Just about any truck will get your boat to the water, but there are several ways to improve it and get more out of it. FLW Tour pro Brad Knight adds many accessories to his Ford F-250 and they all serve a purpose: to make it better.
Rigid Industries A-Series Lights
Knight is a fan of the simplicity and functionality of the A-Series from Rigid. “I put these inside my rod lockers, underneath my truck cap and also along the fenders to light up my boat. They are very versatile and it eliminates the need to wear a headlamp to find things,” he says and adds that they are very easy to add to your boat or truck. “It is just two wires, a black and white and is very simple to install.”
Rigid Back-Up Lights
The Rigid back-up lights are great for launching, hooking up your boat and many other uses. “I use them for everything and they are great even if you don’t have your boat hooked up. They can even be used by a soccer mom who wants to make sure she doesn’t hit her mailbox as she backs out of her driveway,” Knight says.
A.R.E. Z –Series
Camper shells are a great way to get more storage out of your truck. There are many great options on the market, but for Knight, the Z-Series is his choice. “It keeps all of your gear dry and secure. It has all of the options but you can have, but what I like about it is that it syncs to your truck’s key fob so it is very easy to lock,” he says. “You won’t be out on the lake worrying about whether or not you locked your camper shell.”
TopperEZLift Camper Shell lift system
One of the best benefits of a truck camper is also a downfall to some. They allow you to pack endless amounts of gear, but that also makes it hard to access things in the very back. One solution is a lift system that will move the camper shell up and down with a simple switch. “It has four lifts and goes up and down quickly,” begins Knight who has found many uses for this system. “It makes it easy to get to something way in the back and the added height allows you to put bigger things in your truck bed if you need to move something temporarily without removing the shell. I also use it when backing my boat in the garage, my truck is wrapped and lifting the camper makes it easier to see what is behind me.”
Retractable Running Boards
AMP Research makes a product called POWERSTEP that extends when the door is opened and retracts when the door is closed. Knight likes how they look and how easy they are to use. “It makes it easier to get in and out of my truck and then they get out the way when you close the door and it looks really clean.”
Sliding Tackle Storage
Professional anglers are forced to be versatile as the major tours take them from grassy Florida lakes to northern smallmouth fisheries. As a result, they must be prepared for everything. Knight packs his truck vault at the beginning of the season and brings it all along for the ride. “I pack it all so I don’t forget anything at home. It keeps me really organized and I can sort through my boxes like a filing system,” he says.
Rod Tube
Like tackle, rods are something that pro anglers must pack a lot of. They are handy for tournament anglers who may not know what to expect when they get to a new lake. “It keeps the rods secure and out of the way so I do not have to worry about breaking any rods in the bed of my truck,” says the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup Champion.
BOLT Locks
While not a sponsor of Knight’s, BOLT Locks are something that he uses and loves. “The great thing is all of the locks programs to your truck key so you don’t end up having tons of keys. I use them on my rod tube and my hitch and don’t have to worry about losing the key since they are the same as my truck key,” adds the Tennessee pro.
Fuel Offroad Rims
As a traveling billboard for his sponsors, Knight likes his F-250 to look good. One way to do that is with aftermarket rims. He runs 20” rims from Fuel Offroad and loves the look. He did have an issue with one rim cracking, but Crossed Industries was able to get him back on the road in no time. “I was coming back from Kentucky Lake and was leaving for New York in the next few days. I didn't have a matching spare, but was able to get another rim overnighted to me from Crossed,” he says and adds that the company knows anglers and what they need. “The company really helps fishermen and know that without our trucks we can’t get to the lake.”
Advertising