Angler rocks the boat with temper tantrum

Mention Mike Iaconelli's name in any Southern state where bass fishing tournaments are as popular as cornbread and fried okra and you will be greeted with sneers, jeers and remarks not fit for a family newspaper. One thing is certain: He could use the services of Dr. Phil to calm him down. At East Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla., last month, Iaconelli, 34, of Runnemede, N.J., was disqualified after the first day of competition in the annual Bassmaster Classic, a kind of world championship of bass fishing. Unlike the 2004 Bassmaster Classic, from which he was DQ'd for fishing outside prescribed waters, this time it was more serious.

FWIW, I wrote an email to Mann's Bait Company and to Berkley to request dropping sponsorship in exchange for my continued patronage of their products. I received this reply from Mann's

"greetings...you are behind the times...Mann's hasn't sponsored Mike for about 1 1/2 years He got too expensive for a small bait company to handle. You won't find a Mann's patch on his fishing outfit anywhere, nor mann's listed on his sponsor list do as you wish good fishing rab "

I love the Washington Times, but they need to fact check their story a little closer. I am awaiting a reply from Berkley. I visited their website though and saw that they had posted an apology from Mike. The usual 'I'm just a human and made a mistake' drivel. I saw a piece on this guy when he first broke the scene and was flummoxed as to why the fishing industry would try to force feed us a gen-x skate board riding type. I was always impressed with the fishing pros that they put forth in the past. Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance, Hank Parker, and each and every one of the anglers on The In-Fisherman, are all folks that truly love fishing and appreciated God's wondrous gifts to us, not to mention being class acts one and all. For BassMasters and ESPN to try and force this guy, the equivalent of Terrell Owens and Barry Bonds rolled into one and plopped bass boat is appalling. Please take a moment to thank Mann's for dumping this guy, for whatever reason, and to let Berkley know your sentiments as well. Good fishing all!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.