Mike Iaconelli

Mike Iaconelli – 1972) — A one-of-a-kind angler from New Jersey, Mike Iaconelli has brought an urban flair to a sport traditionally ruled by southern anglers.

He is the only angler in history to have won the B.A.S.S. Federation National title (1999), the Bassmaster Classic (2003), the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year title (2006) and the B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Champion (2021). An 11-time winner across Bassmaster and FLW/MLF events with more than $3 million in earnings over his 25-plus year career, Iaconelli has left an indelible mark on the sport both on and off the water.

     Iaconelli grew up taking fishing trips to the Pocono Mountains with his grandfather and uncle and developed a deep passion for bass fishing in his teens and college years. He worked for a national sporting goods retailer for several years while at the same time competing in amateur tournaments around the northeast.

He’s been a transcendent personality and fan favorite over the years but his brash tactics early in career ran afoul of some of the sport’s traditional norms. The phrase “never give up” became a mantra for Iaconelli during his ’03 Classic win and “Going Ike” is often used to describe his (and others’) wild reactions after landing fish.

Few anglers have been able to parlay their fishing success into building a personal brand in the way Iaconelli has. In the wake of his Classic win, he made frequent appearances on ESPN talk shows and was profiled in GQ, Esquire and ESPN: The Magazine. He’s hosted fishing TV shows that highlighted fishing opportunities that exist in urban areas, helping expose a broader, mainstream audience to bass fishing

He is co-founder of The Bass University, a vast series of seminars and instructional materials featuring other pro anglers who serve as speakers/instructors, as well as the host of the popular Ike Live podcast. Alongside his wife, Becky, Iaconelli operates The Ike Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds and engages youth anglers through events and scholarships.