What do the Pros carry for tackle

[hookinanbookin]

I have been thinking a lot about what pros like Kevin Vandam, Mike Iaconelli, Tommy Biffle, Denny Brauer and so on carry for tackle. What do they carry in there boats for tackle I know what we see on the TV shows and I know they have sponsor so they have to push there baits, but what do there really have with them. Denny like jigs but does he have crank baits also, KVD likes to burn cranks but does he carry drop shot worms and so on. So what do the pros carry and if the carry everything do they carry every color also.

[bassinbob]

Like to me they carry a little bit of everything. Probably the hot bait on the particular lake they are fishing. Whatever works for them prefishing. And whatever Kevin is catching them on. A lot of baits for whatever the time of the season it is. Their favorites and strengths. I would say prefishing dominates their choice of baits.

[hookinanbookin]

So for the prefish they take everything? how do they find out wahts hot on a lake?

[Justin2729]

just like the rest of us they put the puzzle together and go from there.

[Lvitch]

They carry a small tackle store in the boat, even more in the tow vehicle. Usually when pre fishing they will have 12-20 rods rigged with what ever is hot for the area. And usually another 10-20 rods ready for "back up" . They also usually have custom everything from lures to paint jobs to you name it. And funny enough most end up throwing the same lures a lot, and using things we all can get a hold of, just paying attention to the details that matter. A pro got stuff stolen here in FL, he said he had at least 25 rods taken and about 20 plano boxes with of lures. A lot of the lures were prised old lures they don't make any more, and lots of custom stuff. The other pros have him what ever he needed to fish, and his sponsors brought him a new rig to fish out of which was really cool.

[bamabassman]

i am willing to bet that each and every one of here could get a years supply of lures form just ONE of the pros stock.

the pros have a library of sorts as to what works at each lake they fish in a tourny i am sure. they will carry waht has worked for them in the past at all times for each lake. not to mention that they watch THIS thread and several others to help them along.'

you won't see them sign on as KEVIN VAN DAM, but trust me..they read this site as well as others.

[M_A_C_K]

Yeah my buddys brother was a pro and when he died he took just a a box full of plastics enough to last him for life... and he said it wasnt even a fraction of what he had from the companys that just sent him the stuff for free.... giant freezer bags full of berkley plastics... I'd like to be a pro when i get older lol

[carolina-rig-01]

Here is a link to a bunch of videos where top pros take you through their houses and tackle shops. http://www.basszone.com/inthehouse/main.htm

[Marc David]

Real cool link C-Rig

[MIbasser]

I would say that they take everything that they can, maybe in small doses. As weather or a pattern change they can change with it.

BUT, if you end up like Aaron Martins and forget you "square bill box" in your truck on the second day of Classic, that might suck a little....

I have a 17' 6" tackle box, and I need a bigger one!

[66KingFisher]

I'll bet they've got half a dozen of every bait they own....lol

[M_A_C_K]

more than half dozen... when you have sponsors they send you giant freezer bags full of lures... and i'm not kidding

[Wishing2BFishing]

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

Here is a link to a bunch of videos where top pros take you through their houses and tackle shops. http://www.basszone.com/inthehouse/main.htm

This link is awesome!

[3dkicker]

Having fished with a number of pro's, some big names and others not so much, I've found that they don't carry a whole lot on their boats during the tournament. By the time the tournament starts they've dialed in and only use a small number of baits. Most will have enough to get through the tournament but some do run out. A great thing about the guys is if one runs out others will help him and get him a bag or two or a bait or two.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by hookinanbookin

So for the prefish they take everything? how do they find out wahts hot on a lake?

They're pros! They usually have a pretty good idea about what's gonna work and where the fish are gonna be. For example, if they've gotta a tourney on lake Erie, with water temps in the low 40's, and fish are holding in 40+ feet of water. They're (the pros) obviously gonna have more drop shot tackle and goby plastics baits rather than 12" swimbaits and big top waters.

[smittyman]

they bring everything they need man. most bass boats have alot of tackle storage as well, whether its the trap doors in the floor or on walls and whatnot, and on top of that they have their duffle bags full of plano trays and stuff. i mean ya kinda have to bring alot of stuff, you never can really tell where the day/tourney is gonna go. and when ya think about it, most of those guys have 5-10 or more rods with them at a time also. alot of rods = alot of tackle.

[M_A_C_K]

legally you can't have more than 3 rods per person... unless they give a tourny exception?

[smittyman]

i seeee.. im just going on what ive seen on tv lol. i see these guys with like 20 rods on their boat fishing, but i guess its not tourney fishing if there is that rule.

[MIbasser]

Originally Posted by M_A_C_K

legally you can't have more than 3 rods per person... unless they give a tourny exception?

3 in the water at one time (only trolling) but you can have more in the boat. In most tournaments (that I've been in) only one rod in the water at a time. I usually have about 14 or so in my boat.

[smittyman]

That's what I thought. There's pictures of these guys standin on there boats and a wide aray of lengths and action rods rainbowed at their feet. Maaaan, that's the life. LOL