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
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Starting with the main rod locker, Schultz reaches for a Shimano baitcasting outfit.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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Schultz has some Shimano Metanium reels as well as Calcutta round reels on JDM Shimano sticks.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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He doesn't carry too many rods at one time, just what he'll need for the day.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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A 36-volt MotorGuide pulls Schultz's Ranger around. Note that he's replaced the rope pull with a cable unit.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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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
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Compared to other pros, Schultz's terminal tackle selection is on the light side. He knows just what he needs.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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Schultz keeps many of his Rapala Shad Raps and other flat-sided crankbaits together in the same box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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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
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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
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Let's see what's under this throwable life preserver and spare PFD in the starboard side rod box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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No, this isn't for disciplining a bad co-angler, it's something that Schultz hopes he never has to use.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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In the box directly in front of his console is rain gear, a spare trolling motor prop and sneakers.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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No, he didn't pose the tools like this for the photo, Schultz's boat is always in top form.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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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
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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
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The fact that it tilts up makes it easy for him to get up on the front deck.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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In between the seats is a small box where he keeps sunblock, spare baits and parts.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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...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
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Bernie hopes that he has to get in and out of these many times each day, adding fish and culling.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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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
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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
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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
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Schultz's ProXS hangs off of a 12-inch TH Marine Atlas hydraulic jackplate.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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When it comes time to hit the road, Schultz puts and Motormate on the Mercury.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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