Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Austin Felix

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Austin Felix is a fantastic fisherman, and last year's Rookie of the Year on the Elite Series. So it makes perfect sense to see how he sets up his boat in preparation for a tournament. But you can't talk about Austin without addressing that he's a little bit different and interesting. For instance, he does indeed wear pajama pants. It's a fashion choice, but I'm positive it is also quite comfortable.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin Felix is a fantastic fisherman, and last year's Rookie of the Year on the Elite Series. So it makes perfect sense to see how he sets up his boat in preparation for a tournament. But you can't talk about Austin without addressing that he's a little bit different and interesting. For instance, he does indeed wear pajama pants. It's a fashion choice, but I'm positive it is also quite comfortable.
Like any Elite pro, Austin's name is on his boat.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Like any Elite pro, Austin's name is on his boat.
Unlike any other Elite pro, a cartoon drawing of a Sleepy Assassin sits on his windshield. Dave Mercer gave Austin this nickname, and the only thing to do at that point is lean into it because once you receive a Mercer nickname, it isn't going away. Timothy Harmon, a local aspiring artist, drew him this picture, and he put it on his boat and truck.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Unlike any other Elite pro, a cartoon drawing of a Sleepy Assassin sits on his windshield. Dave Mercer gave Austin this nickname, and the only thing to do at that point is lean into it because once you receive a Mercer nickname, it isn't going away. Timothy Harmon, a local aspiring artist, drew him this picture, and he put it on his boat and truck.
But that's not all...
Photo: Chris Mitchell - But that's not all...
When Austin was designing his jersey and boat for the first time many years ago, he noticed nobody was using plaid or argyle patterns. He saw an opening to have a unique look and has stuck to it.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - When Austin was designing his jersey and boat for the first time many years ago, he noticed nobody was using plaid or argyle patterns. He saw an opening to have a unique look and has stuck to it.
And then there's this. That's the Golden Snitch from the Harry Potter books.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And then there's this. That's the Golden Snitch from the Harry Potter books.
And a quote by Ginny Weasley...
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And a quote by Ginny Weasley...
And, of course, a quote from Dumbledore. Austin discovered a while back that the perfect way to get him in a calm place before tournaments is to listen to Harry Potter audio books. Since he's had a wonderful career so far, he just kept doing it. I don't think Austin attributes success to these things, but I think he recognizes these things help him in a perhaps hard to quantify way. Enough of the aesthetics, let's get into the equipment he uses to succeed.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And, of course, a quote from Dumbledore. Austin discovered a while back that the perfect way to get him in a calm place before tournaments is to listen to Harry Potter audio books. Since he's had a wonderful career so far, he just kept doing it. I don't think Austin attributes success to these things, but I think he recognizes these things help him in a perhaps hard to quantify way. Enough of the aesthetics, let's get into the equipment he uses to succeed.
On the back of his Phoenix 920 sits a Mercury 250, flanked by Power-Poles.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - On the back of his Phoenix 920 sits a Mercury 250, flanked by Power-Poles.
With an Atlas jackplate.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - With an Atlas jackplate.
Lithium batteries line the back.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Lithium batteries line the back.
Austin really likes this wiring harness from Sonar Pros. It gets the power to his electronics, and the Power-Pole Charge helps route it to the right place.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin really likes this wiring harness from Sonar Pros. It gets the power to his electronics, and the Power-Pole Charge helps route it to the right place.
Most Elites carry an extra prop. All you have to do is not have one once, and then it's an easy insurance policy.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Most Elites carry an extra prop. All you have to do is not have one once, and then it's an easy insurance policy.
These neat trays on the Phoenix allow Austin to add some cleaners and other stuff right above his batteries.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - These neat trays on the Phoenix allow Austin to add some cleaners and other stuff right above his batteries.
Behind the passenger seat is the
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Behind the passenger seat is the "heavy stuff." Typically you put weighty items and such back here to help you attain the best speed on the water.
Behind the driver's seat are tools and accessories. Not something he's in need of often, but when he needs it, it's in there.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Behind the driver's seat are tools and accessories. Not something he's in need of often, but when he needs it, it's in there.
...
Photo: Chris Mitchell - ...
Big livewells he is hoping to fill with bass very soon.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Big livewells he is hoping to fill with bass very soon.
Drain plugs are here in case he's on big water and the swells start causing his livewells to drain water as the boat rocks.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Drain plugs are here in case he's on big water and the swells start causing his livewells to drain water as the boat rocks.
