Gear

Elite Man Caves: David Walker

This new series explores the man caves of Elite Series anglers. First up, see the gear and mementos packed into Walker's 2,160-square-foot bass fishing workshop.

Posted on
What looks like a garage in a suburban neighborhood is really something else. Welcome to Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Walker’s man cave. The building is nearly the size of his spacious 2,400-square-foot home located next door.
What looks like a garage in a suburban neighborhood is really something else. Welcome to Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Walker’s man cave. The building is nearly the size of his spacious 2,400-square-foot home located next door.
At 2,160 square feet this man cave houses everything a tournament angler needs and then some. Parked in the back is a fully rigged Ranger aluminum model. Shelves of tackle surround a work in progress inside his tournament rig. That changed with Walker's trip to the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
At 2,160 square feet this man cave houses everything a tournament angler needs and then some. Parked in the back is a fully rigged Ranger aluminum model. Shelves of tackle surround a work in progress inside his tournament rig. That changed with Walker’s trip to the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Walker spent most of his time here before leaving for Lake Hartwell, South Carolina. Following the Classic he returned to the man cave to reload the boat for the long season ahead of the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Walker spent most of his time here before leaving for Lake Hartwell, South Carolina. Following the Classic he returned to the man cave to reload the boat for the long season ahead of the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Walker will compete from this Ranger Z520C powered by a 250 horsepower Evinrude H.O. The rig is broken in and what comes next is the most time consuming task of all. Organizing all of the tackle to somehow fit into the compartments.
Walker will compete from this Ranger Z520C powered by a 250 horsepower Evinrude H.O. The rig is broken in and what comes next is the most time consuming task of all. Organizing all of the tackle to somehow fit into the compartments.
That is not an easy task when the tournament season stretches from February to October and spans from California to New York. Walker must be prepared with a wide array of tackle. The gear must be organized for quick access during the heat of battle.
That is not an easy task when the tournament season stretches from February to October and spans from California to New York. Walker must be prepared with a wide array of tackle. The gear must be organized for quick access during the heat of battle.
Walker carries around two-dozen rod-and-reel combos in his boat. Specialized fishing scenarios like fishing ultra deep-running crankbaits or finessing lightweight drop shot rigs require specialized combos. He’ll need them all for the Elite season.
Walker carries around two-dozen rod-and-reel combos in his boat. Specialized fishing scenarios like fishing ultra deep-running crankbaits or finessing lightweight drop shot rigs require specialized combos. He’ll need them all for the Elite season.
These Shimano Chronarch reels just arrived and Walker is eager to match them up with rods. He will spend several weeks unpacking boxes of tackle and prepping it all for the season.
These Shimano Chronarch reels just arrived and Walker is eager to match them up with rods. He will spend several weeks unpacking boxes of tackle and prepping it all for the season.
Some of the rods will go inside his Toyota Tundra. Walker carries up to 40 rods for use as spares or replacements. For the Classic he carried a versatile mix of spinning and casting outfits.
Some of the rods will go inside his Toyota Tundra. Walker carries up to 40 rods for use as spares or replacements. For the Classic he carried a versatile mix of spinning and casting outfits.
Progress and organization are underway. Walker laughs after being asked how much he is look forward to spooling line on two-dozen reels. It’s all part of preparing for the season and having the right tools.
Progress and organization are underway. Walker laughs after being asked how much he is look forward to spooling line on two-dozen reels. It’s all part of preparing for the season and having the right tools.
The task at hand is switching the larger Lowrance HDS8 for the smaller sized Lowrance HDS7. Walker’s reasoning for making the switch is the lower profile unit prevents him from striking it with a rod when making rapid, low level casts.
The task at hand is switching the larger Lowrance HDS8 for the smaller sized Lowrance HDS7. Walker’s reasoning for making the switch is the lower profile unit prevents him from striking it with a rod when making rapid, low level casts.
A highlight each year is christening a new boat with artwork drawn by daughters Olivia, 7, and Lilly, age 11. “Go Daddy” is a cheer learned by the girls not long after they learned to talk. What began as a novel good luck charm turned into family tradition.
A highlight each year is christening a new boat with artwork drawn by daughters Olivia, 7, and Lilly, age 11. “Go Daddy” is a cheer learned by the girls not long after they learned to talk. What began as a novel good luck charm turned into family tradition.
By midseason this artwork will be refreshed and updated after exposure to the elements. Walker says the drawings are great inspiration and a source of pride. Coincidentally, the quality of the pictures improves each year with improved drawing skills.
By midseason this artwork will be refreshed and updated after exposure to the elements. Walker says the drawings are great inspiration and a source of pride. Coincidentally, the quality of the pictures improves each year with improved drawing skills.
Walker calls this his Catch All box. It holds odds and ends he can grab at anytime, for any need. Inside are reel oil, Gorilla Glue and Sharpie pens for coloring baits. A favorite for wired baits are the side cutters that provide a sharper cut as compared to needle nose pliers.
Walker calls this his Catch All box. It holds odds and ends he can grab at anytime, for any need. Inside are reel oil, Gorilla Glue and Sharpie pens for coloring baits. A favorite for wired baits are the side cutters that provide a sharper cut as compared to needle nose pliers.
