Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: John Cox

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro John Cox is sponsored by Crestliner, and for the 2020 season he chose to use the 1850 Bass Hawk model that is made for chopping through waves. “It’s their deep V model with a bass-fishing layout,” Cox explained. “We’re going to a lot of big lakes, so I’m really wanting to move around, especially in really rough conditions.” <br><br> That doesn’t mean he’s given up the ability to fish skinny water, which is his preferred fishing style. <br><br> “It still goes super shallow — not as shallow as the (Crestliner) PT 20, but I still think it might be shallower than a fiberglass boat,” Cox said.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro John Cox is sponsored by Crestliner, and for the 2020 season he chose to use the 1850 Bass Hawk model that is made for chopping through waves. “It’s their deep V model with a bass-fishing layout,” Cox explained. “We’re going to a lot of big lakes, so I’m really wanting to move around, especially in really rough conditions.”

That doesn’t mean he’s given up the ability to fish skinny water, which is his preferred fishing style.

“It still goes super shallow — not as shallow as the (Crestliner) PT 20, but I still think it might be shallower than a fiberglass boat,” Cox said.

The bow of Cox’s Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk is deep enough to eat up any rough water the angler might be running through. It’s not the fastest boat on the water, by far, but Cox doesn’t worry about that. Read more on Cox’s thoughts about boat speed <a href=
The bow of Cox’s Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk is deep enough to eat up any rough water the angler might be running through. It’s not the fastest boat on the water, by far, but Cox doesn’t worry about that. Read more on Cox’s thoughts about boat speed here.
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A Minn Kota Fortrex powers Cox’s boat while he’s picking areas apart, and it has no problem pulling the aluminum boat around. It has an integrated transducer, which Cox rarely uses (more on that later).
A Minn Kota Fortrex powers Cox’s boat while he’s picking areas apart, and it has no problem pulling the aluminum boat around. It has an integrated transducer, which Cox rarely uses (more on that later).
The trolling motor foot pedal is recessed in the deck, which takes a lot of strain off his legs during a full day of fishing.
The trolling motor foot pedal is recessed in the deck, which takes a lot of strain off his legs during a full day of fishing.
A single Lowrance HDS12 stands on the front deck, but Cox’s fishing style means he really doesn’t use all the unit’s capabilities. “Usually I can touch the bottom with my rod tip,” he said. “I usually don’t put it on sonar. I’m really only using it for the charts when I’m marking areas. What I really like about it is you have the (touchscreen) keypad, so you drop the waypoint, delete whatever number it is and then I type in what it is.<br><br> “When you get hundreds of waypoints on a lake, you can’t remember, so when I’m cruising down the lake I’m actually reading my notes that I’m able to type in so when I do get on a pattern I can look and while I’m running down the lake find more stuff just like that.”
A single Lowrance HDS12 stands on the front deck, but Cox’s fishing style means he really doesn’t use all the unit’s capabilities. “Usually I can touch the bottom with my rod tip,” he said. “I usually don’t put it on sonar. I’m really only using it for the charts when I’m marking areas. What I really like about it is you have the (touchscreen) keypad, so you drop the waypoint, delete whatever number it is and then I type in what it is.
“When you get hundreds of waypoints on a lake, you can’t remember, so when I’m cruising down the lake I’m actually reading my notes that I’m able to type in so when I do get on a pattern I can look and while I’m running down the lake find more stuff just like that.”
A new addition to Cox’s boat is Hydrowave unit, which is tucked beneath his Lowrance so he can quickly activate it if he feels fish need a little extra prompting. “While I’m new to Hydrowave, I’m looking forward to testing it on bedding bass,” Cox said. “I think it could make the difference when a spawner is being hard headed.”
A new addition to Cox’s boat is Hydrowave unit, which is tucked beneath his Lowrance so he can quickly activate it if he feels fish need a little extra prompting. “While I’m new to Hydrowave, I’m looking forward to testing it on bedding bass,” Cox said. “I think it could make the difference when a spawner is being hard headed.”
The front deck of the Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk is massive, providing ample room to move around while fishing an area and fighting bass into the boat.
The front deck of the Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk is massive, providing ample room to move around while fishing an area and fighting bass into the boat.
The massive deck has five storage compartments, providing storage for all the tackle the could possibly used.
The massive deck has five storage compartments, providing storage for all the tackle the could possibly used.
There are two small compartments on either side of the trolling motor foot pedal, so he can reach necessary tackle and equipment without walking to the back of the deck. “I keep the main stuff I’m going to use for the tournament right at my feet,” Cox said. “Whatever I’m going to use for the tournament I throw in here.”
