Persistence pays off. Mark Zacher of South Dakota can attest to that. After logging onto Bassmaster.com daily to enter Bassmaster’s “Fish With Ike” sweepstakes, Zacher learned in March that he won the contest to fish with Bassmaster Elite Series pro and bass fishing icon Michael Iaconelli. See photos of Zacher on his “Fish with Ike” day.
It was a big win, beginning with a fishing trip with Ike and including cash, gear and gifts that added up to almost $5,000. After months of anticipation, Zacher was a special guest onsite and onstage Sunday, June 23, for the final competition day of the Bassmaster Elite Series Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole in La Crosse, Wis. On Monday, he was on the Mississippi fishing with the high-profile New Jersey pro, one of his favorite anglers.
Zacher, who works in the parts department of a freightliner dealership in Rapid City, had a busy June which included fishing in a state competition, fishing with Iaconelli and celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary.
His trip with Ike included airfare, a rental car, a two-night hotel stay, $500 in spending money, $900 in gear from Berkley and Abu Garcia, $500 in gear from Rapala and a chance to attend The Bass University.
A new sweepstakes is currently underway, the “Fish With G-Man Sweepstakes.” It offers anglers an opportunity to enter for a chance to win a fishing trip with Gerald Swindle plus $6,000 in gear from his sponsors. Click here to enter.