(Editor's note: Here's a low-key piece about Mike Iaconelli submitted by longtime industry rep Alan McGuckin. The final item might be the most interesting: Who knew that Ike collects old bottles?)
Mike Iaconelli’s Bassmaster Elite Series win on the Delaware River in his hometown of Philadelphia was certainly one of the most adrenalin-packed wins in B.A.S.S. history.
His passion is transparent. His popularity is nearly unparalled. But there are a few things we’re still learning about Ike.
> Five lures that got a lot of work on the Delaware during Ike’s intense practice days leading up to victory: 1) Shaky-head with a black grape trick worm; 2) Berkley Havoc Pit Boss in a color called Okeechobee craw, rigged on a 5/0 VMC flipping hook and a 3/8-ounce VMC tungsten weight; 3) Black and blue heavy-cover jig; 4) Rapala DT6 crankbait in a color called Caribbean shad; 5) Molix double-willow spinnerbait with painted white blades. Note: the Berkley Havoc Pit Boss ended up being one of the most important lures in Ike’s win.
> Four who have Iaconelli’s heart and soul: His children. The man who sometimes acts like a kid himself is absolutely, positively consumed by the love he has for his four children; Vegas, Rylie, Stelly, and Drew. He’s as much a part of their lives as Trent Cole is to the Eagles’ defense. And man, do his kids ever idolize and love him back.
> Three lures Iaconelli’s longtime roommate on tour and close friend John Crews used on the Delaware River to catch 31 pounds of bass and gain a Top-12 finish: 1) Missile Baits Baby D Bomb in a color called super bug; 2) Missile Baits Fuse 4.4 on a Missile Warlock 1/8-ounce head; 3) 3/8-ounce Delta Lures vibration jig tipped with a Missile Baits 3.5 Shockwave.
> Two of the many legendary eateries Ike rattled-off when asked where to find a good cheesesteak: 1) Geno’s; 2) Pat’s. Interestingly, Pat’s and Geno’s compete diagonally across the street from one another, just one long Iaconelli cast apart.
> One thing very few people know about Iaconelli: He loves to collect antique glass bottles often located in the backyard trash privies of Philadelphia homes built in the 1700s. “I was 15 when I found my first one. It was an ink bottle. Some are milk bottles, others are flasks or medicine bottles, but my favorites are ink bottles. I haven’t dug for them in 20 years, but I still collect them through the Internet and I’m still a member of some glass collectors clubs and receive their newsletters.”
