Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Ish Monroe

Take a tour of Ish Monroe's bass boat and see the essentials he utilizes to stay competitive on the water.

Posted on
Here's Ish Monroe's Ranger Z521C. It's powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO.
Here’s Ish Monroe’s Ranger Z521C. It’s powered by a 250-horse Yamaha VMAX SHO.
Ish trolls with MotorGuide, and he always keeps a spare on board for instances of “operator error.”
Ish trolls with MotorGuide, and he always keeps a spare on board for instances of “operator error.”
The special pull cable on Ish’s Motor Guide trolling motor is simply called “The Red One.” Designed by Danny Miller of Miller Built Products in Orangevale, Calif., “The Red One” is made of steel with a plastic coating. Unlike traditional nylon pull cables, which have a very short life span, “The Red One” has no stretch and is virtually unbreakable.
The special pull cable on Ish’s Motor Guide trolling motor is simply called “The Red One.” Designed by Danny Miller of Miller Built Products in Orangevale, Calif., “The Red One” is made of steel with a plastic coating. Unlike traditional nylon pull cables, which have a very short life span, “The Red One” has no stretch and is virtually unbreakable.
Ish uses a Cool Foot cushioned pad on his trolling motor foot pedal and on the Hot Foot throttle control beneath his dash. “Sometimes I wear sandals or even go barefoot and it just provides a little extra padding,” he said.
Ish uses a Cool Foot cushioned pad on his trolling motor foot pedal and on the Hot Foot throttle control beneath his dash. “Sometimes I wear sandals or even go barefoot and it just provides a little extra padding,” he said.
Like most Elite pros, Ish keeps the front of his boat looking like something from NASA’s mission control. He has a Hydrowave electronic feeding simulator and a Lowrance HDS 12 unit with an LGC 4000 antenna. The set-up also includes a Power-Pole key pad for moving his Power-Poles up and down from the front of the boat and a ram mount for a Lowrance HDS 9.
Like most Elite pros, Ish keeps the front of his boat looking like something from NASA’s mission control. He has a Hydrowave electronic feeding simulator and a Lowrance HDS 12 unit with an LGC 4000 antenna. The set-up also includes a Power-Pole key pad for moving his Power-Poles up and down from the front of the boat and a ram mount for a Lowrance HDS 9.
Ish’s Daiwa lure retriever fits perfectly into the front cup holder.
Ish’s Daiwa lure retriever fits perfectly into the front cup holder.
The rod locker on the left side of Ish’s boat usually houses 20-25 rods for every tournament.
The rod locker on the left side of Ish’s boat usually houses 20-25 rods for every tournament.
He uses Daiwa Tatula, Daiwa Steez and Daiwa Zillions and keeps them covered with Rod Sox from Lake Fork Tackle.
He uses Daiwa Tatula, Daiwa Steez and Daiwa Zillions and keeps them covered with Rod Sox from Lake Fork Tackle.
Even with 20-25 rods that stay in the boat at all times, some tournaments still require him to switch out a few.
Even with 20-25 rods that stay in the boat at all times, some tournaments still require him to switch out a few.
On the left side of Ish’s boat, he has the small cooler every angler needs.
On the left side of Ish’s boat, he has the small cooler every angler needs.
Ish uses the spacious box in the center of his Ranger mostly to store plastics because it’s easy to get in and out of. “I don’t have rods there that I need to move out of the way to get into that box,” he says. “So when I’m using plastic, they always seem to go in that center box.”
Ish uses the spacious box in the center of his Ranger mostly to store plastics because it’s easy to get in and out of. “I don’t have rods there that I need to move out of the way to get into that box,” he says. “So when I’m using plastic, they always seem to go in that center box.”
His plastic selection typically includes Missile Baits D Bombs, Tomahawks (when he needs a big worm), Missile Craws and Twin Turbos.
His plastic selection typically includes Missile Baits D Bombs, Tomahawks (when he needs a big worm), Missile Craws and Twin Turbos.
He stores his plastics mostly in Flambeau boxes with a few Plano boxes mixed in.
He stores his plastics mostly in Flambeau boxes with a few Plano boxes mixed in.
