Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Stephen Browning

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Stephen Browning is an Arkansas native and an original Elite Series competitor from when it was formed in 2006.
Stephen Browning is an Arkansas native and an original Elite Series competitor from when it was formed in 2006.
2018 is Browning's 23rd year of professional fishing with Bassmaster!
2018 is Browning’s 23rd year of professional fishing with Bassmaster!
He has his Triton 22 TRX rigged with a Mercury 250 Verado to power it and Power Pole 8-foot shallow water anchors.
He has his Triton 22 TRX rigged with a Mercury 250 Verado to power it and Power Pole 8-foot shallow water anchors.
The Verado is a 4-stroke and it means he doesn't have to worry about oil while on the road.
The Verado is a 4-stroke and it means he doesn’t have to worry about oil while on the road.
As a
As a “river rat” and a shallow water specialist Browning often uses his Power Poles.
Browning jumps in his Triton and starts digging through his boxes.
Browning jumps in his Triton and starts digging through his boxes.
In his right rod locker he has an assortment of gear.
In his right rod locker he has an assortment of gear.
One of the boxes contains his dyes and scents. It's a waterproof box with a foam insert cut out to specific holes for his smelly scents. Easy to get to with limited possibilities of spills and drips.
One of the boxes contains his dyes and scents. It’s a waterproof box with a foam insert cut out to specific holes for his smelly scents. Easy to get to with limited possibilities of spills and drips.
He also has a digital scale handy to help with culling.
He also has a digital scale handy to help with culling.
He carries soft plastics in that locker as well and he keeps his Z-Man Elaztech plastics sorted in handy zippered bags.
He carries soft plastics in that locker as well and he keeps his Z-Man Elaztech plastics sorted in handy zippered bags.
Uh oh he's almost out of Black and Blue Zinkerz in this package.
Uh oh he’s almost out of Black and Blue Zinkerz in this package.
He also has a few spinnerbaits handy in that locker.
He also has a few spinnerbaits handy in that locker.
The variety continues as he has a lot of his safety and boating necessities like a flare gun.
The variety continues as he has a lot of his safety and boating necessities like a flare gun.
Also a first aid kit along with other things.
Also a first aid kit along with other things.
One unique object in Browning's boat is a small scale he uses to make sure some of his hand-poured jigs or other baits weigh the same. After baits get banged around in boxes they can lose weight from bumping and rubbing so he makes sure his key bait is easily matched with a replacement while on the water.
One unique object in Browning’s boat is a small scale he uses to make sure some of his hand-poured jigs or other baits weigh the same. After baits get banged around in boxes they can lose weight from bumping and rubbing so he makes sure his key bait is easily matched with a replacement while on the water.
Another staple if you're on the boat for 250+ days like Browning is some aspirin for those rough events when the weather gets tough.
Another staple if you’re on the boat for 250+ days like Browning is some aspirin for those rough events when the weather gets tough.
In front of his steering console is a small tool tray that comes standard on his Triton. It has his ruler, scissors, pliers and cutters.
In front of his steering console is a small tool tray that comes standard on his Triton. It has his ruler, scissors, pliers and cutters.
He has two center boxes on his front deck. The front-most box has rain gear and life jackets.
He has two center boxes on his front deck. The front-most box has rain gear and life jackets.
This one is from the 2012 Bassmaster Classic when they fished on the Red River. He finished 24th, but later returned and took a win on the Red River in 2013 at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open.
This one is from the 2012 Bassmaster Classic when they fished on the Red River. He finished 24th, but later returned and took a win on the Red River in 2013 at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open.
Keeping rain gear and life jackets up front helps save on weight and keeps the bow of his Triton lighter than if he had other objects there.
Keeping rain gear and life jackets up front helps save on weight and keeps the bow of his Triton lighter than if he had other objects there.
Buried below his other jackets was an old-school life-jacket patch was from his 2nd Bassmaster Classic ever in 1998 at High Rock Lake.
Buried below his other jackets was an old-school life-jacket patch was from his 2nd Bassmaster Classic ever in 1998 at High Rock Lake.
Up front he keeps it clean with one graph. This a Raymarine 12-inch Axiom unit.
Up front he keeps it clean with one graph. This a Raymarine 12-inch Axiom unit.
He keeps a Hydrowave up front and ready to go when he needs to mask his trolling motor noise or attract fish with the numerous settings.
He keeps a Hydrowave up front and ready to go when he needs to mask his trolling motor noise or attract fish with the numerous settings.
He also has Power Pole foot buttons which are convenient for as much as he is on the front deck.
He also has Power Pole foot buttons which are convenient for as much as he is on the front deck.
He runs a 36-volt Motor Guide trolling motor.
He runs a 36-volt Motor Guide trolling motor.
The left side of his boat is occupied by numerous rods.
The left side of his boat is occupied by numerous rods.
He keeps all of his St. Croix rods and Lews reels all in one place.
He keeps all of his St. Croix rods and Lews reels all in one place.
He has a handy battery-operated light he can flip on and off during those low-light times when he needs to see.
He has a handy battery-operated light he can flip on and off during those low-light times when he needs to see.
In his center box he keeps hard baits.
In his center box he keeps hard baits.
