Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Chris Lane

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“POW!” Chris Lane, an accomplished Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Guntersville, Ala., is probably best known for two things … his unforgettable catchphrase and his 2012 Bassmaster Classic win. Lane has proven to be excitable as well as exciting since joining the Elites in 2006. In addition to his Classic win, Lane has secured six B.A.S.S. wins including an impressive three Elite Series victories in three years – 2013, 2014, 2015.
Looking back, the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series season may not be one of Lane's favorites. The lone bright spot for Lane during 2016 was a second place finish at Toledo Bend, and he ended up missing an invitation to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic by just a few places in the AOY standings.
Looking back, the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series season may not be one of Lane’s favorites. The lone bright spot for Lane during 2016 was a second place finish at Toledo Bend, and he ended up missing an invitation to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic by just a few places in the AOY standings.
In addition to his popular exclamation, Chris Lane is known for a signature color. The distinctive bright orange was used liberally as an accent color throughout Lane's eye-catching 2016 tournament rig.
In addition to his popular exclamation, Chris Lane is known for a signature color. The distinctive bright orange was used liberally as an accent color throughout Lane’s eye-catching 2016 tournament rig.
For the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, Chris Lane ran a Legend V20 bass boat.
For the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, Chris Lane ran a Legend V20 bass boat.
The boat's bow is equipped with a MotorGuide trolling motor. The motor features the Lane Blaster Trolling Motor Light from T-H Marine, and the light can be mounted on any trolling motor.
The boat’s bow is equipped with a MotorGuide trolling motor. The motor features the Lane Blaster Trolling Motor Light from T-H Marine, and the light can be mounted on any trolling motor.
The new MotorGuide X5 offers 105 pounds of thrust and uses 36 volts of power.
The new MotorGuide X5 offers 105 pounds of thrust and uses 36 volts of power. “I love it. The steering capabilities are great,” Lane says.
The front of the boat is home to the trolling motor pedal, Power-Pole controls, a T-H Marine Hydrowave, a few switches and Raymarine electronics.
The front of the boat is home to the trolling motor pedal, Power-Pole controls, a T-H Marine Hydrowave, a few switches and Raymarine electronics.
The Raymarine is a HybridTouch 12-inch unit. Lane mainly depends on the electronics unit for water depth, and using chirp technology he's able to stay on grass lines, especially when fishing in the North.
The Raymarine is a HybridTouch 12-inch unit. Lane mainly depends on the electronics unit for water depth, and using chirp technology he’s able to stay on grass lines, especially when fishing in the North.
In the rod locker, Lane usually carries about 14 rod and reel combos. Lane states that if there are any issues or problems with one, it's best to keep extras on hand.
In the rod locker, Lane usually carries about 14 rod and reel combos. Lane states that if there are any issues or problems with one, it’s best to keep extras on hand.
The boat's passenger side features a convenient rod holder as well.
The boat’s passenger side features a convenient rod holder as well.
Lane paused the tour to show off two of his favorite setups. The topwater rod he uses is a 6-foot, 6-inch Bass Pro Shops CarbonLite medium heavy. The bait shown here is a Smithwick Lures Devil's Horse.
Lane paused the tour to show off two of his favorite setups. The topwater rod he uses is a 6-foot, 6-inch Bass Pro Shops CarbonLite medium heavy. The bait shown here is a Smithwick Lures Devil’s Horse.
For his flipping stick, Lane prefers a Bass Pro Shops reel with 7:1 gear ratio on a 7-foot medium heavy rod. The flipping bait shown is a Luck-E-Strike Drop Dead Craw.
For his flipping stick, Lane prefers a Bass Pro Shops reel with 7:1 gear ratio on a 7-foot medium heavy rod. The flipping bait shown is a Luck-E-Strike Drop Dead Craw.
There are two more things stored in the bottom of the boat's rod locker. This is Lane's safety bin, and it holds insurance paperwork, flares, a first aid kit, sun tan lotion and culling tags.
