Michael Iaconelli will miss the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller.
The Elite Series veteran has battled tendinitis and bursitis in his right arm all season long. Unfortunately, throughout the season the injury has continued to get worse. After consulting with his doctor, the recommendation was given to give the injury rest in order to lessen the risk of a tear and ultimately make the issue worse.
Iaconelli provided the following update:
“As you may know, I injured my arm back in mid-February, right before the 2025 Elite season started. My doctor highly recommended I shouldn’t go right out on tour, but I decided to go anyway and try to work through the pain.
“Unfortunately, all the way up until the last few events in Texas, I was still in a ton of pain and not getting any relief due to the constant over-use and strain from hard tournament fishing.
“So last week, I visited with my doctor and a specialist and received a third PRP injection into the problem area. I also had some updated ultrasound images taken. Both doctors agreed that the tendinitis and bursitis is unfortunately worsening, and there is more fluid around the joint. They informed me that because of this, the risk of a full-blown tear is much higher, and they both recommend four to six weeks without any super-intense use.
“The reality of not attending an Elite event is something I didn’t want to admit to being a possibility, and I am so disappointed. In 30 years of tournament fishing, I’ve never missed an event, but I think with all of the information I have received about my arm the smart thing to do is to withdraw from this week’s B.A.S.S. Elite event on Lake Tenkiller in hopes I can get my arm healed and headed back in the right direction and return for the last two Elite events in August. This has been a tough decision for me and I really appreciate my sponsors, family, friends and fans for understanding the situation! Thanks and looking forward to being back at it as soon as possible!”
For more information about Iaconelli’s injury, click here to read the Daily Limit story that was published before the start of the 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season.
