The 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series was one of those years, for Toyota/Berkley pro Mike Iaconelli: to experience an awful lot of failure. An inkling of success to come, doused with plenty of missteps along the way.

Iaconelli missed the cut via points to make the Bassmaster Classic in 2014 and also was never in contention to win an Elite event. However, he was truly a dominant force on the B.A.S.S. Northern Opens this season. Placing in the Top 6 in all three events along with winning the final tournament in that division on Lake Erie, qualifying for his 15th consecutive Bassmaster Classic.

	Ike at the St. Clair Elite (Joel Shangle)

Bad days haunt Ike at the Elites

“I had a really weird year on the Elites,” said Iaconelli. “I had a good Classic where I was in contention to win it. After that, the year kind of blew up on me. It seemed as though I always had a bad day in the course of every event. Like the first event at the Sabine River. Day 1 started good for me. Day 2, I drive my boat out of the water into the woods.

“I avoided driving my boat onto the shore for the rest of the year, but all season for me was a good day followed by a bad day. It was really weird. It wasn’t due to a physical health issue, no personal problems. I was focused, I wasn’t too preoccupied with business. It’s just fishing.”

Ike fought through the difficulties

“Even though my year was terrible by all accounts for me on the Elites, I fished through it,” said Iaconelli. “I could’ve walked away after the last Elite on Lake St. Clair totally disgusted with the year. I decided to fish my way through it. I went to the Open event on Lake Erie and won. Wins heal your season. It ended up making a bad year a great year. I’m hoping to ride this momentum through the Classic into next year.”

Fans want Iaconelli to perform at the All-Star Week

“This is the last year for the Toyota All-Star Week,” said Iaconelli. “My fans voted me into the competition. It is important to them that I am there. Because they did this for me, I will work hard for them to do well.

“If the fans didn’t put me into an event, I honestly could care less if I caught another fish in competition this year. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but the weight off my shoulders is huge by winning an event this year and qualifying for the Classic. However, I am super competitive. When I am in a competition, I always want to win. I’ve accomplished most of my goals for the year. It would be nice to go out with a bang.”

Ike is content with his career so far

“I have the same goals each year,” said Iaconelli. “Win the Angler of the Year and qualify to fish the Classic. Some years you are totally in the zone, some years not so much. I guess with maturity and experience you learn to accept who you are and what you’ve accomplished.