Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Cliff Pirch

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Cliff Pirch, or perhaps better known as
Cliff Pirch, or perhaps better known as “The Golden Ram,” took a few minutes out of a busy day between tournament days to give us a first-hand guided tour of his Suzuki powered 2018 Phoenix 921 ProXP.
Pirch's tow vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma rigged with Dick Cepek tires, and his wrap is one of the sharpest on tour -- you can pick him out across the lake.
Pirch’s tow vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma rigged with Dick Cepek tires, and his wrap is one of the sharpest on tour — you can pick him out across the lake.
His rig is decked out with state-of-the-art equipment that helps him stay consistent on every style of fishery across the nation.
His rig is decked out with state-of-the-art equipment that helps him stay consistent on every style of fishery across the nation.
Starting at the bow, he's rigged with a Minn Kota Ultrex.
Starting at the bow, he’s rigged with a Minn Kota Ultrex.
The trolling motor is a 36v machine that kicks out 112 pounds of thrust, an industry leading tool to all successful bass anglers.
The trolling motor is a 36v machine that kicks out 112 pounds of thrust, an industry leading tool to all successful bass anglers.
His bow information center includes two Lowrance HDS units and Hydrowave.
His bow information center includes two Lowrance HDS units and Hydrowave.
His Power-Pole foot pedals are conveniently located at the left side of his Ultrex pedal.
His Power-Pole foot pedals are conveniently located at the left side of his Ultrex pedal.
Pirch spends a great deal of time locating and catching fish from this very spot. A familiar set up, but that's because it works.
Pirch spends a great deal of time locating and catching fish from this very spot. A familiar set up, but that’s because it works.
Since we were in the middle of a derby, Pirch apologized for having so many rods on the deck. But it shows how he effectively utilizes the available space on his 921.
Since we were in the middle of a derby, Pirch apologized for having so many rods on the deck. But it shows how he effectively utilizes the available space on his 921.
There's plenty of room.
There’s plenty of room. “A spacious deck is so important. It just makes fishing in all conditions more comfortable and enjoyable.”
Beneath his port rod locker is an increased collection of rods. You never know what you're going to need, so better have it just in case.
Beneath his port rod locker is an increased collection of rods. You never know what you’re going to need, so better have it just in case.
That topwater bait recently saw some action, but that's as close as he'd let us.
That topwater bait recently saw some action, but that’s as close as he’d let us.
He also said that when a tournament wasn't going so great, he always has too many rods on the deck.
He also said that when a tournament wasn’t going so great, he always has too many rods on the deck.
Just check this out. He called it
Just check this out. He called it “a mess,” but I think we’d all agree it’s a matter of keeping options handy.
Beneath the starboard side rod locker lid are several additional items, including rain gear and motorcycle helmet.
Beneath the starboard side rod locker lid are several additional items, including rain gear and motorcycle helmet.
Hats. You can never have too many hats. Especially if one blows away when running from spot to spot.
Hats. You can never have too many hats. Especially if one blows away when running from spot to spot.
You'll also find an extra Onyx life jacket.
You’ll also find an extra Onyx life jacket.
He keeps his Lowrance covers in there, too.
He keeps his Lowrance covers in there, too.
“You really want me to put this on?” Sure beats taking a junebug in the teeth at 70 mph.
Again, too many rods on the deck.
Again, too many rods on the deck.
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Getting into his front/center box.
Getting into his front/center box.
Lots of important necessities in here.
Lots of important necessities in here.
Line, soft plastics, hooks and some super-duper top-secret baits wrapped in bubblewrap.
Line, soft plastics, hooks and some super-duper top-secret baits wrapped in bubblewrap.
These worms get a lot of business at most of the tournaments Pirch fishes.
These worms get a lot of business at most of the tournaments Pirch fishes.
Here's a closer, yet limited look at these baits. He said they were custom swimbaits, expensive custom swimbaits.
Here’s a closer, yet limited look at these baits. He said they were custom swimbaits, expensive custom swimbaits.
The next storage box is loaded with an impressive tackle assortment, all of which are the types of lures he needs regularly. This is his day-to-day box.
The next storage box is loaded with an impressive tackle assortment, all of which are the types of lures he needs regularly. This is his day-to-day box.
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You always need hooks. Always.
You always need hooks. Always.
And jerkbaits.
And jerkbaits.
Which are always stuck together, no matter what.
Which are always stuck together, no matter what.
Topwaters.
Topwaters.
There's a big, long story behind these two lures, but the end result was a new boat. He always keeps the
There’s a big, long story behind these two lures, but the end result was a new boat. He always keeps the “Old faithfuls” handy.
This is where Phoenix has placed a bump board. Out of the way yet easy to grab whether the compartment is open or closed.
This is where Phoenix has placed a bump board. Out of the way yet easy to grab whether the compartment is open or closed.
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In the corner you can see how Pirch keeps hooks he needs in a hurry.
