TRACKER GRIZZLY 1754 SC
For decades , they were scoffed at for being inferior . But in recent years , aluminum boats are more and more becoming options for serious everyday anglers and even legitimate tournament players . Just look at recent history . Ott DeFoe has long used his 17-foot Tracker Grizzly 1754 SC “ river ” boat in mid-level tournaments with great success . ( and has developed a hearty flow of content during his shallow-water excursions ). Keith Poche recently won a Bass Pro Tour event on Douglas and Cherokee lakes from an aluminum boat ( not to mention multiple other victories and Top 10s ). Jeff Gustafson took home the 2023 Bassmaster Classic on Fort Loudon-Tellico lakes from a metal boat . And John Cox , arguably the angler who pioneered the resurgence of aluminum boats , has won a Forrest Wood Cup , won eight other top-level events , and nearly won Angler of the Year twice in the last decade all from a “ tin boat .”
Now , does this mean fiberglass boats are no longer the cream of the crop ? Absolutely not ! As much as aluminum boats have advanced , they certainly have limitations compared to their fiberglass brethren , especially in tournament settings ( more on that later ).
That said , the mindset that you needed a fiberglass boat to be taken seriously as an angler or competitive in a tournament is shifting . It ’ s more common nowadays for anglers to find success in aluminum boats , thanks to evolving mindsets on how ( and where ) they fish .
“ The way I look at using an aluminum boat , especially for just a day fishing , it is can make fishing fun again ,” DeFoe said . “ It ’ s a whole new mindset of thinking because you get to fish places that don ’ t see ton of baits . That and figuring out places to fish and how to get there , it ’ s all really fun .”
Opening doors
May of 2011 may have changed everything .
That ’ s when a little-known Cox squeezed an aluminum boat through a culvert to access a backwater pond en route to winning an FLW Tour event on the Red River . It was one of the most ( if not the most ) high-profile victory from an aluminum boat in decades .
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METAL ELEMENTS
MANY TOP-LEVEL aluminum bass boats come as decked out as their fiberglass counterparts in terms of storage , electronics , motor , fishability , etc . Yet , even if you can ’ t ( or don ’ t want to ) take on the price tag of the top-of-the-line metal boats , smaller models still offer plenty of fishability , especially with how customizable they can be for an angler .
Here ’ s a look at Ott DeFoe ’ s “ river ” boat , with all the customizations he ’ s made to make it not just a fun boat , but also one suitable for tournament fishing .
TRACKER GRIZZLY 1754 SC
Custom recessed trolling motor pedal
Custom passengerside hatch to store tackle
Custom new center rod locker
Underneath seats , added a 19- gallon fuel tank to go along with factory 9-gallon tank
Factory back hatch houses 12v Lithium Pros starting battery and 36v Lithium Pros trolling motor battery
LENGTH : 17 FEET , 1 INCH | WIDTH / BEAM : 6 FEET , 6 INCHES
Minn Kota Ultrex 112
Humminbird Helix 10
Extended front deck for more storage
Mercury Jet 65hp engine
Factory center hatch to store rain suits , life jackets , props , etc .
Factory livewell in front of console , replaced with 20- gallon livewell
Added console windshield
Second Humminbird Helix 10
Hot Foot
Two oversized seats
4-inch TH Marine Atlas Jack Plate
MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | JUNE-JULY 2023