Inside Elite Boats: Jeff Gustafson

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Meet Jeff Gustafson from Keewatin, Ontario, Canada. Take a look inside his 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series rig.
Meet Jeff Gustafson from Keewatin, Ontario, Canada. Take a look inside his 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series rig.
He runs a Lund 2075 Pro-V Bass boat.
He runs a Lund 2075 Pro-V Bass boat.
Let's start at the front of his rig and what he has mounted there. He has a Minn Kota Ultrex.
Let’s start at the front of his rig and what he has mounted there. He has a Minn Kota Ultrex.
On his Ultrex he has the Humminbird Mega Imagining Transducer built in to the trolling motor so there is no need for mounting wires, and it's all self contained.
On his Ultrex he has the Humminbird Mega Imagining Transducer built in to the trolling motor so there is no need for mounting wires, and it’s all self contained.
He mounted a T-H Marine Hydrowave on the trolling motor shaft.
He mounted a T-H Marine Hydrowave on the trolling motor shaft.
He also is utilizing a Humminbird 360 on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
He also is utilizing a Humminbird 360 on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
He uses one of his graphs to keep an eye on his Humminbird 360 when he is fishing on the front deck.
He uses one of his graphs to keep an eye on his Humminbird 360 when he is fishing on the front deck.
He runs the 112 Ultrex and loves using Spot Lock.
He runs the 112 Ultrex and loves using Spot Lock.
He has a T-H Marine G-Force handle for his trolling motor. It's a coated steel cable that won't break like some rope pull cords.
He has a T-H Marine G-Force handle for his trolling motor. It’s a coated steel cable that won’t break like some rope pull cords.
He jumps in the boat as we check out what's inside its bins.
He jumps in the boat as we check out what’s inside its bins.
Up front he runs two Humminbird Helix 10s.
Up front he runs two Humminbird Helix 10s.
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His Talon anchor buttons are on the left of his trolling motor foot pedal.
His Talon anchor buttons are on the left of his trolling motor foot pedal.
He has his Hydrowave tucked by his electronics.
He has his Hydrowave tucked by his electronics.
Both of his graphs are on T-H Marine mounts like this Kong graph mount.
Both of his graphs are on T-H Marine mounts like this Kong graph mount.
In his passenger side box he has a mix of soft plastics and other tackle.
In his passenger side box he has a mix of soft plastics and other tackle.
It may not look organized, but everything is in a package or box where Gustafson can find it.
It may not look organized, but everything is in a package or box where Gustafson can find it.
He shows off his Plano hook box and how he stores them.
He shows off his Plano hook box and how he stores them.
He has everything from offset worm hooks...
He has everything from offset worm hooks…
To Superline offset EWG hooks...
To Superline offset EWG hooks…
To finesse flipping hooks for finesse techniques.
To finesse flipping hooks for finesse techniques.
Next he shows off how he stores spinnerbaits, which isn't the easiest thing to do. But these Plano tackle boxes are up to the challenge.
Next he shows off how he stores spinnerbaits, which isn’t the easiest thing to do. But these Plano tackle boxes are up to the challenge.
This Z-Man Sling Bladez Double Willowleaf combination is one of his favorites.
This Z-Man Sling Bladez Double Willowleaf combination is one of his favorites.
He likes the white split tail trailers for a spinnerbait.
He likes the white split tail trailers for a spinnerbait.
His treble hook box, made by Plano, is also organized to his liking. He puts the label of each size and type on the underside lid of the box.
His treble hook box, made by Plano, is also organized to his liking. He puts the label of each size and type on the underside lid of the box.
He has foam padding under his locker lid. He will hook used baits there for the next day of fishing. He has one chatterbait there, but it will have a lot more as the season progresses.
He has foam padding under his locker lid. He will hook used baits there for the next day of fishing. He has one chatterbait there, but it will have a lot more as the season progresses.
We take a look at his jerkbait arsenal and how he organizes them in a Plano tackle box.
We take a look at his jerkbait arsenal and how he organizes them in a Plano tackle box.
He puts a small rubber band around the treble hooks to keep them from getting tangled in the box.
He puts a small rubber band around the treble hooks to keep them from getting tangled in the box.
Before sorting his chatterbaits into a divided box, he keeps them in the packaging and has the similar sizes and colors zip-tied together.
Before sorting his chatterbaits into a divided box, he keeps them in the packaging and has the similar sizes and colors zip-tied together.
This makes it easy to open them and sort them how he wants them.
This makes it easy to open them and sort them how he wants them.
His Z-Man Jackhammer Chatterbait box is one of his favorites.
His Z-Man Jackhammer Chatterbait box is one of his favorites.
As we go deeper in his box he shows off some storage bags of Elaztech plastics he has stored.
As we go deeper in his box he shows off some storage bags of Elaztech plastics he has stored.
He keeps soft zippered bags with a marker for labeling what is inside. For instance, jig trailers and fluke style baits.
