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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
Starting with the main rod locker, Schultz reaches for a Shimano baitcasting outfit.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Schultz has some Shimano Metanium reels as well as Calcutta round reels on JDM Shimano sticks.
Photo: Seigo Saito
He doesn't carry too many rods at one time, just what he'll need for the day.
Photo: Seigo Saito
On the bow of his boat is a Raymarine HybridTouch graph.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Most often he keeps it in split-screen mode with a map and 2-D sonar.
Photo: Seigo Saito
A 36-volt MotorGuide pulls Schultz's Ranger around. Note that he's replaced the rope pull with a cable unit.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Here's the MotorGuide's prop.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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
Schultz keeps Hildebrandt Drum Rollers in a small plastic zip bag.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Compared to other pros, Schultz's terminal tackle selection is on the light side. He knows just what he needs.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Swivels stay in an old film canister.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Schultz keeps many of his Rapala Shad Raps and other flat-sided crankbaits together in the same box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Here are a slew of DT-series baits.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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
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
His spinnerbait box boasts Hildebrandt Tin Rollers and others.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Here's a better look at a Hildebrandt spinnerbait.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Here is some spare line.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Schultz is a fan of feathered treble hooks and keeps a variety handy.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Let's see what's under this throwable life preserver and spare PFD in the starboard side rod box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Looks like some good stuff. What's in the black bag?
Photo: Seigo Saito
...jumper cables.
Photo: Seigo Saito
No, this isn't for disciplining a bad co-angler, it's something that Schultz hopes he never has to use.
Photo: Seigo Saito
There's also a drift sock...
Photo: Seigo Saito
...and a fire extinguisher, toolbox and anchor/tow line.
Photo: Seigo Saito
In the box directly in front of his console is rain gear, a spare trolling motor prop and sneakers.
Photo: Seigo Saito
When he gets hungry, it's beef jerky or fruit for Bernie Schultz.
Photo: Seigo Saito
This handy cooler also serves as a step up to the front deck.
Photo: Seigo Saito
No, he didn't pose the tools like this for the photo, Schultz's boat is always in top form.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Let's check out the console of his Ranger boat.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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
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
Schultz is a fan of the Ranger's moveable steering wheel.
Photo: Seigo Saito
The fact that it tilts up makes it easy for him to get up on the front deck.
Photo: Seigo Saito
In between the seats is a small box where he keeps sunblock, spare baits and parts.
Photo: Seigo Saito
In the box behind his seat is a first-aid kit...
Photo: Seigo Saito
...hats, visors, tools and these beauties...
Photo: Seigo Saito
...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
See what we mean? This looks way too natural for these gloves.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Bernie hopes that he has to get in and out of these many times each day, adding fish and culling.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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
That's a lot of Yamamoto plastics.
Photo: Seigo Saito
We'll give you three guesses what's under the lid to the battery box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
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
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
Schultz's ProXS hangs off of a 12-inch TH Marine Atlas hydraulic jackplate.
Photo: Seigo Saito
His boat runs best with Mercury's hot rod Tempest Plus prop.
Photo: Seigo Saito
When it comes time to hit the road, Schultz puts and Motormate on the Mercury.
Photo: Seigo Saito
Thanks for the tour, Bernie!
Photo: Seigo Saito
