Inside Elite Boats: Tucker Smith

Welcome to this edition of Inside Elite Boats where we will dive into 2025 Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year Tucker Smith’s tournament boat that he used throughout the 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season.

The Alabama pro ran a Nitro Z21 XL powered by a 250-horsepower Mercury Pro XS.

At the bow of the boat, Smith relies on a Minn Kota Ultrex Quest.

After a week on the Upper Mississippi River, the Quest was put to the test — pushing through vegetation and battling current.

Before the St. Clair Elite, Smith decided to run the 52-inch shaft for better handling in big water.

One thing that Smith adds to his Utrex Quest is two straps rather than the standard one for added stability in rough water.

As for electronics, he runs a Humminbird Apex 13 for mapping, 2D sonar as well as MEGA 360 and a separate unit for his forward-facing sonar. For the Mississippi River Elite, Smith took the 360 transducer off for the sake of getting around the grassy areas of the river.

Smith uses a Str8 Up Mounts 7-inch Mega Rise Dual Mount to mount his bow electronics.

Smith shows off the layout of the front deck of his Nitro.

The boat was loaded down with tackle for the start of the final Elite event of the 2025 season.

Some features Smith likes about the layout of his Nitro are the center compartments that open from back to front. This allows him to sit rods up while doing tackle as seen in the photo.

Smith also adds a strip to his truck so he has the ability to lean rods against the side of the truck.

The front of the deck is home to two small day boxes that are convenient for placing soft plastics or anything you might need quickly during the fishing day…

Yes, including the Dude Wipes.

Smith loads the boat down with rods and reels. He estimates you could possibly fit up to 50 combos in the box, if needed.

He takes out the dividers that come equipped in the compartment to clear up more space.

The left-center compartment is home to a large amount of tackle that includes jigs, jerkbaits, topwaters, bladed jigs and more.

Smith also uses this compartment to store a few bags of soft plastics.

He pulls out a box of one of his favorite baits — the football jig.

Smith loves to throw a football jig offshore, so he keeps a healthy amount of them in the boat at all times.

The Picasso Tungsten Football Jig is one of the Elite rookie’s favorites.

Smith also carries a selection of flipping jigs in the boat at all times.

Smith keeps it relatively simple with his color selections. He primarily carries some variation of green pumpkin, black and blue and some white ones.

The Picasso Dock Rocket is one of his favorite flipping/casting style jigs.

This compartment is also home to a bulk supply of Yamamoto Zakos.

The Zako is his go-to trailer for a vibrating jig.

The right-center compartment is full of more tackle.

This compartment is home to the majority of his terminal tackle as well as more soft plastics.

Smith carries a couple of Ryugi bags that consolidate a large percentage of his terminal tackle.

Ryugi R Tank Terminal Tackle Boxes house his weights. This box is specifically for his drop-shot weights.

Each weight style and size is divided individually in each specific compartment.

Same situation for his split rings, swivels and snaps.

The other bag is loaded to the brim with Ryugi hooks.

Smith shows off a couple of his favorite versatile worm hooks.

This compartment is also home to a bulk pack of Yamamoto Senkos.

Smith says he never leaves the dock without a healthy supply of Senkos — one of his go-to soft plastics for a variety of different rigging methods.

He also caries a healthy supply of Yamamoto Yama Craws.

Carrying a variety of different sizes and colors is key.

The driver’s side locker is home to a variety of different items.

Including the trusty ole orange life jacket…

This is also where he carries his bulk spools of line for easy access.

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The Nitro has a large cooler that Smith keeps stocked with snacks and drinks.

A popular choice is the Smucker’s Uncrustable PB&J sandwich.

Another mush-have for Smith is the Fruit Smiles fruit snacks.

Smith takes a seat in his office.

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At the console, Smith runs two Humminbird Apex 13 units. He uses the right unit for his LakeMaster Mapping and the left unit for side scan and down scan.

One of his favorite features of his Nitro is the seats that are extremely comfortable and shock absorbent when riding in rough water.

As if Smith didn’t have enough Ryugi hooks in the front, he shows off a massive box he carries in his truck. It is a bulk supply of hooks that replenish his smaller boxes in the center compartment.