Im one of those rare guys that loves bass fishing, I read a lot, study it, etc, etc. But I don't fish bass tournaments. I have heard of most of the pros and seen them on TV, but is there a better old school pro than Rick Clunn? I love hearing him talk and his old school, down to earth approach is something I really like.

Anyone know if he has written any books? I googled but didn't find anything. I like how he says he tries to dispel the myth to kids that you need a $50k boat to be a pro, or how they need to learn the water and seasonal patterns and not just fish waypoints or rely on their electronics for everything. He feels that being one in nature and in your environment is what really sets you apart. Pretty amazing man.

He's one of the older pros that has adapted and still can be competitive when everything lines up..

Rick Clunn is a seriously odd duck with all that yoga Buddha stuff but it sure works out for him

Gary Klein has been at it just as long but is little more grounded lol. Awesome angler and a great guy to bs with and not just about fishing he'll school ya on long range shooting too!

+1 the guy is a legend and has an amazing track record but he is definitely got an odd mindset in my book.

Spent a couple of hours talking with him before a boat show one night. Nice guy, a bit out there, but his performance speaks for itself. We talked about everything from kids to fishing.

And yes, there is a book but I can't remember the name of it. One of the best books I ever read on seasonal patterns and how to break down a lake

Ya, I agree with you on liking the old guys, in all sports for that matter. I loved it when a 40 year old pitcher wins the Cy Young award or the San Antonio Spurs go to the finals every year when they were over the hill with "one final run at a championship" 5-6 years ago. Always pull for the 'old guy" but I guess that's because I'm quickly becoming one! Clunn really is a strange cat though. Back when he was on top of the fishing world he would talk about his "Zen fishing" and "being one with nature" to the extreme that made him appear strange to say the least. To each his own but it does seem to work for him.

yea, it don't work for me. He's an odd duck IMO. He's not one of the olds I pull for. I love me some Denny Brauer though, Mark Davis and Tommy "the grouch" Biffle too. Love that guy!

I guess Roland Martin is about the same vintage as Rick Clunn. Roland won more classics and Ts than Rick or about anyone else, but Rick was a great fisherman. In my mind, he's sort of a hippie, but I don't mean that in a bad way, he's just way out there, strange, different. Went and talked to the native Indians one time, in his search to learn how to connect to nature. Indian told him if he wanted to find the owl, not to look for the owl, but look for the mouse. Good advice, i.e. don't look for the bass, look for the baitfish.

I'm intrigued by this sort of thing too I guess that's why he resonates well with me or something.

Rick Clunn definitely won more Classics than Roland, because Roland never won one (correct me if I'm wrong). Roland won 9 AOY titles, but never a Classic. Clunn and KVD are tied at 4 each for Classic wins.

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be fishing on the final day of the Lewisville Bass Open as a coangler. My boater was in 3rd and we were fishing jerkbaits close to the launch area. He was crushing the bass for the conditions. I look up and see a long haired guy walk up by himself and sit down on a rock where we were fishing. It was Rick Clunn! He sat there and watched us fish for at least 30 minutes. Rick had struggled only catching a couple small fish that weekend. It amazed me with all of his titles, wins and being voted one of the best ever that he was still out there watching/learning what the top guys were doing. It was a neat experience that I'll never forget and made me respect even more his approach and dedication to the sport in which he's made himself a legend.

Clunn is a pro. I spoke with him at bass pro a few years ago about myTV18. He was cordial, and answered my questions patiently..Then I watched him about beat the guide On Amistad two or three years ago..He can still whip dat azz..

Correct - BMC's Clunn has 4, Roland 0. AOY, Roland has 9, Clunn has 1. Total tournaments... I think "officially" Roland has 19, Clunn 17. Going back there were BM's, Opens, Red Mans, and of course Elites and FLW's, so not sure how they really count those.

There's the old saying, that many anglers say they would prefer to win AOY over the Classic, as it represents a season of excellence instead of "catching lightning in a bottle one week...", but then the Classic winner will say that's b/c those who say that just haven't won a Classic lol.

Since you've mentioned books, I've read Ike's, Denny's, Roland's, Tom Mann (sucked), Kvds (both) and a few others that the name escapes my memory right now. All have been worthwhile except for Manns, don't waste your time.

If you want to emulate Clunn you need to sleep outdoors near the water of the lake you plan to fish to better become one with nature...regardless of temp...