Today two wiry, occasionally brash anglers from non-traditional bassing states were appropriately feted on the Elite Series stage.
For the first, Mike Iaconelli, it will be his last time there as a competitor. He leaves with a Classic trophy, an AOY title, a spot in the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and a legitimate claim that he changed the way the sport is practiced and consumed.
The second, Trey McKinney, sacked a Bassmaster record smallmouth limit that weighed 30 pounds, 11 ounces. Two days from now it might prove to be a critical steppingstone in his first AOY title after narrowly missing that honor the past two years.
Notably, McKinney is younger than two of Ike’s children, one of whom gave birth to the Jersey angler’s first grandson yesterday. Since it would be ridiculous to call him Grandpa or Papaw or Gramps, the family will now refer to him as “Pike,” short for Papa Ike.
But despite being separated by at least a generation, McKinney and Iaconelli have several things in common. Chief among them are incredible talent and drive, but also the fact that they persevered through some early hardships and disdain from their peers.
One writer once referred to Ike as “the Yankee even the other Yankees don’t like.” More recently, some veteran pros openly derided McKinney. Both managed either to look past those slights or to use them as fuel.
It’s not a Greek Tragedy, a cautionary tale, or even a Horatio Alger story, but there’s a certain literary symmetry to what one has done and what we expect the other to do.
In honor of all that Ike managed to accomplish, this is a special, one-time-only, Jersey- and Philly-themed analysis. Here’s what’s brewing down the shore.
Who’s Down With OPP? — Yesterday there were 90 bags of 20 pounds or more. Today there were 82 of them. Only four anglers failed to catch at least one 20-pound bag. Twenty-eight anglers caught 20 or more each day and failed to make the cut. Tyler Williams (69th, 45-1) was the top-finishing angler who did not hit 20 each day.
Yo Adrian — Yesterday, 25 anglers had 25 pounds or more. Today there were 26 of them.
Born to Run — Long-Distance award goes to Steve Kennedy (45th, 47-4), who caught his fish today an estimated 80 miles from where he caught his fish yesterday. Both bags were over 23 pounds, so he’ll have a decision to make in the morning.
What Exit? — 50th place after Day 1 was Beau Browning’s 23-7. Despite some backstage grumbling that today was tougher, the cut to 50 today was just a goby short of that at 46-12. Austin Cranford was the last man in, beating Tristan McCormick in a tiebreaker. Eleven anglers missed the cut by a pound or less.
Six Flags Great Adventure — Shades of Ike: Have you noticed how every fish Trey McKinney hooks is either a “giant” or a “really big one”? [And, for the record, it’s clear that more often than not they are.]
The Highway’s Jammed With Broken Heroes – Yesterday we were 25×25 – in other words, over a quarter of the field was on track for a Century Belt. Today 15 anglers hit the 50-pound mark, which means there’s a distinct possibility that anglers will be on pace for 100 and not have a chance to compete on Day 4.
The Pine Barrens — Fisher Anaya (9th, 52-1): “I’m just basically out there floating around.” The prohibitive favorite in the Rookie of the Year race will have to hold off Caleb Hudson (39th, 47-10) for another day.
Glory Days — Sorta Surging: Yesterday, three members of the Surge Squad were in the top 10 (1st, 7th and 8th) and the fourth was in 29th place. They combined for 20 bass for 104-6. Tucker Smith is the only one who remains in the top 10, although all four are still inside the cut. Paul Marks (20th, 49-6), who was 29th yesterday, was the only one who moved up today.
Livin’ on a Prayer — Caleb Sumrall (37, 47-12) had a small bag (by St. Lawrence standards) at 2:45. “I was about out of gas, out of ideas, and about out of spots,” he said. He then caught a 5-13, culling out a 2 ½ pounder, possibly saving his Elite Series career.
Trust the Process — Heading into this event, the biggest all-smallmouth winning weight was the 105-0 that Patrick Walters (36th, 47-12) produced here in 2023. Right now the top six are on pace to beat that mark, with Trey projecting to an estimated 114-6. That would only be the second highest weight of his Elite career. He caught 130-15 to win at Lake Fork in 2024.
We Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice — Cliff Pace (91st, 37-12): “The problem with smallmouth is they never stop swimming.”
The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle — Three Canadian pros – Evan Kung, Cory Johnston and Gussy – are inside the top 10 in 2nd, 4th and 7th, respectively. Chris Johnston barely snuck into the cut in 48th. Cooper Gallant missed it by 1-4.
Will Smith and Kevin Smith Did Not Make it to Weigh-In — Tucker and Bryant Smith (no relation) fell from 1st and 2nd to 8th and 3rd, respectively.
Who Needs a House Out in Hackensack? — Carl Jocumsen (71st, 44-8): “This is literally like a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we get to come up here every year.”
Don’t Touch the Gabagool — Tackle to Buy: Yamamoto Dagger Minnow
Put Mansue on the Case — Five members of the top ten had more weight today than yesterday and five had less. The smallest bag any of them has brought to the scales has been 24-6.
Don’t Disrespect the Bing — John Cox (60th, 45-12), a perennial Classic qualifier, missed all nine cuts to Day 3 this year.
You Give Love a Bad Name — Russ Lane (75th, 43-9): “It has been one of the most fun tournaments I’ve ever had without making the cut.”
Mike Schmidt In the House — I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. At the beginning of the season I thought Fisher Anaya’s mustache was a bottom-five in Bassmaster history, but now I’m convinced that it’s at least top 10, somewhere ahead of Brad Whatley but below Jared Lintner and miles behind Shaw Grigsby.
JWoww — It shouldn’t be a surprise that Jeff Gustafson (7th, 52-2) is having a great tournament. While his fellow Canadians, the Johnstons, rightfully get a lot of attention when the Elites come to the St. Lawrence, Gussy has been more than solid here. Except for finishing one spot out of the money in 2023, he’s always been in the top 23, with four finishes between 12th and 18th. The main thing that’s missing is a Day 4 appearance.
A Sense of Who You Are — Best Historical Reference on the Live Show: Dusty Pine (and by implication, Loyd Talent).
Parents Just Don’t Understand — Zona’s Pop Culture Generation Gap: There’s a chance that both the AOY and ROY will have been born after Darva Conger’s moment in the sun.
Broad Street Bullies – Cory Johnston (4th, 53-12) said he also had a shot at a 30-pound bag today and said he’s playing the long game. “Two more days to go, Dave,” he said flatly and semi-menacingly onstage.
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No one thought you could or should break dance on a bass boat.
Few thought we’d see a 30-rack this week.
Both happened. The sport is better for it.
In a world of dropshots, urchins and hover strolling, don’t forget your top rocks, freezes and elbow spins.
And don’t ever give up.
