The leaderboard has changed a lot today, but as of 11 a.m., Mike Iaconelli and Tyler Rivet shared the unofficial BassTrakk lead at 35 pounds, 4 ounces.
Who knows how long either or both will remain in that position, but regardless of how this day, or the tournament pans out, these two anglers share an indelible connection that you’ll find on Rivet’s right bicep.
“Never give up.”
Rivet’s tattoo bears multiple meanings, as we reported during last year’s Bassmaster Classic coverage, but the root inspiration came from the famous phrase Iaconelli shouted during his 2003 Bassmaster Classic win on the Louisiana Delta.
Notably, Iaconelli won the 2002 Georgia BASSMASTER Tour event on Seminole. Rivet earned his first Elite trophy last week at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee.
Iaconelli would, no doubt, love to notch another win here, while Rivet’s surely gunning for his second blue trophy.
One thing’s for certain: Neither one will ever give up.
