Ike, revealed

We go on Lake Hartwell to show you Michael Iaconelli's gear, strategy, and results on Day 3 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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A good crowd of spectators follow Mike Iaconelli early on Day 3 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
A good crowd of spectators follow Mike Iaconelli early on Day 3 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Early on in a slough, Mike Iaconelli takes time to explain the blueback herring bite he was on.
Early on in a slough, Mike Iaconelli takes time to explain the blueback herring bite he was on.
“The herring go to the backs of the creeks at night and when they come back to the main lake in the early hours, the bass ambush them,” he says.
“The herring go to the backs of the creeks at night and when they come back to the main lake in the early hours, the bass ambush them,” he says.
Let’s hop inside Ike’s BassCat for a bit.
Let’s hop inside Ike’s BassCat for a bit.
On deck, Abu Garcia Ike Edition rods that are mated to various Abu Garcia reels litter the floor. A pair on big Lowrance units reside up front so he can keep tabs on what’s going on below.
On deck, Abu Garcia Ike Edition rods that are mated to various Abu Garcia reels litter the floor. A pair on big Lowrance units reside up front so he can keep tabs on what’s going on below.
Iaconelli had an array of rods and reels ready to go for a number of possible scenarios he might encounter.
Iaconelli had an array of rods and reels ready to go for a number of possible scenarios he might encounter.
On the other side are more Garcia sticks and reels.
On the other side are more Garcia sticks and reels.
Adjacent to the passenger seat are some less-used combos.
Adjacent to the passenger seat are some less-used combos.
Although his boat might seem cluttered, it’s actually pretty organized. This handy tool holder BassCat builds into the rig helps keep things running smoothly.
Although his boat might seem cluttered, it’s actually pretty organized. This handy tool holder BassCat builds into the rig helps keep things running smoothly.
Scents, dyes and other accessories fill the cupholder.
Scents, dyes and other accessories fill the cupholder.
Safety comes in the form of a Mustang PFD.
Safety comes in the form of a Mustang PFD.
Each of the competitors on the final day was fitted with a GoPro.
Each of the competitors on the final day was fitted with a GoPro.
Here’s a close-up of his combos.
Here’s a close-up of his combos.
Ike started on a creek in midlake.
Ike started on a creek in midlake.
Ike lays into… nothing. “I’m not taking any chances today; I’m setting on everything,” he says.
Ike lays into… nothing. “I’m not taking any chances today; I’m setting on everything,” he says.
He soon hooks up.
He soon hooks up.
Reels it to the boat.
Reels it to the boat.
And grabs for it.
And grabs for it.
It was the start he wanted.
It was the start he wanted.
Ike says the morning bite is dying, though.
Ike says the morning bite is dying, though.
After the early morning herring bite, he dedicated the rest of his day to fishing offshore brushpiles and timber. Each unusual tick or thump was tested with a Herculean yank.
After the early morning herring bite, he dedicated the rest of his day to fishing offshore brushpiles and timber. Each unusual tick or thump was tested with a Herculean yank.
He inspects his bait.
He inspects his bait.
Time to retie his Missile Baits Football Head jig.
Time to retie his Missile Baits Football Head jig.
He selects a new rod.
He selects a new rod.
Whenever he found the “sweet spot” he slowed down and worked it thoroughly. If he didn’t get a bite after one or two casts, he was off to the next one.
Whenever he found the “sweet spot” he slowed down and worked it thoroughly. If he didn’t get a bite after one or two casts, he was off to the next one.
Ike’s cameraman Eric Kafka is a huge Eagles fan, like Ike.
Ike’s cameraman Eric Kafka is a huge Eagles fan, like Ike.
Kafka, who was running a live feed camera, and Ike scramble to move to deeper water.
Kafka, who was running a live feed camera, and Ike scramble to move to deeper water.
Goggles on for the move.
Goggles on for the move.
Ike’s workstation displayed the map with waypoints. The red dot is where he felt he should park his boat and the blue ones are the brushpiles he fished.
Ike’s workstation displayed the map with waypoints. The red dot is where he felt he should park his boat and the blue ones are the brushpiles he fished.
At some point in the morning, Iaconelli’s trolling motor cable malfunctioned. For the rest of the day he was forced to pry it up with a screwdriver before stowing it.
At some point in the morning, Iaconelli’s trolling motor cable malfunctioned. For the rest of the day he was forced to pry it up with a screwdriver before stowing it.
Iaconelli never misses the chance to fish a boat ramp. You shouldn’t, either.
Iaconelli never misses the chance to fish a boat ramp. You shouldn’t, either.
Time to make another short move.
Time to make another short move.
The man at work.
The man at work.
Ike makes a toss at a brushpile with a drop shot rig.
Ike makes a toss at a brushpile with a drop shot rig.
Then he attacks it with a crankbait.
Then he attacks it with a crankbait.
Here’s a close-up of the Missile Baits Football Jig.
Here’s a close-up of the Missile Baits Football Jig.
Iaconelli caught his first three keepers of the morning on the new Rapala Shadow Rap jerkbait. He also threw it around docks and boat ramps.
Iaconelli caught his first three keepers of the morning on the new Rapala Shadow Rap jerkbait. He also threw it around docks and boat ramps.
In an effort to save time and hassle, Ike finally left his trolling motor deployed.
In an effort to save time and hassle, Ike finally left his trolling motor deployed.
Ike bows up on another keeper.
Ike bows up on another keeper.
He brings it to the boat.
He brings it to the boat.
He swings it in.
He swings it in.
It’s his fifth keeper.
It’s his fifth keeper.
It gave him approximately 13 pounds.
It gave him approximately 13 pounds.
He had a fan presence most of the day.
He had a fan presence most of the day.
Ike works a jig in front of a crowd, who came down from a house to watch him.
Ike works a jig in front of a crowd, who came down from a house to watch him.
There were a few moments when Ike appeared perturbed.
There were a few moments when Ike appeared perturbed.
Gotta try around this dock.
Gotta try around this dock.
He got tangled in brushpiles several times.
He got tangled in brushpiles several times.
And was forced to break off a couple times, too.
And was forced to break off a couple times, too.
He quickly reties.
He quickly reties.
Cinching the knot with his teeth.
Cinching the knot with his teeth.
Gotta try this dock, too.
Gotta try this dock, too.
Ike hits close to 30 areas on the day.
Ike hits close to 30 areas on the day.