Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Terry Scroggins

San Mateo, FL, resident and five-time B.A.S.S. winner Terry Scroggins took a few minutes for a tour of his bass-taming machine.

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San Mateo, Fla., resident and five-time B.A.S.S. winner Terry
Photo: Seigo Saito - San Mateo, Fla., resident and five-time B.A.S.S. winner Terry "Big Show" Scroggins took a few minutes for a tour of his bass-taming machine.
They say a man's house is his castle, and his boat is his...well...in this case – his office, with a view.
Photo: Seigo Saito - They say a man's house is his castle, and his boat is his...well...in this case – his office, with a view.
Scroggins runs a beautiful Toyota-wrapped, 250 hp Yamaha SHO-powered Triton 21TRX.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Scroggins runs a beautiful Toyota-wrapped, 250 hp Yamaha SHO-powered Triton 21TRX.
The Big Show himself at his command center.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The Big Show himself at his command center.
The rig is fronted by a Minn Kota 112 Fortrex. He said this trolling motor really scoots.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The rig is fronted by a Minn Kota 112 Fortrex. He said this trolling motor really scoots.
Adjacent to the Fortrex, the front deck is equipped with two Humminbird ONIX units for info gathering with a rod in his hand.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Adjacent to the Fortrex, the front deck is equipped with two Humminbird ONIX units for info gathering with a rod in his hand.
One of those graphs is loaded with Humminbird 360, which is also attached to his Minn Kota Fortrex.
Photo: Seigo Saito - One of those graphs is loaded with Humminbird 360, which is also attached to his Minn Kota Fortrex.
In the front left rod locker sits 40-50 rod-and-reel combos. Seems like a lot, right? Scroggins subscribes to the mindset that it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Photo: Seigo Saito - In the front left rod locker sits 40-50 rod-and-reel combos. Seems like a lot, right? Scroggins subscribes to the mindset that it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
This is one of the Big Show's favorite combos: A Duckett rod paired with a Lew's Speed Spool for punching big jigs through the grass.
Photo: Seigo Saito - This is one of the Big Show's favorite combos: A Duckett rod paired with a Lew's Speed Spool for punching big jigs through the grass.
The center storage compartment is stocked full of what's hot at the moment. Typically, certain trays will be strategically positioned in the boat to optimize its performance.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The center storage compartment is stocked full of what's hot at the moment. Typically, certain trays will be strategically positioned in the boat to optimize its performance.
Notice the necessary lighting inside each compartment. This certainly helps with rigging in low-light conditions.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Notice the necessary lighting inside each compartment. This certainly helps with rigging in low-light conditions.
From the center box, Scroggins pulls out a box of Bombers. The colors shown here were for a particular tournament, most likely a stained-water situation.
Photo: Seigo Saito - From the center box, Scroggins pulls out a box of Bombers. The colors shown here were for a particular tournament, most likely a stained-water situation.
He always keeps a collection of lipless cranks on hand due to their versatility.
Photo: Seigo Saito - He always keeps a collection of lipless cranks on hand due to their versatility.
Chrome mixed with shad is a great all-around color.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Chrome mixed with shad is a great all-around color.
The same goes for squarebills; keep numerous sizes and color combos handy. These baits see a lot of water time for Scroggins.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The same goes for squarebills; keep numerous sizes and color combos handy. These baits see a lot of water time for Scroggins.
The Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher works for the Big Show.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher works for the Big Show.
A closer look athe Poppin' Pad Crasher.
Photo: Seigo Saito - A closer look athe Poppin' Pad Crasher.
He keeps additional topwater presentations within reach, as well. Whenever he see's schooling fish, a Spook or popper get the nod.
Photo: Seigo Saito - He keeps additional topwater presentations within reach, as well. Whenever he see's schooling fish, a Spook or popper get the nod.
And a pro bass fisherman's boat wouldn't be complete without a tray of deep divers. He likes the Fat Free Shad, for sure.
Photo: Seigo Saito - And a pro bass fisherman's boat wouldn't be complete without a tray of deep divers. He likes the Fat Free Shad, for sure.
Smithwick jerkbaits are a key aspect to his tackle collection.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Smithwick jerkbaits are a key aspect to his tackle collection.
But, he also likes many of the Japanese-built jerkbaits.
Photo: Seigo Saito - But, he also likes many of the Japanese-built jerkbaits.
Scroggins keeps bulk spools of line handy in the center storage compartment as well. He'll keep 6- through 20-pound line available at all times. Plus, the line fits in there in a way that keeps the boxes from sliding around.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Scroggins keeps bulk spools of line handy in the center storage compartment as well. He'll keep 6- through 20-pound line available at all times. Plus, the line fits in there in a way that keeps the boxes from sliding around.
No explanation needed. Every dude needs Dude Wipes. The bag on the right are lens wipes for cleaning the screens of his Humminbirds.
Photo: Seigo Saito - No explanation needed. Every dude needs Dude Wipes. The bag on the right are lens wipes for cleaning the screens of his Humminbirds.
Hooks, hooks and more hooks. Scroggins chooses to keep most of his hooks in the individual packages as a form of organization.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Hooks, hooks and more hooks. Scroggins chooses to keep most of his hooks in the individual packages as a form of organization.
The next box contains assorted weights for differing presentations. Scroggins says he'll also keep a bunch of weights stored nearby that are still in the original packaging for the same reason.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The next box contains assorted weights for differing presentations. Scroggins says he'll also keep a bunch of weights stored nearby that are still in the original packaging for the same reason.
On the right-hand side of the front deck you'll find extra life jackets, two to three sets of Carhartt raingear, the spare prop and other miscellaneous gear items.
Photo: Seigo Saito - On the right-hand side of the front deck you'll find extra life jackets, two to three sets of Carhartt raingear, the spare prop and other miscellaneous gear items.
