Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Derek Hudnall

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Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Derek Hudnall’s office is aboard a Skeeter FX20, which he has rigged out to ensure he can be as efficient as possible on the water. Here’s a look at his setup.
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Derek Hudnall’s office is aboard a Skeeter FX20, which he has rigged out to ensure he can be as efficient as possible on the water. Here’s a look at his setup.
Built-in steps on his trailer make for easy entry when he’s prepping the boat.
Built-in steps on his trailer make for easy entry when he’s prepping the boat.
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A Lawrence HDS12 sits on Hudnall’s front deck to ensure he can easily view his bottom imaging and any necessary charts.
A Lawrence HDS12 sits on Hudnall’s front deck to ensure he can easily view his bottom imaging and any necessary charts.
Hudnall relies on a Minn Kota Ultrex to stay in position while on the bow of his boat.
Hudnall relies on a Minn Kota Ultrex to stay in position while on the bow of his boat.
A recessed trolling motor foot peddle allows easy, comfortable control. His Power-Pole controls also are located just to the right so he can quickly stop the boat when working shallow-water fish. Note the slots near the pedal for pliers and a cup holder for water.
A recessed trolling motor foot peddle allows easy, comfortable control. His Power-Pole controls also are located just to the right so he can quickly stop the boat when working shallow-water fish. Note the slots near the pedal for pliers and a cup holder for water.
Hudnall wrote a scripture (2 Cor. 5:7) on the bow gunnel to keep him focused on his faith while at work.
Hudnall wrote a scripture (2 Cor. 5:7) on the bow gunnel to keep him focused on his faith while at work.
Hudnall replaced the standard trolling motor pull rope with a T-H Marine G-Force cable so he never has to worry about breakage.
Hudnall replaced the standard trolling motor pull rope with a T-H Marine G-Force cable so he never has to worry about breakage.
A huge storage compartment in the center of the deck holds all the tackle Hudnall needs for a day on the water.
A huge storage compartment in the center of the deck holds all the tackle Hudnall needs for a day on the water.
Hudnall clearly marks every neatly organized tray so he can grab lures without wasting a lot of time digging around. There’s still plenty of room for extra bags of lures and terminal tackle.
Hudnall clearly marks every neatly organized tray so he can grab lures without wasting a lot of time digging around. There’s still plenty of room for extra bags of lures and terminal tackle.
Rods are stored in a large locker on the left side of the deck.
Rods are stored in a large locker on the left side of the deck.
A storage system and rod sleeves ensure Hudnall doesn’t waste time with tangled gear.
A storage system and rod sleeves ensure Hudnall doesn’t waste time with tangled gear.
The locker on the right side of the deck can hold extra rods, but Hudnall uses it for his life jackets and assorted gear while traveling.
The locker on the right side of the deck can hold extra rods, but Hudnall uses it for his life jackets and assorted gear while traveling.
A small compartment just in front of the console holds his scale, along with assorted lures and terminal tackle.
A small compartment just in front of the console holds his scale, along with assorted lures and terminal tackle.
A step makes front deck access easy on the knees. You can see speakers under the step so he can listen to music while practicing.
A step makes front deck access easy on the knees. You can see speakers under the step so he can listen to music while practicing.
A slot behind the front deck holds a fish board to measure bass while building his daily limits.
A slot behind the front deck holds a fish board to measure bass while building his daily limits.
Slots on either side of the front deck step keep tools easily accessible.
Slots on either side of the front deck step keep tools easily accessible.
Beneath the bottom step is a small compartment where Hudnall stores his culling system.
Beneath the bottom step is a small compartment where Hudnall stores his culling system.
Rounding out the compartments in the front of the boat is a small in-deck storage unit in which Hudnall keeps his sunscreen and any other accessories he needs on hand.
Rounding out the compartments in the front of the boat is a small in-deck storage unit in which Hudnall keeps his sunscreen and any other accessories he needs on hand.
Dual Lawrence HDS12 units on the console allow Hudnall to see charts, sonar and bottom imaging while running from spot to spot.
Dual Lawrence HDS12 units on the console allow Hudnall to see charts, sonar and bottom imaging while running from spot to spot.
A T-H Marine HotFoot allows intuitive throttle control while keeping both hands on the boat’s wheel.
A T-H Marine HotFoot allows intuitive throttle control while keeping both hands on the boat’s wheel.
Well-padded seats provide a comfortable ride while running across lakes, even when it’s choppy.
Well-padded seats provide a comfortable ride while running across lakes, even when it’s choppy.
Between the seats is a step and built-in cup holders so there’s no excuse not to remain hydrated while on the move.
Between the seats is a step and built-in cup holders so there’s no excuse not to remain hydrated while on the move.
A handle in front of the passenger seat gives Hudnall’s marshals a solid handhold while running through rough water.
A handle in front of the passenger seat gives Hudnall’s marshals a solid handhold while running through rough water.
Cavernous livewells are designed to keep bass healthy while Hudnall builds his limits of bass.
Cavernous livewells are designed to keep bass healthy while Hudnall builds his limits of bass.
Hudnall stores his rain gear in a large compartment behind the driver’s seat.
Hudnall stores his rain gear in a large compartment behind the driver’s seat.
On the other side of the rear deck is another large compartment for extra tackle.
On the other side of the rear deck is another large compartment for extra tackle.
A handle on the gunnel of the rear deck makes it easy to get back in the boat, should Hudnall take a spill into the water.
A handle on the gunnel of the rear deck makes it easy to get back in the boat, should Hudnall take a spill into the water.
A T-H Marine Atlas hydraulic jack plate allows Hudnall to position his Yamaha outboard to get the best performance.
A T-H Marine Atlas hydraulic jack plate allows Hudnall to position his Yamaha outboard to get the best performance.
A Yamaha 250 Max four-stroke engine powers Hudnall’s Skeeter, providing reliability and fuel efficiency. It is bracketed by twin Power-Pole Blades that hold the vessel securely in place when deployed.
A Yamaha 250 Max four-stroke engine powers Hudnall’s Skeeter, providing reliability and fuel efficiency. It is bracketed by twin Power-Pole Blades that hold the vessel securely in place when deployed.
Back-up lights on the boat trailer illuminate everything behind Hudnall’s rig, so he never has to worry about hitting anything while backing in after dark.
Back-up lights on the boat trailer illuminate everything behind Hudnall’s rig, so he never has to worry about hitting anything while backing in after dark.
A Lawrence StructureScan transducer beneath the jack plate feeds information to Hudnall’s HDS12s.
A Lawrence StructureScan transducer beneath the jack plate feeds information to Hudnall’s HDS12s.
When traveling, built-in boat straps hold Hudnall’s Skeeter securely in place.
When traveling, built-in boat straps hold Hudnall’s Skeeter securely in place.

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