Michael Iaconelli

Michael Iaconelli, also known as Mike and by his nickname "Ike", (born June 17, 1972 in Runnemede, New Jersey) is a professional bass fisherman, television personality, and podcast show host from Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey. Iaconelli competes on Major League Fishing. As of February 11, 2019, Mike's career tournament winnings with B. A. S. S. were $2,500,205, which includes 7 wins. Iaconelli's major accomplishments include the longest active streak of Bassmaster Classic qualifications with 17 consecutive appearances, the 2017 Major League Fishing Summit Cup Champion, 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion, as well as the 2006 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year. Iaconelli is the only angler to have won the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and B. A. S. S. Nation Championship.

Iaconelli was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up living with his mother, his uncle and his grandparents. At a young age, Iaconelli was introduced to fishing on summer trips to the Pocono Mountains. On these trips, he was first introduced to other types of fishing besides bass fishing. His first experiences were with trout and various panfish species. His first largemouth bass catch came at age twelve during his family's annual summer trek to the Pocono Mountains. Iaconelli used a 9S Floating Rapala lure to catch the bass. According to Iaconelli, this moment sparked his interest in bass fishing. His love for bass fishing continued on into high school.

After high school, Iaconelli founded the bass fishing club, "Top Rod Bassmasters". Top Rod Bassmasters became Iaconelli's first venture into competitive bass fishing. The club had inter club tournaments among its members. In 1992, after three years of fishing in Top Rod Bassmasters, Iaconelli made the transition to the pro am circuit. His first tournament on this circuit was the North Carolina Top 100. This event was held on Lake Norman in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. In this tournament, Iaconelli drew widely known fisherman, Tommy Biffle. In the following days of the North Carolina Top 100, he would also draw well known fishermen David Fritts and Gary Klein. In 1994, Iaconelli once again fished the North Carolina Top 100 on Lake Norman. At this tournament, he won his first bass boat. The boat he won was a new Ranger 374. After Iaconelli won a Ranger 374, he began to tackle the Red Man and Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B. A. S. S.) Federation trails. In 1997, Iaconelli fished a B. A. S. S. Invitational Tournament on Buggs Island, also known as Kerr Lake. The first day, he was paired with the four time Bassmaster Classic champion, Kevin VanDam. One of Iaconelli's earliest tournament victories came on New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong. In this Federation tournament, he broke the lake and one day Federation record of just over 18 pounds. His official weight for that tournament was 19.58 lbs. In 2000, Iaconelli made the leap to the professional ranks. He began fishing the B. A. S. S Tour. After winning the Bassmaster Classic, Iaconelli continued fishing professionally. He recorded a fourth place finish on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida in his first Bassmaster Tour event since his Bassmaster Classic victory on the Louisiana Delta. This top five finish on the Harris Chain of Lakes was the first of three top ten finishes for Iaconelli. At the third Bassmaster Tour event on Lake Guntersville, he recorded a fifth place finish. His third top ten finish of the 2004 season occurred at Smith Mountain Lake. At Smith Mountain Lake, Iaconelli recorded an eighth place victory. Iaconelli qualified for the 2004 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Wylie. However, Iaconelli was not able to repeat as Bassmaster Classic champion. He finished 19th with a three day total weight of 20 lbs and 13 oz. At the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, Iaconelli's boat had aerator issues in its livewells. The aerator issues resulted in his two fish dying. As a result, Iaconelli, out of frustration, broke the light pole on his bass boat. This resulted in his Day Two disqualification from the 2006 Bassmaster Classic. In 2007, Iaconelli was not able to repeat as the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year. He only recorded one top ten finish throughout the entire 2007 season. The 2008 season began with a tenth place finish on Lake Hartwell. Iaconelli did not record another top ten finish until the Bassmaster Elite Series Tennessee Triumph on Old Hickory Lake. There he finished in ninth place. From there, he went on to finish fifth and third at the Bassmaster Elite Series Empire Chase and the Bassmaster Elite Series Empire Chase respectively. Iaconelli started the 2009 season by finishing second at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River. He was the runner up to Skeet Reese by 11 ounces. Iaconelli would start the 2009 Elite Series season with top ten finishes at Lake Amistad and Wheeler Lake. Iaconelli's 2010 season began at the Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Alabama. He posted a sixth place finish with 37 lbs and 6 oz. Iaconelli's other lone top ten finish of the season came on the California Delta. Going Ike became a television series in 2017 on the Pursuit Channel. Going Ike reveals thrilling footage captured while filming at epic fishing destinations. Iaconelli puts a unique twist on the traditional fishing show by featuring new, game changing fishing tactics, difficult challenges, and the stunning emotional moments of catching trophy fish. Watch Going Ike

Iaconelli hosts 'IKE LIVE! ', a fishing talk show that includes the top professional anglers in bass fishing, pro athletes & other fishing enthusiasts as special guests. On this show, Iaconelli simultaneously records his in studio podcast & web series. Watch Ike Live

City Limits Fishing follows Iaconelli to various big cities like Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D. C. and Seattle. The premise of the show is to catch a limit of fish, in a limited amount of time, within the city limits.

Greatest Sports Ever, Season 1 Episode 3. Mike is featured for his celebrations after catching a fish.

The Daily Show: Ed Helms takes a look at Mike Iaconelli, a renegade bad boy in the world of bass fishing. Watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart's 'Fishing for Attention' n

Bassmaster: http://www. bassmaster. com/anglers/michael iaconelli

Major League Fishing: https://www. majorleaguefishing. com/angler detail/mike iaconelli/5388

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW): https://web. archive. org/web/20120305061103/http://www. flwoutdoors. com/community/profile/home. cfm?uid=102108

https://www. bassfishinghof. com/inductee/mike iaconelli

Iaconelli founded The Ike Foundation in July 2014. The main goal is getting more kids involved with the sport of fishing. The Ike Foundation donates fishing tackle to kids and youth organizations, hosts kids fishing and fundraiser events, and assists other charitable organizations including civic organizations and existing youth fishing organizations.

Mike is married to Rebecca "Becky" Iaconelli and he has four children: Drew, Rylie, Vegas, and Estella. Mike has also been designated by several pro tours as an ambassador to those not part of a community.