Gear

Inside Elite Boats: Josh Bertrand

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Josh Bertrand joined the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2013, and the Arizona native fished both the Central Opens and the Elite Series during the 2015 tournament season. Bertrand finished in the money on five Elite Series stops, and he notched a Top 10 finish on Table Rock in the 2015 Bassmaster Central Open #3.
Josh Bertrand joined the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2013, and the Arizona native fished both the Central Opens and the Elite Series during the 2015 tournament season. Bertrand finished in the money on five Elite Series stops, and he notched a Top 10 finish on Table Rock in the 2015 Bassmaster Central Open #3.
The young Elite first fished Bassmaster Opens tournaments in 2010, and his trademark red beard makes him hard to miss on the water and the weigh-in stage. As he explained in a <a href=http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/so-many-reasons-why-we-fish target=
The young Elite first fished Bassmaster Opens tournaments in 2010, and his trademark red beard makes him hard to miss on the water and the weigh-in stage. As he explained in a recent column on Bassmaster.com, Bertrand chose bass fishing as a career because of his sports background and due to the thrill of competition.
Bertrand's boat for the 2015 tournament season was a Nitro Z-9.
Bertrand’s boat for the 2015 tournament season was a Nitro Z-9.
For maneuvering while casting, Bertrand's boat was equipped with a MotorGuide 109 Tour Edition.
For maneuvering while casting, Bertrand’s boat was equipped with a MotorGuide 109 Tour Edition.
The front of the boat features one Lowrance HDS-8 unit installed using a RAM Mount. The mount's design allows the position of the screen to be adjusted when needed.
The front of the boat features one Lowrance HDS-8 unit installed using a RAM Mount. The mount’s design allows the position of the screen to be adjusted when needed.
During most tournaments, the Nitro's left rod locker held 20 to 30 rods, according to Bertrand.
During most tournaments, the Nitro’s left rod locker held 20 to 30 rods, according to Bertrand.
Since Bertrand only utilized one boat rod locker, rod socks were a necessity so he could carry more than two dozen rods without snags or other problems.
Since Bertrand only utilized one boat rod locker, rod socks were a necessity so he could carry more than two dozen rods without snags or other problems.
Here Bertrand showed off his favorite rod and reel combo. The rod is a 7-foot Abu Garcia Veracity paired with an Abu Garcia REVO spinning reel. In this example, Bertrand had a Senko with a nose sinker tied on.
Here Bertrand showed off his favorite rod and reel combo. The rod is a 7-foot Abu Garcia Veracity paired with an Abu Garcia REVO spinning reel. In this example, Bertrand had a Senko with a nose sinker tied on.
The boat's front box was a frequently used storage space that held a wide array of fishing gear. Plastics, spinnerbaits, weights, line and Gulp! baits were all included.
The boat’s front box was a frequently used storage space that held a wide array of fishing gear. Plastics, spinnerbaits, weights, line and Gulp! baits were all included.
“I love Gulp! for smallmouth,” Bertrand said. “That’s what I use it for. It’s my favorite bait for smallmouth fishing.”
This box holds an organized selection of sinkers and hooks. This box was kept in the front boat compartment because it provided easy access as it's the closest one to Bertrand when he's fishing.
This box holds an organized selection of sinkers and hooks. This box was kept in the front boat compartment because it provided easy access as it’s the closest one to Bertrand when he’s fishing.
The same compartment also held two boxes of spinnerbaits. Whites and yellows were the colors of choice at this point in Bertrand's season.
The same compartment also held two boxes of spinnerbaits. Whites and yellows were the colors of choice at this point in Bertrand’s season.
In these paired compartments, Bertrand lined up boxes of assorted hard baits, soft baits and jigs.
In these paired compartments, Bertrand lined up boxes of assorted hard baits, soft baits and jigs.
This box holds a selection of jerkbaits in different sizes and patterns. Bertrand pulled out a Berkley Skinny Cutter 110+ with a lighter color pattern.
This box holds a selection of jerkbaits in different sizes and patterns. Bertrand pulled out a Berkley Skinny Cutter 110+ with a lighter color pattern.
Rows of clips inside the compartment's lids provided handy access to bags of soft baits.
Rows of clips inside the compartment’s lids provided handy access to bags of soft baits.
“I use the clips on the lids for soft baits that I’m using during a specific tournament,” Bertrand explained. “I can get to them quickly and I don’t have to dig through a box.”
The compartment on the right side of the boat provided storage for a number of
The compartment on the right side of the boat provided storage for a number of “must-have” items. A buoy, life jacket, extra clothing, a bottle of cleaner, a plastic storage box and a flashlight are shown here.
The flashlight got plenty of use during predawn launches or late-night work sessions.
The flashlight got plenty of use during predawn launches or late-night work sessions.
The bottle of Boat Bling's Hot Sauce cleaner and a cleaning towel came in handy during a long, dirty tournament season. The cleaner removes hard water spots, mineral deposits and exhaust residue.
