Ike’s final practice on Hartwell

The final day of practice for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods at Lake Hartwell started early Wednesday morning as I hitched a ride to the lake.
The final day of practice for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods at Lake Hartwell started early Wednesday morning as I hitched a ride to the lake.
I rode with none other than 2003 Classic Champ Mike Iaconelli.
I rode with none other than 2003 Classic Champ Mike Iaconelli.
He was also my ride out on the lake for the day. This is Iaconelli's 19th Bassmaster Classic and 17th in a row.
He was also my ride out on the lake for the day. This is Iaconelli’s 19th Bassmaster Classic and 17th in a row.
He hooks up the boat and we head out.
He hooks up the boat and we head out.
He gets to the ramp early and launches before the traffic jam of anglers arrive.
He gets to the ramp early and launches before the traffic jam of anglers arrive.
This is the view from the top of a hill at Green Pond Landing. This area will be littered with fishing fans of all ages as they can witness all their favorite anglers launching for the 48th running of the Bassmaster Classic.
This is the view from the top of a hill at Green Pond Landing. This area will be littered with fishing fans of all ages as they can witness all their favorite anglers launching for the 48th running of the Bassmaster Classic.
Ike and Skeet Reese stay warm and chat for a bit.
Ike and Skeet Reese stay warm and chat for a bit.
The wind is blowing swiftly this morning and it adds an extra chill to the mid-30 degree air temperatures.
The wind is blowing swiftly this morning and it adds an extra chill to the mid-30 degree air temperatures.
Boats are all launched and takeoff is almost ready to go.
Boats are all launched and takeoff is almost ready to go.
Ike pulls a few rods out while they wait for the official signal.
Ike pulls a few rods out while they wait for the official signal.
Takeoff is underway as we head through line.
Takeoff is underway as we head through line.
The morning seems to always be a crucial time for anglers so Iaconelli doesn't slow up and he gets fishing quickly on spot number one.
The morning seems to always be a crucial time for anglers so Iaconelli doesn’t slow up and he gets fishing quickly on spot number one.
There were a few fish hanging around this area and his graph exposed them clearly.
There were a few fish hanging around this area and his graph exposed them clearly.
He makes a quick spot change...
He makes a quick spot change…
And hooks up with a fish.
And hooks up with a fish.
He cant help but laugh as it is a striped bass.
He cant help but laugh as it is a striped bass.
He gets another bite, he hopes this is a largemouth or spotted bass.
He gets another bite, he hopes this is a largemouth or spotted bass.
He swings in a spotted bass to break the ice today.
He swings in a spotted bass to break the ice today.
On the move again to capitalize on the low-light conditions.
On the move again to capitalize on the low-light conditions.
This area was loaded!
This area was loaded!
Iaconelli experiments with different baits to see which ones will work.
Iaconelli experiments with different baits to see which ones will work.
And he gets a bite!
And he gets a bite!
Just a small one.
Just a small one.
So he re-rigs some tackle quickly.
So he re-rigs some tackle quickly.
And changes areas.
And changes areas.
He fishes around a dock, but it didn't yield any.
He fishes around a dock, but it didn’t yield any.
After moving he hooked up quickly.
After moving he hooked up quickly.
With a decent limit-filler.
With a decent limit-filler.
On the move again.
On the move again.
He hooks up immediately at his next spot as well.
He hooks up immediately at his next spot as well.
After landing this one, he decided to try another cast to see if there were more.
After landing this one, he decided to try another cast to see if there were more.
And there were definitely more there!
And there were definitely more there!
He swings in a good fish.
He swings in a good fish.
And shows it off before releasing it and leaving that spot.
And shows it off before releasing it and leaving that spot.
For a few minutes it was fast and furious no matter what spot he hit.
For a few minutes it was fast and furious no matter what spot he hit.
This was another good fish for Ike.
This was another good fish for Ike.
This was a positive sign for Ike and his gut was correct.
This was a positive sign for Ike and his gut was correct.
Iaconelli has been working on a line of reels to go with his signature series Ike Approved rods from Abu Garcia.
Iaconelli has been working on a line of reels to go with his signature series Ike Approved rods from Abu Garcia.
He had some on deck for me to see.
He had some on deck for me to see.
As well as a Lake Hartwell paper map.
As well as a Lake Hartwell paper map.
His signature series reels will be on display at the Classic Expo this year as well as at ICAST.
His signature series reels will be on display at the Classic Expo this year as well as at ICAST.
It has his IKE logo, Never Give Up and his name on them. Their color matches his line of rods.
It has his IKE logo, Never Give Up and his name on them. Their color matches his line of rods.
He decides to put up the spinning tackle for now and make a change.
He decides to put up the spinning tackle for now and make a change.
It yields a fish, but he doesn't know if its a fluke or a possible pattern he just uncovered.
It yields a fish, but he doesn’t know if its a fluke or a possible pattern he just uncovered.
He was happy either way!
He was happy either way!
The final day of practice is a wrap as Iaconelli and the other 51 anglers have done their work and they will see how it goes on Friday morning for Day 1.
The final day of practice is a wrap as Iaconelli and the other 51 anglers have done their work and they will see how it goes on Friday morning for Day 1.