He keeps soft zippered bags with a marker for labeling what is inside. For instance, jig trailers and fluke style baits.
Gussy shows off a delivery he recently got in the mail.
Gussy shows off a delivery he recently got in the mail.
It's a shipment of tungsten!
It’s a shipment of tungsten!
Keeping them packaged until the necessary time helps keep the sizes separated and the tungsten protected.
Keeping them packaged until the necessary time helps keep the sizes separated and the tungsten protected.
Now it's time to store the tungsten in the proper slots in his Plano terminal tackle box.
Now it’s time to store the tungsten in the proper slots in his Plano terminal tackle box.
Gussy heads to the center compartment to show me his rod and reel combos.
Gussy heads to the center compartment to show me his rod and reel combos.
He likes having the center box for rods and shows me how many combos he keeps at a given time.
He likes having the center box for rods and shows me how many combos he keeps at a given time.
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He says he likes to keep 20 to 30 at most and there are plenty of slots to keep them from getting tangled.
He says he likes to keep 20 to 30 at most and there are plenty of slots to keep them from getting tangled.
He loves the Shimano Expride rod.
He loves the Shimano Expride rod.
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This is one of his favorite setups in his rod locker. It's a Z-Man Jackhammer Chatterbait with a Razor Shadz as the trailer. Thrown on a Shimano Expride rod and Metanium DC reel.
This is one of his favorite setups in his rod locker. It’s a Z-Man Jackhammer Chatterbait with a Razor Shadz as the trailer. Thrown on a Shimano Expride rod and Metanium DC reel.
He also keeps a paddle in the rod box for safety regulations.
He also keeps a paddle in the rod box for safety regulations.
As we dug around his boat he found a few bananas in the cooler. He said his fiancé Shelby must have brought them on a fun fishing trip because he doesn't usually have bananas in the boat.
As we dug around his boat he found a few bananas in the cooler. He said his fiancé Shelby must have brought them on a fun fishing trip because he doesn’t usually have bananas in the boat.
So on tournament day he won't be having this in here.
So on tournament day he won’t be having this in here.
Sorry banana, no hard feelings.
Sorry banana, no hard feelings.
All jokes aside, he along with plenty of other fisherman believe in the superstition about having bananas in the boat means bad luck on the water.
All jokes aside, he along with plenty of other fisherman believe in the superstition about having bananas in the boat means bad luck on the water.
In his driver side rod locker he has some necessary things for a day of fishing.
In his driver side rod locker he has some necessary things for a day of fishing.
He keeps his life jackets in that box.
He keeps his life jackets in that box.
And that is also where his Humminbird network is secured and all of his graphs connect into.
And that is also where his Humminbird network is secured and all of his graphs connect into.
Unlike standard rulers that come in a boat, a Lund has a huge ruler for Walleye and other fish.
Unlike standard rulers that come in a boat, a Lund has a huge ruler for Walleye and other fish.
He hopes to catch a few bass that touch that far on his ruler.
He hopes to catch a few bass that touch that far on his ruler.
It has a nicely concealed place holder.
It has a nicely concealed place holder.
At the console he also runs two Humminbird units as well.
At the console he also runs two Humminbird units as well.
They are the MEGA Helix 10s just like the front.
They are the MEGA Helix 10s just like the front.
He has one mounted to the console and the other on a T-H Marine Kong Mount.
He has one mounted to the console and the other on a T-H Marine Kong Mount.
Instead of buttons, he has switches for his livewells, lights and other accessories on the boat.
Instead of buttons, he has switches for his livewells, lights and other accessories on the boat.
He has his T-H Marine Atlas Jackplate gauge mounted on the dash as well.
He has his T-H Marine Atlas Jackplate gauge mounted on the dash as well.
In between his seats there are handles for the passengers.
In between his seats there are handles for the passengers.
Right behind the sets is a handy rectangular box just in front of the livewells.
Right behind the sets is a handy rectangular box just in front of the livewells.
This is where he stores a few things that need to stay dry like mapping chips.
This is where he stores a few things that need to stay dry like mapping chips.
He has SD cards with previous tournament history and waypoints from when he has fished lakes in the past. One is for all the Florida lakes and the other for Lake Hartwell.
He has SD cards with previous tournament history and waypoints from when he has fished lakes in the past. One is for all the Florida lakes and the other for Lake Hartwell.
Then he has all of his Humminbird Lake Master chips in a form fitting case.
Then he has all of his Humminbird Lake Master chips in a form fitting case.
He has a box with his culling equipment so it's easy to find and use.
He has a box with his culling equipment so it’s easy to find and use.
He shows off the T-H Marine Conservation cull clips that are non-penetrating.
He shows off the T-H Marine Conservation cull clips that are non-penetrating.
He also has all of his boat paperwork and information there as well.
He also has all of his boat paperwork and information there as well.
He has a dry box with sunglasses, cleaners, batteries, medicine like Aleve for headaches and muscle soreness from being on the water.
