Gear

Inside Opens Boats: Sam George

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A Phoenix 920 ProXP is the ride of choice for Sam George on the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
A Phoenix 920 ProXP is the ride of choice for Sam George on the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens.

All captions: Craig Lamb

In 2013 George, now 22, fished his first Open. He is now in his fifth season with high hopes to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
In 2013 George, now 22, fished his first Open. He is now in his fifth season with high hopes to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“Combining performance and stability in one boat is what Phoenix does so well, along with the pro-driven layout.” At the bow the Lowrance HDS-12 Gen3 is flush mounted for better viewing and obstruction-free fishing.
“Combining performance and stability in one boat is what Phoenix does so well, along with the pro-driven layout.” At the bow the Lowrance HDS-12 Gen3 is flush mounted for better viewing and obstruction-free fishing.
A Hydrowave H2 electronic feeding simulator with 16 original and new sound patterns for strike appeal, and the Power-Pole Wireless Foot Switch for quick deployment is within easy reach.
A Hydrowave H2 electronic feeding simulator with 16 original and new sound patterns for strike appeal, and the Power-Pole Wireless Foot Switch for quick deployment is within easy reach.
“Even when wearing gloves I get a good grip on the trolling motor rope,” said George of the T-H Marine G-Force Trolling Motor Handle. That features a rugged, nylon jacketed stainless steel cable.
“Even when wearing gloves I get a good grip on the trolling motor rope,” said George of the T-H Marine G-Force Trolling Motor Handle. That features a rugged, nylon jacketed stainless steel cable.
Another accessory added by George is the T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator. “The Minn Kota is super quiet and this reduces vibration even more around bedding fish, one of my favorite tactics.” Reducing operating temperature for longer battery and trolling motor life is another benefit.
Another accessory added by George is the T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator. “The Minn Kota is super quiet and this reduces vibration even more around bedding fish, one of my favorite tactics.” Reducing operating temperature for longer battery and trolling motor life is another benefit.
What else is quiet, fast and fuel-efficient is the Yamaha V MAX SHO 250 powering the 920 ProXP. Mounted at each side of the transom is the 8-foot Power-Pole Blade.
What else is quiet, fast and fuel-efficient is the Yamaha V MAX SHO 250 powering the 920 ProXP. Mounted at each side of the transom is the 8-foot Power-Pole Blade.
“It raises fast, from bottom to top, in under eight seconds,” said George of the T-H Marine ATLAS Heavy Duty hydraulic jack plate. The HD version is rated for engines up to 400 horsepower.
“It raises fast, from bottom to top, in under eight seconds,” said George of the T-H Marine ATLAS Heavy Duty hydraulic jack plate. The HD version is rated for engines up to 400 horsepower.
The blue parts are T-H Marine Stop Locks using hydraulics to keep the outboard from shifting from side to side. “They are easy to install and really keep the motor in place when trailering.”
The blue parts are T-H Marine Stop Locks using hydraulics to keep the outboard from shifting from side to side. “They are easy to install and really keep the motor in place when trailering.”
The T-H Marine MOTOR STIK adds more support by removing pressure from the hydraulic system to brace the outboard while trailering. “It’s easy to install by just slipping over the trim rams.”
The T-H Marine MOTOR STIK adds more support by removing pressure from the hydraulic system to brace the outboard while trailering. “It’s easy to install by just slipping over the trim rams.”
Aluminum wheels with matching spare tire are features of the upgraded Warrior Wheel Package chosen by George for the 920 ProXP.
Aluminum wheels with matching spare tire are features of the upgraded Warrior Wheel Package chosen by George for the 920 ProXP.
“I carry more rods than the average angler, and that sometimes includes a pile of spinning and casting outfits.” Removing the factory installed, forward rod organizer tubes enables George to store up to 20 outfits in the already spacious rod compartment.
“I carry more rods than the average angler, and that sometimes includes a pile of spinning and casting outfits.” Removing the factory installed, forward rod organizer tubes enables George to store up to 20 outfits in the already spacious rod compartment.
This is not your average accessory. The YOLOtek POWERStick 53 inch is a camera mount that draws power from the stern or bow navigation light plug. “I don’t need to worry about battery drain and it’ll stay put when I’m running at full throttle.”
This is not your average accessory. The YOLOtek POWERStick 53 inch is a camera mount that draws power from the stern or bow navigation light plug. “I don’t need to worry about battery drain and it’ll stay put when I’m running at full throttle.”
“I record just about every day I fish and especially during practice or when I’m alone,” continued George. “I like to go back and review my casting mechanics, just like how athletes review film of themselves to improve.”
“I record just about every day I fish and especially during practice or when I’m alone,” continued George. “I like to go back and review my casting mechanics, just like how athletes review film of themselves to improve.”
The large center storage of the 920 ProXP is designed for rods and in this case, a large quantity of utility boxes. “You can use it for rods and the dividers give you the option of custom organizing for lure management.”
The large center storage of the 920 ProXP is designed for rods and in this case, a large quantity of utility boxes. “You can use it for rods and the dividers give you the option of custom organizing for lure management.”
Beneath the lid is the T-H Marine Tackle Titan lure and tool organizer for frequently used baits. Lures are attached by looping hooks through the slotted part.
Beneath the lid is the T-H Marine Tackle Titan lure and tool organizer for frequently used baits. Lures are attached by looping hooks through the slotted part.
George uses a label maker for easier identification of lures by category. “The dividers give me even more options for lining up the boxes inside the compartment.”
George uses a label maker for easier identification of lures by category. “The dividers give me even more options for lining up the boxes inside the compartment.”
“I keep what I’ll use the most on a given day in this side compartment.” Fishing shallow, heavy cover was obviously in the plan for the day coming up.
