It was great watching Mike catch that last fish and go ballistic!!!Wouldn't you do the same, knowing this make have just won you the "Bass Master Classic"?  Great job and shows you never give up, but you must know your return time and account for every minute of it.  Had he not caught that fish, the results probably would have been different and a different winner all together.  We need enthusiasm in this sport, why not! I'd probably still be break dancing ( horrible thought) had it been me up there!!!!  Shows even a fellow from Jurzee (HA HA) can fish!!!!!!  Great job and I hope he enjoys it.  Chuck Pigue

Alright, Bill... I want pictures of you breakdancing in 1965!!!  It puts a picture in my head. HA!

I think Iaconelli winning is no doubt an awesome thing for bass fishing. He carries himself well, has obviously worked hard for his spot in fishing, and will attract younger people to the sport. I always like the goofy guys, anyways!

Chris

Absolutely will bring energy and a fresh face to the sport.  Bass fishing is a pure pleasure and wonderful pastime that is experienced all across this great land and the south by no means has any kind of monopoly on it.

The break dancing by the way is not a new phenom, I first saw it in a crowed little gym in Naches, WA back in 1965 and yes, we called it break dancing even back then.

It was more flailing pushups back then, without the elaborate spinning moves, but it was break dancing none the less.

It was was a riot to see Iaconelli doing it on stage in front of 40,000 bass nuts!   

BillB

Well, just reading around the various newsgroups plus some of the emails I've recieved, it looks like there's a mixed reaction on Iaconelli winning. 

Seems there's a number of southern folk that are upset that a good 'ole southern boy didn't win it.  And there's another group upset because a break-dancin' whoopin' and hollarin' gregarious individual isn't a good representative for the sport.

Then there's everybody outside of Texas.... just kidding!!

But there's the flipside, where people think he'll put some much-needed energy and PR into the sport - especially towards the younger set.  That, plus it takes away from the stereotype that bass fishing is only for southerners.  They view this as a positive step in the right direction.

What do you think?

You are DA man, Larry! Nice call!

The final day was fun to watch, and it looked like Mike Iaconelli had the tournament of his life!!! For those who didn't catch the broadcast, he caught his best keeper with 7 minutes to go before he had to head to weigh-in. WOW.

I shall now be known as "The Man"
Really though you could see this guy had a consistancy in his methods...I on the other hand know too well the opposite......WAY TO GO MIKE!

And the winner is...

Michael Iaconelli !!

Larry called the shot back in January.  See it here:  http://www.westernbassclub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=tournytalk;action=disp...


Gary Klein took 2nd.... and was shot at in the process!

Wow, Menendez had only a 4+ bag after yesterday.  It can sure change can't it.

That must be some kind of a crazy fishery.

BillB

Day 2 top ten:


1 Michael Iaconelli, Woodbury Heights, N.J.  27-00
2 Davy Hite, Prosperity, S.C.  24-05
3 Gary Klein, Weatherford, Texas  24-04
4 Harold Allen, Shelbyville, Texas  22-05
5 Jeff Reynolds, Platter, Okla.  21-05
6 Kenyon Hill, Norman, Okla.  20-14
7 Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky.  20-13
8 Tim Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala.  20-12
9 Curt Lytle, Suffolk, Va.  20-10
10 Jay Yelas, Tyler, Texas  20-00

C'Mon Timmy Horton...!

Mark Menendez leads it by more than a pound!  He limited in 15 mins - what a rush that had to be!!

Here's the top 10:

1. Mark  Menendez
2. Michael  Iaconelli
3. Gary  Klein
4. Tim  Horton
5. Harold  Allen
6. Jay  Kendrick
8. Davy  Hite
8. Zell  Rowland
10. Jeff  Reynolds

Want more info?  I got it all on my site.

P.S. Ray Scott opened the ceremonies.