Inside KJ Queen's traveling van

KJ’s father, Jeff Queen, suggested the idea of getting a van shortly after KJ qualified for the Elite Series in 2020. KJ was skeptical of the idea, but after finding a great deal on a slightly used van, he was all about it.

“My buddy actually found this van with 100 miles on it,” Queen said. “It had sat at the lot for several years so they knocked off a good bit of change for me.”

Queen purchased the van and took off into the 2021 Elite Series season in what they now call the “Queen Machine.”

Queen’s van may seem a bit unorthodox, but it worked out pretty well for him in 2021.

As you probably would have guessed, the back of Queen’s van has an abundance of room. The Elite Series rookie stayed in his van for the majority of the tournaments in 2021.

A small set of drawers is kept behind the driver’s seat. Queen stores food in the bottom two drawers and lighter objects such as socks and underwear in the top drawer.

The wall of the van provided spots for Queen to hang lures like ornaments on a Christmas tree.

It’s a given that Queen would have a box of Queen Tackle jigs at the ready.

Queen added a cot to the left side of the van for a place to sleep when he stays in the van at events.

“I put two memory foam mattresses on top of the cot so it actually sleeps pretty well,” Queen said.

“Honestly my best finishes this year have been when I stay in my van,” he said. “There’s no distractions, it’s just me and the fish.”

Queen is able to travel with as much tackle as he would like, given the amount of room that the van provides. “I keep three massive totes that are filled to the top at every tournament,” he said.

Amongst the tackle is his line bag.

Queen keeps a Bassmaster Elite Series sticker on the roof of his van to remind him that he is living out his dream when he is laying down on his cot.

A good bit of tackle that Queen removed from the van to provide more room to take photos.

More tackle that Queen stores in his van.

The Elite Series rookie keeps cardboard rod tubes down the side of the van that allow him to travel with more rods. “I put at least eight rods in each tube, but it just depends on how many tubes I bring.” he said.