In the corner you can see how Pirch keeps hooks he needs in a hurry.
Plus a convenient and out-of-the-way tool rack.
Plus a convenient and out-of-the-way tool rack.
As you step down into his cockpit, these two storage compartments are ultra handy for the small things that don't often have a regular home.
As you step down into his cockpit, these two storage compartments are ultra handy for the small things that don’t often have a regular home.
He loves to wacky rig a stickbait.
He loves to wacky rig a stickbait.
Super glue, scent and dye. Always keep it handy, he said.
Super glue, scent and dye. Always keep it handy, he said.
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The cooler is the right size and keeps drinks and food cool.
The cooler is the right size and keeps drinks and food cool.
He always keeps his Mustang life jacket hooked up. That orange seat nicely compliments his boat and truck wrap, doesn't it?
He always keeps his Mustang life jacket hooked up. That orange seat nicely compliments his boat and truck wrap, doesn’t it?
Dried mangoes. Sounds weird, right?
Dried mangoes. Sounds weird, right?
Pirch is dedicated to eating healthy, and dried fruit makes for great boat food. And they are tasty.
Pirch is dedicated to eating healthy, and dried fruit makes for great boat food. And they are tasty.
At his primary information center, you'll find two more Lowrance HDS units.
At his primary information center, you’ll find two more Lowrance HDS units.
Something that Pirch does not many other pros do, if any, is he turns his main console unit around so that he can see it while up front.
Something that Pirch does not many other pros do, if any, is he turns his main console unit around so that he can see it while up front.
“I want to know what’s going on beneath the back of the boat. This is especially important when finesse fishing, or anything requiring a vertical approach.”
Makes perfect sense.
Makes perfect sense.
Digging into his cockpit console storage box.
Digging into his cockpit console storage box.
Easy to understand some of these things.
Easy to understand some of these things.
Earplugs make perfect sense. He wears them on long runs, something he said he wishes he'd have done a long time ago.
Earplugs make perfect sense. He wears them on long runs, something he said he wishes he’d have done a long time ago.
A T-H Marine HotFoot runs his Suzuki's throttle.
A T-H Marine HotFoot runs his Suzuki’s throttle.
Pirch keeps a green marker buoy handy. Most of them are orange, but he likes to keep things under the radar.
Pirch keeps a green marker buoy handy. Most of them are orange, but he likes to keep things under the radar.
One of the coolest storage areas inside a Phoenix is this additional rod locker. It holds any sort of rod, but spinning rigs work well here. Pirch also keeps another important tool handy here ...
One of the coolest storage areas inside a Phoenix is this additional rod locker. It holds any sort of rod, but spinning rigs work well here. Pirch also keeps another important tool handy here …
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... A crankbait retriever.
… A crankbait retriever. “If you’re not getting your crankbait hung up, you’re not fishing in the right spots.”
He also keeps a push pole strapped down on top of that locker.
He also keeps a push pole strapped down on top of that locker.
Moving to the rear deck is another compartment full of tackle.
Moving to the rear deck is another compartment full of tackle.
Cranks.
Cranks.
This lure is one that also has a very interesting story. The very short version is he lost this lure on a stump, came back a week later and caught the lure back, tied it on and went on to win a boat or truck or something big.
This lure is one that also has a very interesting story. The very short version is he lost this lure on a stump, came back a week later and caught the lure back, tied it on and went on to win a boat or truck or something big.
“I might have too many crankbaits.”
Hogwash! Nobody can have “too many crankbaits.”
He does have an impressive collection of new and old baits.
He does have an impressive collection of new and old baits.
“I used this bait at the Classic this year, and it worked great for those Tennessee River bass.”
Deep and comfortable livewells keep his bass very safe and lively for effective catch-and-release practices.
Deep and comfortable livewells keep his bass very safe and lively for effective catch-and-release practices.
On the opposite side of the back deck is another storage box.
On the opposite side of the back deck is another storage box.
A flare gun may come in handy. It's not the sort of thing you'll need regularly, but if you need it you'll be glad you have it.
A flare gun may come in handy. It’s not the sort of thing you’ll need regularly, but if you need it you’ll be glad you have it.
A balance beam for culling.
A balance beam for culling.
Scented old-school pork trailers.
Scented old-school pork trailers.
Now into his Phoenix's powerplant.
Now into his Phoenix’s powerplant.
Batteries, charger, spare prop tools. Critical necessities when the time calls for it.
Batteries, charger, spare prop tools. Critical necessities when the time calls for it.
Pirch runs 8-foot Power-Pole Blades on either side of his Suzuki.
Pirch runs 8-foot Power-Pole Blades on either side of his Suzuki.
And of course his Suzuki 250 gets him where he needs to go, and back home again. An extremely reliable motor, for a great dude. Thanks for the tour, Cliff!
And of course his Suzuki 250 gets him where he needs to go, and back home again. An extremely reliable motor, for a great dude. Thanks for the tour, Cliff!

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