Women drivers of the 2018 Elites

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When newlyweds Matt and Abby Lee first started touring the Bassmaster Elite Series together, she wanted no part of trailering a boat. Eventually, however, she overcame her fears and now she’s among a growing fleet of Elite “Women Drivers.”
When newlyweds Matt and Abby Lee first started touring the Bassmaster Elite Series together, she wanted no part of trailering a boat. Eventually, however, she overcame her fears and now she’s among a growing fleet of Elite “Women Drivers.”
Here’s Abby with an extra set of very watchful eyes.
Here’s Abby with an extra set of very watchful eyes.
Now, imagine driving cross-country with two kids and Mike Iaconelli — those many thousands of miles in a very confined space. Becky Iaconelli is not only a road warrior, she’s a saint!
Now, imagine driving cross-country with two kids and Mike Iaconelli — those many thousands of miles in a very confined space. Becky Iaconelli is not only a road warrior, she’s a saint!
Her trailering lessons came as a crash course. After spending only a few, brief minutes with her in the truck, Ike decided to go fishing … telling her to figure it out on her own!
Her trailering lessons came as a crash course. After spending only a few, brief minutes with her in the truck, Ike decided to go fishing … telling her to figure it out on her own!
Bobbi Chapman is another homeschooling mom who doubles as a driver. She and Brent tote their rig with two kids, all the way from Kansas City.
Bobbi Chapman is another homeschooling mom who doubles as a driver. She and Brent tote their rig with two kids, all the way from Kansas City.
This is Brooke Finner, Adrian Avena’s travel companion. She learned to handle a rig through years of fishing with her father. She said it was a slow, tedious process, but she stuck with it. And now she’s able to offer Adrian some relief at the wheel.
This is Brooke Finner, Adrian Avena’s travel companion. She learned to handle a rig through years of fishing with her father. She said it was a slow, tedious process, but she stuck with it. And now she’s able to offer Adrian some relief at the wheel.
If you think these downsized monster trucks are easy to handle, think again!
If you think these downsized monster trucks are easy to handle, think again!
This is Hillary Hughes, Ish Monroe’s traveling companion. While Ish is out looking for fish, she’s scouring the countryside for project pieces to add to her antique restoration and repurposing business.
This is Hillary Hughes, Ish Monroe’s traveling companion. While Ish is out looking for fish, she’s scouring the countryside for project pieces to add to her antique restoration and repurposing business.
Also hailing from South Carolina is Iris Robinson. She and husband Marty are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet on tour.
Also hailing from South Carolina is Iris Robinson. She and husband Marty are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet on tour.
Another tour favorite is Julie Roumbanis, Boom Boom’s wife. She, too, is a mom on the go. Together, they truck all the way from their home on Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.
Another tour favorite is Julie Roumbanis, Boom Boom’s wife. She, too, is a mom on the go. Together, they truck all the way from their home on Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.
If there were a vote for most energetic gal on tour, Kelley Prince would win hands down. But, with all that energy, getting her behind the wheel takes some coaxing. Husband Cliff says, once she’s in the driver’s seat, she’s totally in control.
If there were a vote for most energetic gal on tour, Kelley Prince would win hands down. But, with all that energy, getting her behind the wheel takes some coaxing. Husband Cliff says, once she’s in the driver’s seat, she’s totally in control.
Talk about long-distance relationships. Here’s Keri, wife of Shimano pro Jared Lintner. They call California home.
Talk about long-distance relationships. Here’s Keri, wife of Shimano pro Jared Lintner. They call California home.
Kinzie Hartman is no stranger to the wheel. She tows fiancée Casey Ashley’s Costa rig to most every Elite Series event, all the way from South Carolina.
Kinzie Hartman is no stranger to the wheel. She tows fiancée Casey Ashley’s Costa rig to most every Elite Series event, all the way from South Carolina.
Next is Gerald Swindle’s bride, LeAnn. Like others on the Elite Series tour, “Lulu” brings a companion along … for those long days when Gerald is on the water chasing fish.
Next is Gerald Swindle’s bride, LeAnn. Like others on the Elite Series tour, “Lulu” brings a companion along … for those long days when Gerald is on the water chasing fish.
Perhaps the most challenged of our Elite women drivers is Shin Fukae’s wife, Miyu. In her homeland of Japan, they drive on the opposite side of the road. So not only did she have to adapt to our rules of the road, she then had to learn to trailer a boat.
Perhaps the most challenged of our Elite women drivers is Shin Fukae’s wife, Miyu. In her homeland of Japan, they drive on the opposite side of the road. So not only did she have to adapt to our rules of the road, she then had to learn to trailer a boat.
Phyllis Hagstrom not only drives for boyfriend Terry Scroggins, she helps during pit stops too. Together, they travel nationwide in their Team Toyota Tundra.
Phyllis Hagstrom not only drives for boyfriend Terry Scroggins, she helps during pit stops too. Together, they travel nationwide in their Team Toyota Tundra.
Here’s “Dr. Phyl” on the farm where she first learned to trailer a rig. She earned her nickname by offering so much friendly advice.
Here’s “Dr. Phyl” on the farm where she first learned to trailer a rig. She earned her nickname by offering so much friendly advice.
This is Renee Rojas pulling away in Dean’s tow vehicle. The two of them log thousands of miles together, traveling cross-country to and from their home in Arizona.
This is Renee Rojas pulling away in Dean’s tow vehicle. The two of them log thousands of miles together, traveling cross-country to and from their home in Arizona.
Robin Howell is another mom on the road. She trailers husband Randy to all of the Elite events, handles much of the business, and still finds time to homeschool their two boys.
Robin Howell is another mom on the road. She trailers husband Randy to all of the Elite events, handles much of the business, and still finds time to homeschool their two boys.
There’s Randy in the background, getting a lift out of the water.
There’s Randy in the background, getting a lift out of the water.
That’s Sara Tharp waving to the camera. You’ll find her at the boat ramp — dawn and dusk — towing husband Randy’s Rapala/Ark rig.
That’s Sara Tharp waving to the camera. You’ll find her at the boat ramp — dawn and dusk — towing husband Randy’s Rapala/Ark rig.
Stephanie Strader is another ace at the wheel. She’s been trailering husband Wesley’s rig for years — formerly on the FLW Tour, and now B.A.S.S.
Stephanie Strader is another ace at the wheel. She’s been trailering husband Wesley’s rig for years — formerly on the FLW Tour, and now B.A.S.S.
Here she backs Wesley into the St. Lawrence River, where he’ll cap off a great 2018 campaign in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Here she backs Wesley into the St. Lawrence River, where he’ll cap off a great 2018 campaign in the Bassmaster Elite Series.