There are two small compartments on either side of the trolling motor foot pedal, so he can reach necessary tackle and equipment without walking to the back of the deck. “I keep the main stuff I’m going to use for the tournament right at my feet,” Cox said. “Whatever I’m going to use for the tournament I throw in here.”
Cox has a minimalistic approach to fishing, which means he really doesn’t carry a ton of tackle. Often, his front compartments have just a couple of bags of plastics and some weights.
Cox has a minimalistic approach to fishing, which means he really doesn’t carry a ton of tackle. Often, his front compartments have just a couple of bags of plastics and some weights.
The rear portion of the front deck includes two storage boxes and a center rod locker.
The rear portion of the front deck includes two storage boxes and a center rod locker.
Cox carries six Battle Born lithium ion batteries in two 36-volt series so he never has to worry about running out of power, even if he really punishes his trolling motor. The first set, along with a Minn Kota charger, is positioned in his port-side compartment so they are easily accessible.
Cox carries six Battle Born lithium ion batteries in two 36-volt series so he never has to worry about running out of power, even if he really punishes his trolling motor. The first set, along with a Minn Kota charger, is positioned in his port-side compartment so they are easily accessible.
The second 36-volt battery series is tucked under the rod-storage locker. All those batteries would normally be a problem, especially in the front of the boat, but Cox said the lithium ions are so light that they don’t pose any problems.
The second 36-volt battery series is tucked under the rod-storage locker. All those batteries would normally be a problem, especially in the front of the boat, but Cox said the lithium ions are so light that they don’t pose any problems.
The pair of 36-volt battery series are linked to breakers, allowing Cox to quickly switch over. “What I do is flip one breaker up, and I can usually run it on 80 (percent) for seven or eight hours,” Cox said. “Once it dies, I press the red button (on the breaker) in and flip the breaker up on the next one and I’m ready to go.”
The pair of 36-volt battery series are linked to breakers, allowing Cox to quickly switch over. “What I do is flip one breaker up, and I can usually run it on 80 (percent) for seven or eight hours,” Cox said. “Once it dies, I press the red button (on the breaker) in and flip the breaker up on the next one and I’m ready to go.”
The starboard storage compartment holds tools he thinks he’ll need, along with any miscellaneous equipment.
The starboard storage compartment holds tools he thinks he’ll need, along with any miscellaneous equipment.
The rod locker (note the false floor covering the battery compartment) is roomy enough to hold all the rods Cox thinks he’ll need.
The rod locker (note the false floor covering the battery compartment) is roomy enough to hold all the rods Cox thinks he’ll need.
The locker has a storage system designed to hold 15 rods without any tangling.
The locker has a storage system designed to hold 15 rods without any tangling.
Cox also has plenty of open room to move around in while driving his boat. There are two comfortable seats situated in the roomy area so he nor his marshals have to worry about jamming their knees.
Cox also has plenty of open room to move around in while driving his boat. There are two comfortable seats situated in the roomy area so he nor his marshals have to worry about jamming their knees.
The low windshield provides all the visibility needed on long runs, and the roomy passenger area allows him to stow equipment like a push pole without feeling cluttered.
The low windshield provides all the visibility needed on long runs, and the roomy passenger area allows him to stow equipment like a push pole without feeling cluttered.
He keeps a spare prop behind the passenger seat in case he spins a hub. This also is where his fire extinguisher resides, keeping it handy in case of emergencies.
He keeps a spare prop behind the passenger seat in case he spins a hub. This also is where his fire extinguisher resides, keeping it handy in case of emergencies.
An LED light bar in the rear of the passenger area provides illumination when he’s prepping while waiting on take-off.
An LED light bar in the rear of the passenger area provides illumination when he’s prepping while waiting on take-off.
A large storage compartment between the seats holds all kinds of miscellany, including his prop wrench.
A large storage compartment between the seats holds all kinds of miscellany, including his prop wrench.
Another compartment behind the front deck adds even more storage.
Another compartment behind the front deck adds even more storage.
His second Lowrance HDS12 is mounted in Cox’s console. Again, this is mainly used for navigation and to set and review waypoints. <br><br> The console doesn’t include a lot of switches; instead, a few key controllers are mounted on either side of the HDS12. <br><br> “It’s all simple stuff,” Cox said. “I want to mineralize the issues as much as possible. If it breaks, I want to be able to fix it.”
His second Lowrance HDS12 is mounted in Cox’s console. Again, this is mainly used for navigation and to set and review waypoints.

