Inside Elite Boats: Gary Clouse

He liked the boat so much, he bought the company. Well, not exactly. Someone else said that. Gary Clouse, who’s worked in the boat industry as well as fished competitively most his life, it was more like, “I want a customized boat, so I started the company.” That company is Phoenix Boats. Let’s take a tour of the one he used in 2019 on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
He liked the boat so much, he bought the company. Well, not exactly. Someone else said that. Gary Clouse, who’s worked in the boat industry as well as fished competitively most his life, it was more like, “I want a customized boat, so I started the company.” That company is Phoenix Boats. Let’s take a tour of the one he used in 2019 on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
As he was getting the company going, the team was stumped on coming up with a name. “We started looking at names of Greek gods and stars in the sky,” Clouse said when describing the lightning bolt moment. “Our attorney we were working with, Charles Robert Bowe, was calling it Newco for a while for New Company. We were starting from the beginning, kind of in the ashes. One day he said, ‘This new, new Phoenix company we got going here’ — I said, ‘That’s it!’”
As he was getting the company going, the team was stumped on coming up with a name. “We started looking at names of Greek gods and stars in the sky,” Clouse said when describing the lightning bolt moment. “Our attorney we were working with, Charles Robert Bowe, was calling it Newco for a while for New Company. We were starting from the beginning, kind of in the ashes. One day he said, ‘This new, new Phoenix company we got going here’ — I said, ‘That’s it!’”
Clouse grew up in southern Missouri admiring pro anglers and began fishing tournaments at 14 in 1981. One of his first jobs was at a boat store in Branson, Mo., and then he went on to work at Stratos and Triton boat companies. With no other sponsors than Phoenix, Clouse states that he uses any product he likes. Starting at the bow, he opts for a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
Clouse grew up in southern Missouri admiring pro anglers and began fishing tournaments at 14 in 1981. One of his first jobs was at a boat store in Branson, Mo., and then he went on to work at Stratos and Triton boat companies. With no other sponsors than Phoenix, Clouse states that he uses any product he likes. Starting at the bow, he opts for a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
Popular features include the heralded Spot-Lock, i-Pilot and power steering.
Popular features include the heralded Spot-Lock, i-Pilot and power steering.
For his electronics, Clouse utilizes all of big names. “I use the Lowrance because I’ve used them for years, and I know how to operate them. The side cam’s good, the sonar’s good. I just know how to work, work them quickly.”
For his electronics, Clouse utilizes all of big names. “I use the Lowrance because I’ve used them for years, and I know how to operate them. The side cam’s good, the sonar’s good. I just know how to work, work them quickly.”
“I like the Humminbird because of LakeMaster maps on certain lakes give you an advantage. On the program, you can dial the depth setting, like 0 to 5 feet in red, 6-10 in green. So when you’re running down the lake you can see the spots you want to key on — like 5-foot humps. You don’t have to stop and idle around.”
“I like the Humminbird because of LakeMaster maps on certain lakes give you an advantage. On the program, you can dial the depth setting, like 0 to 5 feet in red, 6-10 in green. So when you’re running down the lake you can see the spots you want to key on — like 5-foot humps. You don’t have to stop and idle around.”
“Of course, the Garmin Panoptix, the LiveScope view, that’s the deal. If you don’t have that, you’re behind. You know there are some brush piles around here, but it shoots you a cone and you can see it right there and watch your bait plunk.”
“Of course, the Garmin Panoptix, the LiveScope view, that’s the deal. If you don’t have that, you’re behind. You know there are some brush piles around here, but it shoots you a cone and you can see it right there and watch your bait plunk.”
There’s a HydroWave on his front deck to transmit sounds to help fire fish up.
There’s a HydroWave on his front deck to transmit sounds to help fire fish up.
Clouse pulls some of his arsenal from the front left rod locker, which is spacious.
Clouse pulls some of his arsenal from the front left rod locker, which is spacious.
There were a mix of rods and reels to attack Florida bass in the Elite season opener then switch to the mainly deep spotted bass on Lake Lanier. Not beholding to a sponsor, he can use what he wants. Among them are Randall Tharp’s ARK rods to throw a ChatterBait, for example.
There were a mix of rods and reels to attack Florida bass in the Elite season opener then switch to the mainly deep spotted bass on Lake Lanier. Not beholding to a sponsor, he can use what he wants. Among them are Randall Tharp’s ARK rods to throw a ChatterBait, for example.
The center storage area is packed with plenty of boxes filled with plenty of lures.
The center storage area is packed with plenty of boxes filled with plenty of lures.
And it’s well-organized.
And it’s well-organized.
The hanger provides quick access to lures.
The hanger provides quick access to lures.
Clouse likes the Bass Mafia waterproof bags …
Clouse likes the Bass Mafia waterproof bags …
… as well as waterproof boxes as both keep moisture out and prevent hooks from rusting.
… as well as waterproof boxes as both keep moisture out and prevent hooks from rusting.
Soft plastics are kept in the box forward of the console.
Soft plastics are kept in the box forward of the console.
And there’s more rod space in front right box, which was utilized due to back-to-back events on two different fisheries.
And there’s more rod space in front right box, which was utilized due to back-to-back events on two different fisheries.
“That’s the problem,” he said. “We’re starting in Florida and there’s a whole set of rods, and then Lanier we’ll need another set of rods.” His Phoenix offers room for both.
