Mike Iaconelli finished 11th after the final regular Elite Series event at Oneida. He will be fishing at the Alabama and Lake Jordon is the BASS Chae to the AOY in September.

 

He may be the most popular, sometimes controversial, and published angler at the professional level, and possibly the most maligned as well. You gotta like Ike and this BASS Dash for the Cash is him at his best.

 

We had a chance to talk to him one on one and get his perspectives about professional fishing and what is truly important to him. Here is that interview.

 

1. You finished 11th this year after Oneida. You have won the AOY and Classic before. What would it mean to win the AOY again?

 

"The BASS Angler of the Year is one of the two biggest titles in fishing. I have won it once. It would be special to be in that very small group who have won it more than one time. It would give me a peace of mind that I would be in a very select group. With that said if it never happens again I am ok with it. I know I did win it once.

 

Secondly, financially it's huge to win. The AOY money and contract incentives for things like it make it super attractive.

 

To be honest, you sometimes get to a point in your career where goal setting is harder. I am sure Kevin and Skeet would say the same thing. After you win the AOY and the Classic you ask yourself "What is left"? For me, its about advancing the sport. I want to facilitate getting more non-traditional people fired up. For me it goes far beyond trophies now. Growing and changing our sport for the better is way cool and I hope I can help there.

 

Nothing is better for me than getting a note from a kid or a young person that says "You changed my life, I was going down a different path and because of you I am fishing now. These are Facebookers, Tweeters, skateboarders, bike riders, or jocks. I truly believe we have not peaked yet. We have to be creative and not afraid to evolve. Finding the right format takes some risks and we have to be willing to do that.

 

Its important right now to get fishing to be looked at in a different light. Its not just for grandpa's to take their kids or a redneck kind of the deal and it needs to be thought of differently. It should be cool and its up to us to try to make it that way. If kids think its cool they will get hooked on fishing. We have that chance and its right now. "

 

2 Who is the real Ike?

 

"Laughing.....but then got serious. The real Mike Iaconelli is someone who is super passionate about our sport. I love fishing. I am not always that screaming crazy guy that they see on TV. I am just a regular guy who is emotional and extremely passionate about what I do. My family, girls and Becky ( finance Becky Mattes) are my number one priority. I am just a Dad and ordinary guy."

 

3. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

 

"Let me put this in a different perspective. Most of the top guys are just naturals. You could blindfold them, put them on any body of water and they would catch them. I may not have that.

 

I have a strong work ethic and I prepare real intensely. Extra effort, practice, and getting prepared before the event is crucial to me. Spending a day or two going over tackle. Looking at maps and going to the Internet are big. I am a driven person and I like to outfish the fish. To me its a big puzzle. When all the pieces come together that is a cool deal for me. I like a blank slate and putting in the effort to make it come together.

 

As far as weaknesses, I need to let go better and fish the moment. I fish best when I fish free. You know its like fun fishing. You fish more free when nothing is on the line and I need to be able to do that when championships are on the line. Fishing without concerns without fishing memories or history is tough. I have to let go totally and fish the moment. When you do everything is right, its a totally cool deal. My goal is to let things happen and not force them to. Its human nature to try to duplicate the good days. Again, Skeet and Kevin have an uncanny ability to let go and I need to get better at that.

 

4. How important is winning to you?

 

 

Winning is very important but not everything. I feel I have fished better this year than any other time in my life. I have had one or two hick-ups but generally speaking I am fishing very well right now. Not having any W's this year does bug me though.

 

5. It seems you fish championships exceptionally well? Why?

 

"I perform the best when the pressure is on and its a championship. I like fishing for 1st versus just fishing for points. Championships allow me to fish for first. Its a totally different mentality and I love them.

 

6. You seem to be everywhere. How do you manage everything?

 

"My support system is the best. Becky, my Mom, Don, my Uncle who travelled with me, are huge at getting me set and help with juggling multiple things. The support I get is huge.

 

I have always lived a fast paced life. In as sick kind of way I kind of like it. More is better. From high school to college to now I like having a bunch going on."

 

 

7. What do you think about the new BASS AOY format for this year?

 

I have always liked ESPN and BASS because they were not afraid to try something new. They are not afraid of change and they are not afraid to try something to grow the sport. They are genuine and are trying but with that said I don't like it. I never like reducing the numbers of events. I fish for a living and we need more events. The true AOY should be determined by a number of events and I don't think this will be a true AOY. I could win it but my opinion would not change. I think it will diminish the title. I want a full field all fishing all the events.

 

One thing I might add is I appreciate what BASS is trying to do but it will probably need to be adjusted. Time will tell.

 

8. What else?

 

There is no question that having a great group of sponsors is critical. I work very hard for them and they allow me to do what I love to do.

 

But........if you want to be at the top of your game like KVD, Ish, Skeet and the rest of the top guys....laughing.....you need to attend the Bass Universities. Its that simple.

 

Note: Iaconelli and several other pro's are running the Bass University's and we entitled Mike to one plug

 

 

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