Ike Bags 20 lbs, Day 2 Lead

Settling into one of his customary grooves, Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., surged into the Day 2 lead at the Champion’s Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide on Oneida Lake, boating a limit weighing 20 pounds, 1 ounce Friday to build his two-day total 32 pounds, 12 ounces, enough to fend off a hard-charging Dean Rojas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., by just 5 ounces.

Iaconelli, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion, has had a disappointing season by his lofty standards. Heading into Oneida Lake, he was 18th in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, but the 36-year-old “hit a groove” through the last few events, finishing seventh at an Elite event on Old Hickory Lake and fifth on Lake Erie last weekend. 

Fishing fans can watch the on-the-water action from the Aug. 7-10 Champion’s Choice on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, Aug. 16, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can check in at http://www.Bassmaster.com for live, streaming video of the weigh-ins, real-time leaderboards, analysis, photo galleries and more throughout the four-day event.

In other news, Kevin VanDam scored his fourth Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year trophy Friday, barely making the top-50 cut for Saturday. VanDam held off a consistent Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, to earn the prestigious award and the $250,000 top prize. Furthermore, with the prize money, VanDam made history in becoming the first pro to cross the $3 million threshold in career BASS earnings.

A former AOY winner himself, Iaconelli had a magical day, his five-fish limit counting as the Berkley Heavyweight Bag of the tournament.

“I didn’t think it was possible to catch that much weight on Oneida,” Iaconelli said. “It was just an amazing day. I couldn’t do anything wrong. I’ve just never seen that much weight caught here.”

Duplicating a steady pattern he used Thursday, Iaconelli focused on one small area, throwing a “magic bait.” He attributed some of his success to his Northern roots. 

“I think it definitely helps,” Iaconelli said. “I feel comfortable making the adjustments that I need to make. I understand how the fish move and change because I have had a lot of experience on Northern fisheries.”

Trailing Iaconelli by ounces was Rojas, who weighed in 32 pounds, 7 ounces. Rojas was able to move up three spots from fifth Friday by executing the same pattern. He is focusing on three primary areas and believes that the weather is conducive to his fishing style. 

 

He hasn’t seen much boat traffic in his areas and previously has had much success on New York fisheries. He finished second last year at a 2007 Bassmaster Memorial and was first after the two-day preliminary competition on Oneida, showing off his New York chops.

Rojas is focusing on largemouths and feels that is the only way to win the tournament. Experiencing a seven-year drought in the win department, he is eager to score victory. 

“I’ve been really close a few times,” the 37-year-old said. “It’s been awhile and I can almost taste it. I’m ready to go fishing tomorrow.”

Heading into the tournament, Rojas had more than $970,000 in BASS career earnings. A solid showing along with his Angler of the Year bonus – he should finish in the top 10 – will push him into the ranks of the BASS Millionaires’ Club. 

Rounding out the top five were Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., with 31 pounds, 4 ounces in third; Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., in fourth with 31 pounds, 0 ounces; and Steve Kennedy of Auburn Ala., who slipped from first to fifth with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 9 ounces.

The field was cut to the top 50 anglers Friday. Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., is 13th and could supplant Faircloth for second place in the Angler of the Year standings, while 2007 Angler of the Year winner Skeet Reese qualified for yet another cut in 28th. 

In the co-angler division, Kyle Kempkers of Hamilton, Mich., overtook Day 1 leader Ron Plocek of Liverpool, N.Y., for the Friday lead. Co-anglers are vying for a $25,000 top prize. Kempkers’ two-day total was 18 pounds, 4 ounces while the local Plocek has a two-day total of 17 pounds, 13 ounces.

Known as the “thumb” of New York’s Finger Lakes, Oneida is 21 miles long and 5 miles wide, with shelves and shoals formed by glaciers. The natural body of water features plenty of shoreline vegetation and an abundance of rocky offshore structure.

As part of the celebration of crowning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, BASS’ outdoors expo Saturday and Sunday at the season finale will include performances by national recording artist Heartland and local musical group The Custom Taylor Band. At the conclusion of the final weigh-in Sunday night, BASS will host a fireworks display at Oneida Shores, set for approximately 8:40 p.m.

Launches Thursday-Saturday for the Champion’s Choice begin at 8 a.m. ET and weigh-ins at 5 p.m. at Oneida Shores County Park, 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton, N.Y. Sunday’s final-day launch begins at 10 a.m. and the final weigh-in begins at 7:30 p.m.

Weekend activities at the Champion’s Choice include a Berkley Beginner fishing class at 3:30 p.m. and a “Boat Performance with Skeeter” class daily at 4 p.m. On Saturday, fans can talk to the Elite pros during “Ask the Experts” at Bassmaster University, set for 4:30 p.m. on the weigh-in stage.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping at 6:35 p.m. of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show will preview the final weigh-in. Live, streaming video of the Champion’s Choice weigh-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and at 7 p.m. Sunday on Bassmaster.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNMediaZone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Advance Auto Parts, Berkley, Lowrance, Mercury, Purolator, Skeeter, Yamaha, Evan Williams Bourbon, Longhorn, OPTIMA Batteries, Triton Boats, Costa Del Mar, MotorGuide and Ramada Worldwide.