Inside Elite Boats: Bernie Schultz

1 / 50

Bernie Schultz has fished the Bassmaster Elite Series since its inception in 2006 and fished at B.A.S.S.'s highest level for decades before that. He's one of the most prolific pros on tour, as he worked as an illustrator for Bassmaster magazine and designed numerous baits through the years. Let's climb aboard his 2014 Ranger Z520C and take a peek inside.

Photo: Seigo Saito

2 / 50

Starting with the main rod locker, Schultz reaches for a Shimano baitcasting outfit.

Photo: Seigo Saito

3 / 50

Schultz has some Shimano Metanium reels as well as Calcutta round reels on JDM Shimano sticks.

Photo: Seigo Saito

4 / 50

He doesn't carry too many rods at one time, just what he'll need for the day.

Photo: Seigo Saito

5 / 50

On the bow of his boat is a Raymarine HybridTouch graph.

Photo: Seigo Saito

6 / 50

Most often he keeps it in split-screen mode with a map and 2-D sonar.

Photo: Seigo Saito

7 / 50

A 36-volt MotorGuide pulls Schultz's Ranger around. Note that he's replaced the rope pull with a cable unit.

Photo: Seigo Saito

8 / 50

Here's the MotorGuide's prop.

Photo: Seigo Saito

9 / 50

This is where the bulk of Schultz's tackle lives. It's the main box in the center of the boat. It's not organized just for our photo shoot, this is how it looks after a day on the water. He's a very organized guy.

Photo: Seigo Saito

10 / 50

Schultz keeps Hildebrandt Drum Rollers in a small plastic zip bag.

Photo: Seigo Saito

11 / 50

Compared to other pros, Schultz's terminal tackle selection is on the light side. He knows just what he needs.

Photo: Seigo Saito

12 / 50

Swivels stay in an old film canister.

Photo: Seigo Saito

13 / 50

Schultz keeps many of his Rapala Shad Raps and other flat-sided crankbaits together in the same box.

Photo: Seigo Saito

14 / 50

Here are a slew of DT-series baits.

Photo: Seigo Saito

15 / 50

Here's a DT10 painted in demon, the color that Randy Howell used to win the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.

Photo: Seigo Saito

16 / 50

The top bait is an original Floating Minnow. Schultz always has a few in his boat. The other is a Flat Rap.

Photo: Seigo Saito

17 / 50

His spinnerbait box boasts Hildebrandt Tin Rollers and others.

Photo: Seigo Saito

18 / 50

Here's a better look at a Hildebrandt spinnerbait.

Photo: Seigo Saito

19 / 50

Here is some spare line.

Photo: Seigo Saito

20 / 50

Schultz is a fan of feathered treble hooks and keeps a variety handy.

Photo: Seigo Saito

21 / 50

Let's see what's under this throwable life preserver and spare PFD in the starboard side rod box.

Photo: Seigo Saito

22 / 50

Looks like some good stuff. What's in the black bag?

Photo: Seigo Saito

23 / 50

...jumper cables.

Photo: Seigo Saito

24 / 50

No, this isn't for disciplining a bad co-angler, it's something that Schultz hopes he never has to use.

Photo: Seigo Saito

25 / 50

There's also a drift sock...

Photo: Seigo Saito

26 / 50

...and a fire extinguisher, toolbox and anchor/tow line.

Photo: Seigo Saito

27 / 50

In the box directly in front of his console is rain gear, a spare trolling motor prop and sneakers.

Photo: Seigo Saito

28 / 50

When he gets hungry, it's beef jerky or fruit for Bernie Schultz.

Photo: Seigo Saito

29 / 50

This handy cooler also serves as a step up to the front deck.

Photo: Seigo Saito

30 / 50

No, he didn't pose the tools like this for the photo, Schultz's boat is always in top form.

Photo: Seigo Saito

31 / 50

Let's check out the console of his Ranger boat.

Photo: Seigo Saito

32 / 50

Schultz's Ranger features Mercury's Smart Craft digital gauge. It gives him scads of information at the touch of a button.

Photo: Seigo Saito

33 / 50

This boat comes with an Oxygenator system from the factory. Below that is a dryer system that circulates air throughout his boxes to dry things out and prevent rust.

Photo: Seigo Saito

34 / 50

Schultz is a fan of the Ranger's moveable steering wheel.

Photo: Seigo Saito

35 / 50

The fact that it tilts up makes it easy for him to get up on the front deck.

Photo: Seigo Saito

36 / 50

In between the seats is a small box where he keeps sunblock, spare baits and parts.

Photo: Seigo Saito

37 / 50

In the box behind his seat is a first-aid kit...

Photo: Seigo Saito

38 / 50

...hats, visors, tools and these beauties...

Photo: Seigo Saito

39 / 50

...serial-killer looking gloves. Although he admitted that they do look kind of creepy, he said they're the warmest gloves he's ever worn.

Photo: Seigo Saito

40 / 50

See what we mean? This looks way too natural for these gloves.

Photo: Seigo Saito

41 / 50

Bernie hopes that he has to get in and out of these many times each day, adding fish and culling.

Photo: Seigo Saito

42 / 50

Schultz keeps his soft plastics in the back of the boat because they're heavy. Keeping heavy things up front hampers performance by pushing more of the boat into the water while on plane.

Photo: Seigo Saito

43 / 50

That's a lot of Yamamoto plastics.

Photo: Seigo Saito

44 / 50

We'll give you three guesses what's under the lid to the battery box.

Photo: Seigo Saito

45 / 50

We sure hope you guessed batteries. There's also a charger and what you can't see are the pumps for Schultz's twin Power-Poles.

Photo: Seigo Saito

46 / 50

Again, this is not for show. Schultz really does wipe down his Ranger and big Merc with Star brite Boat Guard every day. It's been rumored that he uses it in lieu of toothpaste.

Photo: Seigo Saito