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
1 / 50
Starting with the main rod locker, Schultz reaches for a Shimano baitcasting outfit.
Photo: Seigo Saito
2 / 50
Schultz has some Shimano Metanium reels as well as Calcutta round reels on JDM Shimano sticks.
Photo: Seigo Saito
3 / 50
He doesn't carry too many rods at one time, just what he'll need for the day.
Photo: Seigo Saito
4 / 50
On the bow of his boat is a Raymarine HybridTouch graph.
Photo: Seigo Saito
5 / 50
Most often he keeps it in split-screen mode with a map and 2-D sonar.
Photo: Seigo Saito
6 / 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
7 / 50
Here's the MotorGuide's prop.
Photo: Seigo Saito
8 / 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
9 / 50
Schultz keeps Hildebrandt Drum Rollers in a small plastic zip bag.
Photo: Seigo Saito
10 / 50
Compared to other pros, Schultz's terminal tackle selection is on the light side. He knows just what he needs.
Photo: Seigo Saito
11 / 50
Swivels stay in an old film canister.
Photo: Seigo Saito
12 / 50
Schultz keeps many of his Rapala Shad Raps and other flat-sided crankbaits together in the same box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
13 / 50
Here are a slew of DT-series baits.
Photo: Seigo Saito
14 / 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
15 / 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
16 / 50
His spinnerbait box boasts Hildebrandt Tin Rollers and others.
Photo: Seigo Saito
17 / 50
Here's a better look at a Hildebrandt spinnerbait.
Photo: Seigo Saito
18 / 50
Here is some spare line.
Photo: Seigo Saito
19 / 50
Schultz is a fan of feathered treble hooks and keeps a variety handy.
Photo: Seigo Saito
20 / 50
Let's see what's under this throwable life preserver and spare PFD in the starboard side rod box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
21 / 50
Looks like some good stuff. What's in the black bag?
Photo: Seigo Saito
22 / 50
...jumper cables.
Photo: Seigo Saito
23 / 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
24 / 50
There's also a drift sock...
Photo: Seigo Saito
25 / 50
...and a fire extinguisher, toolbox and anchor/tow line.
Photo: Seigo Saito
26 / 50
In the box directly in front of his console is rain gear, a spare trolling motor prop and sneakers.
Photo: Seigo Saito
27 / 50
When he gets hungry, it's beef jerky or fruit for Bernie Schultz.
Photo: Seigo Saito
28 / 50
This handy cooler also serves as a step up to the front deck.
Photo: Seigo Saito
29 / 50
No, he didn't pose the tools like this for the photo, Schultz's boat is always in top form.
Photo: Seigo Saito
30 / 50
Let's check out the console of his Ranger boat.
Photo: Seigo Saito
31 / 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
32 / 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
33 / 50
Schultz is a fan of the Ranger's moveable steering wheel.
Photo: Seigo Saito
34 / 50
The fact that it tilts up makes it easy for him to get up on the front deck.
Photo: Seigo Saito
35 / 50
In between the seats is a small box where he keeps sunblock, spare baits and parts.
Photo: Seigo Saito
36 / 50
In the box behind his seat is a first-aid kit...
Photo: Seigo Saito
37 / 50
...hats, visors, tools and these beauties...
Photo: Seigo Saito
38 / 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
39 / 50
See what we mean? This looks way too natural for these gloves.
Photo: Seigo Saito
40 / 50
Bernie hopes that he has to get in and out of these many times each day, adding fish and culling.
Photo: Seigo Saito
41 / 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
42 / 50
That's a lot of Yamamoto plastics.
Photo: Seigo Saito
43 / 50
We'll give you three guesses what's under the lid to the battery box.
Photo: Seigo Saito
44 / 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
45 / 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
46 / 50
Schultz's ProXS hangs off of a 12-inch TH Marine Atlas hydraulic jackplate.
Photo: Seigo Saito
47 / 50
His boat runs best with Mercury's hot rod Tempest Plus prop.
Photo: Seigo Saito
48 / 50
When it comes time to hit the road, Schultz puts and Motormate on the Mercury.
Photo: Seigo Saito
49 / 50
Thanks for the tour, Bernie!
Photo: Seigo Saito
50 / 50
Page views
1