The Catch All box is stored for convenience where it will be used the most. Walker is in the middle of reorganizing the spacious compartment, following the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain. What you see is the aftermath of a week’s competition in Florida.
The Catch All box is stored for convenience where it will be used the most. Walker is in the middle of reorganizing the spacious compartment, following the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain. What you see is the aftermath of a week’s competition in Florida.
Here’s an inside tip. Walker prefers storing packaged weights inside the box for two reasons. First, it’s easier to see the difference between weights of similar size. Next, painted weights won’t chip over time when stored in the packages.
Here’s an inside tip. Walker prefers storing packaged weights inside the box for two reasons. First, it’s easier to see the difference between weights of similar size. Next, painted weights won’t chip over time when stored in the packages.
Walker stores bladed jigs in sealable clear freezer bags. The heavy-duty one-quart bag holds all of the baits. This system allows him to quickly view the variety of sizes and colors inside the bag. The compact size also takes up less storage space.
Walker stores bladed jigs in sealable clear freezer bags. The heavy-duty one-quart bag holds all of the baits. This system allows him to quickly view the variety of sizes and colors inside the bag. The compact size also takes up less storage space.
Walker is big on Catch All boxes. The one at left holds crankbaits after first-time use from the utility box. The smaller box keeps baits in one place instead of strewn about the casting deck.
Walker is big on Catch All boxes. The one at left holds crankbaits after first-time use from the utility box. The smaller box keeps baits in one place instead of strewn about the casting deck.
Every pro has secret weapons. Walker politely refused to disclose the contents inside the FedEx package. It came just prior to his departure for the recent Open in Florida.
Every pro has secret weapons. Walker politely refused to disclose the contents inside the FedEx package. It came just prior to his departure for the recent Open in Florida.
The E-Team emerged as a clever branding scheme years ago around Walker’s then key sponsor Evinrude. The cliché now appears on a custom snowmobile helmet provided to him by the outboard brand.
The E-Team emerged as a clever branding scheme years ago around Walker’s then key sponsor Evinrude. The cliché now appears on a custom snowmobile helmet provided to him by the outboard brand.
A true man cave is adorned with relics from the past. This roundup of retro features a framed poster from the 2002 Bassmaster Classic held on Lay Lake, Alabama. Elsewhere is a promotional poster for a personal appearance, date unknown.
A true man cave is adorned with relics from the past. This roundup of retro features a framed poster from the 2002 Bassmaster Classic held on Lay Lake, Alabama. Elsewhere is a promotional poster for a personal appearance, date unknown.
The Tim Hortons cup once held hot coffee brewed in Quebec. Walker stopped at the coffee shop during a practice trip to the Canadian side of Lake Ontario for a Bassmaster event. The coffee provided a much needed caffeine fix with the cup now a relic from his international travels.
The Tim Hortons cup once held hot coffee brewed in Quebec. Walker stopped at the coffee shop during a practice trip to the Canadian side of Lake Ontario for a Bassmaster event. The coffee provided a much needed caffeine fix with the cup now a relic from his international travels.
This Pringles can is not part of Walker’s Catch All storage system. When photographed it contained chips. After checking the expiration date and finding the product still edible Walker transferred the can to his boat. Check off one more item on the organization list.
This Pringles can is not part of Walker’s Catch All storage system. When photographed it contained chips. After checking the expiration date and finding the product still edible Walker transferred the can to his boat. Check off one more item on the organization list.
Walker uses these storage boxes to organize a wide array of lures and terminal tackle. An exception is the Wal-Mart box at left on the top shelf. Inside is a box of treasures from the past.
Walker uses these storage boxes to organize a wide array of lures and terminal tackle. An exception is the Wal-Mart box at left on the top shelf. Inside is a box of treasures from the past.
Topographic maps, a throwback of tournament strategy. Back in the day the first order of business upon arriving at a tournament site required visiting a tackle shop for two items. A fishing license and lake map. Walker’s collection dates back 20 years.
Topographic maps, a throwback of tournament strategy. Back in the day the first order of business upon arriving at a tournament site required visiting a tackle shop for two items. A fishing license and lake map. Walker’s collection dates back 20 years.
Behold the Catch All Table. In Walker’s hand is a box of peanut butter crackers. The product, like the Pringles, is edible and will go into a storage compartment inside the boat. As for everything else, he’s not sure where and when it landed on the table.
Behold the Catch All Table. In Walker’s hand is a box of peanut butter crackers. The product, like the Pringles, is edible and will go into a storage compartment inside the boat. As for everything else, he’s not sure where and when it landed on the table.
Go Daddy founder Bob Parsons signed this poster. It’s a gift to Walker from his wife, Misty and ties into the “go daddy” phrase written on the artwork by his daughters. Of the 16 Rules of Success the third entry has special meaning: “When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.”
Go Daddy founder Bob Parsons signed this poster. It’s a gift to Walker from his wife, Misty and ties into the “go daddy” phrase written on the artwork by his daughters. Of the 16 Rules of Success the third entry has special meaning: “When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.”

Related