2018 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell Day 1: Mid-Morning Report.

Morning blitz shorter than expected

By Luigi De Rose

Elam fishing almost by himself in a creek and in the lead.
(Photo: BASS)

Anglers are using a variety of techniques on the first morning of the 2018 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Hartwell. Many tried for the herring bite in the low light of the early morning but few really hammered the magnum spotted bass. 

A few to watch are: Edwin Evers, James Elam, Kevin Van Dam and Ike.

Evers

Evers caught bass after bass about an hour ago and jumped up the leader board. It is speculated that he caught several limits all from one place without moving. Not just one location but one spot with his poles down. 

Elam 

Is way up a creek and fishing for largemouths and doing well. If the weather continues to warm up, the worry for many spotted bass anglers is that the largemouth might becoming shallower and more likely to bite. Locals will tell you the spots are the real player but a few big largemouth go a very long way. 

KVD

He is deep cranking and catching big largemouth. He is working on larger bass than numbers of bass. He is fishing the mid-to-lower section of the lake which is historically a very good place to fish. It is better know for spotted bass but if KVD can catch big green bass with several good spots he will be a killer. 

IKE

He has a cove loaded with spotted bass. He did well in the morning and got a good limit quickly. Now he is targeting brush and specific spots and catching individual bass but they are fairly large.   

Why You Need To Invest In a Great Baitcasting Reel!

Casting reels are one of the most important parts of bass fishing. The price tags seems to get higher and higher but the quality of these reels is amazing!  Sure, there are cheaper reels out there but buying a great reel really is a wise investment. Check out Mike "IKE" Iaconelli at the Abu Garica booth as he tells you why you need to buy the best reels you can afford.

ICAST 2016 New Crawfish Rapala with Mike Iaconelli

Mike has the latest colours available in DT and Balsa lures from Rapala. He'll explains which colours he loves and when to fish them so you'll be successful.

ICAST 2016 VMC Finesse Ruby Head Jigs with Mike Iaconelli

If you love to finesse fish then the new VMC Ruby jighead is for you. Let Mike Iaconelli explain all its features.

ICAST 2016 New Rapala Skitter V with Mike Iaconelli and IBASSIN

Rapala has a new topwater for 2016! Listen to Mike Iaconelli as he explains how the new Skitter V will walk so easily. Mike is a champ and if you use his knowledge and the new Skitter V you'll do well.

2014 Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River Day 3: Ike Takes Command of Hometown Tournament!

Ike leads by 6 pounds!

By Deb Johnson

bass press release

PHILADELPHIA  — This week on the Delaware River, Michael Iaconelli has been the prince of tides. Judging by the mass of fans pulling for him at the Bassmaster Elite Series event out of the City of Brotherly Love, he’s also the fishing prince of Philadelphia.

Mike is pumped and ready to win this event.
Today he pulled away from the pack to take total control.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

Saturday in the third of four rounds, Iaconelli not only repeated his Friday lead, he banked 6 pounds, 9 ounces against his nearest challenger by reading and adjusting to the tides.

Iaconelli’s leading three-day total was 37-0. Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., and Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark. — both “river rats” who have tapped into their knowledge of current and river habitat to attack the Delaware — are Iaconelli’s lurking challengers.

2014 Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River Day 2: Ike Take Lead in Hometown!

Difficult fishing makes for tight tournament. 

By Deb Johnson

bass press release

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The crowd began to cheer and chant “Ike, Ike, Ike” even before Philadelphia-born Michael Iaconelli, now also a New Jersey fishing hero, took the stage Friday for the second weigh-in of the Bassmaster Elite on the Delaware River.

Iaconelli wows the hometown crowd with
slim lead on Day 2.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

It was as if the boisterous Ike fans felt their voices could pull their hometown guy up from 21st place, almost 8 pounds behind first-day leader Boyd Duckett after the initial round Thursday.

But “Ike,” as it turned out, was able to get up all by himself. He turned in 15-1, the biggest sack of bass to meet the scales Friday, and deftly slipped the lead away from Duckett, albeit by only 14 ounces.

