Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Hunter Shryock

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When Ohio Bassmaster Elite Series pro Hunter Shryock tows his tournament rig down the highway, his color-coordinated truck and boat are irresistible eye candy.
When Ohio Bassmaster Elite Series pro Hunter Shryock tows his tournament rig down the highway, his color-coordinated truck and boat are irresistible eye candy.
Shryock’s tow vehicle is a dually needed to support the camper that rides in his truck bed when he travels to Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.
Shryock’s tow vehicle is a dually needed to support the camper that rides in his truck bed when he travels to Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.
Shryock’s truck and boat are gussied up with LED lights from Rigid Industries, including green lights in the wheel wells of his truck.
Shryock’s truck and boat are gussied up with LED lights from Rigid Industries, including green lights in the wheel wells of his truck.
A fully decked out Phoenix 21 PHX bass boat is Shryock’s place of business.
A fully decked out Phoenix 21 PHX bass boat is Shryock’s place of business.
A Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor keeps Shryock in range of bass, whether he is target casting in the shallows or fishing offshore structure.
A Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor keeps Shryock in range of bass, whether he is target casting in the shallows or fishing offshore structure.
This prop nut from Bob’s Machine Shop stabilizes and quiets the electric motor. Shryock had the company custom paint it to match his boat.
This prop nut from Bob’s Machine Shop stabilizes and quiets the electric motor. Shryock had the company custom paint it to match his boat.
The transducer built into the motor of the Minn Kota Ultrex sends sonar signals to the Lowrance graph on the boat’s bow. Note the Lowrance GPS puck next to the motor for the graph.
The transducer built into the motor of the Minn Kota Ultrex sends sonar signals to the Lowrance graph on the boat’s bow. Note the Lowrance GPS puck next to the motor for the graph.
A GPS puck for the Ultrex trolling motor and another for one of the Lowrance graphs on the console are mounted to the rear deck behind the driver’s seat.
A GPS puck for the Ultrex trolling motor and another for one of the Lowrance graphs on the console are mounted to the rear deck behind the driver’s seat.
This custom painted stop for the Ultrex’s motor support is another item from Bob’s Machine Shop.
This custom painted stop for the Ultrex’s motor support is another item from Bob’s Machine Shop.
A Hydrowave H2 unit is conveniently mounted below the graph on the boat’s bow.
A Hydrowave H2 unit is conveniently mounted below the graph on the boat’s bow.
The Lowrance HDS 12 on the bow gives Shryock a big-picture view of what’s happening beneath the surface.
The Lowrance HDS 12 on the bow gives Shryock a big-picture view of what’s happening beneath the surface.
The foot control for the Minn Kota Ultrex has buttons on either side that let Shryock employ Spot Lock and other advanced features with the tap of his toe.
The foot control for the Minn Kota Ultrex has buttons on either side that let Shryock employ Spot Lock and other advanced features with the tap of his toe.
Each of the many rods in Shryock’s rod locker is encased in a rod sock.
Each of the many rods in Shryock’s rod locker is encased in a rod sock.
To keep his reels from banging into each other and causing potential damage and scratches, Shryock cuts up rubber placemats (which do not absorb water) and puts one under each reel.
To keep his reels from banging into each other and causing potential damage and scratches, Shryock cuts up rubber placemats (which do not absorb water) and puts one under each reel.
Hunter displays one of the placemat pieces to give you a better idea of its size.
Hunter displays one of the placemat pieces to give you a better idea of its size.
Shryock fetches his favorite spinning outfit from his rod locker, a 7-foot medium action Abu Fantasista Premier rod sporting an Abu Garcia Revo Premier size 30 reel.
Shryock fetches his favorite spinning outfit from his rod locker, a 7-foot medium action Abu Fantasista Premier rod sporting an Abu Garcia Revo Premier size 30 reel.
Beneath the spinning outfit Shryock holds his workhorse baitcasting outfit, a 7-foot, 6-inch, medium-heavy, fast action Villain 2.0 rod matched with an Abu Garcia REVO Rocket reel.
Beneath the spinning outfit Shryock holds his workhorse baitcasting outfit, a 7-foot, 6-inch, medium-heavy, fast action Villain 2.0 rod matched with an Abu Garcia REVO Rocket reel.
The measuring board slides out of the way under the middle locker on the front deck. The board is readily accessible whether the locker is open or closed.
The measuring board slides out of the way under the middle locker on the front deck. The board is readily accessible whether the locker is open or closed.