The console doesn’t include a lot of switches; instead, a few key controllers are mounted on either side of the HDS12.

“It’s all simple stuff,” Cox said. “I want to mineralize the issues as much as possible. If it breaks, I want to be able to fix it.”

A Pro-Trim switch on the right side of the steering column allows Cox to trim his outboard without taking his hand off the wheel.
A Pro-Trim switch on the right side of the steering column allows Cox to trim his outboard without taking his hand off the wheel.
Bucking tournament fishing convention again, Cox doesn’t have a jack plate controller on his steering column. Instead, he uses a rocker switch mounted on the gunnel to control the vertical position of his Mercury ProXS.
Bucking tournament fishing convention again, Cox doesn’t have a jack plate controller on his steering column. Instead, he uses a rocker switch mounted on the gunnel to control the vertical position of his Mercury ProXS.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot makes running the Crestliner just like driving his truck.
A T-H Marine Hot Foot makes running the Crestliner just like driving his truck.
However, Cox has a button on his throttle controller that allows him to switch from the Hot Foot.<br><br> “It allows me to just run on this throttle if I need to,” he said. “I love being able to just use the throttle sometimes, especially when idling.”
However, Cox has a button on his throttle controller that allows him to switch from the Hot Foot.

“It allows me to just run on this throttle if I need to,” he said. “I love being able to just use the throttle sometimes, especially when idling.”

A little cubby on the side of Cox’s seat holds small tools he might need to make quick repairs.
A little cubby on the side of Cox’s seat holds small tools he might need to make quick repairs.
The back deck hides integrated jump seats. “That’s for after the tournament, when the kids come tubing,” Cox said.
The back deck hides integrated jump seats. “That’s for after the tournament, when the kids come tubing,” Cox said.
“There’s more storage under those seats that I don’t know what to do with,” Cox joked.
“There’s more storage under those seats that I don’t know what to do with,” Cox joked.
The livewell is cavernous, with a wide-open layout that provides all the room even the largest bass need. Cox has modified his, adding the two gray panels to keep bass corralled when he opens the lid. <br><br> “They seem to want to jump out of it,” Cox said. “I had three 6-pounders in it, and one clear-jumped out. So I put these sides on there so they don’t jump out.”
The livewell is cavernous, with a wide-open layout that provides all the room even the largest bass need. Cox has modified his, adding the two gray panels to keep bass corralled when he opens the lid.

“They seem to want to jump out of it,” Cox said. “I had three 6-pounders in it, and one clear-jumped out. So I put these sides on there so they don’t jump out.”

Power Bubbles stones are used to ensure bass stay healthy while riding around in the livewell. “What I do is when I’ve got five fish in the livewell, I just come to the back and (start the stones),” Cox said. “Then I don’t have to worry about recirculator coming back on; I can just run that all day and keep them alive. And when I stop I pump fresh water in.”
Power Bubbles stones are used to ensure bass stay healthy while riding around in the livewell. “What I do is when I’ve got five fish in the livewell, I just come to the back and (start the stones),” Cox said. “Then I don’t have to worry about recirculator coming back on; I can just run that all day and keep them alive. And when I stop I pump fresh water in.”
The bilge area holds two cranking batteries and his oxygenation pump.
The bilge area holds two cranking batteries and his oxygenation pump.
Power-Pole controllers are in the starboard rear hatch.
Power-Pole controllers are in the starboard rear hatch.
A T-H Atlas jack plate ensures he can get the most out of his Mercury. It also allows him to run the boat extremely shallow.
A T-H Atlas jack plate ensures he can get the most out of his Mercury. It also allows him to run the boat extremely shallow.
A pair of Power-Poles compliments Cox’s focus on fishing shallow. Once deployed, the Crestliner is held firmly in place while he’s working an area over.
A pair of Power-Poles compliments Cox’s focus on fishing shallow. Once deployed, the Crestliner is held firmly in place while he’s working an area over.
The Crestliner is equipped with a 200-horsepower Mercury ProXS four-stroke long-shaft. “I have to have the long shaft because (the hull) is so deep,” Cox said.
The Crestliner is equipped with a 200-horsepower Mercury ProXS four-stroke long-shaft. “I have to have the long shaft because (the hull) is so deep,” Cox said.
His Lowrance transducer is tucked beneath the jack plate, although it usually goes unused.
His Lowrance transducer is tucked beneath the jack plate, although it usually goes unused.

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