He has a dry box with sunglasses, cleaners, batteries, medicine like Aleve for headaches and muscle soreness from being on the water.
He also stores all of his dye pens, super glue, pliers and double-A batteries in this box.
He also stores all of his dye pens, super glue, pliers and double-A batteries in this box.
Back at the livewell he has two places with a moving divider so he can fish with co-anglers but can remove it for the Elite Series events if he wants the fish to have more room.
Back at the livewell he has two places with a moving divider so he can fish with co-anglers but can remove it for the Elite Series events if he wants the fish to have more room.
Behind the passenger seat he has a spare prop, a weigh bag and other things.
Behind the passenger seat he has a spare prop, a weigh bag and other things.
The bag is important because if he breaks down for any reason and needs to jump in with another angler he can bag his fish and keep them separate from the other anglers catch.
The bag is important because if he breaks down for any reason and needs to jump in with another angler he can bag his fish and keep them separate from the other anglers catch.
Jumper cables...
Jumper cables…
An inconspicuous marker buoy to stay stealthy on a spot if he wants to throw one and mark his area.
An inconspicuous marker buoy to stay stealthy on a spot if he wants to throw one and mark his area.
One of the most important things to have in the boat is a block of wood and a prop wrench. It can take a minute or two to change a prop with these tools, but without them it's basically impossible.
One of the most important things to have in the boat is a block of wood and a prop wrench. It can take a minute or two to change a prop with these tools, but without them it’s basically impossible.
In his driver side rear box he has a tool box and it's also where one of his batteries is located.
In his driver side rear box he has a tool box and it’s also where one of his batteries is located.
He uses a T-H Marine Hydra Battery Terminal Multiplier which helps keep his wires separated so they are neat and tidy instead of pushing them down on one terminal and hoping it's as tight as possible.
He uses a T-H Marine Hydra Battery Terminal Multiplier which helps keep his wires separated so they are neat and tidy instead of pushing them down on one terminal and hoping it’s as tight as possible.
Gustafson also has plenty of tools. He realizes he probably has more than most anglers, but he also needs to ensure he is prepared because he often leaves his boat in the United States and flies home. He never has to worry about where he put his tool box because the one in the boat has everything he needs while at an event.
Gustafson also has plenty of tools. He realizes he probably has more than most anglers, but he also needs to ensure he is prepared because he often leaves his boat in the United States and flies home. He never has to worry about where he put his tool box because the one in the boat has everything he needs while at an event.
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He keeps a spare trolling motor prop for his Ultrex in his tool box as well.
He keeps a spare trolling motor prop for his Ultrex in his tool box as well.
His other battery box contains three more batteries. He runs four Optima 31 AGM's.
His other battery box contains three more batteries. He runs four Optima 31 AGM’s.
In the back he has a Mercury 250 4-stroke to power his Lund. He also has two Minn Kota Talons for shallow water anchors.
In the back he has a Mercury 250 4-stroke to power his Lund. He also has two Minn Kota Talons for shallow water anchors.
There is a handy light that comes on the new Talons, which helps early in the morning.
There is a handy light that comes on the new Talons, which helps early in the morning.
He shows off how his Talons deploy. They go straight down from the case and they have models that reach 8, 10, 12 and 15 feet.
He shows off how his Talons deploy. They go straight down from the case and they have models that reach 8, 10, 12 and 15 feet.
His gas fill-up is on the back end of his Lund.
His gas fill-up is on the back end of his Lund.
He has a T-H Marine Atlas Jackplate and that's also where he mounts his Talon brackets.
He has a T-H Marine Atlas Jackplate and that’s also where he mounts his Talon brackets.
When he is towing his boat he uses two
When he is towing his boat he uses two “My Wedge” motor supports to keep the motor supported from bouncing too much.
He has two different sets of transducers mounted. Here are his Humminbird MEGA transducers which give him his down and side imaging.
He has two different sets of transducers mounted. Here are his Humminbird MEGA transducers which give him his down and side imaging.
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Then he has the traditional 2D Sonar transducers mounted as well.
Then he has the traditional 2D Sonar transducers mounted as well.
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His Talons breakaway and fold forward if he is ever trying to get under a tight bridge or into an area.
His Talons breakaway and fold forward if he is ever trying to get under a tight bridge or into an area.
Simple breakaway mount pushed with your hand or foot will do the job.
Simple breakaway mount pushed with your hand or foot will do the job.
He's very impressed with the Mercury 250 4-stroke and its performance already.
He’s very impressed with the Mercury 250 4-stroke and its performance already.
He runs a four-blade prop on his rig. Helps with holeshot and stability in rough water. Matches perfect with his Lund.
He runs a four-blade prop on his rig. Helps with holeshot and stability in rough water. Matches perfect with his Lund.
Thanks for the tour of your boat Gussy! Good luck on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Thanks for the tour of your boat Gussy! Good luck on the Bassmaster Elite Series.