“That’s the problem,” he said. “We’re starting in Florida and there’s a whole set of rods, and then Lanier we’ll need another set of rods.” His Phoenix offers room for both.
Close at hand is an open container for lures currently in the rotation.
Close at hand is an open container for lures currently in the rotation.
A small box next to the cooler offers a handy place for things like super glue, finesse rubber bands for Neko rigs, plug knockers, reel oil, etc.
A small box next to the cooler offers a handy place for things like super glue, finesse rubber bands for Neko rigs, plug knockers, reel oil, etc.
There’s a passenger rod box where he stows extra running lights.
There’s a passenger rod box where he stows extra running lights.
Clouse also has a replacement prop for his trolling motor ready.
Clouse also has a replacement prop for his trolling motor ready.
The long locker also holds a push pole in case he needs to get out of a jam or silently move.
The long locker also holds a push pole in case he needs to get out of a jam or silently move.
The push pole comes in two pieces.
The push pole comes in two pieces.
In between the seats is even more accessible storage with important items like a phone, reading glasses, documents, snacks and sunscreen.
In between the seats is even more accessible storage with important items like a phone, reading glasses, documents, snacks and sunscreen.
Behind the driver's seat, Clouse keeps life jackets, a tool kit, a dry bag, a rain suit, a first aid kit, emergency Mountain Dew, juice for fish and toilet paper.
Behind the driver’s seat, Clouse keeps life jackets, a tool kit, a dry bag, a rain suit, a first aid kit, emergency Mountain Dew, juice for fish and toilet paper.
The Bass Mafia bags keep extra clothing dry.
The Bass Mafia bags keep extra clothing dry.
The passenger side box is for extra storage, like another Lowrance unit, hat and another emergency Mountain Dew.
The passenger side box is for extra storage, like another Lowrance unit, hat and another emergency Mountain Dew.
The double livewells have a hanger for culling clips.
The double livewells have a hanger for culling clips.
One feature of the livewells is an overflow plug.
One feature of the livewells is an overflow plug.
“If it’s a hot tournament and you want to keep your livewell filled up, you plug your overflow up so you don’t lose some of your water when you run.”
“If it’s a hot tournament and you want to keep your livewell filled up, you plug your overflow up so you don’t lose some of your water when you run.”
The power plant box features five batteries. “I use Deka 31 and they’re heavy as hell. There’s two here for your locators, and aerators take so much juice any more one won’t keep up. I got this extra auxiliary battery. With two aerator pumps and four locators running all day, and you don’t run around too much with your big motor recharging, you’re going to have a dead battery at the end of the day. Ever since I started doing this, I’ve not had any problems.”
The power plant box features five batteries. “I use Deka 31 and they’re heavy as hell. There’s two here for your locators, and aerators take so much juice any more one won’t keep up. I got this extra auxiliary battery. With two aerator pumps and four locators running all day, and you don’t run around too much with your big motor recharging, you’re going to have a dead battery at the end of the day. Ever since I started doing this, I’ve not had any problems.”
Clouse likes the best so he uses a Fury 3 Blade prop.
Clouse likes the best so he uses a Fury 3 Blade prop.
Transducers from his electronics hang at the stern.
Transducers from his electronics hang at the stern.
Of course he’s got a T-H Marine Atlas jackplate.
Of course he’s got a T-H Marine Atlas jackplate.
One feature Clouse designed for the Phoenix was a dual elevation seat.
One feature Clouse designed for the Phoenix was a dual elevation seat.
The front of the cushioned area flips up. “The dual elevation seat gives you a little extra boost so you don’t have to sit on your leg like some guys do.”
The front of the cushioned area flips up. “The dual elevation seat gives you a little extra boost so you don’t have to sit on your leg like some guys do.”
“What I use that for, you can see grass mats or whatever. It’s way easier. It makes a difference, even when you start running in the dark.”
“What I use that for, you can see grass mats or whatever. It’s way easier. It makes a difference, even when you start running in the dark.”
A hot foot seems standard nowadays, but a bank of control buttons are right at hand. There’s also a cleat near his steering wheel to tie up while still seated. “People were tying up to their steering wheels for years.”
A hot foot seems standard nowadays, but a bank of control buttons are right at hand. There’s also a cleat near his steering wheel to tie up while still seated. “People were tying up to their steering wheels for years.”
Clouse’s console is set up with big screens.
Clouse’s console is set up with big screens.
Clouse runs a Mercury ProsXS 250.
Clouse runs a Mercury ProsXS 250.
Coming aboard is easy with steps up front. “We got a stripper pole here.”
Coming aboard is easy with steps up front. “We got a stripper pole here.”
After having a rod strap break, Clouse made sure to avoid disaster. “It keeps rods more secure and if one were to ever break, you’re still set. It’s just easier. You can keep four tied down and get to the one tied down here.”
After having a rod strap break, Clouse made sure to avoid disaster. “It keeps rods more secure and if one were to ever break, you’re still set. It’s just easier. You can keep four tied down and get to the one tied down here.”
Clouse hopes to make a big splash on the Elites this year, and even if he doesn’t, there are a number of others running one of his Phoenix boats.
Clouse hopes to make a big splash on the Elites this year, and even if he doesn’t, there are a number of others running one of his Phoenix boats.