Kids, Crews, Cheesesteaks, and Ink Bottles
Mike Iaconelli’s Bassmaster Elite Series win on the Delaware River in his hometown of Philly 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 to Ike’s win.
FOUR that have Iaconelli’s heart and soul: His four children. The man that 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 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 Chatterbait 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 Mike 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.”
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