“Ike’s Molix
Lover Baits”
Photo by Billy "Hawkeye" Decoteau
When
it comes to bass fishing few techniques are as exhilarating as working topwater
baits. “This is where our two worlds come together with explosive face-to-face
surface commotion like none other,” echo’s 14-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier
Mike ‘Ike’ Iaconelli. Adding, “Whether you’re nine or ninety-nine the feeling
and rush of adrenaline is always the same!”
Excitement is Iaconelli’s trademark middle name. And,
certainly one of the many reasons Mike ‘Ike’ Iaconelli is a fan favorite
everywhere he goes! However, what few anglers may not be aware of is Ike’s
hidden persona behind his screaming ‘Never Give Up’ motto!
Michael Iaconelli
is not only one of the world’s favorite and most talented bass anglers, Michael
Iaconelli is also one of bass fishing worlds most innovative lure designers! “I
have always strived for perfection,” says Iaconelli. Indeed known as a highly
competitive and knowledgeable angler, Iaconelli is also an intense student of
his competition...And, that competition is the Black Bass!
Ike
claims it’s imperative to first understand the daily seasonal activities
effecting the transitional movements in the underwater world of the Black Bass.
The ‘Where-Why-When’ aspects incorporating where bass live, where bass feed,
where bass seek shelter and ambush habitat within their predatory aquatic
world, is a location factor.
“Knowing
‘Why and When’ bass move is a key factor to increasing your percentage
opportunities and catch ratios,” claims Ike. While the lifecycle of the black
bass may be predicable, transitional underwater highways may be located, and
seasonal pattern rotations based upon spring spawning rituals, into heated summer
haunts, fall feeding frenzy’s and deeper lethargic cold-water schooling
activities occur every year! “Uncontrollable factors such as weather
conditions, water temperatures, with changing structure, aquatic vegetation
growth and cover due to these factors, all cause underwater movement to more
adaptable locations,” suggest Ike.
“Thus,
enters why and when bass will eat your artificial bait,” chuckles Iaconelli.
The obvious holds true, when bass are feeding or eating just about any bait will
catch them. However, to entice a bass into inhaling an artificial involves
presentation and location perfection.
“At any
given time bass will react for a variety of reasons. Feeding, unmolested unique
opportunities such as reaction bites, protection as in spawning, or territorial
bites within their selected bass haunt such as an isolated stump or patch of
grass!” Since feeding windows of opportunity are extremely limited, especially
during bass tournaments, savvy anglers have to rely on location and presentation
for enticing bass. “To probe the underwater world of the Black Bass, anglers
need to cover the entire water column. From surface presentations to bottom
bumping.”
During
The Bass University seminars (www.TheBassUniversity.com), Mike Iaconelli teaches TBU
students how to locate and catch bass fast based on what he calls G.U.S.P.,
General Universal Seasonal Patterns. “The G.U.S.P. technique will place anglers
within possible productive areas, once located anglers need to probe these
areas utilizing both their electronics and baits capable of covering water
quickly within the entire water column.”
“To
identify key areas and potential sweet spots, I needed baits that not only
would cover water fast, and trigger bites, but also allow me to learn more
about the bottom and surrounding areas!” Pausing for a brief moment, “It was
imperative for the baits not to get hung-up, yet I also needed to cover a wide
variety of depths!”
Teaming
up with Italian lure manufacture Molix Lures (www.Molix.com), Iaconelli developed an
in-line buzzbait to solve his need for casting distance, especially in windy
conditions, and most importantly surface bait control! “The Lover In-Line Buzzbait
has a very realistic and natural swimming action. Yet, has the ability to be
burned across the surface or slowly crawled at a snails pace!”
A fine
cut vinyl skirt covers a high performance OMTD hook with a keeper shank
securing soft-plastic trailers. “With a baitfish style tapering head, the Lover
Buzzbait comes through thick emergent vegetation better than traditional style
buzzbaits,” claims Ike.
Call
them vibrating jigs, bladed swimming jigs, or the patterned Z-Man Chatterbait
style jigs! Bottom line is these baits catch bass, while covering a wide range
of depths. “Vibrating jigs are the hottest baits on the planet! However, none
mimic the profile of baitfish like a crankbait,” says Iaconelli. Adding, “After
several years of R&D modifications we designed a ‘Special Vibrating Jig’
called the Molix Lover Vibration jig.”
Incorporating
a plastic reverse shovel lip, crankbait style body and either a skirted single
hook (Heavy Cover) or a feather treble hook (Open Water), Iaconelli’s Molix
Lover Vibration Jigs cover the entire water column. “In addition to the Lover
Jigs enormous amount of vibration, its natural swimming action is totally
different. Especially, when deflected off cover,” suggests Iaconelli.
Designed
with a free-swinging hook for higher hook-up ratios, rattle chamber and a
trailer keeper system (Single hook models), Ike’s Molix Lover baits just might
become your favorite go-to baits?
God Bless and Best Bass’n
Billy "Hawkeye" Decoteau
Check out the Lover on The Bass University's NEW Ike store!
Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau is
an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His
activities include; covering and photographing professional BASS and FLW bass
trails, emceeing The Bass University weekend educational seminar programs with
Professional BASS Anglers Mike Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek, as well as emceeing
benefit tournaments such as Maine’s Annual May Special Olympics Team Benefit
tournament on ‘Lake Cobbie’
Northwood’s Sporting Journal
Office:
1.207.732.4880
Column:
Best Bass’n
March
2013 Issue
