Ike's Duel in the Delta Results in Narrow Loss to Close Friend Crews

Team Toyota’s Mike Iaconelli knew he didn’t have quite enough weight to win when he stepped on the BASS stage during the final day at the California Delta. He also knew his close friend John Crews might benefit from his shortfall.

Ike was right. He was two pounds too short of victory. In turn, his roommate and close friend of five years, John Crews, dodged heavy bags from Iaconelli, Greg Hackney and Skeet Reese to win his first ever Bassmaster Elite tournament. “I actually got chills when I knew John was going to win, I was that proud of him,” said Iaconelli.

The majority of Ike’s weight came in The Delta’s southern most region where he flipped a black and blue Berkley® Crazy Legs Chigger Craw on fluorocarbon line to matted hydrilla on a low tide. He felt the fast sinking Berkley fluorocarbon made a huge difference in getting the bait into the strike zone quickly – as opposed to braided line that tends to float a little more.

“John Crews is such a hard worker, and he’s the nicest dude you’ll ever meet. I swear you could accidentally hook him in the head with a crankbait, and he’d never raise his voice at you,” grinned Ike with sincerity. “Crews is part of our family on the road. It’s Ish Monroe, John Crews, my wife Becky and myself on the road. We always find a house to rent for the tournament week and room together. John’s like family to Becky and I – and it’s cool when one of your family members wins one,” said Ike.