🎣 The Ike Live Podcast: Ben Milliken Talks Elites, Controversy & The Future of Fishing 🎣

On this episode of Ike Live, Bassmaster Classic Champion Mike Iaconelli (Ike) sits down with Milliken to talk all things fishing—and plenty beyond. They cover:

🎣 Life at the Elite Level – What Milliken has learned in his sophomore season

Big bass hunter Ben Milliken has built a massive following for his relentless pursuit of giants, but his journey has been anything but ordinary. From earning a Bassmaster Elite Series invite through the Open EQs to stirring up debates on forward-facing sonar (FFS), Milliken isn’t afraid to shake things up. And recently, a run-in with Texas authorities put him back in the headlines.

Whether you’re a hardcore angler or just love a good fishing story, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧

Listen now on Podbean! 🚀

Tune in as Mike Iaconelli & Becky Iaconelli recap 2024. It's going to be an exciting show, as we also have some BIG news to share!

Rob Newell shares insights from his new book, discussing sponsorships and the importance of friendship in fishing. The conversation reflects on the changes in tournament fishing, the impact of technology on the sport, and the nostalgia for its golden era. Newell emphasizes the significance of thorough research in writing and the need to introduce fishing to urban youth, promoting outdoor experiences and conservation efforts.

Ike dives in with Jay Kumar and Brian Brasher to discuss how journalism has changed through the years. Do they think AI has killed their industry and professions as they once knew them? Can Bass Blaster and BASSmaster ride this new wave????

Get ready for a live tournament bass fishing conversation with three standout Bassmaster Elite Series pros—Mike Iaconelli, Bill Lowen, and 2024 rookie Kyle Patrick! Mike Iaconelli, a seasoned Elite veteran, Bassmaster Classic champion & Angler of the Year, brings unmatched insight into the evolution of the sport. Bill Lowen, known as "Turtle," is a fan favorite with a rock-solid career marked by resilience and consistency. Rounding out the panel, Kyle Patrick is the newest face on the tour, navigating the modern tournament scene as a rookie in 2024. Together, they’ll dive into how the rookie experience has changed across different eras of bass fishing.

It's another awesome episode of Ike Live Bass Fishing Talk Show & Podcast, brought to you by Abu Garcia. This is Mischief Night with Bass After Dark crew members Ken Duke and Brian The Carpenter. The hosts & guests share personal stories of youthful pranks. The importance of audience engagement is emphasized, alongside discussions on bass fishing, including challenges and community efforts. The big news, Bassmaster Elites drop entry fees, so they can fish tournaments for free! The conversation also features humorous takes on failed fishing slogans and promotes Bass U TV ( https://bassu.tv )as a resource for improving fishing skills.

Oh geez this could be dangerous as these two drink a beer and sound off on all things bass fishing... For those who don't know, James "JMFW" Watson is currently suspended from Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour until Santa comes in 2025 to restore his fishing privileges. As James tells it, his love of fishing boat docks was his undoing. Watch this bass fishing video discussion to see what gets stirred up, warning, it could get messy!

Today on Ike Live we have my buddy and soon to be Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Mark Zona! We discuss old times, the future, and everything in between! Plus a BIG Announcement from Mark! You DON'T want to miss this one!

Let's discuss where everyone's heads and hearts are these days with all the latest developments and rules changes (related to live sonar and not) over the last couple of weeks in fishing. NPFL, then BASS, then MLF made their decisions about rules for 2025, then there may have been some second guessing.

Today we have on Frank Scalish! You may know him as Uncle Frank! I get to catch up with Frank and discuss the state of the fishing industry. Has it peaked? Will it ever be as good as it was in the late 90's early 2000's.