There are two more things stored in the bottom of the boat’s rod locker. This is Lane’s safety bin, and it holds insurance paperwork, flares, a first aid kit, sun tan lotion and culling tags.
The required paddle calls the rod locker home as well.
The required paddle calls the rod locker home as well.
The boat's large center bin is split between more rods and many boxes of tackle.
The boat’s large center bin is split between more rods and many boxes of tackle.
“That’s where most of my fishing tackle is that I usually always have in my boat. It varies, but usually what’s in there is stuff that I keep in there throughout the year,” Lane explains.
Lane uses the lid's foam backing as a quick storage spot for loose baits. This keep multiple lures close at hand and prevents large, inconvenient tangles of hooks.
Lane uses the lid’s foam backing as a quick storage spot for loose baits. This keep multiple lures close at hand and prevents large, inconvenient tangles of hooks.
The boxes are labeled for quick access during hectic fishing tournaments.
The boxes are labeled for quick access during hectic fishing tournaments.
Lane uses a deep box for hook storage, and he keeps the Trokar hooks in their original packaging.
Lane uses a deep box for hook storage, and he keeps the Trokar hooks in their original packaging.
The lid is labeled so Lane knows what type of hooks can be found in each compartment. Having the type and size visible prevents Lane from having to search for the hook he needs.
The lid is labeled so Lane knows what type of hooks can be found in each compartment. Having the type and size visible prevents Lane from having to search for the hook he needs.
This box is full of Drop Dead Craws in multiple colors.
This box is full of Drop Dead Craws in multiple colors.
The packaging on the lid of the box makes finding these flipping baits a painless process.
The packaging on the lid of the box makes finding these flipping baits a painless process.
Lane isn't frogging around with this box of colorful topwater baits.
Lane isn’t frogging around with this box of colorful topwater baits.
This box holds a selection of chunky Ringmaster Creature Baits from Luck-E-Strike.
This box holds a selection of chunky Ringmaster Creature Baits from Luck-E-Strike.
The baits aren't the only colorful items on Lane's boat. This rainbow fish happily swims in crystal blue waters.
The baits aren’t the only colorful items on Lane’s boat. This rainbow fish happily swims in crystal blue waters.
The ever-important sunglasses are always at the ready.
The ever-important sunglasses are always at the ready.
A selection of larger items call the boat's right storage compartment home.
A selection of larger items call the boat’s right storage compartment home.
The boat's light pole is adorned with a smaller version of old glory. Patriotism and bass fishing definitely go hand-in-hand.
The boat’s light pole is adorned with a smaller version of old glory. Patriotism and bass fishing definitely go hand-in-hand.
A Mustang life jacket calls this compartment home as well.
A Mustang life jacket calls this compartment home as well.
Lane keeps a spare trolling motor on his boat. If something were to happen to his trolling motor during competition, having a spare means a quick change instead of a long run and a time-wasting repair.
Lane keeps a spare trolling motor on his boat. If something were to happen to his trolling motor during competition, having a spare means a quick change instead of a long run and a time-wasting repair.
This square bin definitely holds some
This square bin definitely holds some “gotta have ’em” items.
First up is the much-needed rain suit. Elite Series events (and fishing trips) don't get called off because of rain, so a comfortable, effective rain suit is always an important piece of gear.
First up is the much-needed rain suit. Elite Series events (and fishing trips) don’t get called off because of rain, so a comfortable, effective rain suit is always an important piece of gear.
Some items speak for themselves. Thumbs up to always being prepared.
Some items speak for themselves. Thumbs up to always being prepared.
Other items in this bin include an extra hat...
Other items in this bin include an extra hat…
...and gloves for those cold spring and fall tournaments.
…and gloves for those cold spring and fall tournaments.
Lane says this storage space for scissors, pliers and other tools makes it easy to grab needed items. The special red pliers are manufactured by Berkley.
