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Michael Iaconelli (born June 6, 1972) is a professional bass fisherman from Pittsgrove, New Jersey. He is the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion, as well as the 2006 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year. His most noted trademark is his tendency to scream after landing a big fish.


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Early Years
On June 6, 1972, Michael Iaconelli was born in South Philadelphia.

Early Career
After Michael Iaconelli won his brand new Ranger 374, he began to tackle the Red Man and B.A.S.S. Federation trails. In 1997, Michael Iaconelli fished a B.A.S.S. Invitational Tournament on Buggs Island, also known as Kerr Lake. The first day, he was paired with the four-time Bassmaster Classic champion, Kevin VanDam. One of Michael's earliest tournament victories came on New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong. In this Federation tournament, he smashed the lake and one-day Federation record of just over 18 pounds.

In 1999, Michael Iaconelli qualified for the Bassmaster Federation Nationals on the Red River. He would go on the win the event as he qualified for the 1999 Bassmaster Classic berth after the victory. The 1999 Bassmaster Classic was held on the Louisiana Delta in Shreveport, Louisiana. At the 1999 Bassmaster Classic, Classic rookie Michael Iaconelli caught a three-day total of 39 lbs and 12 oz. That total netted him a sixth place finish. The great finish at the Bassmaster Classic culminated in Dick's Sporting Goods and Daiwa becoming major sponsors for Michael Iaconelli. """In September of the same year, Michael Iaconelli collected his first victory in the professional ranks by winning the Bassmaster Vermont Top 150 on Lake Champlain. Michael Iaconelli bagged over 61 lbs of bass and a $100,000 check."""

In 2000, Michael Iaconelli made the leap to the professional ranks. He began fishing the B.A.S.S Tour. "Again, Michael Iaconelli qualified for the Bassmaster Classic. The 2000 Bassmaster Classic was held on Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. He was able to net a top finish with a three-day weight total of 20 lbs 1 oz. "

In 2002, Michael Iaconelli started the season with a victory on Lake Seminole. The victory on Lake Seminole was the first Tour level victory for Michael Iaconelli. Michael Iaconelli qualified for the 2003 Bassmaster Classic after a ninth-place victory at the B.A.S.S. Invitational on Lake Ontario.

2003 Bassmaster Classic
The months prior to the 2003 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta saw Michael Iaconelli file for divorce from his wife. This event led Michael Iaconelli to seriously consider retiring from competitive bass fishing. During practice, Michael Iaconelli traveled down to the Venice, Louisiana pool where he found the backwater pond nicknamed "the Heart". This location was the area Michael Iaconelli fished in during the 2003 Bassmaster Classic. On Day One of the Bassmaster Classic, Michael Iaconelli caught over 15 lbs. This weight put Michael Iaconelli in second-place after Day One just over a pound behind Day One leader Mark Menendez. On Day Two of the Bassmaster Classic, Michael Iaconelli vaulted into first-place with just under 12 lbs. On Day Three, Michael Iaconelli weighed in 10 lbs 14 oz to win his first Bassmaster Classic. """His three-day total was 37 lbs and 14 oz."""

Sponsors
Michael Iaconelli's sponsor for the upcoming 2012 season are as follows:

Abu Garcia

Bass Cat Bass Boats,

Berkley,

Cocoons Eyewear,

Dick's Sporting Goods,

Lowrance Electronics,

Hatcams,

Molix Fishing,

Power Pole,

Rapala,

Spiderwire,

Toyota Trucks,

VMC Hooks,

Yamaha Outboards