James RickardPutting a New Face on Fishing--Mike Iaconelli
July 12th 2007 00:29
For a lot of people, the image they have of fishing is some "good ol' boys" heading down to the "fishin' hole" to drink beer and maybe catch a fish. Professional fishing organizations and equipment manufacturers want to change that perception much the same way the face of NASCAR has changed over the past decade.
Using NASCAR as a model makes sense. Both sports have rural roots and their popularity is most realized in the Southern states of America. The popular notion of "headin' down to the crick" can only be changed by making people aware that there are anglers out there today who are the exact opposite of all preconceived stereotypes.
Born in 1972, the first thing that stands out about Iaconelli is his youth. How many other sports have competitors, let alone champions, in their 30s and 40s?
Mike Iaconelli, Tournament win
However, as with many colorful figures, Mike Iaconelli is not without his detractors. His aforementioned tattoos, penchant to break dance at any given moment, and exuberant shouts of victory go against the quiet dignity aspired to by so many of the Southtern Gentlemen that have come before him and they look at his 2003 Bassmaster Championship as a fluke, preferring to point out incidents such as his 2004 disqualification from a South Carolina tournament or a 2006 meltdown which resulted in disqualification from a Florida tournament.
The sports world has had colorful (some would say controversial) characters before. Jimmy Connors, Joe Namath, and Dennis Rodman are all examples of athletes who kept their respective sports in the eyes of the public as much through their antics as well as game performances.
If fishing is to break into the spotlight of public consciousness, it will take a media savvy trooper like Mike Iaconelli. At this point in time, he's just what the sport needs!
If you want to read more about Mike Iaconelli, follow this link.Fish Like Mike
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*All images taken from mikeiaconelli.com
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This is the original fish tale. It sure grows with the telling.
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