Daiwa and Ike?

[BigBassin144]

Anyone heard anything about Daiwa and Mike Iaconelli?

I've heard Daiwa is dropping him. Don't know if its just rumors or what, anyone know?

BB

[cassidyta]

I heard yesterday that he signed on with Abu Garcia. I have seen it on other boards and it was a topic as my club meeting last night, but I have not seen any press release from either company or Ike.

[nofearengineer]

Hmmmm.....I guess I used to like Abu-Garcia.

Just kidding hehe. I'm not selling my Revos any time soon.

[TN_Bassin]

Wow, now the reel I've been waiting for, one that starts screaming when you set the hook.

[Jrob78]

Ike exclusive with Pure 1/7/2010


Mike Iaconelli and Pure Fishing today announced an exclusive agreement under which Ike will fish Abu Garcia rods and reels, Berkley and Spiderwire line and Berkley PowerBait and Gulp!.

Ike spent the bulk of his career fishing Daiwa rods and reels, so the switch to Abu is very significant and certainly represents somewhat of a coup for Abu and Pure Fishing as a whole.

“We’re very excited to have Mike join our Abu Garcia and Spiderwire teams,” said brand manager Chris Derrick. “He’s one of the best athletes in the sport and this partnership will help us develop new and innovative products while helping Mike elevate his game.”

Ike noted: “This partnership is huge. It’s a privilege to be working with Abu Garcia, Spiderwire and Berkley. When you think about fishing these are the big names that everyone recognizes. The partnership with these major fishing brands is one that holds a lot of promise. Their technologically advanced products will be a tremendous asset to me on the competitive circuits. I look forward to continuing a very successful relationship with the folks at Pure Fishing.”

This is the only "official" quote I could find.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

This is the only "official" quote I could find.

Nice info, where'd you find this?

Now the only question is did he leave Daiwa or did Daiwa drop him?

BB

[TN_Bassin]

I doubt Diawa just up and dropped him. More than likely Ike's suggestions went unnoticed and he wanted a change. This is just speculation on my part.

[Jrob78]

http://http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp?id=6881

I read on another forum that Daiwa dropped him, something about downsizing. Don't know if there is any truth to that though. Apparently Jimmy Houston left Shimano, who he's been with for like 30 years for the same reasons. He signed with U.S Reels.

[TN_Bassin]

With the economy down like it is, that is a likely scenario also. I haven't seen reel sales for last year but I can't imagine that they broke any records as far as sales. I wouldn't be suprised if this is true that a lot of endorsements and sponsers will drop a lot.


BTW: Your link is not working Jrob.

[bassinbob]

Wonder if he'll have both rods and a reel? Guess his series of Diawa rods didn't go over to well.

[Jrob78]

http://http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp

Try this one, about half way down the page.

Well crap! Go to Bassfan.com and go to dock talk under the news section.

[nofearengineer]

www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp?id=6881

[cassidyta]

I am just waiting for tacklewarehouse to clearance all of his diawa stuff.

[nmanley]

Nothing like a good bargin over a name huh. Yeah baby!!

[Bassboss]

I thought it was odd too. Ike really stepped down in in quality IMO. Not only in his rod and reels, but line and lures.

And since he was using daiwa RODS too, does that mean he'll be using Garcia's rods too? Will Ike really be fishing with a Vendetta?! I'm curious too see if Garcia makes him his own signature like they did with reese.

[Bassboss]

I got some info Viva facebook!

Here's what he had to say.

"In all honesty Daiwa cut 2 of its pro staff and I was one of them. Don't really know why?
I'll be using Abu rods and reels this year and working on some new prototype Ike rods!!!!!!
Thanks,

Mike"

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by TN_Bassin

I doubt Diawa just up and dropped him. More than likely Ike's suggestions went unnoticed and he wanted a change. This is just speculation on my part.

Originally Posted by bassinbob

Wonder if he'll have both rods and a reel? Guess his series of Diawa rods didn't go over to well.

Another rumor I've heard was Daiwa is dropping him because he didn't use his signature series rods and preferred the L&T series.

