Professional angler Jacob Wheeler and Wife Alicia

Jacob Wheeler is one of the most accomplished anglers in the history of professional fishing but his wife Alicia’s story is just as impressive. She manages their home and keeps one of the sport’s strongest personalities in check. Read more to learn their recipe for success on and off the water.

HPFC: Can you share the story of how you and your husband first crossed paths?

Alicia Wheeler: Jacob and I were set up on a blind date in October of 2015. I was working as a teacher in Columbus, Ohio, and one of my coworkers knew him and set us up. He came to Columbus and we went to dinner with friends. The next day we met up to tailgate for the Ohio State homecoming game! The rest is history. 

HPFC: What were your initial impressions of your husband when you first met him?

Alicia Wheeler: He was super sweet, very funny and very easy to talk to. He also was very easy to get along with - I threw him to the wolves upon our initial meeting. He had to spend the day with me and all of my friends bar hopping on Ohio State’s campus. They all loved him, which made me very happy. 

HPFC: Did you know anything about fishing when you first met?

Alicia Wheeler: My brothers fished when I grew up - but mostly for trout in little streams near our house. I grew up near Lake Erie but didn’t know much about it. 

HPFC: What if anything, did you know about professional bass fishing before you met?

Alicia Wheeler: I knew people did it, that it was on Saturday mornings when I was little, and that I was bored by it. 

HPFC: Was there a specific moment or event that made you realize your feelings were more than just friendship?

Alicia Wheeler: I knew I didn’t want a new friend 3 hours away, so if I didn’t want to date him there was really no point in continuing anything because we were so far apart. So I would say pretty quickly it was decided this was going to be more than friends. Maybe the first time I saw him sing Hang on Sloopy at the Varsity Club I knew :) 

HPFC: How long have you been married?

Alicia Wheeler: We were married in Maui, Hawaii - October 9, 2017 - so 8 years! 

HPFC: When you met was he already fishing professionally or did he have another job?

Alicia Wheeler: Has he ever had another job?! He was already fishing professionally. 

HPFC: What if any challenges or obstacles did you have to work through?

Alicia Wheeler: I can’t think of any! We were so used to being away from each other there wasn’t a huge adjustment or anything once we moved in together. 

HPFC: How do you manage the frequent separation and limited time together due to his on the road schedule?

Alicia Wheeler: It’s all I have ever known. When we were dating we didn’t live in the same city so we haven’t ever really been around each other 24/7. When he is home, we try to spend quality time together. We prioritize date nights. We also prioritize working on our marriage! We go to marriage counseling when he is home and that is actually so helpful - I encourage everyone with a traveling spouse to do the same! 

I will say, the separation has gotten much tougher mentally on both of us since we have had children. I was okay with being by myself pre-kids - I was working as a teacher and had a great social life but once you bring kids into the mix and see how sad they are that daddy is gone that is really hard on both of us. I absolutely missed him before children but now seeing them miss him makes it even harder! I will travel with them to tournaments when we can. Our daughter is in 1st grade so when she has breaks from school and it works with his schedule we try to travel together as a family. 

HPFC: How do you adjust when your husband returns home after being away for weeks at a time practicing or from competitions?

Alicia Wheeler: That can be tricky! It takes time but really Jacob is gone so much even during his “off time” there’s really not many times where he is home for long stretches. He’s got sponsor obligations, he pre fishes, he’s filming for YouTube, he’s traveling… it’s rare he’s not busy. When those moments come though it can be an adjustment as a family. It's something we work on - making sure one on one time is spent with kids, traditions and patterns with the kids that just daddy does when he's home, etc.  I'm sure anyone with a spouse who travels or has an unconventional job can relate!  

HPFC: Are there any activities or special events that you and your husband enjoy doing when you are together after he has been gone all season?

Alicia Wheeler: We always take a vacation at the end of the year with the Connells, Avenas, and Daniels. That is something we look forward to every year, it's a nice little celebration of the year and a great way to signify the start of a new season. We have been doing this for 7 years now! 

HPFC: Do you have any pet peeves about him?

Alicia Wheeler: Jacob has trouble just winding down and frankly just relaxing. It’s hard for him to turn it off and I have no problem laying on the couch and watching trash TV at night. 

HPFC: What do you think your husband’s pet peeves are of you?

Alicia Wheeler: Pet peeve of me? Nothing! That’s what he should say if he knows what’s good for him. But really I think my fascination with true crime bugs him. Jacob is a very positive person and when he walks in I’m usually watching a really twisted Dateline to “wind down” at night. He just doesn’t understand. :) 

HPFC: What are your retirement plans?

Alicia Wheeler: I don’t know if he will ever retire from this and I’m okay with it. That’s the blessing of fishing - you can really do it as long as you want! I would love for him to be home more but I think even if he wasn’t on tour he would never be home because he would be involved with TV or other obligations! I bet he would be home less actually if he "retired". 

HPFC: What is something off the wall that no one knows about the two of you?

Alicia Wheeler: We have a shelf full of coffee cups with haters’ comments on them - it's great fuel for the mornings!