Mike Iaconelli caught a 4 1/2-pounder at 8:20 and a 3-pounder at 8:42 this morning, giving him two good fish in the livewell early on Day 3. That was the magic salve on Day 2 for Iaconelli's mental wounds that occurred on Day 1.
"Having two early in the morning," Iaconelli said Friday, when asked the difference between his 11-7, 4-bass bag the day before and his limit weighing 16-10 that day. "The first day I was stressed out. I'm looking at my watch. I'm already two hours behind."
Iaconelli, who came to Sturgeon Bay ranked 45th in AOY points, is trying to qualify for his 17th Classic and extend his streak to 15 in a row. But problems with his outboard motor oil pressure system brought him back to the service crew three times Thursday morning. Finally, with the problem still unsolved, Iaconelli decided not to waste any more fishing time, even though he could run at only half-throttle.
Iaconelli was stomping back to his boat and the service yard after weighing in 11-7 Thursday, thinking he'd put Classic qualification in serious jeopardy, when his wife, Becky, sent him a text saying he was in 27th place for the day and had moved up in unofficial AOY points, which was a pleasant surprise.
By 8:30 p.m., the service crew had his engine problems resolved and Iaconelli had a new attitude. Friday Iaconelli made sure to express his gratitude for the service crew that works mostly unsung but never unappreciated at Elite Series events. And he felt better about being able to repeat the 16-10 bag on Sunday.
"All I did was fish waypoints (Thursday)," Iaconelli said. "(Friday) I fished waypoints, but I moved out from them and learned a little more about the areas I'm fishing."
In terms of AOY points, unofficially Iaconelli has moved from 45th to 35th.
"I think I need another 15 pounds (Sunday)," he said. "But I'm not going to play conservative."
Iaconelli was halfway to 15 pounds before 9 a.m. today.