Duckett gave Iaconelli’s rocket ride from 21st place a boost by posting 6-7, relegating Duckett to second place. Iaconelli had 24-3 on the board to Duckett’s 23-5.

But Duckett, who’s from Guntersville, Ala., and Iaconelli, now living in Pittsgrove, N.J., have plenty of competition left before either can claim the Elite event’s first prize of $100,000 and an instant 2015 Bassmaster Classic qualification.

Morizo Shimizu of Osaka, Japan, is one prime threat. He produced 10-4 for a two-day total of 22-6. That put him in third place and 1 pound, 13 ounces behind Iaconelli.

2014 BASS Northern Open #2 Lake Champlain Day 2: Siller Still Leader on Champlain.

A calmer and safer Day 2

By John Neporadny Jr.

bass press release

Plattsburgh, N.Y. — Scott Siller took one step closer to the thrill of victory by catching another heavyweight limit in the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Lake Champlain.

Scott still in control as final 12 make it to Saturday.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

The Milwaukee, WI, angler bagged up a 19-pound, 2-ounce limit Day 2 to retain the lead in the pro division with 39-2. “Yesterday was a really awesome day after the weigh-in to be on the top of a Bassmaster leaderboard,” said Siller. “It was like a birthday all day long so I kind of didn’t want today to come around.”

Now he is glad today did come around because he kept the lead and is in position to win his first B.A.S.S. event. “It was a tough day,” he said. “I had a couple of fish I wished I could have culled out.”

2014 BASS Northern Open #2 Lake Champlain Day 1: Scott Siller Leads a Thriller!

Wild weather wipes a lot of patterns clean!

By John Neporadny Jr.

bass press release

Plattsburgh, N.Y. — Several competitors spun tales of thrilling rides in 5- to 8-foot waves, but the most exciting moment for Scott Siller was weighing in a 20-pound limit to take the pro division lead in the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open at Lake Champlain.

The 44-year-old police officer from Milwaukee, Wis., also experienced a rough ride on wind-swept Champlain, which reminded him of fishing back home.

“It reminded me of Lake Erie,” he said. “It was terrible. We got soaking wet.”

Siller sits in the lead
as many pros fumble first day.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS) 

Siller noted Champlain fishes similar to his home waters of Sturgeon Bay so he was able to fish his strengths. He found some areas in practice that were holding smallmouth bass, but he never could catch any brown bass over 3 pounds. “I really didn’t have a very good practice,” he said. “I had a couple of areas where I caught some big fish (largemouth) and I went in there today and within an hour and a half I had about 20 pounds.”

After culling out a keeper, Siller left the area and looked for some spots to help his partner catch some fish. Siller noted he didn’t see any other competitors in his primary area so he plans on making the long run again Friday.

The Wisconsin angler is competing in his sixth B.A.S.S. event and his previous highest finish was a 22nd-place effort last year in a Northern Open at Lake Erie.

Sports Illustrated Magazine's Classic Article & Great Video

A great article in a recent Sports Illustrated. 

LINK

Bass University coming to Niagara Falls, New York!

New Class Location Added- The Bass University’s bass fishing classes are coming to Niagara Falls, New York.  Classes will be at the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls on January 25th and 26th, 2014.  The Bass University is offering a limited-time 25% discount off all Niagara Falls class registrations.  Promotion ends after September 30, 2013.  This event is limited to the first 175 students who enroll, so register soon!

ICAST 2013 HAVOC Fat Dawg with Fletcher Shryock and IBASSIN

2013 ICAST we find IBASSIN in the Berkley fishing booth. Bass Elite angler Fletcher Shryock explains the all new HAVOC Fat Dawg which was designed by Mike Iaconelli. This backward sliding senko worm is great.

ICAST 2013 The New Rapala Scatter Countdown jerkbait with Mike Iaconell...

While at ICAST 2013 in the Rapala booth we find Mike "IKE"Iaconelli. Listen as he explains why the new Scatter Rap Countdown Rapala is an amazing bait for cool and cold water.

