Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Keith Combs

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs’ office is on a Yamaha powered Ranger 520. Take a quick tour to learn how he sets it up to be an efficient work platform.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs’ office is on a Yamaha powered Ranger 520. Take a quick tour to learn how he sets it up to be an efficient work platform.
A Minn Kota Ultrex provides all the power he needs to fish in any water condition, plus Spot Lock to keep him in place when he needs to stay put.
A Minn Kota Ultrex provides all the power he needs to fish in any water condition, plus Spot Lock to keep him in place when he needs to stay put.
In addition to the transducer built into the trolling motor foot, Combs also has a Humminbird 360 transducer mounted on the trolling motor shaft to ensure he doesn’t miss anything beneath the water’s surface.
In addition to the transducer built into the trolling motor foot, Combs also has a Humminbird 360 transducer mounted on the trolling motor shaft to ensure he doesn’t miss anything beneath the water’s surface.
Two Humminbird Solix 15s are mounted on the bow of his Ranger so he can easily view charts, sonar, down and side imaging and 360 sonar.
Two Humminbird Solix 15s are mounted on the bow of his Ranger so he can easily view charts, sonar, down and side imaging and 360 sonar.
Just to the left of his front-deck electronics is the switch for his Talons so he can lower the shallow-water anchors quickly.
Just to the left of his front-deck electronics is the switch for his Talons so he can lower the shallow-water anchors quickly.
His trolling motor pedal is recessed into the deck to reduce fatigue while he’s fishing. Of course, he can quickly initiate Spot Lock with the tap of his foot.
His trolling motor pedal is recessed into the deck to reduce fatigue while he’s fishing. Of course, he can quickly initiate Spot Lock with the tap of his foot.
A cup holder and tool slots are just in front of the trolling motor foot pedal to keep necessary equipment close at hand.
A cup holder and tool slots are just in front of the trolling motor foot pedal to keep necessary equipment close at hand.
His front deck offers a huge working platform, and features four huge compartments to store ample equipment for a long day on the water.
His front deck offers a huge working platform, and features four huge compartments to store ample equipment for a long day on the water.
Two cavernous compartments on the right side of the deck are used to store life jackets, rain gear, his running light and tons of other gear.
Two cavernous compartments on the right side of the deck are used to store life jackets, rain gear, his running light and tons of other gear.
An amazing number of trays packed with lures, terminal tackle and line fill the large center compartment.
An amazing number of trays packed with lures, terminal tackle and line fill the large center compartment.
Rods are stored in the compartment along the left side of the front deck until they are needed.
Rods are stored in the compartment along the left side of the front deck until they are needed.
Pull-out straps secure rods on the front deck while running from spot to spot.
Pull-out straps secure rods on the front deck while running from spot to spot.
A step at the rear of the deck reduce knee stress while moving from behind the wheel to the front deck.
A step at the rear of the deck reduce knee stress while moving from behind the wheel to the front deck.
Beneath the lid of this compartment is a roomy ice chest in which Combs stores all the water he needs to remain hydrated during hot summer days.
Beneath the lid of this compartment is a roomy ice chest in which Combs stores all the water he needs to remain hydrated during hot summer days.
His measuring board is stored in a handy slot to the right of the front step, while pliers and other tools are held in slots.
His measuring board is stored in a handy slot to the right of the front step, while pliers and other tools are held in slots.
More tools are kept at hand in tools on the left side of the front step.
More tools are kept at hand in tools on the left side of the front step.
A small, open compartment along the rear of the front deck in front of the passenger seat serves to hold extraneous lures and trash.
A small, open compartment along the rear of the front deck in front of the passenger seat serves to hold extraneous lures and trash.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot allows Combs to keep both hands on the wheel and still control his speed.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot allows Combs to keep both hands on the wheel and still control his speed.
Two more Humminbird Solix 15s are mounted on the console so he has ample display area to arrange charts and his various sonar views.
Two more Humminbird Solix 15s are mounted on the console so he has ample display area to arrange charts and his various sonar views.
Bass Boat Technologies mounts hold Combs’ electronics securely in place, even in the roughest conditions.
Bass Boat Technologies mounts hold Combs’ electronics securely in place, even in the roughest conditions.
An autism awareness bracelet from a campaign spearheaded by fellow Elite angler John Crews rides on Combs’ outboard control lever.
An autism awareness bracelet from a campaign spearheaded by fellow Elite angler John Crews rides on Combs’ outboard control lever.
Dual controls mounted on the steering column allow him to control his T-H Marine jack plate and outboard trim without taking his hands off the wheel.
Dual controls mounted on the steering column allow him to control his T-H Marine jack plate and outboard trim without taking his hands off the wheel.
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Another Talon controller mounted to the console allows him to stab in his shallow-water anchors before stepping onto the front deck.
Another Talon controller mounted to the console allows him to stab in his shallow-water anchors before stepping onto the front deck.
Comfortable seats provide a smooth ride in rough conditions, while a step allows easy access to the rear deck.
Comfortable seats provide a smooth ride in rough conditions, while a step allows easy access to the rear deck.
Beneath the step between the seats is a compartment in which Combs keeps his balance beam, towels and other miscellaneous items.
Beneath the step between the seats is a compartment in which Combs keeps his balance beam, towels and other miscellaneous items.
He has plenty of room to move around on the large rear deck when hard-fighting bass pull him to the back of the boat.
He has plenty of room to move around on the large rear deck when hard-fighting bass pull him to the back of the boat.
A large compartment behind his seat is used to store extra tackle.
A large compartment behind his seat is used to store extra tackle.
A second compartment on the passenger side of the back deck is open for extra storage.
A second compartment on the passenger side of the back deck is open for extra storage.
There’s plenty of room for heavy limits of bass in the livewell.
There’s plenty of room for heavy limits of bass in the livewell.
His cull tags are organized on the livewell’s divider.
His cull tags are organized on the livewell’s divider.
A roomy bilge compartment has ample room for his four batteries, a battery charger and spare prop.
A roomy bilge compartment has ample room for his four batteries, a battery charger and spare prop.
Dual Talon shallow-water anchors flank Combs’ Yamaha 250 VMAX to keep his boat perfectly positioned when activated. The Ranger is powered by a Yamaha 250 VMAX.
Dual Talon shallow-water anchors flank Combs’ Yamaha 250 VMAX to keep his boat perfectly positioned when activated. The Ranger is powered by a Yamaha 250 VMAX.
Talon mounting brackets ensure his anchors are held securely in place when running through rough water.
Talon mounting brackets ensure his anchors are held securely in place when running through rough water.
Talon’s tilt brackets allow Combs to lower his Talons when maneuvering beneath low bridges, trees and other overhangs.
Talon’s tilt brackets allow Combs to lower his Talons when maneuvering beneath low bridges, trees and other overhangs.
Combs controls the height of his Yamaha outboard with a T-H Marine Atlas hydraulic jack plate.
Combs controls the height of his Yamaha outboard with a T-H Marine Atlas hydraulic jack plate.
A Humminbird down-imaging transducer is mounted to the jack plate.
A Humminbird down-imaging transducer is mounted to the jack plate.
A ladder on the rear deck can be employed if Combs ends up in the water.
A ladder on the rear deck can be employed if Combs ends up in the water.

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