You've read the Brushpile for some time now, and look at you...you're ok.  Outside of that nervous tick, some abdominal spasms and a bit of nausea, you're just fine.  This week Keith Nighswonger descends on the unsuspecting people of Florida, to give us his first hand account of the 2006 Bassmaster Classic.  This week's Brushpiles will have a definite Classic tilt to them and we bet you will find them interesting.  By his own admission, Nighswonger is off to find the stories that you won't read about anywhere else.  If you go to the Classic, you may not see him, but rest assured he will be watching you.  There is no telling where he will show up, so be on your best behavior...... You've been warned! 

2/24/06 A Classic Melt Down/A Classic Trip-So Mike Iaconelli decides to go...."Iaconelli" and throws a tantrum that rivals any that we have ever seen.  I've seen worse, I have a six year old.   Upon discovering that he apparently had forgotten to set his live well pump correctly, Iaconelli discovered that several of the fish in his live well were nearly dead.  Responding as only a six year old could, Iaconelli proceeded to scream obscenities, grab the safety running light at the rear of boat, yank it out and bend it half, while throwing it to the ground.  This same safety running light also just happened to have an American flag attached to it.  While still exploding, he proceeded to grab a fish, that appeared to be nearly dead and to cull it.  Yes, this was one Classic Melt Down!  Oh, did I mention all of this happened with the cameras rolling?  

Now, several of us knew this happened, the tape was in the truck.  The question was, would this footage be shown to the bass fishing public?  It was.  There in front of the entire arena, the footage was shown.  In all of the anger, all of the crying, all of the obscenities, there it was.  I watched in the media room, I watched the face of the Berkley Rep, I watched the face of the Yamaha Rep.  "Wow, I'm glad he wasn't wearing our hat," another unnamed rep said.  Yes it was a melt down that would make the biggest babies in our sport green with envy.

There were lots of questions flying around the media room.

• Did Mike Iaconelli Disrespect The American Flag when it appeared he threw it towards the water in a huff?
• Did Mike Iaconelli Cull a dead fish?

Both actions bringing tremendous embarrassment to an organization trying to show it's best colors.

Enter Trip Weldon.  In a late hour press conference, Weldon, using measured words stated that Mike Iaconelli's weight for the day has been disqualified for violating the Sportsmanship clause in BASS rules that forbids anglers from using obscene language in front of spectators.  His weight was also disqualified because he damaged the boat's safety equipment.

In the middle of mayhem, there is the calm, certain, demeanor of Trip Weldon.  I realize that Weldon does not make these decisions by himself, nor should he.  But he is the messenger, and in one short three minute press conference, Iaconelli's behavior was dealt with.

Something clearly had to be done, Iaconelli could not be allowed to get away with that melt down.  Weldon delivered a perfect penalty for a perfect hissy fit.

• Did Mike Iaconelli Disrespect The American Flag?  No.  He disrespected himself, he disrespected our sport, he made a spectacle of himself.  He could not have been punished for disrespecting the American Flag.
• Did Mike Iaconelli Cull a dead fish?  There was not any evidence that the fish was dead.  It's color was still dark, and it appeared the gills did move slightly.  Would the fish have died?  Yes,  Did he cull a dead fish?  No, not technically.
• Was he punished fairly?  Darn Straight.