Looking back at Clunn’s career

Rick Clunn was born in 1946, and he began fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments in 1974. His impressive career with B.A.S.S. includes 416 tournaments, 32 Bassmaster Classic appearances, four Bassmaster Classic wins and one Angler of the Year title.
Rick Clunn was born in 1946, and he began fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments in 1974. His impressive career with B.A.S.S. includes 416 tournaments, 32 Bassmaster Classic appearances, four Bassmaster Classic wins and one Angler of the Year title.
Clunn made his first big splash in B.A.S.S. competition in 1976. After a Top 10 finish during the 1975 Classic on the Currituck Sound, Clunn hooked his first Classic win on Lake Guntersville in 1976.
Clunn made his first big splash in B.A.S.S. competition in 1976. After a Top 10 finish during the 1975 Classic on the Currituck Sound, Clunn hooked his first Classic win on Lake Guntersville in 1976.
The 1976 Classic title gave notice to the sport of bass fishing that a talented newcomer was definitely ready to make some noise.
The 1976 Classic title gave notice to the sport of bass fishing that a talented newcomer was definitely ready to make some noise.
In 1977 Clunn collected two tournament Top 5s and ended up winning the Bassmaster Classic again.
In 1977 Clunn collected two tournament Top 5s and ended up winning the Bassmaster Classic again.
Clunn became the first angler to win back-to-back Bassmaster Classics in the burgeoning sport of bass fishing.
Clunn became the first angler to win back-to-back Bassmaster Classics in the burgeoning sport of bass fishing.
Surprisingly, it only took a total of 27 pounds, 7 ounces for Clunn to secure the Classic victory on Lake Toho in October.
Surprisingly, it only took a total of 27 pounds, 7 ounces for Clunn to secure the Classic victory on Lake Toho in October.
The weights were not so light for Clunn's commanding 1984 Classic win on the Arkansas River. On Day 1, his seven-bass limit weighed 24 pounds, 12 ounces. His Day 2 catch of 23-8 gave him a 15 1/2-pound lead. Day 3 he posted a tournament best 27-5 and won the Classic with a margin of victory of more than 25 pounds.
The weights were not so light for Clunn’s commanding 1984 Classic win on the Arkansas River. On Day 1, his seven-bass limit weighed 24 pounds, 12 ounces. His Day 2 catch of 23-8 gave him a 15 1/2-pound lead. Day 3 he posted a tournament best 27-5 and won the Classic with a margin of victory of more than 25 pounds.
After six Top 10 finishes in 1987, Clunn stayed competitive in 1988 winning an Angler of the Year title. The AOY win was built on a victory at the 1988 Arkansas Invitational and two more Top 10 finishes during the season.
After six Top 10 finishes in 1987, Clunn stayed competitive in 1988 winning an Angler of the Year title. The AOY win was built on a victory at the 1988 Arkansas Invitational and two more Top 10 finishes during the season.
Capturing a Classic win in his third straight decade, Clunn was pretty in pink when accepting the 1990 Bassmaster Classic trophy. He claimed his fourth Classic victory on the James River with a weight of 34-5.
Capturing a Classic win in his third straight decade, Clunn was pretty in pink when accepting the 1990 Bassmaster Classic trophy. He claimed his fourth Classic victory on the James River with a weight of 34-5.
During the 2000s, the sport of bass fishing exploded to national prominence in part due to ESPN's ownership of B.A.S.S. Clunn was commonly seen during ESPN's coverage of bass fishing and outdoor sports.
During the 2000s, the sport of bass fishing exploded to national prominence in part due to ESPN’s ownership of B.A.S.S. Clunn was commonly seen during ESPN’s coverage of bass fishing and outdoor sports.
Through the decade, Clunn made it to the Classic in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 (shown) and 2009.
Through the decade, Clunn made it to the Classic in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 (shown) and 2009.
His highest finish was fourth in the 2000 Classic held in July on Lake Michigan.
His highest finish was fourth in the 2000 Classic held in July on Lake Michigan.
Clunn was still turning in impressive finishes more than 30 years into his fishing career.
Clunn was still turning in impressive finishes more than 30 years into his fishing career.
Even so, his only two tournament victories in the 2000s were the 2001 Bassmaster Megabucks on Douglas Lake and a 2002 Central Open win on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
Even so, his only two tournament victories in the 2000s were the 2001 Bassmaster Megabucks on Douglas Lake and a 2002 Central Open win on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
Old school met new school on the tournament waters. There was no doubt a new generation of angler had arrived, succeeded and driven bass fishing's popularity.
Old school met new school on the tournament waters. There was no doubt a new generation of angler had arrived, succeeded and driven bass fishing’s popularity.
Over the past three seasons, Clunn has mainly found success in the heart of the U.S.
Over the past three seasons, Clunn has mainly found success in the heart of the U.S.
In 2013-2015, Clunn notched Top 10 Opens and Elite finishes in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
In 2013-2015, Clunn notched Top 10 Opens and Elite finishes in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
Now one of the most seasoned anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series will look to learn new techniques to improve his finishes and wrap up his fishing career on top.
Now one of the most seasoned anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series will look to learn new techniques to improve his finishes and wrap up his fishing career on top.