He also did it without any electronics which is impressive to me. He used GPS only, no sonar so that he wouldn't be tempted to fish deep which is not his strong point. Maybe I need to throw my electronics overboard!

I do not understand the hype and big deal on the internet being made out of John Cox's tin boat and winning the FLW Cup.

Fishing and winning big time tournaments out of tin boats has been going on for years. It would happen more often if BASS would not have changed the boat use rules the year after Menendez won at Dardanelle. The benefit of using a tin boat is determined by the fishery and the tournament schedules.

Albert Collins won the BASS Nation Championship last year with one. We would see tin boats at the Red River for BASS and FLW tournaments. Example - Steve Kennedy. Sean Hoernke won a big one there in a 17 ft tin boat. Clunn fished out of one for several tournaments. Biffle won on the Arkansas river. Etc....

For comparison of Cox's PT20 to a Ranger Z520C
Length: 20' 5" vs 20' 9"
Beam: 96 vs 96.5
Dry Weight no/motor: 1567 vs. 1825
Max HP" 200 vs. 250
Livewell Capacity: 45 gallons vs 31
Fuel Capacity: 32 gallons vs 45
Cost: big difference

I think in the past the finalist in the FLW had to fish out of fiberglass Ranger on the last day. Had that been the case he probably doesn't win if he could not access his spot.

The BASS Elites changed the rules a couple years ago. That you have to fish out of the same type boat the entire season. Thus, now you have to pick either glass or aluminum for the year. Can't just do it for one tourney.

I do not understand the hype and big deal on the internet being made out of John Cox's tin boat and winning the FLW Cup.

Fishing and winning big time tournaments out of tin boats has been going on for years. It would happen more often if BASS would not have changed the boat use rules the year after Menendez won at Dardanelle. The benefit of using a tin boat is determined by the fishery and the tournament schedules.

Albert Collins won the BASS Nation Championship last year with one. We would see tin boats at the Red River for BASS and FLW tournaments. Example - Steve Kennedy. Sean Hoernke won a big one there in a 17 ft tin boat. Clunn fished out of one for several tournaments. Biffle won on the Arkansas river. Etc....

For comparison of Cox's PT20 to a Ranger Z520C
Length: 20' 5" vs 20' 9"
Beam: 96 vs 96.5
Dry Weight no/motor: 1567 vs. 1825
Max HP" 200 vs. 250
Livewell Capacity: 45 gallons vs 31
Fuel Capacity: 32 gallons vs 45
Cost: big difference

The camera boats were following him in fiberglass boats. Byron was watching him from a fiberglass Ranger. I dont think tin was an advantage this time. He just out fished everyone else.

The reason why BASS set the rule that you have to fish out of a similar boat all year round is to keep the playing field as level as possible.

Those that are well known like KVD, Roland Martin, etc etc.... They have access are can get those types of different boats better than a no name person.

The reason for the change was an unfair advantage, they simply have either deep pockets or access to that equipment. Not everyone has that option.