Ike’s Take, Why Electric Kayak Fishing Is His Full Circle Future

At the Bassmaster Classic Expo, Mike Iaconelli, better known as Ike, shared a powerful perspective from inside the Newport booth. As he takes on his final season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, his focus is already shifting toward what’s next.

And that future looks a lot like where it all began.

A Return to Roots

For Ike, kayak fishing is not a trend, it is a homecoming.

“I got into this whole thing… from small vessels. A crawdad, a canoe… that was my start.”

After more than three decades at the highest level, that foundation is pulling him back.

“Now it’s time to change direction. It’s time to get back to my roots, and make that a full circle reality.”

That full circle moment is something many anglers recognize. From bank fishing, to boats, and eventually back again, the simplicity and connection of smaller watercraft offer something bigger boats cannot replicate.

Why Kayak Fishing Hits Different

Big boats bring power, speed, and technology, but they can also create distance between the angler and the act of fishing, with constant maintenance, troubleshooting and overhead expenses.

Kayaks strip it all back down to the basics - in a good way.

In Ik's words:

“This is fishing at its core, being on the water, just you against the fish.”

That closeness, to the water, to the environment, to the moment, is what makes kayak fishing special. It is not about less capability, it is about more connection with the water, and with nature.

Where Electric Power Changes Everything

While kayak fishing is rooted in simplicity, modern tools are evolving the experience, and Ike sees electric propulsion as a game changer.

“You experience it and you're like… it’s a tool. It really allows you to get places and go places.”

That is the key - access!

Electric kayak motors, like Newport’s lineup, do not take away from the purity of fishing, they expand it by:

Reaching untouched water farther from launch points, that boats can't get to
Navigate current, wind, and structure more efficiently than with a paddle or pedal system
Spend more time fishing, and less time battling equipment

For Ike, that aligns perfectly with his style,

“I’m big on going places that nobody wants to go.”

That's what Newport is all about - going places others don't.

Bringing It Full Circle

For Ike, electric kayak fishing is not about replacing anything, it is about rediscovering what made him fall in love with fishing in the first place.

It is quieter, closer, more intentional. And with the right tools, it is more capable than ever.