Photo: Thomas Allen - David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn., showed us every corner of his 2016 Ranger Z520c.Photo: Thomas Allen - David's Toyota Tundra is outfitted with Dick Cepek tires and custom wheels.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker's truck is as pimped out as his boat, maybe more. Photo: Thomas Allen - Every corner of his boat and truck is filled with logo and insignia. Everything is well placed. Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker's Ranger is also outfitted with Dick Cepek tires. Photo: Thomas Allen - It's also worth noting that Walker keeps a classic CB Radio in the cab of his pickup. Many of today's youth have no idea what this is or what it's used for. But, with as much time as Walker spends on the road, it's become an invaluable tool to keep up with current traffic conditions. Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker's Ranger is as sexy as the truck.
Photo: Thomas Allen - The front deck is where the magic happens. Photo: Thomas Allen - Here's a closer look at a few of the sponsor logos on the front deck, GEICO and Cabela's are two of his primary sponsors. Photo: Thomas Allen - If you use a Cabela's Visa card, you have a chance to win Walker's boat by the end of May.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Starting at the bow is his Minn Kota Fortrex 112. An invaluable tool on any bass boat.Photo: Thomas Allen - This thing will take you where you need to go. Photo: Thomas Allen - The trolling motor foot pedal allows you to choose direction and power, but you probably already knew that. It's still a great photo!
Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker runs Lowrance electronics, and he wisely wraps the units' covers to match his truck and boat. Photo: Thomas Allen - As we mentioned in the beginning, not a corner of Walker's rig is untouched. He thought of it all.Photo: Thomas Allen - In the starboard locker, you'll find needed accessories.
Photo: Thomas Allen - His collection of gear is hardly complete without a selfie stick. Surely that belongs to one of his daughters ... Nope. That's hot, David.Photo: Thomas Allen - Inside you'll find paper towels, rain gear, shoes and other necessary items.Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker wisely noted that a paper-towel holder would be a genius aftermarket add-on.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Beneath the lid of the center storage lid you'll find a note from his girls. Having this kind of support is paramount in this sport. Photo: Thomas Allen - Inside the compartment is a pile of tackle. Not a wasted inch of space exists here. Photo: Thomas Allen - You'll find lots of LiveTarget crankbaits, including these highly designed and ultra-lifelike lipless baits.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He also has a box of the LiveTarget BaitBall series that won awards at ICAST. These things look alive.Photo: Thomas Allen - Here's a closer look at the detail. And ...Photo: Thomas Allen - ... that's a cute Band Aid. You can always tell a man with daughters. He's very comfortable acknowledging how much impact his girls have on his life. Even if that means a Barbie bandage.
Photo: Thomas Allen - This box is loaded with Z-Man soft plastics, looks like a ned-rig.Photo: Thomas Allen - Ned-rig jig heads. Very similar to a common shaky head, but with subtle differences. Photo: Thomas Allen - In the middle of all that tackle is a catch-all bin that has cut-off baits and other necessary tools.
Photo: Thomas Allen - You'll also find tungsten weights in this compartment. Photo: Thomas Allen - A handful from the catch-all. He'll go through this and return each item to its original storage location once he returns home.Photo: Thomas Allen - What does Walker snack on while on the water? It's quite gourmet, actually.
Photo: Thomas Allen - As we move towards the console, the next compartment has line and rod socks in it, among other items.Photo: Thomas Allen - On tough days, Walker's girls built a wheel of fortune for him to choose from. It's pretty clear that his wife is cool, also. Photo: Thomas Allen - Those of us at B.A.S.S. aren't sure this is a selection that is condoned, but if the arrow falls here, you do what you gotta do.
Photo: Thomas Allen - He keeps extra sunglasses in the same box. Photo: Thomas Allen - He keeps all his hooks in the original packaging, which makes keeping them organized much easier. Photo: Thomas Allen - Simple, but effective.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Conveniently placed tool holders along the side of the step that leads to the casting deck. Photo: Thomas Allen - Right next to the tools is a conveniently placed bump board. Photo: Thomas Allen - Beneath the port side storage locker are a pile of rod-and-reel combos.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker pulls out one of his favorites, which has a frog tied on. Photo: Thomas Allen - The Loomis EX6 Series of rods are affordable and sweet sticks. Photo: Thomas Allen - Here's the console where Walker spends a great deal of time scouting for the next hot bite.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Beneath the steering wheel is an electronically driven gas pedal that is a very effective way to power the boat. Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker said it's a very comfortable office seat. Photo: Thomas Allen - Unlike many of the pros out there Walker prefers one unit flush mounted into the dash. He runs a Lowrance HDS 12 unit that helps him isolate each structural element, but a second unit might block his view while running the boat.
Photo: Thomas Allen - There is also digital dash gauge that provides data for his Evinrude outboard. Photo: Thomas Allen - That is a marker buoy turned lure retriever. It's simple but effective.Photo: Thomas Allen - In between each seat, he keeps a bunch of necessities, including pain killers and bug spray. You can tell you're getting old when ... We'll not go there.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker keeps a supply of Sharpie markers on-hand. For autographs of course, but he also colors spinnerbait blades and adds lines to crankbaits. You never know, it's good to be prepared. Photo: Thomas Allen - The port console sports one of the deepest glove boxes you'll find any where. A boat simply cannot have too much storage, and this Ranger has it all.Photo: Thomas Allen - The first storage box behind the passenger seat has baits and oil.
Photo: Thomas Allen - When you're making long runs, like the pros did at Winyah Bay, it's a good practice to keep extra oil in the boat at all times.Photo: Thomas Allen - More LiveTarget baits. Photo: Thomas Allen - The Rat. This thing look so real, Walker said it gives him the heebie jeebies every time he pulls it out.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Plenty of livewell space is always a bonus, and Range offers plenty. Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker keeps tools and other possibles in the dry box behind the driver's seat. Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker, who is also an accomplished saltwater angler, keeps a Boga Grip in the box. He keeps the expensive tool attached to a Cabela's retriever dummy, because it floats. Genius. It really is. Write that one down, folks. He said it came in very handy at Winyah Bay when dealing with all the bowfin (mudfish, dog fish, whatever you want to call them).
Photo: Thomas Allen - He also keeps livewell treatment in the box. Photo: Thomas Allen - A flare gun is handy for emergency situations. No, it's not loaded. Photo: Thomas Allen - That storage compartment is also where he keeps his unique culling device. Instead of hanging two naked fish from either side to determine which is heavier, he slides the fish into each bag where they calm down, and he can make accurate decisions.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Spare prop, batteries and on-board charger are conveniently placed in the rear storage box. Photo: Thomas Allen - The main power switch. If the cranking battery dies, you can turn the dial to "Jump" and actually start the boat using the trolling motor batteries if the situation arises. Photo: Thomas Allen - ...
Photo: Thomas Allen - The Ranger also has a drain-plug switch, making that in-and-out process a snap. Photo: Thomas Allen - Walker loves his 250 hp Evinrude E-TEC H.O.Photo: Thomas Allen - Twin Power-Poles are on either side of the motor.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Thanks, David! That was a fun and informative tour!