Mike Iaconelli left Rapala

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Im surprised to see that.  I couldn't imagine Rapala dropping him, hes on the ball when it comes to product plugging, probably one of the best in his generation, especially for VMC.  

[Stratocat_Joe]

I imagine this move was likely the result of consolidation within the fishing industry.  I think Rapala just finished the purchase of 13 Fishing and I imagine they will want to partner with anglers using 13 Fishing products, particularly their rods/reels.  G-Man and Whelcher already use 13 Fishing products but we'll see what happens with other high-profile Rapala anglers (Wheeler, DeFoe, Feider, etc.) who use different rod/reel lineups...although, I suppose those specific anglers have partnerships with other outlets for promoting the Rapala/VMC/13 Fishing brand (i.e. Academy, BPS, Omnia).

[the reel ess]

On 1/13/2024 at 7:16 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Or they decided to drop him.  While his social media presence is good, his tournament results less so…

It's just like racing. If you get in front of the camera enough it doesn't matter if you're winning. TV hosts have good sponsors too.

[Boomstick]

Well hell must be a cold place right now, didn't see that coming.

[Skunkmaster-k]

After the decision was made to can him , he jumped up and looked at his lawyer and screamed “ LETS GOOOOO ! “ 

[waymont]

I guess all those VMC/Rapala products he’s been touting as the best in the business for years won’t be anymore.(at least in his opinion) that’s why it’s all BS. It’s “the BEST!” Until it isn’t anymore, and he starts using his new sponsor’s gear.

[king fisher]

3 hours ago, waymont said:

I guess all those VMC/Rapala products he’s been touting as the best in the business for years won’t be anymore.(at least in his opinion) that’s why it’s all BS. It’s “the BEST!” Until it isn’t anymore, and he starts using his new sponsor’s gear.

If someone paid me to fish with a helicopter lure, I would find a way to catch fish with it and promote the company at the best of my ability.  Being paid to fish is a job, and like all jobs there is a down side.

[WRB]

On 1/16/2024 at 1:46 PM, Tackleholic said:

I believe the flag incident happened as a result of him running aground and wrecking his boat.  Ranger dropped him over that and other boats he had previously wrecked.  Ike and Bass Cat hooked up after that.  

No, during the 2006 Ike was using a swim worm and caught a nice bass to cull, when he opened the livewell all his bass were belly up. Ike reacted by going ballistic screaming, swearing and then ripped the flag off the boat tossing into the water. This tantrum cost Ike most of his sponsors.

Tom

[PhishLI]

13 hours ago, king fisher said:

If someone paid me to fish with a helicopter lure, I would find a way to catch fish with it and promote the company at the best of my ability.  Being paid to fish is a job, and like all jobs there is a down side.

Is it really a downside though? They're independent contractors who get sponsorship dollars to promote product. It's a side hustle in a business where's there's no salary otherwise, up front expenses are high, and a tournament check isn't a guarantee. If done right, many can and will make more from promotion than they do in tournament winnings. The most financially successful ones are ultimately fishing-product salesman who happen to fish professionally. If they're competitive enough to cash checks and in rare cases win, that's just gravy.

[Susky River Rat]

@Tackleholiche went complete happy Gilmore. Their biggest hiccup about the whole thing was the American flag on the light pole. That according to him was what got him in real trouble. Was it a good look for him? No but, it turned him around. It was almost 20 years ago and now he’s in the hall of fame. Just below  KVD and bill dance he’s probably one of the best known. 

[Justbass11]

I like “The Gman” not sure what he’s done lately but he in the top Ten for sure for endorsements. Just saying 

[JediAmoeba]

On 1/21/2024 at 12:42 PM, WRB said:

No, during the 2006 Ike was using a swim worm and caught a nice bass to cull, when he opened the livewell all his bass were belly up. Ike reacted by going ballistic screaming, swearing and then ripped the flag off the boat tossing into the water. This tantrum cost Ike most of his sponsors.

Tom

He didn't purposely trash the American flag - he had a meltdown which, to me, is understandable when competing at that level and you have an issue like he did. The things he does for bass fishing and children can't be overlooked IMO. 

 

He seems to be a humble and funny dude when the camera isn't on him. 

[A-Jay]

5 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

He didn't purposely trash the American flag - he had a meltdown which, to me, is understandable when competing at that level and you have an issue like he did. The things he does for bass fishing and children can't be overlooked IMO. 

 

He seems to be a humble and funny dude when the camera isn't on him. 

Could not disagree more. 

There are thousands of men & women who operate at a level where the stakes are far higher & more important than what happens in bass fishing. 

Maintaining a level head , adapt & overcome usually leads to a better outcome. 

Pulling that clown act like at the circus might entertain some, 

but I'm not one of them.

Temper tantrums are for 4 year old's, not adult men. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

 

[PhishLI]

8 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

He seems to be a humble and funny dude when the camera isn't on him. 

Coincidentally, this just popped up in my shorts feed.

 

[JediAmoeba]

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Could not disagree more. 

There are thousands of men & women who operate at a level where the stakes are far higher & more important than what happens in bass fishing. 

Maintaining a level head , adapt & overcome usually leads to a better outcome. 

Pulling that clown act like at the circus might entertain some, 

but I'm not one of them.

Temper tantrums are for 4 year old's, not adult men. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

 

Sorry, I have seen many adult men throw tantrums; Athletes throwing equipment, helmets and stuff. I have seen more golfers than I can mention smash clubs and have total meltdowns. Tom Brady smashed a tablet on the sideline in his 40's. I can go on and on with athletes and professionals doing this stuff.

 

When hold high expectations, emotions can run high. We absolutely should be able to remain calm and act calm and collected but things happen and curse words fly. In my 20's I had my share of meltdowns, it happens. 

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

Sorry, I have seen many adult men throw tantrums; Athletes throwing equipment, helmets and stuff. I have seen more golfers than I can mention smash clubs and have total meltdowns. Tom Brady smashed a tablet on the sideline in his 40's. I can go on and on with athletes and professionals doing this stuff.

 

When hold high expectations, emotions can run high. We absolutely should be able to remain calm and act calm and collected but things happen and curse words fly. In my 20's I had my share of meltdowns, it happens. 

You can choose to accept this as mature behavior.

I do not. 

Should we be teaching our children this - out wait . . . .. 

A-Jay

[gim]

6 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

He didn't purposely trash the American flag

I am not familiar with this specific event that is being spoken of, but regardless of whether he did It on purpose or was looking to trash “something”, he certainly could have selected something else other than the American flag. Pretty classless IMO

 

Golf clubs, tablets, fishing rods, etc. Please, not the flag.

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I am not familiar with this specific event that is being spoken of, but regardless of whether he did It on purpose or was looking to trash “something”, he certainly could have selected something else other than the American flag. Pretty classless IMO

 

Golf clubs, tablets, fishing rods, etc. Please, not the flag.

I don't hate the man - but his antics rub me the wrong way.

But whatever - who am I to judge ?

A-Jay

 

[gim]

Just now, A-Jay said:

but his antics rub me the wrong way.

I hear ya.

[JediAmoeba]

17 hours ago, A-Jay said:

You can choose to accept this as mature behavior.

I do not. 

Should we be teaching our children this - out wait . . . .. 

A-Jay

We should not be teaching our children this but human emotions shouldn't just be disregarded. Not everyone has that inner zen.