The bottle of Boat Bling’s Hot Sauce cleaner and a cleaning towel came in handy during a long, dirty tournament season. The cleaner removes hard water spots, mineral deposits and exhaust residue.
The plastic bin holds something like a dry storage bass fishing survival kit. Costa sunglasses safely stored are definitely a must-have for tournament and weekend anglers.
The plastic bin holds something like a dry storage bass fishing survival kit. Costa sunglasses safely stored are definitely a must-have for tournament and weekend anglers.
Other survival items here included hand warmers, snack bars and different medicines.
Other survival items here included hand warmers, snack bars and different medicines.
The boat's seat storage space provided room for various tools and dyes. Bertrand pointed out that the Berkley pliers are made with aluminum so they won't rust in a wet environment.
The boat’s seat storage space provided room for various tools and dyes. Bertrand pointed out that the Berkley pliers are made with aluminum so they won’t rust in a wet environment.
As any angler will tell you, bass fishing is thirsty work. The boat's drink bin held plenty of water as well as Monster Energy Drinks in case Bertrand needed an afternoon kick.
As any angler will tell you, bass fishing is thirsty work. The boat’s drink bin held plenty of water as well as Monster Energy Drinks in case Bertrand needed an afternoon kick.
A spray bottle of Gulp! was handy as Bertrand's boat was prepped to head out on a smallmouth fishery. Bertrand said he will spray Gulp! on any soft baits he uses.
A spray bottle of Gulp! was handy as Bertrand’s boat was prepped to head out on a smallmouth fishery. Bertrand said he will spray Gulp! on any soft baits he uses.
A small storage area near the passenger seat is packed with smaller items Bertrand will need during a day of typical competition: sunglasses, snacks, vitamins and more hand warmers.
A small storage area near the passenger seat is packed with smaller items Bertrand will need during a day of typical competition: sunglasses, snacks, vitamins and more hand warmers.
Another small storage box on the driver's side held more of the same including a backup flashlight and a few more snacks.
Another small storage box on the driver’s side held more of the same including a backup flashlight and a few more snacks.
For Bertrand's 2015 tournament rig, the color scheme was black on black with a few blue highlights included.
For Bertrand’s 2015 tournament rig, the color scheme was black on black with a few blue highlights included.
At the driver's seat, Bertrand went with two Lowrance displays: an HDS-9 and an HDS-8. The center was used for mapping. Bertrand likes to have a map displaying live as he moves through a fishery so it's easier to navigate. The side unit is on a RAM Mount, and it runs a Sonar and structure scan when Bertrand is idling around looking for fish.
At the driver’s seat, Bertrand went with two Lowrance displays: an HDS-9 and an HDS-8. The center was used for mapping. Bertrand likes to have a map displaying live as he moves through a fishery so it’s easier to navigate. The side unit is on a RAM Mount, and it runs a Sonar and structure scan when Bertrand is idling around looking for fish.
Next to the throttle are the ever important sunscreens and marker buoys.
Next to the throttle are the ever important sunscreens and marker buoys. “I like the green marker buoys because they’re a little less obvious for people to see over orange,” Bertrand said.
In the bin behind the driver's seat, Bertrand stored plastics, jig heads and heavy spoons. The boat drives better with heavier stuff towards the rear, according to Bertrand.
In the bin behind the driver’s seat, Bertrand stored plastics, jig heads and heavy spoons. The boat drives better with heavier stuff towards the rear, according to Bertrand.
Bertrand pulled a well-worn bag of green pumpkin Berkley Change Up soft plastics from the bin.
Bertrand pulled a well-worn bag of green pumpkin Berkley Change Up soft plastics from the bin.
The box behind the passenger seat held tools, fuses, a spare trolling motor prop and Bertrand's culling supplies.
The box behind the passenger seat held tools, fuses, a spare trolling motor prop and Bertrand’s culling supplies.
For fish care, Bertrand had two bottles of a livewell formula on hand.
For fish care, Bertrand had two bottles of a livewell formula on hand.
For human care, Bertrand packed the ever-important (and compact) first aid kit.
For human care, Bertrand packed the ever-important (and compact) first aid kit.
In the top of the battery box, Bertrand had 100 feet of rope and an emergency fish transfer bag.
In the top of the battery box, Bertrand had 100 feet of rope and an emergency fish transfer bag.
“You can never have too much rope on a boat,” Bertrand said. “Luckily I hadn’t used it yet. My gear must be pretty reliable.”
“Just in case you ever need it, it’s important to have a good solid bag in case you have to ride in with your fish with another competitor.”
The rear of the rig was equipped with a with a Mercury Pro XS engine. Also, Bertrand had 8-foot Power-Pole blades for shallow anchoring. <p>Thank you for the tour, Josh!
The rear of the rig was equipped with a with a Mercury Pro XS engine. Also, Bertrand had 8-foot Power-Pole blades for shallow anchoring.

Thank you for the tour, Josh!

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