Iaconelli

[RC5]

My guess is since he won the angler of the year last year he's spent more time at appearances than practicing. I agree with Col, he's a master of marketing and he's brought something to the sport. He's made it interesting to people who could care less. My girlfriend will watch fishing if Ikes on there otherwise she's somewhere else. He should bounce back next year.

[HoskiFishin]

I have to say, I attended the Bassmaster American at High Rock Lake, and Iaconelli was one of the nicest guys there. Alot of guys like KVD, and Skeet and Swindle seemed out of reach. It was like they just wanted to keep to themselves and take a picture or two and sign an autograph. I stood and talked to Ike for a while and a friend of mine called me, he just happens to be a big fan, and Ike asked me if he could talk to him. I gave him my phone and he talked for a minute or two with my buddy. It takes a real stand up kind of guy to sit there and talk fishing with you and then do something like that to make someones day. So personally, even though he shows a little to much emotion at times, I found that as a person, he is great, and much more approachable then alot of the others. My hats off to Dave Wolak and John Murray also, who I had the pleasure to ride along with. Both were alot of fun and made the whole trip worth while.

[DJD]

I have to say, I attended the Bassmaster American at High Rock Lake, and Iaconelli was one of the nicest guys there. Alot of guys like KVD, and Skeet and Swindle seemed out of reach. It was like they just wanted to keep to themselves and take a picture or two and sign an autograph. I stood and talked to Ike for a while and a friend of mine called me, he just happens to be a big fan, and Ike asked me if he could talk to him. I gave him my phone and he talked for a minute or two with my buddy. It takes a real stand up kind of guy to sit there and talk fishing with you and then do something like that to make someones day. So personally, even though he shows a little to much emotion at times, I found that as a person, he is great, and much more approachable then alot of the others. My hats off to Dave Wolak and John Murray also, who I had the pleasure to ride along with. Both were alot of fun and made the whole trip worth while.

While i am not and never had been a fan of his i have grown to appreciate his abilities on and off the water. His skill in fishing is top notch and his business savy has proven to be top notch as well but i'm not into the idolizaton of a "thug wanna be". That image is so old...hopefully he will back off of that some in the near future.

[redneckshadrap]

"but i'm not into the idolizaton of a "thug wanna be""

EXACTLY>>>

Billy

[stevec]

Ike is a great guy ..ESPN loves to show the crazy..bad boy breaking things and cursing...it makes people talk..and watch...its called marketing...its an eb and flow thing with them...they went thru the stage of showing Ike doing crazy stuff..or swindle cussing someone..and now its all feel good stories...no drama......

[HoskiFishin]

All I can say guys is dont believe all you see on TV. Skeet Reese was and is always the first to the ramp and has his rap music loud enough to wake up all the fish and anybody within a few miles of him on the lake. I stood there in amazement as he pulled up with his gangster rap going. Very professional let me tell you. I just think before you form opinions, meet the guys first. Ike erased any second thoughts I had about him.

[RC5]

While i am not and never had been a fan of his i have grown to appreciate his abilities on and off the water. His skill in fishing is top notch and his business savy has proven to be top notch as well but i'm not into the idolizaton of a "thug wanna be". That image is so old...hopefully he will back off of that some in the near future.

"Thug wanna be" I'm not gonna get in a fight here but being from Lex you should know what a "Thug wanna be" looks like I know, I've seen plenty of posers at college and high school... Just wanted to stick my neck out for Ike there. He is a master of marketing I say again he sells his own DVDs and clothing lines while fishing as much as he does that just proves he's smarter than we think Nascar has Jeff Gordon fishing has Ike.

[DJD]

"Thug wanna be" I'm not gonna get in a fight here but being from Lex you should know what a "Thug wanna be" looks like I know, I've seen plenty of posers at college and high school... Just wanted to stick my neck out for Ike there. He is a master of marketing I say again he sells his own DVDs and clothing lines while fishing as much as he does that just proves he's smarter than we think Nascar has Jeff Gordon fishing has Ike.

No fight here it's just a discussion....but i could care less if a college student or some guy walking down the street looks like that but i do think it's odd that a man who is such a nice guy in person that has the fishing world by the short hairs would want to act like he does on camera. I totally understand the marketing standpoint and if thats his strategy then go for it...but it's not for me. I would rather have my child think that KVD is awesome, maybe i'm just showing my age? I like Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson but that's my point these guys stand out by being awesome not by "posing", heck look at Jordon when he played this guy always seemed to present a good image and the kids/parents loved watching him.
I would have to disagree on the fishing having Mike Iaconelli I would say that fishing has KVD. Just calling it like I see it...

[redneckshadrap]

No fight here either. Everyone has thier opinion.
My opinion of him is he is a punk. It's its not likely to change anytime soon.

Nascar has Jeff Gordon fishing with IKE....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, there you go....he..he..he////

Billy

[RC5]

I say Jeff Gordon cause I know a lot of ppl don't like him, atleast ppl I know. I know a lot of people don't like Ike too. Just trying to compare, which you can't. Don't listen to me I don't watch NASCAR...

[Danny]

So, RC5, you know what "thug wanna bes" look like from your college experience? You must have gone to UL....

LMAO.... LMAO... LMAO

[mhall]

So, RC5, you know what "thug wanna bes" look like from your college experience? You must have gone to UL....

LMAO.... LMAO... LMAO

I didn't like that one at all, there are punk thugs at all schools including your Big Blue.