Jig and spinnerbait skirts sit in the right rod locker.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Jig and spinnerbait skirts sit in the right rod locker.
Always keep a set of jumper cables handy. Scroggins also keeps these at the bottom of his right rod locker.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Always keep a set of jumper cables handy. Scroggins also keeps these at the bottom of his right rod locker.
In the storage compartment between the seats in the cockpit is a mess of plastics. Typically, this box is changed out at each event depending on what the fish are eating.
Photo: Seigo Saito - In the storage compartment between the seats in the cockpit is a mess of plastics. Typically, this box is changed out at each event depending on what the fish are eating.
In that box are a few of his all-around favorites, including his very own design – the Yum Bad Mamma. He likes this soft plastic as a punch trailer.
Photo: Seigo Saito - In that box are a few of his all-around favorites, including his very own design – the Yum Bad Mamma. He likes this soft plastic as a punch trailer.
You'll also find plenty of Yum Dingers.
Photo: Seigo Saito - You'll also find plenty of Yum Dingers.
Onto the console. You'll find two more Humminbird ONIX units. One of which he keeps to mapping at all times.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Onto the console. You'll find two more Humminbird ONIX units. One of which he keeps to mapping at all times.
The other unit will show a screen split three ways: SideScan, DownScan and traditional sonar.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The other unit will show a screen split three ways: SideScan, DownScan and traditional sonar.
Behind the passenger seat is a box full of tools for whatever issues he may run in to.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Behind the passenger seat is a box full of tools for whatever issues he may run in to.
His cooler is loaded down with ice, water and snacks.
Photo: Seigo Saito - His cooler is loaded down with ice, water and snacks.
The Big Show keeps three to four pairs of sunglasses on hand at all times. He likes amber lenses when the light is low, and blue/green lenses when the sun is high and bright. Costa is his frame of choice.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The Big Show keeps three to four pairs of sunglasses on hand at all times. He likes amber lenses when the light is low, and blue/green lenses when the sun is high and bright. Costa is his frame of choice.
The essentials. Scroggins keeps Fruit Loops with marshmallows and a couple Pop Tarts within easy grasp as well.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The essentials. Scroggins keeps Fruit Loops with marshmallows and a couple Pop Tarts within easy grasp as well.
Bull Frog sunscreen for obvious reasons.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Bull Frog sunscreen for obvious reasons.
Plastics reside towards the stern, because they are typically the heaviest tackle he keeps with him. Heavier stuff in back improves the boat's performance.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Plastics reside towards the stern, because they are typically the heaviest tackle he keeps with him. Heavier stuff in back improves the boat's performance.
Tubes are among his favorite soft plastics.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Tubes are among his favorite soft plastics.
This black and blue Yum Vibra King tube sees a lot of deck time.
Photo: Seigo Saito - This black and blue Yum Vibra King tube sees a lot of deck time.
Yum Dingers are also a go-to when things get tough...and when they're going well.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Yum Dingers are also a go-to when things get tough...and when they're going well.
Jigs, jigs...
Photo: Seigo Saito - Jigs, jigs...
...and more jigs. He said you can't have too many.
Photo: Seigo Saito - ...and more jigs. He said you can't have too many.
Inside the livewell hangs his G-Force culling system that gets used at every event.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Inside the livewell hangs his G-Force culling system that gets used at every event.
Moving across the back deck you'll find more plastics stuffed inside a storage compartment.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Moving across the back deck you'll find more plastics stuffed inside a storage compartment.
Scroggins also pours many of his own plastic baits when he's not on the road. This curly tail worm is an example.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Scroggins also pours many of his own plastic baits when he's not on the road. This curly tail worm is an example.
He clearly believes in them, because he keeps a healthy supply on hand.
Photo: Seigo Saito - He clearly believes in them, because he keeps a healthy supply on hand.
Why a hammer? That's a good question! In the event that he needs to swap out the props and the insert gets jammed on the prop shaft, a hammer is required to break it free.
Photo: Seigo Saito - Why a hammer? That's a good question! In the event that he needs to swap out the props and the insert gets jammed on the prop shaft, a hammer is required to break it free.
The business end of the boat. You'll notice the prop, since this photo was taken he's moved the spare prop to the right-hand rod locker in the front deck. Now a fifth battery sits in that spot. He has two cranking batteries linked together in a series to optimize the necessary juice to crank his motor. Basically, this eliminates the chance of the starter battery getting too low during a long day of fishing.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The business end of the boat. You'll notice the prop, since this photo was taken he's moved the spare prop to the right-hand rod locker in the front deck. Now a fifth battery sits in that spot. He has two cranking batteries linked together in a series to optimize the necessary juice to crank his motor. Basically, this eliminates the chance of the starter battery getting too low during a long day of fishing.
The rope in the right side of this image is a great concept. The rope is run from his console inside the boat to the rear compartment just in case he has to re-run wires or a transducer. This saves time in a big way if a change like that becomes necessary.
Photo: Seigo Saito - The rope in the right side of this image is a great concept. The rope is run from his console inside the boat to the rear compartment just in case he has to re-run wires or a transducer. This saves time in a big way if a change like that becomes necessary.
At the tail-end of his rig are twin 8-foot Power-Pole Blades; an item that you'll never want to be without once you're used to having them.<p> Thanks for the tour, Big Show!
Photo: Seigo Saito - At the tail-end of his rig are twin 8-foot Power-Pole Blades; an item that you'll never want to be without once you're used to having them. Thanks for the tour, Big Show!

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