August 07, 2008
Buffalo, NY – Lake Erie’s Empire Chase, the next-to-last stop of 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series tour, was all business as each of the 106 anglers had a major mathematical objective in mind nearing the season’s end. Some were trying to earn enough points to requalify for next year’s season, while others were trying to secure a Bassmaster Classic berth, while those at the top slugged it out in a tight Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race.
Despite a practice that was hampered with drastic daily changes in weather, the tournament went on as planned – lots of wind, serious waves, and tons of smallmouth. Kotaro Kiriyama won the event with 93 pounds 6 ounces of smallmouth over four days of fishing.
Tundra pro Mike “Ike” Iaconelli ended the week in 5th place with 79 pounds 7 ounces after leading the tournament on the second day. Rather than making incredibly long, and often dangerous, runs like Kiriyama and others did, Iaconelli opted to stay within sight of downtown Buffalo all week. During practice he sought distinctive areas where he could fish regardless of which direction the vicious Erie wind blew. “You don’t have to run far to find quality fish on Erie,” Ike explained.
“I practiced on each shore of that bay specifically because I wanted to have water for every wind scenario. The wind switched around Sunday from the north for the first time all week, and I was able to fish the north shoreline without a problem and had a good day,” he added.
Ike explained throughout the week that his focus coming to Erie was to make a Top 50 cut and nail down a Classic berth; however, his focus changed once he realized the quality of fish he’d found during practice. “I know that I was around the kind of fish to win with,” Ike revealed. “I just wasn’t able to capitalize on the right bites.”
Tundra pro Kevin VanDam ended the week in 18th place. “I tried all week to keep myself focused on areas where I’d caught them well during practice,” VanDam said. “I was really disappointed with how things went the first day of the week because I expected a lot more out of myself.”
“Tournaments like this, and the back-and-forth at the top, are what make the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year race so exciting,” Kevin added. “I finished the week within arm’s reach of the lead, and we’ve got one event to go at Oneida. That’s not too bad,” concluded KVD.