The large middle locker has room for a generous supply of tackle. The two triangular black plastic trays in each corner are removable.
The large middle locker has room for a generous supply of tackle. The two triangular black plastic trays in each corner are removable.
The corner trays hold super glue and other items that Shryock needs frequently.
The corner trays hold super glue and other items that Shryock needs frequently.
Bait keepers in the top of the lid hold the baits that Shryock intends to use on any given day.
Bait keepers in the top of the lid hold the baits that Shryock intends to use on any given day.
The inside of the middle compartment is well organized with flat boxes in the middle, plastic bags with soft plastics on one side and bulk spools of line on the other side.
The inside of the middle compartment is well organized with flat boxes in the middle, plastic bags with soft plastics on one side and bulk spools of line on the other side.
Shryock stores his soft plastics in 1-gallon clear plastic bags, with each bag holding different colors and sizes of the same type of lure.
Shryock stores his soft plastics in 1-gallon clear plastic bags, with each bag holding different colors and sizes of the same type of lure.
The flat boxes are marked as to their contents so Shryock can quickly put his hands on exactly what he needs.
The flat boxes are marked as to their contents so Shryock can quickly put his hands on exactly what he needs.
Some of Shryock’s most-used soft baits earn a berth in a flat box. This flat box is stuffed with Berkley Powerbait Bunker Hawgs in a variety of colors.
Some of Shryock’s most-used soft baits earn a berth in a flat box. This flat box is stuffed with Berkley Powerbait Bunker Hawgs in a variety of colors.
Shryock plucks a Pit Boss from the box.
Shryock plucks a Pit Boss from the box.
Most of Shryock’s flat boxes contain hard baits.
Most of Shryock’s flat boxes contain hard baits.
This box houses Berkley Dredger Crankbaits that run 17- to 20-feet deep.
This box houses Berkley Dredger Crankbaits that run 17- to 20-feet deep.
The rod locker on the driver’s side is reserved for essential non-tackle items. Note the bow running light in the lid’s built-in holder.
The rod locker on the driver’s side is reserved for essential non-tackle items. Note the bow running light in the lid’s built-in holder.
The items in this rod locker need to be kept dry, including the rain gear, spare sweatshirt, ball cap and paper towels.
The items in this rod locker need to be kept dry, including the rain gear, spare sweatshirt, ball cap and paper towels.
Also in this locker are Shryock’s inflatable life vest…
Also in this locker are Shryock’s inflatable life vest…
…a two-piece push-pole…
…a two-piece push-pole…
…and a bag for his GoPro and GoPro accessories.
…and a bag for his GoPro and GoPro accessories.
Shryock attaches a flexible GoPro handle to a GoPro base fixed securely to the windshield of his boat.
Shryock attaches a flexible GoPro handle to a GoPro base fixed securely to the windshield of his boat.
Assorted fishing tools stay close at hand in a holder next to the driver’s console.
Assorted fishing tools stay close at hand in a holder next to the driver’s console.
The locker in front of the driver’s console has a removable tray that Shryock uses as a trash container.
The locker in front of the driver’s console has a removable tray that Shryock uses as a trash container.
Beneath the tray Shryock keeps spare reels in plastic bags.
Beneath the tray Shryock keeps spare reels in plastic bags.
Next to the console is a large cooler that serves as a step to the front deck.
Next to the console is a large cooler that serves as a step to the front deck.
Next to the cooler is a small compartment in which Shryock keeps his dye pens.
Next to the cooler is a small compartment in which Shryock keeps his dye pens.
Another small compartment next to the previous one holds super glue, a line stripper, a marking pen, a fizz needle and other small items.
Another small compartment next to the previous one holds super glue, a line stripper, a marking pen, a fizz needle and other small items.
Rod holders next to the passenger seat prevent tangles.
Rod holders next to the passenger seat prevent tangles.
A rod locker next to the passenger seat holds more rods.
A rod locker next to the passenger seat holds more rods.
When closed, the locker between the seats is a step to the back deck. When opened, it has room for gear that can be reached while seated.
When closed, the locker between the seats is a step to the back deck. When opened, it has room for gear that can be reached while seated.
This gear includes a scale for weighing bass…
This gear includes a scale for weighing bass…
…spare sunglasses…
…spare sunglasses…
…a flashlight, a cleaner and cleaning and cloth for the graphs, a spare buff and a charging cord for his cellphone.