“I keep what I’ll use the most on a given day in this side compartment.” Fishing shallow, heavy cover was obviously in the plan for the day coming up.
The starboard side compartment nearest the bow holds spare personal flotation devices, hats and other loose items.
The starboard side compartment nearest the bow holds spare personal flotation devices, hats and other loose items.
Forward of the console is a two-level storage compartment where frequently used gear is stowed for quick access.
Forward of the console is a two-level storage compartment where frequently used gear is stowed for quick access.
“I like the removable tray because it opens up even more space for things I need during the day, keeps them better organized,” explained George. “I’m kind of old school and like to tinker with spinnerbait hardware, so I keep it all inside this compartment.”
“I like the removable tray because it opens up even more space for things I need during the day, keeps them better organized,” explained George. “I’m kind of old school and like to tinker with spinnerbait hardware, so I keep it all inside this compartment.”
These compartments are below the casting deck and nearest the floorboard, to either side of the passenger and driver seating.
These compartments are below the casting deck and nearest the floorboard, to either side of the passenger and driver seating.
The Sharpie and Super Glue are for modifying lures. The white tape is used for inscribing line tests and fastening to rod handles for easy identification.
The Sharpie and Super Glue are for modifying lures. The white tape is used for inscribing line tests and fastening to rod handles for easy identification.
“This is my trial-and-error box,” he explained. Translated, that means what doesn’t work well on a given day go here.
“This is my trial-and-error box,” he explained. Translated, that means what doesn’t work well on a given day go here.
Alton Jones Jr., the travel partner of George and one of his best friends, gave him this push pole as a Christmas gift. The Stiffy Graphite Push Pole, designed for saltwater flats fishing, weighs only 2.5 ounces per foot. For this 20-foot push pole that is incredibly lightweight.
Alton Jones Jr., the travel partner of George and one of his best friends, gave him this push pole as a Christmas gift. The Stiffy Graphite Push Pole, designed for saltwater flats fishing, weighs only 2.5 ounces per foot. For this 20-foot push pole that is incredibly lightweight.
“It comes in two pieces and is unbelievably light, and it gets a lot of use when I’m bed fishing and don’t want to create noise with the trolling motor in extremely shallow, still water.”
“It comes in two pieces and is unbelievably light, and it gets a lot of use when I’m bed fishing and don’t want to create noise with the trolling motor in extremely shallow, still water.”
“I have a lot of overnight stays at hotels and this gives me peace of mind when the boat is parked outside.” The security comes from the T-H Marine Loc-R-Bar Lock Alarm System. The included Loc-R-Bar Padlock Alarm has a 100-decibel alarm built into the padlock. It goes off every time the padlock is disturbed, making it difficult to cut with bolt cutters.
“I have a lot of overnight stays at hotels and this gives me peace of mind when the boat is parked outside.” The security comes from the T-H Marine Loc-R-Bar Lock Alarm System. The included Loc-R-Bar Padlock Alarm has a 100-decibel alarm built into the padlock. It goes off every time the padlock is disturbed, making it difficult to cut with bolt cutters.
The T-H Marine G-Fore Conservation Cull System features strong plastic clips secured to the fish’s lip for less harm and better fish health. George likes the six brightly colored floats with a twist.
The T-H Marine G-Fore Conservation Cull System features strong plastic clips secured to the fish’s lip for less harm and better fish health. George likes the six brightly colored floats with a twist.
Six tags come with the package and five bass is the daily B.A.S.S. limit. “I keep the sixth tag tucked beneath the passenger seat so I don’t accidentally have too many fish in the livewell.”
Six tags come with the package and five bass is the daily B.A.S.S. limit. “I keep the sixth tag tucked beneath the passenger seat so I don’t accidentally have too many fish in the livewell.”
The system also features a durable aluminum balance beam equipped with notches instead of clips. Comparing fish with the cull tags attached is a benefit of the beam.
The system also features a durable aluminum balance beam equipped with notches instead of clips. Comparing fish with the cull tags attached is a benefit of the beam.
George uses T-H Marine Wave Away as a safe means of cleaning the screens of his electronics.
George uses T-H Marine Wave Away as a safe means of cleaning the screens of his electronics.
This hot foot is his choice for its rugged dependability.
This hot foot is his choice for its rugged dependability.
This storage compartment between driver and passenger seats has something for everyone. “I eat more Ritz Crackers than anyone I know and you’ll find them all over my boat.”
This storage compartment between driver and passenger seats has something for everyone. “I eat more Ritz Crackers than anyone I know and you’ll find them all over my boat.”
Also inside the catchall box is an remote speaker with Bluetooth for playing tunes and a hands-free headset for taking important phone calls while fishing.
Also inside the catchall box is an remote speaker with Bluetooth for playing tunes and a hands-free headset for taking important phone calls while fishing.
Tucked inside the driver seat is a bottle of T-H Marine G-Juice Freshwater Live Well Treatment. The formula removes harmful nitrates, ammonia, chlorine and heavy metals for better fish care.
Tucked inside the driver seat is a bottle of T-H Marine G-Juice Freshwater Live Well Treatment. The formula removes harmful nitrates, ammonia, chlorine and heavy metals for better fish care.
More Ritz Crackers and a peculiar fishing rig are stored in the box behind the passenger seat.
More Ritz Crackers and a peculiar fishing rig are stored in the box behind the passenger seat.
Check out the old school (and prized by many) Lew’s BB1 Speed Spool used for a plug knocker.
Check out the old school (and prized by many) Lew’s BB1 Speed Spool used for a plug knocker.
In the dark the T-H Marine High Intensity LED Courtesy lights illuminate the darkness inside the boat for better visibility on the casting deck.
In the dark the T-H Marine High Intensity LED Courtesy lights illuminate the darkness inside the boat for better visibility on the casting deck.

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