Updated on Jun 17, 2024
As the son of renowned angler Alton Jones, there was never much question about which hobbies Alton Jones Jr. would take up. Following in the footsteps of his father, Alton Jones Jr., known as “Little Alton,” “AJ,” or “Junior,” has made a name for himself in the professional fishing scene, earning multiple career wins since his first pro tournament in 2016.
RealTruck® staffer Tyler Rosenhagen was fortunate enough to sit down with AJ for an interview. The two got the opportunity to discuss life as a professional angler, AJ's passions, and his qualifiers for the ultimate fishing truck.
Stay tuned for a look into Alton Jones Jr.’s early and professional life, a transcription of his interview, and a list of must-have upgrades to any angler’s truck.
Since Alton Jones Jr.’s first pro tournament in 2016, he’s collected several achievements. Check out his current stats (as of May 2024).
Total Career Wins | Total Top 10 Finishes | Total Top 20 Finishes | REDCREST Appearances | Total Career Earnings |
3 | 18 | 28 | 4 | $1,225,703 |
Before getting into our interview with AJ, let’s first look back at the Bass Pro’s early life, career, and personal life.
Alton Jones Jr. was born on April 15, 1992, in Lorena, Texas, to his mother—Jimmye Sue—and father—renowned Bass Pro Alton Jones. Growing up in a rural Texas town, home to less than 1800 residents, AJ gravitated to several outdoor activities, such as duck hunting and, of course, fishing.
After high school, AJ attended Baylor University—a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. During his collegiate years, he competed on Baylor’s fishing team in the Abu Garcia College Fishing tournament before making his professional debut at the 2016 Toyota Series Bass Tournament.
Alton Jones Jr. resides in Waco, Texas, with his wife, Kelsey, and their son, Jett. When he isn’t busy competing or gearing up for an upcoming tournament, AJ loves to spend time with his family, hunt, snowmobile, and travel.
Check out the transcript of our interview with Alton Jones Jr. here.
Q: What inspired you to “Bring Your Truck To Life” to suit your MLF lifestyle?
A: I have always been a fan of having a functional truck, but I also feel like a vehicle is an expression of who you are as a person, so having a truck that looks good to me and fits my style is really important and is something I am proud of. I spend lots of time on the road, so having a truck that meets all of my needs is very important.
Q: What’s it like not only fishing with your dad but also competing against him?
A: My dad is my biggest angling hero and a great role model that I look up to. To be able to follow in his footsteps is a dream come true. While we both cheer for each other, we are both super competitive and we always are fighting on the water for the competition and bragging rights between the two of us.
Q: What are some of your must-have truck accessories to transport your fishing gear?
A: All of the accessories I have on my truck are a “must have,” but if I had to pick one, it would be my DECKED system. The easy and organized storage for tools and extra tackle make my life on the road much easier.
Q: What are some of your favorite spots that you like to fish at and drive to with your truck?
A: My truck has taken me coast to coast to some of the most incredible fisheries in America, but my favorite place it takes me is upstate New York. It is 1700 miles from my house, but if I can ever buy a summer home, it will be up there. The summers up there are magical, from the fishing to the weather, it is perfect.
Q: What does the ultimate fishing truck mean to you?
A: The ultimate fishing truck is one that gets me and my gear to the lake no matter the conditions or what obstacles are in the way. I keep tools and tackle to help get me through any situation. When you spend as much time on the road as we do, it’s not a matter of if something goes wrong, it’s a matter of when. So, having an organized truck that is ready for any situation is what it means to have the ultimate fishing truck!
Q: What do you love about what you do?
A: Obviously, I love the fishing, but I also love the people I get to meet while traveling the country and world. No matter who you are, if you have a passion for fishing, you have an instant connection that will bring people together. That is what makes fishing so special.
Q: You’ve had some huge wins over the last few years and won the 2023 Heavy Hitters. Is there one moment in your career that is significant to you?
A: The most significant moment in my career would have to be my Heavy Hitters win in 2023, but not for the reason most people might think. I won that event just one week after my son was born. It was a rush of emotions that really cannot be described. Truly a special week in so many ways.
To get to his favorite lakes, Alton Jones Jr. relies on the unmatched performance of his 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty SuperCrew, decked out in numerous parts and accessories from RealTruck.
The truck sports several accessories that lend it to fishing, including:
AJ’s F-250 sports a stylish A.R.E Z Series Truck Cap, offering maximum security for all his fishing gear, poles, and bait. The shell features an exceptional fitment and sleek styling with its frameless door and paint-matched finish, perfectly complementing the rugged Super Duty.
Features:
Aluminum-framed picture front window
Screen vent side window
Frameless door with contour strip
Dark gray carpet headliner
Painted to match
Limited lifetime warranty
Easing entry into the F-250’s cab is a pair of AMP Research® PowerSteps®—the original electric-powered running boards. Sporting a rugged aluminum construction and military-grade PTFE finish, these running boards can withstand any use or abuse. Their ultra-low-profile design ensures maximum clearance while navigating rough terrain—especially important for an angler wishing to get as close to the water as possible.
Features:
The original electric-powered running board
Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards
Corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum construction
Military-grade black PTFE coating
6-in. wide, cab-length steps
Textured, slip-resistant step surface
Low-profile integrated LED courtesy lights
Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel
Newer applications connect to the OBDII port via a Plug-N-Play module
5-year limited warranty
Though AJ refers to all of his truck’s accessories as “must-haves,” his most-used add-on is the DECKED Truck Bed Storage System. With a massive payload capacity, sizable storage drawers, and secure, integrated lock cylinders, the DECKED Truck Bed Storage System offers more than enough space for Alton Jones Jr.’s poles, bait, tackle, tools, and gear.
Features:
100-percent recycled high-density polyethylene and steel construction
1,000–2,000 lbs. payload capacity (evenly distributed)
200–400 lbs. drawer capacity
Simple no-drill installation
Sealed bearing wheels allow effortless drawer operation
Weatherproof and dust-resistant
Integrated bottle opener, conversion guide, and ruler
Made in the USA
Limited lifetime warranty
The General Grabber X3 is a rugged, off-road-inspired tire offering unmatched off-road performance and a quiet, comfortable on-road ride. When AJ traverses tough terrain, whether trekking to a rural lake in his hometown of Waco, Texas, or docking at a high-stakes competition, his Super Duty’s trusty General Grabber tires ensure maximum traction.
Features:
Aggressive and bold sidewall and tread
Quiet ride
Off-road-proven durability
Outstanding off-road performance
Impressive wet and winter performance
Tread design provides wet and winter performance
Duragen Technology
Available in Smooth Red Letter (SRL) and Black Sidewall (BSW)
Lastly, AJ relies on the unbeatable protection of his Husky Liners® Weatherbeater floor liners. With heavy-duty rubberized construction and max-coverage FormFit Design™, Weatherbeater floor liners keep slimy mud and moisture off his F-250’s factory carpet.
Features:
Vehicle-specific fitment
Heavy-duty rubberized construction
FormFit Design™ implements laser scanning for a precision fitment
Remains flexible even when subjected to extreme temperatures
Chemical and abrasion-resistant
Patented FormFit Edge™ keeps moisture, dirt, and stains contained
Stay-Put Nibs reduce movement
Easy to install, remove, and clean
Made in the USA
Limited lifetime warranty
On behalf of the RealTruck® staff, we’d like to personally thank Alton Jones Jr. for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us. Keep up with the pro angler on his various socials, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
FB: Alton Jones Jr
IG: altonjrfishing
TikTok: altonjrfishing
YouTube: AJFishing
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