The Cat about to eat the Canary!

Mike had that unmistaken smile at the start of the Tournament. It seemed like he already knew how the event was going to end before it was over. He was happy to be fishing with the Federation Nation of New Jersey where he was able to talk with past acquaintances and revisit his BASS roots.

Initially our Executive Director Mike Kaminskas contacted Ike regarding autographing hats for our BASS Youth SQT event that will be held at Waywayanda October 13 2007. Ike was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to donate to the kids. When Ike asked Kaminskas where he would like them sent, Mike said that we were going to be in his area with our Delaware tournament and Ike asked if we would mind if he fished it with us. Kaminskas called me immediately and asked if I though it would be alright if Ike fished and I responded "What are you crazy, of course". I thought it would bring some real excitement to the anglers fishing our final event of the year. A lot of anglers tremble when they hear that you are fishing the Delaware. Ike proved that the fishery can produce quality fish and that they are in there.

I had the privilege of fishing with Iaconelli on my boat and believe me it was not all talking throughout  the day. Having many years of experience on the Delaware Mike admitted to me that the tides were really wrong for an ideal day of fishing but the best chances for the day would come when the tide was going out later in the day. It was a struggle in the morning hours and Mike did lose a nice fish within the first hour of fishing. You could sense that "Never Give Up" was going to be the motto of the day.

We took a trip down river to a spot he wanted to fish and to his surprise there was another boat on it. Scott Weiland was working the area and he stated "This must be a good spot if Mike was coming to fish it". Not staying too long or crowding Weiland, Mike suggested we go in the Schuylkill River and probe a few spots he had in mind. Mike stated to me that the fish were not ready to commit to wintering holes yet but they are close to those them. He also said that a summer pattern should work for him up that river. After we had fished a few of his known fish holding spots that produced just one keeper, he changed tactics and fished a few choice pilings of the summer pattern. Within 15 minutes of the change I hear Mike say "Good one", I have to say that what you see on television is how it is when he fishes locally. Get out of his way is all I can say. Feeding line when needed and using the entire deck as his landing platform he does get it in the boat and it wound up to be a little under 5 pounds. After it was in the livewell I asked him why he didn't yell and please do not break dance on the front of my boat. He just chuckled and went about the business of fishing.

Without going into too many details all in all Mike proved again that he does belong where he is and does not forget about where it was he came from. We did discuss his year fishing the Elite series and I asked him what happened this year and he responded "If I knew what happened this year I would have definitely changed something" I did not probe for any more answers. I left it alone as I am sure he was not happy with the year and how it wound up.

In closing the main observation that I made by days end was Mike did not stay in one place too long and when he caught a fish, probed with several baits and milked the spot for all it was worth but still did not stay longer than he needed.

I hope the anglers attending will have a different outlook on the Delaware and were happy to have Ike visit and compete with them in the seasons final event. I am happy at the way the year ended and congratulations go out to the members of Bucketmouth Craig Townsend, Chris Smith, John Carpenter, Tim Roach, Eric Woodward and John Milchanowski Sr.

John Ho, Scott Weiland, John Ericson and alternate Ken Bertles for making it on the boaters side and John Michanowski III, Ted Morris, and  Al Kolasa for making the team also.

Next year the divisional will be hosted by Virginia on Kerr Reservoir September 7-12th 2008. We will have an excellent team and the Board wishes them a successful event.

John F Radamski / President

Federation Nation of New Jersey