Mike Iaconelli

[slapnuts]

I was reading a article in field and Stream about Mike Iaconelli. It talked about how people disliked him and think he is a punk. What are your guys opinion on him?

[clooney]

He is hard to read just seeing him on t.v. occasionally. I know he is very passionate about the sport of bass fishing. His antics on the other hand I'm not quite sure about. I personally haven't decided if he is funny or just trying to be!? He is definitely a character! But overall, I like him. He adds a little life to the sport.....Who did they say didn't like him in the article? Other pros or the public?

[dodgeguy]

i think he's severely hyper!!!i don't see anything wrong with him going crazy when he catches fish.i know i get excited when i get a big one.besides,kids like him!!!

[slapnuts]

I like him he just needs to not get so hyper when he gets a fish.

[clooney]

Who thinks he is a punk? What did it say in the article?

[Fl._Flippin_Fool]

He is just not like the norm so he stands out. Not a bad PR move if ya ask me, the more attention you get in this sport the better the Backing. Tim Horton is another example, not as loud as Mike but he looks nothing like your Pro Bass Angler Norm, so he draws attention. Its not hurting the sport or anyone else so to each his own. Alot of the complaints come from people who are in the shadow of the ones they complain about.

[slapnuts]

The article talked about Mike and his syle pretty but the had a part where they had post from a chat board about Mike and thats where they were really dising Mike.

[Fl._Flippin_Fool]

well, I am sure Mike worries about those winers as he polishes his BMC trophy. :

[clooney]

How true...flippin!

[Larry_Landgren]

when your a pro bass fisherman it's all about exposure and he does a great job at it. A few of my buddies have been his non boater and they say he is a very cool guy. yeah he is hyper and screams alot but oh well his sponsors sure don't mind one bit now do they .

[Nick.Culver]

Read my mind Larry! Think about it. How offen do you you hear other anglers give a scream or ay their going Ike on you? Quite offen! So that's extra publicity. He's in the picture even when he's not in the finals. It's great, if you ask me. A few kids at school actually know who he and Gerald Swindle are. They are changing the face of the sport. We need more of them. They have the charisma the sport needs.

[BCAlbin]

    I think Mike Iaconelli is just a typical Gen-Xer who happens to be in to bass fishing. Mike is who he is whether he's working on a loading dock, behind a computer, at a skate shop or on a lake. Just watch the X Games some time and you will see where he's coming from. He's obviously a great angler. He reminds me of my younger brother, who is in his late 20's. I think people who have a problem with him probably have the concept of the stereotypical bass angler being from a Bill Dance mold, a well mannered, middle aged, southern gentleman. I grew up watching Bill Dance and I think he's great but I like Ike too. There's room for everybody. Bass Fishing...It's Not Just for Bubba Anymore.

[VTbasskid16]

You can twist an article any way you want.

I really like him. He's funny and energetic.

Its great to see a pro win the BMC from far north as New Jersey! I also like how he says feet instead of foot.

Cool guy, check his site out: It was newly readone and looks great.

http://www.mikeiaconelli.com/

[Gatorbassman]

I have had the great opportunity to talk to Ike on two separate occasions. Last year at the FLW Championship in Alabama, and a couple of weeks ago during the BASS Tourney at Clark's Hill. Both times he took the time to stop what he was doing and listen to my questions and he gave great feedback. This wasn't just for a few seconds either. We talked for several minutes. He is a wealth of knowledge. If you want to learn how to power fish, he is one of the best and more than willing to share everything he knows. He is very down to earth, despite his "tweaked out" personality. Anyone who says he is a punk hasn't attempted to sit down and just talk to him. He seems like someone who can't bottle up his emotion. Just imagine if every fish you catch during a tournament was worth 10,000 to 100,000 dollars. How would you respond? The one thing I am glad of is that he had a new flame shirt made for him. That old one was getting real ratty.

[tie1on]

I"ve never met Mike but just watching him on tv and reading things he's wrote you can tell that hes a very intelligent fisherman.Any tournament I've ever seen him in he's always has one of the biggest fish of the tournament.I think if some people could just look past the screaming they would see that too.And maybe some of them are jealous because he does have so much fun.

[abelfisher]

I think he is good for the sport.  I also think Bill Dance is good for the sport.. It's great to see the different type of personalities in the sport these days.  

[GamblerFL]

I like him. I think he adds a little to the tournaments. Plus doing what he does works well. Just remember love him or hate him, this thread is about him. And thats why it works for him.....

Just to add a little side note, dont forget he is also a very good fisherman.

[5bass]

I agree,I had a conversation with Ike this past October on Smith Mtn after the Open.He signed an auto for my little brother and we started "chewin' the fat" about fishing and he was really a down to earth guy.It seemed like he asked more questions than I did.His "fame" was not bigger than who he really was and he took time to talk with whoever approached him with questions or to get a picture or autograph.I like Ike personally,BASS needs a few more like him.

[Gatorbassman]

Ike is my inspiration. It was just a few years ago he was winning Federation Tournaments out of a 12ft jon boat. I am fishing them from a 14ft one. Go to his web site and read his story and see the pictures of his boat. It's pretty neat.

[BuckeyeRon30]

I had the opportunity to talk with IKE at bassmaster university in cleveland last week.  I will tell you this he was the most down to earth pro at the seminar.  I spent 20mins talking with him during a break and he took the time to look me square in the eye, listen to what I was saying and just talk like a fishing buddy.  I was really impressed by him.  And his seminar was one of the best I have ever seen, you could tell he actually put some time and thought into in unlike some other guys that just stood and talked about very little.

[Nick_Barr]

i think he is just like us but he just gets more excited when he catches a fish.

[BuckeyeRon30]

that is pretty accurate, how he explained it during the seminar is this.  "how excited would you get if you dreamed for 15 years about catching a big bass in a big tournament and then while out fishing on a boat it finally happens.  YEOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

that is why he said he yells, genuine excitement.

the guy is great for the sport, he is well spoken educated and extremely personable.  

I dont thing there was a person in the room that was not impressed.

[Wormy]

I think he has introduced a new look and attitude to the sport that was bound to happen anyway. The guy knows his fishing and I hand it to him for that. I admire anyone who starts out with nothing and works there way to the top.

[GamblerFL]

Ike is my inspiration. It was just a few years ago he was winning Federation Tournaments out of a 12ft jon boat. I am fishing them from a 14ft one. Go to his web site and read his story and see the pictures of his boat. It's pretty neat.

I couldnt find that write up on his site. What site are you going to?

[Gatorbassman]

I don't have any time to find it rite now but give me a few days and I will send you a message. The bass are bedding hard this week and I will not be around my computer. I know you understand.