Numerous boxes of hard baits along with a handy spool of line he used at his last event.
Numerous boxes of hard baits along with a handy spool of line he used at his last event.
“Spring is a great time to get dialed in on a crankbait bite,” Browning says. He has numerous colors of certain styles of LiveTarget crankbaits in one box depending on the season and where he is fishing.
He also found a loose Z-Man RaZor Shad, which was the trailer he was using on his Chatterbait to win the Ross Barnett Open in 2018. He saves a lot of time while fishing because he doesn't change trailers nearly as much because of the Elaztech soft plastics are durable.
He also found a loose Z-Man RaZor Shad, which was the trailer he was using on his Chatterbait to win the Ross Barnett Open in 2018. He saves a lot of time while fishing because he doesn’t change trailers nearly as much because of the Elaztech soft plastics are durable.
And they always return to their normal form.
And they always return to their normal form.
I found another shallow crankbait in his cupholder. Most boat cupholders end up as spare bait trays.
I found another shallow crankbait in his cupholder. Most boat cupholders end up as spare bait trays.
At the cockpit, Browning also has one Raymarine Axiom 12 and he can manage everything he needs with one screen.
At the cockpit, Browning also has one Raymarine Axiom 12 and he can manage everything he needs with one screen.
He has a radio for those long days of idling ledges or fishing alone. It also helps on resale as many people like having a music option in their boat.
He has a radio for those long days of idling ledges or fishing alone. It also helps on resale as many people like having a music option in their boat.
He has a pro-air system of oxygenators from TH Marine that he can switch on while he has fish in his livewells.
He has a pro-air system of oxygenators from TH Marine that he can switch on while he has fish in his livewells.
Triton's have a pull-drawer storage in front of where the passenger sits.
Triton’s have a pull-drawer storage in front of where the passenger sits.
Inside that handy storage drawer are hand warmers and sharpies along with other miscellaneous things.
Inside that handy storage drawer are hand warmers and sharpies along with other miscellaneous things.
In his bait tray he has some spare crankbaits and also a hook sharpener in a leather case.
In his bait tray he has some spare crankbaits and also a hook sharpener in a leather case.
His back box is left open (except for a few packages of Z-Man Lizardz) so his co-anglers and marshals have a place to stow their gear for the day.
His back box is left open (except for a few packages of Z-Man Lizardz) so his co-anglers and marshals have a place to stow their gear for the day.
In his driver side rear box are bulkier boxes that carry everything from tungsten to jigs to even...
In his driver side rear box are bulkier boxes that carry everything from tungsten to jigs to even…
Various jig skirt colors and styles for customization on the go.
Various jig skirt colors and styles for customization on the go.
He has a TH Marine Hot Foot so he can keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
He has a TH Marine Hot Foot so he can keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
A handy feature on his Triton is the seat adjuster. He can slide the seat forward if needed and back into default position. It's great for anglers of all sizes and leg lengths.
A handy feature on his Triton is the seat adjuster. He can slide the seat forward if needed and back into default position. It’s great for anglers of all sizes and leg lengths.
His middle console is a great place to keep wallets, phones, etc. protected from the elements. He also has two cup holders and a small storage bin.
His middle console is a great place to keep wallets, phones, etc. protected from the elements. He also has two cup holders and a small storage bin.
In that bin he has his cull tags.
In that bin he has his cull tags.
These are non-puncturing due to the new rule on the Elite Series where non-penetrating cull clips are a must. Browning likes that rule.
These are non-puncturing due to the new rule on the Elite Series where non-penetrating cull clips are a must. Browning likes that rule.
In the back is where all of his electronics and accessories are powered.
In the back is where all of his electronics and accessories are powered.
He also carried spare parts.
He also carried spare parts.
Like an extra trolling motor prop, a prop wrench for his outboard and other things.
Like an extra trolling motor prop, a prop wrench for his outboard and other things.
Like a dog leash that doubles as a lure retriever when he puts a heavy lead weight and a treble hook on it.
Like a dog leash that doubles as a lure retriever when he puts a heavy lead weight and a treble hook on it.
Browning takes a different approach and has 5 batteries in his boat.
Browning takes a different approach and has 5 batteries in his boat.
This way he has power to his trolling motor at all times and his starter batteries for his outboard. If he ever needs extra juice he knows he has a 5th battery to help. Yes that means a few extra pounds, but worth it for Browning because that means less panic and headache on the water.
This way he has power to his trolling motor at all times and his starter batteries for his outboard. If he ever needs extra juice he knows he has a 5th battery to help. Yes that means a few extra pounds, but worth it for Browning because that means less panic and headache on the water.
Triton has a safety ladder with steps to help anglers that may fall in.
Triton has a safety ladder with steps to help anglers that may fall in.
Browning stepped up to the 22 TRX, which is one of the biggest models on the water for bass boats. Bigger boat means more stability and a smoother ride on those big bodies of water.
Browning stepped up to the 22 TRX, which is one of the biggest models on the water for bass boats. Bigger boat means more stability and a smoother ride on those big bodies of water.
Thanks for the tour of your 2018 Elite Series rig Stephen!
Thanks for the tour of your 2018 Elite Series rig Stephen!

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