Inside Elite Boats

Inside Opens Boats: Brian Latimer

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Get an inside look with Bassmaster Opens pro Brian Latimer (AKA B. Lat), as he gives us the full walkthrough of his 2020 tournament rig.
Get an inside look with Bassmaster Opens pro Brian Latimer (AKA B. Lat), as he gives us the full walkthrough of his 2020 tournament rig.
Latimer’s 2020 Falcon Tournament Edition bass boat with a Favorite Fishing boat wrap is an eye-catcher, especially in the early morning sunshine.
Latimer’s 2020 Falcon Tournament Edition bass boat with a Favorite Fishing boat wrap is an eye-catcher, especially in the early morning sunshine.
During a difficult time across our country, Latimer is spending time social distancing the best way he knows how — by rigging up for a day of fishing on Lake Hartwell.
During a difficult time across our country, Latimer is spending time social distancing the best way he knows how — by rigging up for a day of fishing on Lake Hartwell.
Hogan Benson is joining Latimer for the day on Lake Hartwell. Benson is a participant in Latimer’s Straight Up Fishing school.
Hogan Benson is joining Latimer for the day on Lake Hartwell. Benson is a participant in Latimer’s Straight Up Fishing school.
Latimer says having trailer steps is a must. When trailered, the Falcon boat sits fairly high off the ground, so the trailer steps make it much easier to climb in and out.
Latimer says having trailer steps is a must. When trailered, the Falcon boat sits fairly high off the ground, so the trailer steps make it much easier to climb in and out.
Before rigging the boat gets started, Latimer wipes down his Garmin electronics with Wave Away sonar and GPS screen cleaning solution.
Before rigging the boat gets started, Latimer wipes down his Garmin electronics with Wave Away sonar and GPS screen cleaning solution.
The Garmin units up front include the 126sv and the 106sv, with the 106sv used for Panoptix.
The Garmin units up front include the 126sv and the 106sv, with the 106sv used for Panoptix.
The factory Garmin mounts with a tilting action are used to display the graphs on the front deck.
The factory Garmin mounts with a tilting action are used to display the graphs on the front deck.
A look at the Garmin mount bolted onto the front deck panel.
A look at the Garmin mount bolted onto the front deck panel.
The two Garmin graphs fit comfortably up front next to the trim, interior lights and NAV switches.
The two Garmin graphs fit comfortably up front next to the trim, interior lights and NAV switches.
A backside view of the Garmin mounts.
A backside view of the Garmin mounts.
The transducer is mounted on the bottom of the trolling motor.
The transducer is mounted on the bottom of the trolling motor.
Rod Buckles are used to keep the rods safe and secure while driving down the road or running on the lake.
Rod Buckles are used to keep the rods safe and secure while driving down the road or running on the lake.
The Falcon includes three front lockers, each opening vertically. “This is nice because it allows you to access the side lockers easily from both inside and outside the boat without the door being in the way. It also keeps you from dumping rods in the water when opening the doors.” Both side lockers are rod lockers which include rod tubes. The left rod locker is used for rods, while the right rod locker acts as his “junk drawer.”
The Falcon includes three front lockers, each opening vertically. “This is nice because it allows you to access the side lockers easily from both inside and outside the boat without the door being in the way. It also keeps you from dumping rods in the water when opening the doors.” Both side lockers are rod lockers which include rod tubes. The left rod locker is used for rods, while the right rod locker acts as his “junk drawer.”
The center locker is used for tackle and lure storage.
The center locker is used for tackle and lure storage.
Latimer keeps all of his tackle and lures organized in the center locker with Plano boxes.
Latimer keeps all of his tackle and lures organized in the center locker with Plano boxes.
The deeper Plano boxes allow him to store higher quantities of larger baits in one box, such as these lipless crankbaits.
The deeper Plano boxes allow him to store higher quantities of larger baits in one box, such as these lipless crankbaits.
And jigs ...
And jigs …
Latimer’s son, Brevyn, is also joining his dad to spend the day on Lake Hartwell. He has his floating-worm rig ready to go.
Latimer’s son, Brevyn, is also joining his dad to spend the day on Lake Hartwell. He has his floating-worm rig ready to go.
This Falcon provides plenty of space for legroom and an extra cooler. The new seats that come in the 2020 Tournament Edition are comfortable, cool and the sides of the seats provide a place to hold on and stay secure while running on the water.
This Falcon provides plenty of space for legroom and an extra cooler. The new seats that come in the 2020 Tournament Edition are comfortable, cool and the sides of the seats provide a place to hold on and stay secure while running on the water.
The first-person view inside this fully loaded rig. This Falcon is considered the widest beam in bass boats, measuring in around 99 inches. This extra space is certainly noticeable when inside the boat.
The first-person view inside this fully loaded rig. This Falcon is considered the widest beam in bass boats, measuring in around 99 inches. This extra space is certainly noticeable when inside the boat.
The tool tray on the passenger side is the go-to spot to set lures after they are cut off and changed out.
The tool tray on the passenger side is the go-to spot to set lures after they are cut off and changed out.
The passenger side tool tray is also where Latimer mounts his YOLOtek Powerstick for GoPro filming on the water.
The passenger side tool tray is also where Latimer mounts his YOLOtek Powerstick for GoPro filming on the water.
The driver side tool tray provides slots for another set of pliers as well as a bump board.
