Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Take a look into Chris Johnston's 2021 Ranger 520L powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS! Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston was getting tackle rigged for Championship Sunday at Lake Fork but was more than happy to show us around his 2021 rig.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - This is Johnston's second season using the Garmin Force trolling motor. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The Force trolling motor is paired up with a Garmin Livescope transducer. "Everyone knows the Livescope is a necessity now," said Johnston. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - At the bow, Johnston is running dual-mounted, 10-inch Garmin EchoMap Ultras. His electronics are held by a GeigerTec mount.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The GeigerTec mount is a necessity on Johnston's boat. The mount is completely bolted in which makes it a great mount for big water like he frequently fishes up north. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A mount that is not firm can result in damaged or even lost electronics when battling big waves. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The Gamin Force foot pedel. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - As you can tell, Johnston's Ranger boat holds plenty of tackle. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - One adjustment Johnston makes to his Ranger is cutting the rod tubes out of the rod locker. This allows him to carry a few extra rods. One thing he added was that having Rod Gloves is a necessity if you are going to take the tubes out of the rod locker.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The center compartment is home to a plethora of Bass Mafia tackleboxes. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Unlike many of his competitors, Johnston keeps a large amount of tackle in his boat during the event. "I usually load my boat up in practice with everything I think I'll need," Johnston said. "It stays in there during the tournament. I don't try to lighten it up for an extra mile per hour."Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The small storage box behind the driver's side rod locker is home to more tackle. Mostly of the hard bait variety.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Another thing Johnston keeps in the side compartment is a bag full of jig trailers or anything soft plastic that he thinks he will be using a lot. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston was excited to have caught a fish on a frog at Lake Fork, so he had to show off is frog box. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A Spro Bronzeye Poppin' Frog 60 is Johnston's favorite frog.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - At the console, he runs dual 12-inch Garmin EchoMap Ultra's. Once again, mounted by a GeigerTec mount. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston keeps a Power-Pole switch on both sides of the console for convenience.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The standard keypad that comes on a Ranger boat. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A very clean look for his console setup.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston keeps a variety of different items in the compartment between the seats. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Unlike many Elite Series pros, Johnston chooses not to run a Hot Foot pedal. He is used to having to make long runs and feels as if it's more comfortable for those runs. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston tries to keep the back of the boat loaded down with his heavier terminal tackle.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - "Lithium Pros batteries are so light that it takes out a lot of weight out in the back, so I try to add some of that weight back to the back of the boat."Photo: Dalton Tumblin - The adjacent compartment has more tackle along with a couple of life jackets. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - On to the business in the back. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston runs two 36-volt Lithium Pros batteries in parallel to give the maximum amount of running power. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Then Johnston runs two more 12-volt Lithium Pros. "I use a lot of power running four graphs and Livescope," he said. "I put the extra one in there just in case. Johnston also accredits the new Power-Pole Charge system for making sure everything is always fully charged.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A look at Johnston's 250 horsepower Mercury Pro Xs four stroke outboard. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston runs a three-blade Fury prop.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - A T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jack Plate with a 10-inch setback puts his Mercury where it needs to be. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...Photo: Dalton Tumblin - ...
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Johnston relies on two 8-foot Power-Pole Blades to anchor his boat in shallow water. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - As seen here, Johnston leans on his Power-Poles pretty hard. Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Thanks for the tour, Chris!
