July 7, 2025, Pittsgrove, NJ. On Saturday, June 21st, The Ike Foundation® celebrated a milestone by hosting their 10th Annual Ike’s Pro-Am Bass Tournament on Chesapeake Bay in North East Maryland with almost 100 registered boats. Anglers from all over the region came out to support The Ike Foundation®’s largest fundraiser of the year with all proceeds going to support their mission to get more kids fishing and in the outdoors.
The summer heat didn’t stop the fish from biting. Taking top place were JT Lang and Andrew Wiley with an impressive 21.62 pounds. These gentlemen took home a brand-new Bass Cat boat and a stack of other prizes, generously donated by partners of The Ike Foundation®.
Cash and prizes were awarded to anglers finishing second through sixth place from partners; including Pro-Guide Batteries, Flambeau, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Bass University, Lowrance, Rod Warrior, Tackle Warehouse, AFTCO, Power-Pole, Nines and TH Marine.
Listed below are the 2025 Ike Foundation® Pro-Am Bass Tournament Winners:
First Place: Lang and Wiley-21.62 lbs
Second Place: Nave and Heivly-21.24 lbs
Third Place: Wilder and Arthur-20.97 lbs
Fourth Place: Mandes and Sandowski-20.06 lbs
Fifth Place: Donough and Ferretti-20.03 lbs
Six Place: Wilwerth and Valentine-19.39 lbs
Free Family Fun Fest on the Chesapeake!
While the anglers were busy fishing, and thanks to the generous support and partnership with Cecil County Tourism, American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Integrity Realtors, The Ike Foundation® team hosted the Free Family Fun Fest across the park along the scenic banks of the Chesapeake. 30+ volunteers from NJ, PA and MD came to hand out Abu Garcia rods and reels and Flambeau tackle boxes and work with kids on fishing skills. Catches of the day included a variety of species like bass, perch, blue gill, catfish and even carp. Each child at the event went home with a brand-new rod and reel, a Flambeau tackle box, and an awesome bag of fishing goodies. Many of these kids were introduced to fishing for the first time that day and our hope is that they left with a newfound interest in the activity.
Please check out additional images on The Ike Foundation® Facebook and Instagram pages! For more information about The Ike Foundation® and their programs, events or to make a donation go to https://theikefoundation.org/
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The Ike Foundation® appreciates the generous donations from individuals and partners, Pro-Guide Batteries, Flambeau, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Bass University, Lowrance, Rod Warrior, Tackle Warehouse, AFTCO, Power-Pole, Nines and TH Marine. A full list of partners can be found at https://theikefoundation.org/donors/
Founded in 2014 by professional bass angler Michael Iaconelli and his wife, Becky, the mission of The Ike Foundation® is to connect underserved boys and girls with fishing, fostering a passion for nature and outdoor activities. Our hands-on experiences provide a positive outlet for personal growth and instill a lifelong commitment to conservation and protecting our natural environment. We support youth fishing clubs, civic groups and charitable organizations that promote the sport of fishing, the ecology of the outdoors and the responsibility each person has to maintain our planet’s natural resources. The Ike Foundation® is approved by the IRS as a 501©(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. The Ike Foundation® is a non-profit organization and all proceeds from events go to The Ike Foundation®’s mission. Tax-deductible contributions are welcome and can be made on the website via credit card.