The driver side tool tray provides slots for another set of pliers as well as a bump board.
The co-angler is given ample space for rods. The rod slots keep rigs separated and easier to access.
The co-angler is given ample space for rods. The rod slots keep rigs separated and easier to access.
An insulated compartment in the middle can be used as a cooler or more storage.
An insulated compartment in the middle can be used as a cooler or more storage.
The center compartment beside the driver and passenger is easily accessible when sitting in the seats. This is where Latimer stores items such as sunglasses, keys and snacks.
The center compartment beside the driver and passenger is easily accessible when sitting in the seats. This is where Latimer stores items such as sunglasses, keys and snacks.
A little good luck note left by Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
A little good luck note left by Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Two Garmin 12-inch 126sv graphs mounted at the console.
Two Garmin 12-inch 126sv graphs mounted at the console.
The Garmin graph to the left of the driver is mounted on the dash plate by the factory Garmin mount.
The Garmin graph to the left of the driver is mounted on the dash plate by the factory Garmin mount.
Two gauges, two blinker style trim tabs and a leather steering wheel — simple and easy without being cluttered.
Two gauges, two blinker style trim tabs and a leather steering wheel — simple and easy without being cluttered.
One trim tab operates the motor trim while the other tab operates the hydraulic jack plate.
One trim tab operates the motor trim while the other tab operates the hydraulic jack plate.
A three-in-one gauge keeps the dash simple and uncluttered. The Power-Pole remote is mounted above this gauge.
A three-in-one gauge keeps the dash simple and uncluttered. The Power-Pole remote is mounted above this gauge.
The Garmin graph to the right of the driver is mounted with a T-H Marine Kong mount.
The Garmin graph to the right of the driver is mounted with a T-H Marine Kong mount.
All necessary switches, the key switch and two charging ports are conveniently located on one panel beside the driver. Latimer also prefers not having a pedal for acceleration because it’s easier on his back and keeps his feet free to for bracing himself in rough waters.
All necessary switches, the key switch and two charging ports are conveniently located on one panel beside the driver. Latimer also prefers not having a pedal for acceleration because it’s easier on his back and keeps his feet free to for bracing himself in rough waters.
The livewells on this Falcon are deep, providing plenty of room for large fish.
The livewells on this Falcon are deep, providing plenty of room for large fish.
Two side compartments in the back are large enough to store plenty of life jackets and bulky rain gear.
Two side compartments in the back are large enough to store plenty of life jackets and bulky rain gear.
The unique tri-folding back hatch allows access from the sides of the boat without having to lift the entire hatch. When lifting the entire hatch, the side doors act as support for the main door.
The unique tri-folding back hatch allows access from the sides of the boat without having to lift the entire hatch. When lifting the entire hatch, the side doors act as support for the main door.
The cranking battery, two Power-Pole Blade pumps and three Millertech deep cycle batteries. Everything else is hidden away, out of sight.
The cranking battery, two Power-Pole Blade pumps and three Millertech deep cycle batteries. Everything else is hidden away, out of sight.
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The two Power-Pole Blade pumps mounted under the lip of the back hatch.
The two Power-Pole Blade pumps mounted under the lip of the back hatch.
Latimer runs with Millertech batteries. These three batteries stay buckled in place and are recharged using onboard charging.
Latimer runs with Millertech batteries. These three batteries stay buckled in place and are recharged using onboard charging.
A unique and convenient aspect of the Millertech batteries ... Latimer is able to check the charge of each battery with the push of a button, never having to assume their charge.
A unique and convenient aspect of the Millertech batteries … Latimer is able to check the charge of each battery with the push of a button, never having to assume their charge.
Pushing this 2020 Falcon is a Yamaha 250 hp SHO four stroke. This engine is not only extremely powerful, but it also comes with less maintenance and headaches due to it being a four stroke.
Pushing this 2020 Falcon is a Yamaha 250 hp SHO four stroke. This engine is not only extremely powerful, but it also comes with less maintenance and headaches due to it being a four stroke.
Two Power-Pole Blades are bracket mounted on the back for stationary positioning in up to 8 feet of water.
Two Power-Pole Blades are bracket mounted on the back for stationary positioning in up to 8 feet of water.
The 250 hp Yamaha is mounted on a T-H Marine Atlas 6-inch hydraulic jack plate which helps with speed and running in shallow waters.
The 250 hp Yamaha is mounted on a T-H Marine Atlas 6-inch hydraulic jack plate which helps with speed and running in shallow waters.
Boat buckles mounted to the trailer keep the boat tied down and secure when trailered.
Boat buckles mounted to the trailer keep the boat tied down and secure when trailered.
A three-blade Scorpion prop by Solas is used on this Yamaha outboard for increased performance and top speed.
A three-blade Scorpion prop by Solas is used on this Yamaha outboard for increased performance and top speed.
A full view of the back boat set up as Latimer and the kids continue rigging up to go fishing.
A full view of the back boat set up as Latimer and the kids continue rigging up to go fishing.
“The Future of Fishing.”
Latimer and the kids finish up loading the boat before setting off for Lake Hartwell.
Latimer and the kids finish up loading the boat before setting off for Lake Hartwell.

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