two 12-inch Garmin Echomap Ultras. “I run one that is nothing but mapping, and I run one that is nothing but sonar,” Mullins explained.
His console is flanked by two 12-inch Garmin Echomap Ultras. “I run one that is nothing but mapping, and I run one that is nothing but sonar,” Mullins explained.
Another set of BoatLogix mounts holds Mullins’ 12-inch Garmins securely in place on his console.
Another set of BoatLogix mounts holds Mullins’ 12-inch Garmins securely in place on his console.
A Pro-trim switch on the left side of the steering column operates Mullins’ T-H Marine Atlas jack plate.
A Pro-trim switch on the left side of the steering column operates Mullins’ T-H Marine Atlas jack plate.
Another Pro-trim switch on the right side of the stereo column works the outboard trim motor.
Another Pro-trim switch on the right side of the stereo column works the outboard trim motor.
A Mercury SmartCraft gauge is essential to Mullins’ ability to keep up with all the operations of the outboard. “It allows me to see digitally what I’m running RPM-wise or what fuel economy I’m getting,” he said. “Everything is digitally laid out, so I like that one box.”
A Mercury SmartCraft gauge is essential to Mullins’ ability to keep up with all the operations of the outboard. “It allows me to see digitally what I’m running RPM-wise or what fuel economy I’m getting,” he said. “Everything is digitally laid out, so I like that one box.”
To the left of the SmartCraft gauge is an Atlas gauge that allows him to precisely set his jack plate. “That helps me dial in if I’m running shallow water, but it helps me dial in speed, too,” Mullins said. “If you want to get the most out of your motor, as far as miles per hour, I can adjust that until it’s getting the most.”
To the left of the SmartCraft gauge is an Atlas gauge that allows him to precisely set his jack plate. “That helps me dial in if I’m running shallow water, but it helps me dial in speed, too,” Mullins said. “If you want to get the most out of your motor, as far as miles per hour, I can adjust that until it’s getting the most.”
The rest of his switches are grouped to allow him to reach everything easily.
The rest of his switches are grouped to allow him to reach everything easily.
He keeps a Power-Pole remote near the switch panel so it’s handy if he needs to pole down before leaving the console.
He keeps a Power-Pole remote near the switch panel so it’s handy if he needs to pole down before leaving the console.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot allows Mullins to control speed just like he’s driving a car. Also under the console is a fuse panel so he can easily and quickly diagnose and reset any tripped fuse.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot allows Mullins to control speed just like he’s driving a car. Also under the console is a fuse panel so he can easily and quickly diagnose and reset any tripped fuse.
Comfortable seats make long runs more manageable, while also allowing for extra storage. The back deck also is spacious, concealing his livewells, extra storage compartments and his bilge area.
Comfortable seats make long runs more manageable, while also allowing for extra storage. The back deck also is spacious, concealing his livewells, extra storage compartments and his bilge area.
Between the seats is a well-designed storage compartment in which Mullins puts his keys, cellphone and other miscellany. “It’s just a great box,” Mullins said. “My other boat didn’t have anything like that.”
Between the seats is a well-designed storage compartment in which Mullins puts his keys, cellphone and other miscellany. “It’s just a great box,” Mullins said. “My other boat didn’t have anything like that.”
The starboard rear-deck storage holds his life jacket when he’s off the water.
The starboard rear-deck storage holds his life jacket when he’s off the water.
Mullins also stores his extra Sunline in the same box. “I keep one of each (line weight),” he explained.
Mullins also stores his extra Sunline in the same box. “I keep one of each (line weight),” he explained.
The port rear-deck compartment holds all of his plastics. “A lot of my heavier baits I’ll store back here to keep the boat from being heavy in the front,” Mullins explained. “So things that weigh a lot go back here.”
The port rear-deck compartment holds all of his plastics. “A lot of my heavier baits I’ll store back here to keep the boat from being heavy in the front,” Mullins explained. “So things that weigh a lot go back here.”
The box is large enough to carry tons of plastics organized in large plastic bags to make it easy to locate the lures he needs.
The box is large enough to carry tons of plastics organized in large plastic bags to make it easy to locate the lures he needs.
The dual livewells hold 44 gallons of water, enough to keep even the heaviest bass lively.
The dual livewells hold 44 gallons of water, enough to keep even the heaviest bass lively.
The livewells feature LED lights so Mullins can quickly grab bass even in low-light situations.
The livewells feature LED lights so Mullins can quickly grab bass even in low-light situations.
The bilge compartment is accessible via a hatch on the rear deck, and Mullins has his cranking battery and his Power-Pole pumps mounted on the starboard side.
The bilge compartment is accessible via a hatch on the rear deck, and Mullins has his cranking battery and his Power-Pole pumps mounted on the starboard side.
Three Battle Born lithium ion batteries stored on the port side of the bilge power Mullins’ trolling motor through long days of use while minimizing weight.
Three Battle Born lithium ion batteries stored on the port side of the bilge power Mullins’ trolling motor through long days of use while minimizing weight.
Mullins’ Mercury 250 OptiMax provides all the power needed to make long runs while conserving fuel.
Mullins’ Mercury 250 OptiMax provides all the power needed to make long runs while conserving fuel.
The outboard is flanked by a pair of Power-Poles that allow Mullins to hold his boat securely in place when sight fishing or really picking an area over.
The outboard is flanked by a pair of Power-Poles that allow Mullins to hold his boat securely in place when sight fishing or really picking an area over.
The T-H Marine Atlas jack plate controls the vertical position of the OptiMax to maximize speed and efficiency.
The T-H Marine Atlas jack plate controls the vertical position of the OptiMax to maximize speed and efficiency.
Tucked beneath the jack plate is another Garmin transducer so he can see what’s beneath him while running or idling.
Tucked beneath the jack plate is another Garmin transducer so he can see what’s beneath him while running or idling.

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