Gear

Inside Elite Boats: Kyle Welcher

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Kyle Welcher is set for his sophomore season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Welcher will be running a familiar boat in 2021.
Kyle Welcher is set for his sophomore season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Welcher will be running a familiar boat in 2021.
Welcher will be running the same 2019 Ranger 520L that he ran during the 2020 Elite Series season. Welcher has made some upgrades to his rig for the upcoming season.
Welcher will be running the same 2019 Ranger 520L that he ran during the 2020 Elite Series season. Welcher has made some upgrades to his rig for the upcoming season.
A MotorGuide 109-pound Tour Pro is Welcher's trolling motor of choice.
A MotorGuide 109-pound Tour Pro is Welcher’s trolling motor of choice.
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Welcher runs his bow electronics on the Precision Sonar Triple Threat Mount.
Welcher runs his bow electronics on the Precision Sonar Triple Threat Mount. “I’m still a big-time shallow water fisherman, so I wanted to make sure I had a mount that was compact and stayed low to the boat,” said Welcher.
Welcher has added an entirely new set of electronics to the bow of his Ranger. Two Humminbird Helix 10s will be complemented by a Garmin GPSMAP 1022.
Welcher has added an entirely new set of electronics to the bow of his Ranger. Two Humminbird Helix 10s will be complemented by a Garmin GPSMAP 1022.
“I’ll use one of the Humminbirds for Mega 360, which is forward facing 3D sonar, and the other Humminbird will be for my LakeMaster mapping. I’ll use the Garmin for the forward facing 2D sonar where you can see the fish swimming live.”
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A Precision Sonar mount is also utilized for his console units.
A Precision Sonar mount is also utilized for his console units.
Welcher's console is home to two Humminbird Helix 12s.
Welcher’s console is home to two Humminbird Helix 12s.
“Last year I only had one unit at the console, but this year I wanted to make sure I could leave side imaging on all the time so I’m never at risk of driving over something and not seeing it,” Welcher said. “That’s the biggest addition that I’m excited about this year.”
A 2019 Four Stroke Mercury Pro Xs powers Welcher's Ranger. One thing Welcher added, was that the engine officially has 636 hours on it.
A 2019 Four Stroke Mercury Pro Xs powers Welcher’s Ranger. One thing Welcher added, was that the engine officially has 636 hours on it. “At the end of last season Taku Ito’s engine had over 800 hours on it but those are mostly idle hours. This boat right here doesn’t have any idle hours on it,” Welcher added.
Dual 8-foot Power-Pole Blades anchor Welcher's rig.
Dual 8-foot Power-Pole Blades anchor Welcher’s rig. “Those things take some abuse over the course of the year, and they just keep working. It’s a miracle really,” said Welcher.
The original lower unit is still on the engine, which Welcher was very proud of.
The original lower unit is still on the engine, which Welcher was very proud of.
Welcher runs a 10-inch T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate.
Welcher runs a 10-inch T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate.
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On to the rod locker. Welcher had just got done fishing a local tournament where he was only carrying a few rods. Typically he carries anywhere from 25 to 30 rods in his boat during Elite Series events.
On to the rod locker. Welcher had just got done fishing a local tournament where he was only carrying a few rods. Typically he carries anywhere from 25 to 30 rods in his boat during Elite Series events.
“I just love to fish. Even when I get home from an Elite event after fishing two weeks straight I’ll just wake up and want to go fish,” said Welcher.
Welcher's center storage compartment is typically full of boxes during official practice for an event, but by the time the tournament starts he narrows it down to what he knows he's going to fish with.
Welcher’s center storage compartment is typically full of boxes during official practice for an event, but by the time the tournament starts he narrows it down to what he knows he’s going to fish with.
“By the time the tournament starts, I’ll have a better idea of water clarity, and I’ll take out almost everything I have,” Welcher said.
All of Welcher's boxes are labeled with Highwaters Creations box labels.
All of Welcher’s boxes are labeled with Highwaters Creations box labels.
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All of Welcher's soft plastics are stored in $1 boxes that he buys from Dollar General.
All of Welcher’s soft plastics are stored in $1 boxes that he buys from Dollar General.
“I always keep my boat pretty light, especially towards the front so in this compartment all I keep is a couple of lifejackets, a paddle, my boat lights and anything else that is lighter but takes up more room.” he said.
The smaller starboard box behind the secondary rod locker is home to Welcher's rainsuit.
The smaller starboard box behind the secondary rod locker is home to Welcher’s rainsuit.
“My wife told me this feather is lucky. I have no idea if it is or not, but it’s been in there for two years now so it’s going to stay in there,” said Welcher.
The single console in Welcher's Ranger.
The single console in Welcher’s Ranger.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot is a must for Welcher.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot is a must for Welcher.
Welcher runs a Sea Clear Power Wiring Harness to maintain power to his electronics.
Welcher runs a Sea Clear Power Wiring Harness to maintain power to his electronics.
Welcher's back compartment is home to a size 31 AGM Interstate battery and three Dakota Lithium batteries. A Power-Pole Charge Power Station helps to keep everything charged.
Welcher’s back compartment is home to a size 31 AGM Interstate battery and three Dakota Lithium batteries. A Power-Pole Charge Power Station helps to keep everything charged.
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Ready to be wrapped for the 2021 season. Thanks for the tour, Kyle!
Ready to be wrapped for the 2021 season. Thanks for the tour, Kyle!

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