Soon to be press release...

"I am excited to announce that we have signed BASS Pro Mike Iaconelli to an exclusive contract with Abu Garcia and Spiderwire. This is in addition to continuing our current Berkley line and bait sponsorship and aligns with our Pro strategy of securing the top athletes across all product categories   Mike Iaconelli is one of the icons of the bass fishing world and has amassed over $1.6 million in career winnings along with being a BassMaster Classic Champion in 2003 and Angler of the Year in 2006.   

This opportunity was identified and cultivated by Grass Roots Marketing Manager, Tammy Cox and through her hard work, finalized the deal right before Christmas.  "

Might find a closeout on Daiwa Iaconelli rods soon.

There's already a discussion about this in the Tournament section.

I agree about the Ike rods though. Keep an eye out.

Yup, here it is..   http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1262913406

There's already a discussion about this in the Tournament section.

I agree about the Ike rods though. Keep an eye out.

Might find a closeout on Daiwa Iaconelli rods soon.

Yep, they have the spinning set ups on sale at sports authority already

A) Sorry if I started this in the wrong area, but I come to this section more than any other.

  I stated that "Iaconelli leaves Daiwa", but I should've just said they parted.  I believe that Daiwa actually made the decision.

I have heard from someone inside that that was the case: Diawa ended it instead of the other way around.  I think it came down to the very low number of sales on the Ike series of rods.  I can see it since he didn't even use them himself.  Truth be told, it probably wouldn't have looked as bad if he wasn't using the Light and Toughs instead.  It would have looked like he was using the top of the line/ high dollar equipment.

Not to high jack the thread but E21 lost 3 of its pros to Duckett Fishing (Boyd). Now that has got to hurt.

I held the Ike rods at ICAST year before last.  They felt like lead weights.  No wonder they didnt sell well.

They did look cool however.  It makes me wonder if he really had anything to do with their production, or if Daiwa just threw him $$ in return for using his name. 

ok. ive been meanign to bring this up..... there have to be two different ike rod models.

theres the one with the flames and crap that sports authority sells.... and those are heavy junk.

but then there is another line of ike rods... much much nicer and much much lighter. pro components and great action. i know this cause my buddy has one. i was with him when he got it. it is awesome. it is every bit as good as my compre. actually.. in some ways its better, because it has split grips and a really neat reel seat. these rods are similar... but not the same obviously ... to the zillion rods.

i will be looking for THOSE rods to go on sale.

meanwhile... hmmmm.... an ike revo huh???

Might find a closeout on Daiwa Iaconelli rods soon.

Yep, they have the spinning set ups on sale at sports authority already

The ones at Sports Authority are a low-end rod/reel combo with his name plastered on them. He actually has a higher-end rod series that may actually be worth looking at when they hit the clearance rack.

http://www.daiwa.com/Rod/detail.aspx?ID=453

http://www.***.com/descpageRDSDAIWA-DMISR.html

YES!!!

thats it. those rods are GREAT!

TW just put those rods on sale fo $100

Wow, this news makes me want to switch reel brands now.

TW just put those rods on sale fo $100

i can buy them locally for $99.

thats not really a sale.

Wow, this news makes me want to switch reel brands now.

I hear ya.  ;D

Ike is a great guy in person, and has done alot for the sport. I was working a show recently and a person walked up to me and asked doesn't _______ use that brand of reel. I answered "I use them what would you like to know"? Once again the person asked, does ______ use that brand of reel?

So I finally told him yes and once again asked him what he was looking for in a reel. Basically he was looking to buy the reel ________used.