Gear

Redfish Cup: Skeeter SX240 boat tour

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Chris Zaldain and Captain Ryan Rickard won the 2021 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter fishing out of Rickard's Skeeter SX240.
Chris Zaldain and Captain Ryan Rickard won the 2021 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter fishing out of Rickard’s Skeeter SX240.
The Skeeter SX240 is 24 feet long and powered by a 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard.
The Skeeter SX240 is 24 feet long and powered by a 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard.
Unlike every bass boat that has even been featured in a boat tour, Rickard's Skeeter features no electronics on the bow.<br> <br>
Unlike every bass boat that has even been featured in a boat tour, Rickard’s Skeeter features no electronics on the bow.
“We’re traditionally fishing between 10 inches of water to 3 feet of water,” said Rickard. “There’s really no need to have another component up front that basically gets in the way.”
A self-deploying Minn Kota Terrova is mounted to a quick access mount up front. This mount makes it extremely easy for Rickard to take the trolling motor off if needed.
A self-deploying Minn Kota Terrova is mounted to a quick access mount up front. This mount makes it extremely easy for Rickard to take the trolling motor off if needed.
The mount features an arm that keeps the shaft of the trolling motor protected while running.
The mount features an arm that keeps the shaft of the trolling motor protected while running.
In a matter of seconds, Rickard is able to take his trolling motor off the mount. Really neat set-up.
In a matter of seconds, Rickard is able to take his trolling motor off the mount. Really neat set-up.
The very front compartment on the front deck of the boat is a place to store an anchor if needed. A much different compartment than what we traditionally see on bass boats.
The very front compartment on the front deck of the boat is a place to store an anchor if needed. A much different compartment than what we traditionally see on bass boats.
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The majority of Rickard's tackle goes into this center compartment. At the time there wasn't any tackle, but on tournament day he has this compartment full.
The majority of Rickard’s tackle goes into this center compartment. At the time there wasn’t any tackle, but on tournament day he has this compartment full.
“This compartment can be used for additional storage, but I actually use it as a cooler,” he said.
The port side rod locker is used to store extra rods, cleaning brushes and running lights.<br> <br>
The port side rod locker is used to store extra rods, cleaning brushes and running lights.
“Very clean,” Zaldain added.
“This side can be a rod locker as well, but I use it to store all of my safety equipment,” said Rickard.
When Rickard guides back in Florida, this compartment is home to his throw net for live bait fishing.
When Rickard guides back in Florida, this compartment is home to his throw net for live bait fishing.
Underneath the front seat is an additional livewell. Rickard claims that he rarely has to use it, but it's a nice addition to have.
Underneath the front seat is an additional livewell. Rickard claims that he rarely has to use it, but it’s a nice addition to have.
The center console has front and back access.
The center console has front and back access.
A look at the back access of the center console. Overall a very clean and easy-to-access system.
A look at the back access of the center console. Overall a very clean and easy-to-access system.
Skeeter offers multiple different options for electronics in their center console boats, but Rickard runs the Simrad NSSevo3S 16-inch unit.
Skeeter offers multiple different options for electronics in their center console boats, but Rickard runs the Simrad NSSevo3S 16-inch unit.
A look at the seating layout behind the wheel.
A look at the seating layout behind the wheel.
Zaldain shows off the flip-up seats that allow the boater to drive the boat from a more elevated surface, which is huge for saltwater fishing.
Zaldain shows off the flip-up seats that allow the boater to drive the boat from a more elevated surface, which is huge for saltwater fishing.
The SX240 has two options for livewells, but Rickard prefers the deeper well that is stationed behind the driver's seat.<br> <br>
The SX240 has two options for livewells, but Rickard prefers the deeper well that is stationed behind the driver’s seat.
“Those fish tend to stay more comfortable in the deeper well,” Rickard said.
A look at the secondary livewell.
A look at the secondary livewell.
Both sides of the back deck feature seats that fold up and even offer additional storage.
Both sides of the back deck feature seats that fold up and even offer additional storage.
An extra storage compartment on the back deck.
An extra storage compartment on the back deck.
Another one of Rickard's favorite features in the SX240 is the large battery compartment that allows anglers to easily access the batteries and the bilge system.
Another one of Rickard’s favorite features in the SX240 is the large battery compartment that allows anglers to easily access the batteries and the bilge system.
At first glance you may ask,
At first glance you may ask, “Why are there two trolling motors on the boat?” but the answer is actually pretty simple. It’s purely a backup trolling motor. May seem hard to believe, but Rickard keeps a backup in case anything were to happen to his first trolling motor.
The backup trolling motor is on the same mounting system as the trolling motor on the front, making it extremely easy to switch out if necessary.
The backup trolling motor is on the same mounting system as the trolling motor on the front, making it extremely easy to switch out if necessary.
A closer look at the 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard.
A closer look at the 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard.
Running in extremely shallow water is a must when fishing for redfish, which makes a hydraulic jackplate so valuable. Rickard chooses the T-H Marine Atlas jackplate.
Running in extremely shallow water is a must when fishing for redfish, which makes a hydraulic jackplate so valuable. Rickard chooses the T-H Marine Atlas jackplate.
Two, 10-foot Power-Pole Blades are a must for Rickard when targeting shallow water Redfish.
Two, 10-foot Power-Pole Blades are a must for Rickard when targeting shallow water Redfish.
Thanks for the tour, guys!
Thanks for the tour, guys!

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