What: Planned in partnership with Berkley Fishing, Ike’s Fishing 101 is a free entry-level fishing clinic, designed to give families and young anglers the information they need to be successful when fishing. Though fishing is ideally an activity to bring people together, during the COVID-19 pandemic fishing also serves as an ideal social-distancing activity that gets participants outdoors where they can reap the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. Sales data from the last month shows that sales of entry level rod and reel combos are soaring, indicating that more people are embracing fishing during this time. This clinic is meant to help them be more successful—and have more fun—on the water.

When: 2 p.m. (Eastern) daily beginning on Monday, April 20 and running through Friday, April 24. Each episode will last approximately one hour.

Where: Live episodes will be broadcast via Facebook Live on the Mike Iaconelli Fishing Facebook page (@MikeIaconelliFishing) and the Mike Iaconelli Instagram page (@mikeiaconelli). A Facebook and/or Instagram account will be needed for access to live episodes. There are no costs or fees associated with participation in the clinic.

Host: Mike Iaconelli, a native of southern New Jersey, is a fan favorite professional angler with more than 20 years of professional competition to his credit. Iaconelli competes on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour and is the only angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. In addition to competing at the highest levels of professional bass fishing, Iaconelli is driven to grow the sport of fishing with his own entertainment, education and charitable organizations: The Bass University, Ike Live Podcast, Going Ike YouTube Series and The Ike Foundation®. Iaconelli is host of the television show, “City Limits” on the Pursuit Channel and “Fish My City with Mike Iaconelli” on NatGeo Wild.

Curriculum:  Episode 1 — Let’s Try Fishing
Fishing provides a great connection to nature and the outdoors. Fishing teaches lots of basic skills as well as important life lessons. Fishing can also be the ultimate form of social distancing. Fishing is easy to learn and a lot of fun

Episode 2 — Basic Fishing Gear
The great thing about fishing is you don’t need a ton of specialized gear or a lot of money to get started. Just a rod and reels, some fishing line and a little bit of tackle. This episode will explain fishing gear and where to get it.

Episode 3 — Preparing Your Fishing Gear
Before heading out for your first fishing trip, prepare gear for a great day on the water by setting up a rod and reel, learning to attach bobbers and weights with basic knots and how to hold a rod and reel correctly. Practicing at home is fun, too!

Episode 4 — Finding a Fishing Spot
Finding a fishing spot near your home can be easy. Doesn’t matter if you live in the country, in the suburbs or in a city. The great thing about both freshwater and saltwater fish species is that they are highly adaptable and can live in a wide variation of places. And don’t worry if you don’t have a boat as there are plenty of places where you can fish from the bank.

Episode 5 — Let’s Go Fishing
In the final episode, Mike Iaconelli takes his family to the water to put into use all the information learned throughout the course. Topics will include what to do once you get to your fishing location, picking a spot, making the cast, detecting bites, setting the hook and reeling in the fish.