2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC: Day 1 &2 in Review

By Luigi De Rose

Palaniuk was on fire on day 2.
(Photo: BASS)

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Tulsa, OK, is a super weird lake! It is not considered a southern lake even though it is geographically located in the south. The bass are northern strain largemougth, which means they live and flourish in cool to cold water. Popular belief is that cold water means difficult fishing. Traditionally, sunny days and increasing air temperature, especially in the late winter period means success. On Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, all this conventional thinking is wrong. The majority of the field at this Classic wanted snow, wind and overcast conditions. Why? These Grand lake bass bite better when it is miserable.

Dotted by thousands of boat docks, one might think that the bass would be tucked up under them and the winning patterns would be pitching a jig to them. But, the majority of the leaders are targeting bass off the docks and using horizontal baits. Sunny, slick conditions kill the jerkbait bite. Crankbaits don't fair much better. 

Quick Tips for Success at the Classic

• 45 degree rock bank
• docks and points on main lake points
• pea gravel
• wind, rain, overcast conditions are best
• local favourite is Swithwick Rogue
• Jason Christie (local favourite and currently in ) started with the magnum Rogue in Silver/Blue
• best bite in first few hours and late afternoon
• Alabama rig is banned on Elite tournament trail but devastating on recent Grand Lake tournaments
• Best jerkbaits: Jackall Sqaudminnow (Pace); Molix jerkbait (Iaconelli), Rogue (Christie and many others); Megabass Vision 110 (Martens and many others);Strike King (both Van Dams); Lucky Craft (Palaniuk)

2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC Day 2: Pace Leads by 7 Pounds!

By Deb Johnson

BASS PRESS RELEASE

TULSA, Okla. — A consistent Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., not only kept his first-day lead in the Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, he pulled away from the pack by 7 pounds in the second day of competition for $500,000 and the biggest trophy of pro bass fishing.

Pace shook off the angler who tied him for the lead Friday, Michael Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J.

Pace has had two amazing days. Will Day 3 be the same?
(Photos: BASS)

With a Saturday catch that weighed 21 pounds, 12 ounces, Pace has racked up 43-4 over two days of competition on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. His second-day weight was 4 ounces more than the 21-8 he brought to the scales Friday.

“I didn’t fish differently today at all,” Pace said. “For me, it’s been all about committing to the way I can catch the big ones. I took a big, big risk to do that. I think I’m doing something that has potential and will hold through tomorrow.”

He said Saturday started slowly for him, with his first bass coming about 10 a.m. He ended up catching the day’s largest bass, a 7-2 largemouth.

The Grand Lake event marks Pace’s fifth Classic appearance, but he’s never won one. He came close in 2008 on Lake Hartwell when he was second to Alton Jones of Texas.

2013 IBASSIN.com’s Classic picks

So, who will win the Classic on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees?

Here are IBASSIN.com’s picks and why.

(Photos: BASS)

Jason Christie

It is statistically proven that hometown favorites have a slim chance of winning. Boyd Duckett is the only Classic Champ to ever do it. With that in mind, Jason Christie is our huge favourite. Not sure if it is divine intervention of this southern FLW pro winning the Northern Open on smallmouth bass but that is very odd series of events not to be ignored. Christie has local winter time experience on Grand plus he recently won a pre-spawn FLW event two years ago. He is playing it too cool and that is a sure sign he is hiding something.

Tommy Biffle

Tommy is another Oklahoma expert. He has the extra incentive of several missed Classic titles. Recently he has proven himself as an off-shore angler, mostly on the back of his Biffle Hard head and Bug, but who cares how he did it. He knows how to catch deep water bass. If he was still just a flipping expert, his chances would be limited. Plus, how fitting would it be for him to finally win a Classic in his home state. A definite career topper!

Kevin Van Dam

Come on, I would be a fool not to pick him. He is amazing a transitions and change. If the weather flickers from freezing to mild he’ll react accordingly. One down fall is the lack of grass in this lake. Van Dam is a master with grass. Grand is all rock, so that might be a downfall. In reality, KVD has no downfalls and this seasonal period is an off-shore jerk bait, crankbait and jig bite. He will get his fifth Classic and Grand Lake is a perfect setting for another KVD fest.

