Elite

Through the years with Mike Iaconelli

Take a trip down memory lane with some of the greatest moments of Mike Iaconelli's polarizing career with B.A.S.S.

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On Wednesday night on his web show, Mike Iaconelli announced that 2026 will be his final year fishing the Elite Series. Let’s look back at his decorated career at B.A.S.S., which is heading into its 31st season.
Always flamboyant and demonstrative, Iaconelli won the 2003 Bassmaster Classic. It was a first for anyone from New Jersey, where he grew up dreaming about a career in tournament bass fishing.
Iaconelli, who started as a B.A.S.S. Federation Nation angler and won that national championship in 1999, had won the Vermont Top 150 and Georgia Tour when he headed to the New Orleans and the Louisiana Delta to compete in his fourth Classic.
Leading after two days, Iaconelli filled his limit late, screaming an iconic “Never give up!” before rushing to weigh in with 10 pounds, 14 ounces. He won with a three-day total of 37-14.
Ike has always been well-spoken and enthusiastic, full of antics that made him a fan favorite with many while also producing detractors.
One of his many traits was to continue signing autographs for fans until the line ended.
Ike has always been a spectacle to behold. He drew eyes on the water…
… and at every weigh-in. His legions of fans included youth as he brought excitement and helped make the sport cool.
He backed up his bravado with his fishing talents.
In the first year of the Elites Series, Iaconelli claimed a title at Lake Guntersville. Targeting pre-spawn and post-spawn bass, he adapted to conditions, making a crucial decision to sight fish shallows.  
Totaling 71-13, Iaconelli edged the runner-up by two ounces and claimed victory in the fourth Elite event of 2006.
In the 12 Elite events of 2006, Ike posted four more Top 12 finishes to secure the Angler of the Year title, topping Steve Kennedy, Kevin VanDam and Aaron Martens.
With a Classic and AOY title, Iaconelli was standing tall among the top pros.
Ike certainly displayed style, even with his boat wrap.
Iaconelli posted Top 10 AOY finishes in 2008 and 2009.
His look, on his rig and his face, changed through the years, but his power and finesse fishing skills stayed the same.
He scored another title in the 2009 Elite postseason event on Lake Jordan.
Iaconelli had one of the longest consecutive streaks of qualifying to the Bassmaster Classic. He made 20 in a row, the third longest streak behind Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam.
During the 2013 season, Iaconelli missed the Classic via AOY points, and his last avenue was to win the Northern Open on Lake Erie.
Ike scored a big win on Erie to keep his Classic streak alive.
Through his career, Iaconelli has fared well on both smallmouth and largemouth fisheries.
His excitement fishing, and winning, has always been evident.
There have been well-publicized blowups on the water. He’s suffered disqualifications because of it.
But he always came back with a vengeance.
And knew how to play to the cameras.
In 2014, the season wasn’t going too well. He was lagging in points when the Elites launched on the Delaware River, his home water.
Ike fished every nook …
… and cranny he knew on the Delaware. He took the lead on Day 2 and extended it to 7 pounds after the semifinal round.
Ike went on to win at home by 8 pounds.
His family, always a big part of his life, came up on stage to celebrate the hometown win,
With his seventh B.A.S.S. tournament victrory, Ike plays to the crowd.
Then he jumped off stage to join the crowd in celebration.
The dramatic win-and-in at home gave him an automatic Classic berth, and helped him climb in points to double qualify.
Winning in front of the hometown fans was extra special for Ike.
Iaconelli has always stood out in a crowd.
And he’s enjoyed interacting with fans.
Winning in style has helped Ike’s marketing. Starting on the ground floor, he’s built his social media to more than 1 million followers.
For him, it always circles back to the fish.
In 2019, Iaconelli scored a victory in the Easton Open on the James River. It was his eighth title, tying him at ninth on the all-time win list in B.A.S.S.
For his final Elite season, Iaconelli plans to go retro with his boat, truck, and jersey, sporting his iconic flame branding from 2004. He’ll also have “cool” limited merchandise available. And he’s hopoing to catch them this year.
Ike said he plans to devote more time to the Ike Foundation, which introduces fishing to underserved youth, and create content for his shows, including “Ike Live” and “Going Ike”.
Iaconelli wants to “leave on a positive note and uplift the sport.”
Although ending his Elite Series career, Ike plans to reamin active in the sport. He hopes to build a platform to assist up and coming anglers in the industry.
Of course, he might present some of his trademark showmanship.
For his final season, he’s partnered with sponsors like Toyota and Yamaha for special promotions throughout the season.
Iaconelli said he is proud to end his career where it began on Bassmaster’s big stage, stating that “means the world” to him. He is closing in on 300 B.A.S.S. entries, and his $2.8 million in earnings is second among current Elites.
Last year, he thrilled fans with giveaways of replica vests from when he began fishing with B.A.S.S.
There will be no other personalities like Ike, who’s one of a kind.

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