Iaconelli best on first day of Bassfest

Michael Iaconelli got off to a fast start Wednesday at the Bassmaster Bassfest on Lake Chickamauga near Dayton, Tenn.

Iaconelli, of Pitts Grove, N.J., caught five bass that weighed 25 pounds, 12 ounces, within an hour to grab the first-day lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series event.

Edward Evers of Talala, Okla., brought in five bass that weighed 24-03 and is in second place, just ahead of Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., who brought in a five-fish limit weighing 24-01. Takahiro Omori (22-15) of Emory, Texas, and Kevin VanDam (22-09) of Kalamazoo, Mich., rounded out the top five.

Scott Rook of Little Rock is 11th after bringing in five fish that weighed 20-10. Kevin Short (13-15) of Mayflower is 47th, Stephen Browning (13-14) of Hot Springs is 48th, Mark Davis (12-08) of Mount Ida is 62nd, Billy McCaghren (9-11) of Mayflower is 86th and Mike McClelland (3-8) of Bella Vista is 129th.

Iaconelli said there wasn't any secret to his success on opening day. Others were fishing in the same area, Iaconelli said, and there wasn't anything unique about the technique he used. He said he just found the fish at the right time.

"I found five schools of fish, and they were all found by others, too," said Iaconelli, a seven-time Bassmaster champion who has never competed before on Lake Chickamauga. "There are no secrets here. But seeing them and catching them are two different things.

"Ask anyone here. They've all found amazing, winning schools of fish. You have to get the first one to bite and fire up the school."

Evers said his first day was similar to Iaconelli's day. He said he caught all of his fish from one school over a 30- to 40-minute span late in the afternoon.

"It was all about timing," Evers said.

All 140 pros will compete again today.

Sports on 06/12/2014

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