Free Lures from Molix

Molix USA will be have a lure giveaway. Monday they will be giving away a Randy Howell autographed crankbait. Join them on FaceBook to get a chance to win. 

2012 Bass All-Star Week Day1: Evers and DeFoe Battle it Out!

Déjà vu with Evers, DeFoe

Last year’s All-Star finalists pick up where they left off

Seigo Saito

Edwin Evers holds the lead in the All-Star Semi-FInal.

By Ken Duke

Bass Press ReleaseDECATUR, Ill. — The second annual Toyota Trucks All-Star Week is shaping up a lot like the first one ended, with Oklahoma’s Edwin Evers and Tennessee’s Ott DeFoe sitting atop the leaderboard.

After finishing second and first, respectively, at the inaugural All-Star Week in 2012, the two are poised to advance yet again. With one day to go before the 12-angler field is cut to the Top 4, Evers’ limit of five Lake Shelbyville bass weighing 13 pounds, 1 ounce looks like it will propel him to the semifinals with ease.
DeFoe, last year’s All-Star champion, is in second place with four bass weighing 11-3. No other angler has more than 7-7.
Evers was the only angler in the field to catch a limit in the first round. He caught a total of seven keepers, culling down to the tournament limit of five. He’s working two patterns — one that’s “fairly shallow” and another offshore. Though he’s in great shape to finish in the Top 4 and advance, he wasn’t ready to talk about the details of his methods just yet.
“I’m doing something that I don’t think anyone else is doing,” Evers said. “If I can catch five more keepers tomorrow that weigh 7 or 8 pounds, I’ll feel really good about my chances.”
Though DeFoe managed the second-best total of the day, he fell one short of a limit. Like Evers, he was predictably reserved in his comments, but did offer a few details. “I caught my three biggest bass in about a 15-minute span — all on the same bait — and I lost another in the same area. I’m fishing shallow, less than 5 feet deep.”

Boyd Duckett Wins Bass Elite on Oneida!

By Deb Johnson

Aug 26, 2012

BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Boyd Duckett used to count on his red shoes as his talisman. Now it seems his two-week-old son is bringing him all the luck he needs.
In pro fishing, it’s half-jokingly called “the baby pattern” because pros with new kids have proved to suddenly be more motivated. And that was true for Duckett when he came from behind Sunday to win the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake by 6 ounces, snapping up a win that Day Two and Day Three leader Randy Howell had hoped might be his.
But Duckett was driven by something else, too. The 2007 Bassmaster Classic champ was determined to qualify for the 2013 Classic, and he knew he’d likely have to do it via the win-you’re-in rule. Sitting 53rd in points going into Oneida, he knew that the only way left for that to happen was the Aug. 23-26 Oneida Lake event.

2012 Bass Elite Oneida Lake Day 3: Howell Still Leads and Chapman Wins AOY

By Deb Johnson

Aug 25, 2012
BASS Press Release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Randy Howell was all smiles Saturday afternoon. He took the lead in the Ramada Championship for the second day in a row. Minutes later, his close friend and angling cohort Brent Chapman won the 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.
But as far as Howell’s day on the water went, he was shaking his head.

Weather changes killed Randy's pattern but he adjusted
enough to keep the lead.
(Photos: BASS)

“It was a crazy day, I’ll tell you,” said Howell. “It was 11:30 and I didn’t have but one fish. I actually caught that one at 11. By 11:30, I knew my fish just weren’t going to bite there today.”
But the Springfield, Ala., pro adjusted. He brought 15 pounds, 10 ounces to the scales to stay in command in the 2012 season finale of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Howell’s three-day total of 47-12 kept him in front of Boyd Duckett of Demopolis, Ala., whose 14-0 of Saturday landed him in second place — again — with 45-6.
Scott Rook of Little Rock, Ark., had 45-3, 2-9 behind the leader, to stay in third place. But that was the end of the replay of the top three from Friday. Terry Scroggins of San Mateo, Fla., moved into fourth, up from eighth, with 44-8. Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., popped up from 10th into fifth place with 44-4.
They lead the Top 12 who will compete Sunday for the Ramada Championship trophy, $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.