Michael Iaconelli Never Gives Up
A narrow lead, a dramatic final day and one of bass fishing’s most recognizable attitudes defined Michael Iaconelli’s 2003 Louisiana Delta championship.
How the 2003 Louisiana Classic unfolded
Iaconelli entered the final round of the 2003 Classic as the leader, but veteran Gary Klein stayed close enough to make every late bite matter. Iaconelli eventually brought 10 pounds, 14 ounces to the final weigh-in.
That bag pushed his three-day total to 37 pounds, 14 ounces. Klein finished at 36-2, leaving Iaconelli with a victory margin of 1 pound, 12 ounces in front of a packed New Orleans Arena crowd.
Bassmaster’s retrospective on Iaconelli remembers him filling his limit late and unleashing the “Never give up!” emotion that became inseparable from his competitive identity. The Louisiana win became the signature championship of his career.
A Louisiana moment that stayed in Bassmaster history
Few Classic victories are remembered as much for the personality and emotion as for the weight. The 2003 Delta event helped make Iaconelli one of the sport’s most recognizable competitors.
Read the Bassmaster record
More Louisiana tournament history
Return to the master archive for Classic champions, Toledo Bend winners, Red River champions and other memorable Louisiana B.A.S.S. moments.