Scott Martin has spent his whole life chasing largemouth across the country, from Okeechobee to Champlain. But, in this Backyard Life video, he takes his angling skills to the backyard, transforming his yard into a custom casting course. Before the competition kicks off, Martin shows off his brand-new Skeeter FXR 21. Then, the real fun begins. Martin and his daughter Hillary go head-to-head in the first-ever Exmark Casting Contest, with Hillary’s favorite rod and reel on the line.
Inside Scott Martin’s New Skeeter FXR 21 Bass Boat
Before the casting contest kicks off, Martin walks through the setup on his new FXR 21. Fresh from the rigging shop and not yet wrapped in sponsor decals, here’s what stands out:
- Dakota Lithium Battery Setup: Martin runs a 320-amp-hour cranking battery, paired with three 12-volt 100-amp-hour batteries run in a series to power his Garmin Force trolling motor. It’s a departure from his previous 36-volt setup and part of his ongoing effort to streamline weight and improve runtime efficiency.
- Power Pole 8-Foot Single-Pump System: Instead of the typical two-pump setup, Martin installed the new single-pump system. One hydraulic pump runs both blades, cutting down on hardware clutter and freeing up deck space.
- Bob’s Hydraulic Jack Plate (14-Inch Setback): Martin has run Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plates for years. The FXR 21 features a 14-inch setback model custom powder-coated to match the Yamaha 250 SHO. Beyond aesthetics, the jack plate serves a critical function in Florida’s grass-choked lakes.
- Garmin Electronics: Martin flush-mounted a 12-inch Garmin unit on the console and installed a 16-inch display at the bow. The 16-inch screen provides ample real estate for split-screen views of LiveScope, mapping, and sonar. He mentions plans to add a second 10- or 12-inch unit at the bow for dedicated mapping once the boat is fully dialed in.
- Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Martin’s trolling motor choice is the Garmin Force, now in its fourth year of continuous use across multiple boats. The lithium setup combined with the Force’s low amp draw gives him the range needed for long Florida fishing days.
- Yamaha 250 SHO: Martin’s outboard of choice for Florida bass fishing. He notes the 250 SHO handles grass and hydrilla exceptionally well, with water intake screens that resist clogging when running on plane through heavy vegetation.
Scott Martin’s Florida Bass Fishing Tackle Box
Martin keeps his Florida tackle simple. His boat is stocked with frogs, chatterbaits, Bandito Bugs, 10-inch worms, flukes, quickies, prop baits, walking baits, and lipless crankbaits. He also mentions throwing a big jig lately, which has been productive on Lake Okeechobee. One bait Martin highlights is the Googan underspin. He took it out a couple weeks prior and says the fish “ate the paint off” it.
Building a Backyard Casting Course with Fixed Targets
Martin’s first step is simple: he hops on his Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn mower to cut a custom course through his backyard, creating clear lanes and defined target zones. Then, he grabs a few trash cans, buckets, and pots and arranges them at varying distances to simulate real-world casting and flipping scenarios.
Then, after some friendly trash talk, Scott and Hillary each broke out two rods, rigged with their preferred setups—Scott with a 7’6″ and 7’4″, Hillary with a 7’5″ and 7’3″.
During the contest, Martin battles a chatterbait blade that keeps wrapping around his line mid-cast. Hillary also battles a crosswind during the challenge, forcing both anglers to adjust their casting angles throughout the course. Beyond mechanics, this drill exposes equipment issues before they cost you fish. Martin’s chatterbait problem would have been a non-issue during practice, but under contest pressure, it became a timewaster.
The First Exmark Casting Contest Victor
After a final push to the finish line, Hillary lands her last flip and claims victory. Martin hands over the jerkbait rod—a medium-light 6’3″ that Hillary had been eyeing all day. She makes it clear she’s keeping it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Casting Accuracy and Bass Fishing
Flipping accuracy improves through repetition and proper mechanics. Keep your rod tip low, use your wrist to load the rod, and let the lure pendulum into the target. Practice with fixed targets at varying distances, and focus on consistent release points.
Set up fixed targets (buckets, hula hoops, or cones) at varying distances in your yard. Practice both overhead casting and flipping to each target, focusing on landing your lure inside the target on the first attempt. Time yourself to add pressure, and track your accuracy over multiple sessions. Consistent practice builds the muscle memory needed to hit precise targets under tournament conditions.
Martin’s Florida tackle box includes frogs, chatterbaits, Bandito Bugs, 10-inch worms, flukes, quickies (topwater baits), prop baits, walking baits, lipless crankbaits, and big jigs. He also recommends the Googan underspin for finesse presentations when bass are pressured or feeding on small baitfish. These lures cover the primary techniques needed for Florida’s grass-heavy lakes and open-water flats.
