Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Justin Atkins

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When these photos were taken, the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season kickoff was just two weeks away. The shop was abuzz with activity in preparation for the slate of events running from early February through July.
Photo: Craig Lamb - When these photos were taken, the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season kickoff was just two weeks away. The shop was abuzz with activity in preparation for the slate of events running from early February through July.
Call it a work in progress. Out with the old, in with the new. Justin Atkins had just unloaded his 2020 model Falcon Boats rig, with most of the contents on the floor surrounding his latest ride.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Call it a work in progress. Out with the old, in with the new. Justin Atkins had just unloaded his 2020 model Falcon Boats rig, with most of the contents on the floor surrounding his latest ride.
This season, Atkins is competing in a 2021 Falcon Boats F20 Predator, spanning 20 feet, 2 inches with a 99-inch beam, and fuel capacity of 50 gallons.
Photo: Craig Lamb - This season, Atkins is competing in a 2021 Falcon Boats F20 Predator, spanning 20 feet, 2 inches with a 99-inch beam, and fuel capacity of 50 gallons.
Atkins, of Florence, Ala., is competing in his first season on the Elite Series. He was especially looking forward to the event on Pickwick Lake, just minutes from his home. “It could be one of the best of the year, with a smallmouth and largemouth bite in play,” he said.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Atkins, of Florence, Ala., is competing in his first season on the Elite Series. He was especially looking forward to the event on Pickwick Lake, just minutes from his home. “It could be one of the best of the year, with a smallmouth and largemouth bite in play,” he said.
And now for the tour, beginning at the bow. Atkins will use two Lowrance HDS 12 units.
Photo: Craig Lamb - And now for the tour, beginning at the bow. Atkins will use two Lowrance HDS 12 units.
The units are rigged to a Bass Boat Technologies Dual Stack Bow Mount, designed specifically for the Falcon F20.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The units are rigged to a Bass Boat Technologies Dual Stack Bow Mount, designed specifically for the Falcon F20.
The Lowrance Ghost runs on 36-volts and features a brushless motor for maximum thrust and run time.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The Lowrance Ghost runs on 36-volts and features a brushless motor for maximum thrust and run time.
Ghost provides total integration with full touchscreen control from HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon, Elite FS and Elite Ti2 displays. The foot pedal can serve as an extension of the display’s user interface.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Ghost provides total integration with full touchscreen control from HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon, Elite FS and Elite Ti2 displays. The foot pedal can serve as an extension of the display’s user interface.
At the console are two more Lowrance HDS 12 units.
Photo: Craig Lamb - At the console are two more Lowrance HDS 12 units.
The units are mounted on a Bass Boat Technologies Dual Dash Mount, designed specifically for the Falcon F20.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The units are mounted on a Bass Boat Technologies Dual Dash Mount, designed specifically for the Falcon F20.
On the right-hand side of the dashboard are the Power-Pole operating switches.
Photo: Craig Lamb - On the right-hand side of the dashboard are the Power-Pole operating switches.
Mounted to each side of the steering wheel column is SeaStar Pro-Trim.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Mounted to each side of the steering wheel column is SeaStar Pro-Trim.
Below the console is a SeaStar Foot Pedal.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Below the console is a SeaStar Foot Pedal.
At the battery compartment, the Falcon features a single lid with hinged sides. The design allows access to the battery mounts at port and starboard, or access the entire compartment.
Photo: Craig Lamb - At the battery compartment, the Falcon features a single lid with hinged sides. The design allows access to the battery mounts at port and starboard, or access the entire compartment.
At starboard is an X2 Power cranking battery, and three X2 Power batteries for a 36-volt setup are on the port side.
Photo: Craig Lamb - At starboard is an X2 Power cranking battery, and three X2 Power batteries for a 36-volt setup are on the port side.
This is an X2 Power Group 31 AGM Dual Purpose, Deep Cycle 12-volt battery, featuring 1150 cold cranking amps, with capacity of 100-amp hours. Also rigged here is the custom-made Sonar Pros wiring harness, designed specifically for his boat. The harness provides dedicated power to the four units, for maximum performance.