Center storage also holds the all-important jig box…
Center storage also holds the all-important jig box…
…and a few hard-plastic baits for the right occasion.
…and a few hard-plastic baits for the right occasion.
OK, maybe more than “a few” hard-plastic baits.
OK, maybe more than “a few” hard-plastic baits.
He always keep a spare box so he can add things as he figures out what he’ll need for a given tournament.
He always keep a spare box so he can add things as he figures out what he’ll need for a given tournament.
The “D Bomb” by Missile Baits.
The “D Bomb” by Missile Baits.
The storage box on the right side of Ish’s boat holds two spinnerbait boxes, a buzzbait box, life jackets and ropes for tying off.
The storage box on the right side of Ish’s boat holds two spinnerbait boxes, a buzzbait box, life jackets and ropes for tying off.
Ish keeps all of his Bling Series spinnerbaits hanging neatly in a special box in the right storage compartment.
Ish keeps all of his Bling Series spinnerbaits hanging neatly in a special box in the right storage compartment.
A special compartment holds replacement blades for the Bling Series spinnerbaits.
A special compartment holds replacement blades for the Bling Series spinnerbaits.
Since a boat like this is too pretty to scratch, you gotta have fenders.
Since a boat like this is too pretty to scratch, you gotta have fenders.
The Flambeau Big Mouth Spinnerbait Box with Zerust protects Ish’s spinnerbaits from corrosion.
The Flambeau Big Mouth Spinnerbait Box with Zerust protects Ish’s spinnerbaits from corrosion.
Behind Ish’ driver’s seat, you’ll find one or two small boxes that carry hard baits like River2Sea Rovers, Biggie Poppa crankbaits and Biggie Smalls crankbaits as well as the Poppin’ Phattie Frog and the Phat Frog – all designed by Ish.
Behind Ish’ driver’s seat, you’ll find one or two small boxes that carry hard baits like River2Sea Rovers, Biggie Poppa crankbaits and Biggie Smalls crankbaits as well as the Poppin’ Phattie Frog and the Phat Frog – all designed by Ish.
Ish has his own series of snag-proof Phat Frogs and Poppin’ Phattie Frogs.
Ish has his own series of snag-proof Phat Frogs and Poppin’ Phattie Frogs.
A box behind the driver’s seat is filled with Biggie Poppa crankbaits and Biggie Smalls crankbaits.
A box behind the driver’s seat is filled with Biggie Poppa crankbaits and Biggie Smalls crankbaits.
Ish and his Poppin’ Phattie Frog mug for the camera.
Ish and his Poppin’ Phattie Frog mug for the camera.
Ish’s Poppin’ Phattie Frogs.
Ish’s Poppin’ Phattie Frogs.
Under one of the lids hang baits and hooks.
Under one of the lids hang baits and hooks.
Flambeau boxes house most of Ish’s plastic baits.
Flambeau boxes house most of Ish’s plastic baits.
The obligatory “miscellaneous” box.
The obligatory “miscellaneous” box.
Like his front deck, the console of Ish’s boat looks like something from a small aircraft or space ship.
Like his front deck, the console of Ish’s boat looks like something from a small aircraft or space ship.
Under the steering wheel, you’ll find Ish’s culling tags and Yamaha towels. “That makes them very accessible,” he said. “As I’m going from the front deck to the livewell, I can grab a culling tag and put the fish in the livewell, wipe my hands and go back to fishing.”
Under the steering wheel, you’ll find Ish’s culling tags and Yamaha towels. “That makes them very accessible,” he said. “As I’m going from the front deck to the livewell, I can grab a culling tag and put the fish in the livewell, wipe my hands and go back to fishing.”
Just like the one Ish uses on his trolling motor pedal, this Cool Foot cushioned pad makes using his Hot Foot throttle control more comfortable – especially if he’s barefoot or wearing thin sandals.
Just like the one Ish uses on his trolling motor pedal, this Cool Foot cushioned pad makes using his Hot Foot throttle control more comfortable – especially if he’s barefoot or wearing thin sandals.
In addition to his Lowrance HDS 12, Ish has a ram mount at his console for an HDS 9. He keeps both units on his boat during tournaments, using the HDS 12 on split screen with sonar, down scan and structure scan and the HDS 9 for mapping. Lowrance's Insight Genesis program provides contour maps for waterways across the world.
