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Iaconelli & Pace Tied for Classic Lead

Category: article

 Feb 22nd, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Feb 22nd, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Grand Lake is sure living up to the grandeur of the Bassmaster Classic. Sure, the air and water temperatures today were frigid for the competitors, but limits were plentiful and plenty of quality bass came across the weigh-in stage.

The biggest bags weighed in today were a pair of 21-pound 8-ounce limits brought in by Cliff Pace and Mike Iaconelli. Yep, they are tied. In third is Maiden, North Carolina angler Hank Cherry who bagged a 20-pound 15-ounce limit today.

	Cliff Pace (Photo BassFIRST)

Pace felt blessed

I had a real good day,” said Pace. “I feel real blessed, especially with how cold the weather was. I fished a Jackall and a V&M football head today, two of my favorites. I missed one big fish. I will spend time looking for quality fish tomorrow. I hope I have two more days of fish.

“I like lakes like this. It’s a pattern lake. A lot of what you are fishing is visual.”

Ike excited

“Man I’m stoked,” said Iaconelli. “This is phenomenal. This is one of the most exciting tournaments of my life. My whole family is here. It’s the kind of tournament I’ve been dreaming of since I was 12.

	Mike Iaconelli (Photo BassFIRST)

“This was the kind of start I had to have if I want a chance to win the Classic again. I feel pretty comfortable on this lake. It’s been 10 years since I won the Classic. This would sure be a nice anniversary present.

“If I win the party at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, we will have good music and a break dancing contest, which I’d win. Then we’ll drink a lot of beer.”

Cherry’s nerves calmed

“Life is awesome,” said Cherry. “I had a great day. I had a little bit of nerves this morning. On my way to my first spot this morning, I was stuck in a VanDam-wich, KVD on one side and JVD on the other. The nerves were there, but I settled down and did well.”

Perennial Classic contender and 4-time Bassmaster Classic champ Kevin VanDam is sitting in fourth after catching a 19-pound and 12-ounce limit.

The reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion, Chris Lane, zeroed today.