Originally Posted by Bassboss

I thought it was odd too. Ike really stepped down in in quality IMO. Not only in his rod and reels, but line and lures.

And since he was using daiwa RODS too, does that mean he'll be using Garcia's rods too? Will Ike really be fishing with a Vendetta?! I'm curious too see if Garcia makes him his own signature like they did with reese.

I wouldn't say he stepped down in quality. The quality of the big three (Daiwa, Shimano, and Abu) should all be on par with each other. Performance wise, he may have stepped down a bit with rods and reels (from steez rods and reels), but maybe not if it's true he mainly the used Daiwa's L&T series. As for reel, I do like Daiwas a bit better, but Abu makes some great reels.

As for line and lures, I know he was already signed on to pure fishing companies for lures, and I think he was for line also. That's why I didn't surprise me that after he left Daiwa (or whatever happened) that he is moving to Abu. I'm assuming he'll still have his sponsorship from Tru Tungsten as well.

BB

[jasonfish320]

I think there's a lot of speculation floating around, personally I believe it's money related. These guys are self promoters and business men, sure they got where they are with plenty of hard work and now that they are there they want to make the most out of the opportunity. I have read Ike's book and it's pretty self evident that after he won the classic in '03 that he became a lot more about the money.

In this current economic situation (which is getting worse before it gets better) almost every private sector business is cutting back and if you pay attention to boat sales and fishing license sales you can see the writing on the wall. The fishing related companies must make cuts to survive. My guess is Daiwa wanted to re-negotiate some term that would impact some benefit for Ike, whether it was pay or otherwise and Ike didn't like it.

[Jrob78]

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast09abu2010.html

I bet this is the rod Ike will be using until he gets his signature rod.

[WaffleJaw]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast09abu2010.html

I bet this is the rod Ike will be using until he gets his signature rod.

I wanna know who's making Abu's hardware??
It favors Matagi but it cant be.
Cant wait to see more of that rod...What a tease

[Jrob78]

I wanna know who's making Abu's hardware??
It favors Matagi but it cant be.
Cant wait to see more of that rod...What a tease

It definitely has that JDM feel to it. I doubt it's Matagi though, not for $130.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

Ike really stepped down in in quality IMO. Not only in his rod and reels, but line and lures.

I disagree with your statement about stepping down in quality of reels. Diawa makes good stuff but in no way are they superior to Abu-Garcia reels.

[Jrob78]

I disagree with your statement about stepping down in quality of reels. Diawa makes good stuff but in no way are they superior to Abu-Garcia reels.

Abu makes great reels but they don't have anything that can touch a Steez, which is Ike's primary reel.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Abu makes great reels but they don't have anything that can touch a Steez, which is Ike's primary reel.

Well, I guess if using a magnesium frame that will corrode if you look at it wrong to cut an ounce of weight is worth an extra $200 and giving up 12 pounds of drag...go for it.

Me, I'll stick with the new Premiers if I want to go Cadillac.

[Jrob78]

Well, I guess if using a magnesium frame that will corrode if you look at it wrong to cut an ounce of weight is worth an extra $200 and giving up 12 pounds of drag...go for it.

Me, I'll stick with the new Premiers if I want to go Cadillac.

Pro's don't pay for their reels so cost is no argument. Corrosion isn't either for the same reasons and these are freshwater reels anyway. Again, Abu makes great stuff but the Steez is in a class by itself as far as performance. I'm sure that a simple drag upgrade evens the playing field there, and the Premier only comes in one gear ratio. This isn't even taking into consideration all the JDM stuff that pro's probably have access to. Daiwa dominates when it comes to high end gear.


Lets look at spinning reels, Abu doesn't even offer a high end tournament grade spinning reel. The Soron is their best spinning reel and it retails for $129, probably a fine serviceable reel but nothing like what Daiwa offers.

Rods, Abu has the Vendetta, again a nice rod but nothing compared to a Steez or Zillion rod or even a Cielo. It will be interesting to see what the new Abu rod will be like but again, choices are pretty limited.

I'm not trying to knock Abu Garcia but as far as high end professional equipment goes, I think Daiwa has them beat.