In addition to his Lowrance HDS 12, Ish has a ram mount at his console for an HDS 9. He keeps both units on his boat during tournaments, using the HDS 12 on split screen with sonar, down scan and structure scan and the HDS 9 for mapping. Lowrance’s Insight Genesis program provides contour maps for waterways across the world.
This puck gives him Sirius weather and some tunes...
This puck gives him Sirius weather and some tunes…
...which are played through the Lowrance Sonic Hub speakers.
…which are played through the Lowrance Sonic Hub speakers.
Ish’s glove box holds plenty of Cocoon Sunglasses with lenses in amber, yellow, copper, blue mirror and gray so he’s ready for any type conditions. A few other basic necessities can also be found in the console.
Ish’s glove box holds plenty of Cocoon Sunglasses with lenses in amber, yellow, copper, blue mirror and gray so he’s ready for any type conditions. A few other basic necessities can also be found in the console.
Behind the driver’s seat, Ish keeps his weights, a tool kit, a first-aid kit and hats and sun gaiters for protecting his face. He also uses it for storing Rejuvenade live well replenishment formula.
Behind the driver’s seat, Ish keeps his weights, a tool kit, a first-aid kit and hats and sun gaiters for protecting his face. He also uses it for storing Rejuvenade live well replenishment formula.
There’s a reason why keeps his weights behind the driver’s seat. “I need to redistribute the weight to the back of the boat,” Ish said. “Because as you get to the far back, I run lithium batteries that take 200 pounds out of the boat. The boat was designed to be weighted for standard batteries. So when you take 200 pounds out, you have to start redistributing weight to get optimum performance.”
There’s a reason why keeps his weights behind the driver’s seat. “I need to redistribute the weight to the back of the boat,” Ish said. “Because as you get to the far back, I run lithium batteries that take 200 pounds out of the boat. The boat was designed to be weighted for standard batteries. So when you take 200 pounds out, you have to start redistributing weight to get optimum performance.”
He keeps a first-aid kit because anything can happen on the water.
He keeps a first-aid kit because anything can happen on the water.
Ish uses Rejuvenade Next Generation livewell replenishment formula to ensure the survival of the fish he brings to the scales on tournament day.
Ish uses Rejuvenade Next Generation livewell replenishment formula to ensure the survival of the fish he brings to the scales on tournament day.
Speaking of the livewell, here’s where Ish’s fish travel.
Speaking of the livewell, here’s where Ish’s fish travel.
The storage box behind Ish’s passenger seat holds his extension cord and sometimes an extra spool or two of Maxima line.
The storage box behind Ish’s passenger seat holds his extension cord and sometimes an extra spool or two of Maxima line.
Ish’s battery box holds four Lithium Ion Smart Batteries that weigh 28 pounds apiece. He runs a Dual Pro charging system that is configured to charge the smart batteries.
Ish’s battery box holds four Lithium Ion Smart Batteries that weigh 28 pounds apiece. He runs a Dual Pro charging system that is configured to charge the smart batteries.
Ish says the Lithium Ion Smart Batteries weigh a little more, but they get the job done.
Ish says the Lithium Ion Smart Batteries weigh a little more, but they get the job done.
A 10-foot Stiffy push pole fits perfectly behind the seats of Ish’s Ranger.
A 10-foot Stiffy push pole fits perfectly behind the seats of Ish’s Ranger.
Ish says his Bob’s Hydraulic Jack Plate is the best available. “They design jack plates for offshore racing boats,” Ish said. “I’m not running an offshore racing boat, but I am running a really fast boat. So I have to have the best jack plate on the market.”
Ish says his Bob’s Hydraulic Jack Plate is the best available. “They design jack plates for offshore racing boats,” Ish said. “I’m not running an offshore racing boat, but I am running a really fast boat. So I have to have the best jack plate on the market.”
Ish’s blue Power Poles match his boat and help him stay put in shallow water. Thanks for the tour, Ish!
Ish’s blue Power Poles match his boat and help him stay put in shallow water. Thanks for the tour, Ish!

Related