…a flashlight, a cleaner and cleaning and cloth for the graphs, a spare buff and a charging cord for his cellphone.
Colorful LED lights from Rigid Industries are placed on the inside of the gunnels around Shryock’s boat and in the lockers.
Colorful LED lights from Rigid Industries are placed on the inside of the gunnels around Shryock’s boat and in the lockers.
Shryock sits behind his boat’s command center. Note that the graphs are not higher than his windshield where they would obstruct his vision.
Shryock sits behind his boat’s command center. Note that the graphs are not higher than his windshield where they would obstruct his vision.
The two Lowrance HDS 12 graphs that grace Shryock’s console ensure that he doesn’t miss a thing beneath the surface.
The two Lowrance HDS 12 graphs that grace Shryock’s console ensure that he doesn’t miss a thing beneath the surface.
The view from the driver’s seat. Levers on the left and right side of the steering column allow Shryock to control the trim and tilt and the hydraulic jackplate without taking his hands off the steering wheel.
The view from the driver’s seat. Levers on the left and right side of the steering column allow Shryock to control the trim and tilt and the hydraulic jackplate without taking his hands off the steering wheel.
Throttle control is instantaneous thanks to a T-H Marine Hotfoot. Note the circuit breakers next to the Hotfoot.
Throttle control is instantaneous thanks to a T-H Marine Hotfoot. Note the circuit breakers next to the Hotfoot.
The underside of the console is fully enclosed to give the boat a clean look and protect the wiring.
The underside of the console is fully enclosed to give the boat a clean look and protect the wiring.
A Power-Pole hand control is attached next to the driver’s seat.
A Power-Pole hand control is attached next to the driver’s seat.
Two deep livewells keep bass comfortable.
Two deep livewells keep bass comfortable.
To prevent the bass from banging against the hard underside of the livewell lids when running in big waves, Shryock lines the openings with pieces he cut from pool bumpers.
To prevent the bass from banging against the hard underside of the livewell lids when running in big waves, Shryock lines the openings with pieces he cut from pool bumpers.
The first thing you see when you open the locker behind the driver’s seat is Shryock’s helmet, color coordinated, of course.
The first thing you see when you open the locker behind the driver’s seat is Shryock’s helmet, color coordinated, of course.
Also in this locker is a container of T-H Marine G-Juice that works with the T-H Marine Oxygenators in Shryock’s livewells, plus a throw float cushion.
Also in this locker is a container of T-H Marine G-Juice that works with the T-H Marine Oxygenators in Shryock’s livewells, plus a throw float cushion.
The locker behind the passenger seat houses items that can save the day when there’s a breakdown, including jumper cables.
The locker behind the passenger seat houses items that can save the day when there’s a breakdown, including jumper cables.
A can of Bel-Ray penetrating and lubricating fluid and a Stanley jump starter and compressor may just save the day.
A can of Bel-Ray penetrating and lubricating fluid and a Stanley jump starter and compressor may just save the day.
Shryock would never leave the dock without a toolbox aboard.
Shryock would never leave the dock without a toolbox aboard.
Given Shryock’s background in motocross racing, he knows what tools he needs and how to use them.
Given Shryock’s background in motocross racing, he knows what tools he needs and how to use them.
The compartment at the back of the rear deck has two removable black trays above the batteries and battery charger.
The compartment at the back of the rear deck has two removable black trays above the batteries and battery charger.
One tray holds a spare trolling motor prop and a fish bag.
One tray holds a spare trolling motor prop and a fish bag.
The other tray holds a small net and brush for cleaning the livewells, plus a bungee cord, because you never know when you’re going to need one.
The other tray holds a small net and brush for cleaning the livewells, plus a bungee cord, because you never know when you’re going to need one.
Bob’s Machine Shop custom painted one of their hydraulic jackplate’s to match Shryock’s color scheme. For an additional fee, they will do this for any angler.
Bob’s Machine Shop custom painted one of their hydraulic jackplate’s to match Shryock’s color scheme. For an additional fee, they will do this for any angler.
A 250 hp Mercury XS outboard gets Shryock to his fish in a hurry. The twin Power-Poles are indispensable for shallow water fishing. <p> Thanks for the tour, Hunter!
A 250 hp Mercury XS outboard gets Shryock to his fish in a hurry. The twin Power-Poles are indispensable for shallow water fishing.

Thanks for the tour, Hunter!

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