Lane says this storage space for scissors, pliers and other tools makes it easy to grab needed items. The special red pliers are manufactured by Berkley.
This magnet strip is convenient for holding a tool or two as well as more baits.
This magnet strip is convenient for holding a tool or two as well as more baits. “That’s really good to keep baits and hooks off the floor. When you’re trying to change out real quick, it keeps you from having to step on one,” Lane explains.
Snacks are always important. Lane has some containers of snack mix here to stay fueled up during a long day of lunker hunting.
Snacks are always important. Lane has some containers of snack mix here to stay fueled up during a long day of lunker hunting.
The boat's measuring board conveniently slides into this convenient storage slot.
The boat’s measuring board conveniently slides into this convenient storage slot.
This shallow bin holds a number of small items including spare sunglasses, tape, Sharpie markers and more.
This shallow bin holds a number of small items including spare sunglasses, tape, Sharpie markers and more.
Lane calls the center compartment his go-to bin. It holds more safety items, buoys, extra culling tags, a spare trolling motor prop, headphones, a small speaker, Advil and more.
Lane calls the center compartment his go-to bin. It holds more safety items, buoys, extra culling tags, a spare trolling motor prop, headphones, a small speaker, Advil and more.
Chris Lane called this captain's seat home during the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.
Chris Lane called this captain’s seat home during the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments.
This small saying reminds Lane to stay calm during the stress of practice days and Elite tournaments.
This small saying reminds Lane to stay calm during the stress of practice days and Elite tournaments.
The bright orange is used as a highlight color around the console's dials and switches. Lane says the colors are custom for the dials and for his set of Power-Poles.
The bright orange is used as a highlight color around the console’s dials and switches. Lane says the colors are custom for the dials and for his set of Power-Poles.
Lane has two Raymarine HybridTouch 12-inch units installed at the driver's seat.
Lane has two Raymarine HybridTouch 12-inch units installed at the driver’s seat.
The center console screen displays a larger map while the side unit is used for a zoomed-in map and for down imaging.
The center console screen displays a larger map while the side unit is used for a zoomed-in map and for down imaging.
The right side screen is ready for rough water since it is mounted on the KVD Kong Mount from T-H Marine.
The right side screen is ready for rough water since it is mounted on the KVD Kong Mount from T-H Marine.
Much like the light pole with a flag, Legend's logo displays a healthy dose of patriotism.
Much like the light pole with a flag, Legend’s logo displays a healthy dose of patriotism.
Two roomy livewells offer plenty of space for the lunkers Lane is known for finding.
Two roomy livewells offer plenty of space for the lunkers Lane is known for finding.
The storage compartment behind the driver's seat holds a spare prop, rope, an anchor, a bag for carrying fish and the life jacket that Lane wears.
The storage compartment behind the driver’s seat holds a spare prop, rope, an anchor, a bag for carrying fish and the life jacket that Lane wears.
The battery box is fairly empty, but it provides easy access to the boat's two lithium batteries.
The battery box is fairly empty, but it provides easy access to the boat’s two lithium batteries.
Lane's custom color carries over to the boat's two comfortable seats. They provide plenty of cushion for bouncing around on wild Elite Series fisheries.
Lane’s custom color carries over to the boat’s two comfortable seats. They provide plenty of cushion for bouncing around on wild Elite Series fisheries.
The Legend is powered by a 250 Mercury Pro XS that utilizes an Atlas Jack Plate.
The Legend is powered by a 250 Mercury Pro XS that utilizes an Atlas Jack Plate.
And of course Lane's boat is equipped with the popular Power-Pole Blade shallow water anchoring system. Here Lane gives these important accessories a hug and a loving kiss. <p> Thanks for the boat tour, Chris!
And of course Lane’s boat is equipped with the popular Power-Pole Blade shallow water anchoring system. Here Lane gives these important accessories a hug and a loving kiss.

Thanks for the boat tour, Chris!

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