Low profile is not what any BassFIRST fan would ever think of when describing Mike Iaconelli, but in reality the bass fishing Megastar has been keeping a low profile over the last year. He didn’t have a Top 10 year in the Angler of the Year standings, but did enough to make it back to the Classic.
One thing Iaconelli would like to see is the Classic return to being a season-ending event.
“I would prefer if the Classic was a season closer,” said Iaconelli. “I like some aspects of the Classic kicking off the season, but I prefer it as the season ending event.
“One reason is weather. I’d rather be super-hot than sub-freezing like it was here in practice. Also, there is the family aspect of the event. When it was held during the summer, 
there were a lot more families attending the entire event. Now the Classic is held when school is in session so it makes it tough for the entire family to make a trip to see the event.
“Another issue is that there wasn’t a lot of thought given to the anglers who work during this time of the year. I mean January and February are the months when so many of the big outdoor shows are happening and we give a lot of seminars. Scheduling it in February cuts into our income, it’s horrendous. Trying to schedule seminars, getting ready for the season and fish the Classic. I’d like to see it moved back to summer or fall.”
A low profile may help Iaconelli at Grand Lake.
“Yeah, I’ve been flying under the radar lately,” said Iaconelli. “I don’t have the target on my back. It’s okay, it lets me concentrate on my practice. And so far, it has been a little different practice than what I expected.
“I don’t think it is going to be a spot tournament with some magical spot producing the winning fish. I think it is going to be a pattern fishing tournament. For me, practice is a template to work from and then you fish the moment. I had a few key 4 and 5 pound bites. Instead of worrying about the spot I am worrying about what those fish were doing and why they were doing it.”
By Dave Landahl, Outdoors First Media
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