Photo: Craig Lamb - This is an X2 Power Group 31 AGM Dual Purpose, Deep Cycle 12-volt battery, featuring 1150 cold cranking amps, with capacity of 100-amp hours. Also rigged here is the custom-made Sonar Pros wiring harness, designed specifically for his boat. The harness provides dedicated power to the four units, for maximum performance.
Three more X2 Power batteries, the same model as the cranking battery, are located on the port side.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Three more X2 Power batteries, the same model as the cranking battery, are located on the port side.
So are the motors for the Power-Pole Blade 8 shallow water anchors. Not pictured is a Power-Pole CHARGE system.
Photo: Craig Lamb - So are the motors for the Power-Pole Blade 8 shallow water anchors. Not pictured is a Power-Pole CHARGE system.
Dual 8-foot Power-Pole Blade shallow water anchors are rigged to each side of the transom.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Dual 8-foot Power-Pole Blade shallow water anchors are rigged to each side of the transom.
The motor is mounted to a SeaStar Jackplate Gen II, with a 10-inch setback, with a high-speed hydraulic actuator that lifts engines in under 9 seconds.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The motor is mounted to a SeaStar Jackplate Gen II, with a 10-inch setback, with a high-speed hydraulic actuator that lifts engines in under 9 seconds.
Power is provided by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS. The motor is steered with SeaStar Optimus Electronic Power Steering.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Power is provided by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS. The motor is steered with SeaStar Optimus Electronic Power Steering.
Like most Elite Series pros, Atkins organizes his lures by category and stores those in utility boxes that stack inside the cavernous center storage.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Like most Elite Series pros, Atkins organizes his lures by category and stores those in utility boxes that stack inside the cavernous center storage.
A unique feature of the Falcon F20 is this sliding tray for game-day, frequently used rigs that can be quickly located and put into the game.
Photo: Craig Lamb - A unique feature of the Falcon F20 is this sliding tray for game-day, frequently used rigs that can be quickly located and put into the game.
The port rod storage features SeaDek flooring for quick drying of wet combos. Atkins removes the rod organizer in favor of using Rod Gloves. This setup allows him to put all the rods he needs in the compartment.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The port rod storage features SeaDek flooring for quick drying of wet combos. Atkins removes the rod organizer in favor of using Rod Gloves. This setup allows him to put all the rods he needs in the compartment.
A starboard compartment contains space for soft plastics.
Photo: Craig Lamb - A starboard compartment contains space for soft plastics.
Forward of the console and between the soft plastic box is quick access to PFDs and outerwear like raingear.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Forward of the console and between the soft plastic box is quick access to PFDs and outerwear like raingear.
Available storage spans the front deck, and it will soon be filled with more tackle.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Available storage spans the front deck, and it will soon be filled with more tackle.
Behind the driver and passenger seats, on the back deck, is mounted a SuperStick Telescopic Fiberglass Push Pole.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Behind the driver and passenger seats, on the back deck, is mounted a SuperStick Telescopic Fiberglass Push Pole.
This compartment on the passenger side is reserved for Elite Series Marshals riding along with Atkins during the tournaments.
Photo: Craig Lamb - This compartment on the passenger side is reserved for Elite Series Marshals riding along with Atkins during the tournaments.
Back to the work in progress. These rods came from the Rod Coffin mounted on his truck. Everything will be organized for the season ahead.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Back to the work in progress. These rods came from the Rod Coffin mounted on his truck. Everything will be organized for the season ahead.
These combos were recently unpacked from the 2020 boat. “They are rigged, as is, for the final Open of the year at Lay Lake,” he said.
Photo: Craig Lamb - These combos were recently unpacked from the 2020 boat. “They are rigged, as is, for the final Open of the year at Lay Lake,” he said.
The wall is lined with Berkley PowerBait soft plastics.
Photo: Craig Lamb - The wall is lined with Berkley PowerBait soft plastics.
Nearby are Berkley hard baits.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Nearby are Berkley hard baits.
And a shelf filled with boxes that will be reorganized before the season begins.
Photo: Craig Lamb - And a shelf filled with boxes that will be reorganized before the season begins.
The tour ends with this personal treasure. “I’ve had it since I was a kid, since I was about 7 years old.”
Photo: Craig Lamb - The tour ends with this personal treasure. “I’ve had it since I was a kid, since I was about 7 years old.”