By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

It's been quite awhile since Mike Iaconelli brought his non-traditional style to the ultra-conservative realm of professional bass fishing. Now the brash, street-wise New Jerseyite has created a non-profit foundation aimed at taking fishing to as many youths as possible, but particularly those living in areas where fishing is not a traditional part of their upbringing.

Opinions regarding Iaconelli's panache vary widely, but there's no question about his ability to connect with kids. Through the newly launched Ike Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, he'll leverage his highly exposed brand to get rods and reels in the hands of youths who might otherwise never make a cast.

"This is a big thing for us," he said, referring to himself and wife Becky. "We wanted to do something that's going to matter and make a difference.

"When we're retired and it's 20, 30 or 50 years down the road, none of the tournament wins or any of that stuff is really going to matter. But helping to get people involved with fishing who probably otherwise wouldn't have gotten involved, that does matter."

One Step at a Time

In its initial year, the Ike Foundation will focus on working with existing organizations that promote youth fishing, providing both monetary donations and equipment.

"The one thing we've heard the most from the people who run youth events is that they don't have enough rods and reels," Iaconelli said. "Or they don't have enough line, or enough hooks.

"That's where we'll start because that part's easy for us. Some of the stuff will come indirectly through sponsors, but a lot of it will be from us personally. I've accumulated a lot of product over the years, and it'd be great to see it get into the hands of kids who are going to use it. That might be the link that gets those kids into fishing."

The foundation will also accept donations of new or lightly used equipment from other pros, as well as recreational anglers.

"I'd like to see us become a distribution center for that stuff. People would know that if they sent it to the Ike Foundation, it'll end up in the hands of kids."

Further down the road, perhaps in 2016, his goal is to help launch and develop youth fishing organizations in highly populated areas where they don't already exist.

"You take any city, let's just say Atlanta, for instance, maybe they don't have a youth group there but they want to start one. We'd help with fund-raising and things like putting on tournaments and silent auctions. I see all those things happening as (the foundation) grows.

"You hear a lot of people talk about wanting to grow the sport, but the only way it's really going to grow is through the youth. If they get exposed to it, some of them would discover that it's a lot better than playing video games."

Need was Evident

Iaconelli said the idea for a foundation sprang from his stint has host of the City Limits Fishing TV program. The show took him to urban areas across the country on a quest to catch a limit of bass within the city's boundaries.

"The thing I'd always see when I went to those non-traditional fishing communities was groups of youths who just didn't know fishing," he said. "Then they'd end up being just so amazed that fishing was fun, it was cool and they actually had opportunities to do it."

The laborious process of launching a charity began in 2013. The Iaconellis got help in filling out some of the reams of paperwork from their attorney and their accountant, but did most of it themselves.

"It's a huge process to get to the point where you're actually a non-profit. It's a lot different that starting a regular business – there's hundreds of documents and all the legalities get pretty crazy, but it's all worth it. We wanted to make sure we did everything right from the beginning."

Within a couple of years he hopes to have a full-time staff and a dedicated equipment distribution center up and running.

"We're stoked," he said. "You can probably tell that our vision for the foundation is a lot bigger than what we're starting out with."

Notable

> To make a tax-deductible monetary donation or to contact the foundation regarding product donations or needs, click here.