All Elites use non-penetrating cull tags.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - All Elites use non-penetrating cull tags.
Austin says the black one is for the big fish, because it's the hardest to find in the livewell. Look closely at those things — they've seen a few fish I think.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin says the black one is for the big fish, because it's the hardest to find in the livewell. Look closely at those things — they've seen a few fish I think.
Austin has a few pairs of Costas, you could say.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin has a few pairs of Costas, you could say.
Underneath are more tools and various items he can get to while driving the boat.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Underneath are more tools and various items he can get to while driving the boat.
His driver's seat features two Lowrance HDS 12s.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - His driver's seat features two Lowrance HDS 12s.
Austin knows it's important to protect your skin when your job is to be out in the sun all day.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin knows it's important to protect your skin when your job is to be out in the sun all day.
Dyes, tools and toothpicks.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Dyes, tools and toothpicks.
He uses the toothpicks to properly rig his swimbaits.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - He uses the toothpicks to properly rig his swimbaits.
...
Photo: Chris Mitchell - ...
In this large compartment next to the passenger seat he keeps a few items including extra reels.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - In this large compartment next to the passenger seat he keeps a few items including extra reels.
And yes, like every single boat I have ever been in, a roll of duct tape.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And yes, like every single boat I have ever been in, a roll of duct tape.
Austin uses the cavernous main compartment on his Phoenix as his main work area. When he settles in on a pattern or two, his main tools are here. He keeps a few extra rods tied on in here too. He had the rod holders added to this one.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin uses the cavernous main compartment on his Phoenix as his main work area. When he settles in on a pattern or two, his main tools are here. He keeps a few extra rods tied on in here too. He had the rod holders added to this one.
He loves the size of the compartment and how it doesn't interfere with any rods he has on the deck of his boat. He can quickly work with the baits he's chosen for the day, but he's able to easily find something else he wants to try.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - He loves the size of the compartment and how it doesn't interfere with any rods he has on the deck of his boat. He can quickly work with the baits he's chosen for the day, but he's able to easily find something else he wants to try.
Compared to some pros, his rod locker was not too full. He had already culled down to what he would be using this week.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Compared to some pros, his rod locker was not too full. He had already culled down to what he would be using this week.
On the other side were more baits, not currently in the main rotation for the week.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - On the other side were more baits, not currently in the main rotation for the week.
And extra line.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And extra line.
Austin runs a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin runs a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor.
And up front a HDS 16 along with a 12 that is dedicated to ActiveTarget.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - And up front a HDS 16 along with a 12 that is dedicated to ActiveTarget.
...
Photo: Chris Mitchell - ...
Because the 16 is so massive, he can set up each quadrant just how he likes and still have a screen dedicated to his favorite feature ever, ActiveTarget.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Because the 16 is so massive, he can set up each quadrant just how he likes and still have a screen dedicated to his favorite feature ever, ActiveTarget.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - "I'm always using ActiveTarget. I don't care what depth I'm fishing, or the situation. It's on."
A BoatLogix mount keeps it all in place.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - A BoatLogix mount keeps it all in place.
The Ghost also has a Hydrowave attached.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - The Ghost also has a Hydrowave attached.
A little more
Photo: Chris Mitchell - A little more "Austin-ification" of his equipment — he drew lines on the trolling motor head to see the direction at a glance a little clearer.
He did the same thing on the ActiveTarget transducer to see it's direction clearer in the water.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - He did the same thing on the ActiveTarget transducer to see it's direction clearer in the water.
Lastly, Austin shows off a new sponsor for him, Airrus Rods.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Lastly, Austin shows off a new sponsor for him, Airrus Rods.
He loves how this Airrus XEntity ChatterBait rod has some give at the tip, but it has enough backbone to muscle a bite out of cover.
Photo: Chris Mitchell - He loves how this Airrus XEntity ChatterBait rod has some give at the tip, but it has enough backbone to muscle a bite out of cover.
Austin is a spinning rod guy, and these are quality, high-end products from a company in Italy. It's the perfect match for him. On this rod, he likes how he can put his hand on the blank itself to feel a subtle bite. <br><br> Thanks for the tour, Austin!
Photo: Chris Mitchell - Austin is a spinning rod guy, and these are quality, high-end products from a company in Italy. It's the perfect match for him. On this rod, he likes how he can put his hand on the blank itself to feel a subtle bite. Thanks for the tour, Austin!