Later in his career, Rick got a little out there with the whole Zen thing. He was best in the first 70% of his career but most are. It’s a tough, grinding sport to be on a pro trail.

Got to give him credit for pioneering the sport. When he decide to quit his job and fish for a living there wasn’t a path set to do that. Huge risk that he took. Today there is a pretty clear path. Not an easy path but definitely more clear. The fact that he could continue on the trail to his current age of 76 is pretty amazing. 504 BASS tournaments. 4 Classic Wins, 317 times in the money. Money ratio was much higher the first 35 of his 46 years. Won his last Elite Series in 2019. Many fish the series and never win an event.

Super legend in the sport.

This. ^^^^^

A few years ago I was getting on in age and was just about to wind down my tournament fishing. Had been fishing for 30 or so years and was wondering if I had reached the time of quiting. I still had fun and felt good and still had a real desire to compete but just realized I wasn't real competitive but didn't really put a lot of effort into it also. I have been watching Rick Clunn from day one and still have some old 8 track tapes of the old Bassmaster shows when he was in his prime. Then about the time I was wondering what to do all of a sudden in 2013 he has a shootout with Keith Combs for a 2nd place finish at Falcon Lake which really caught my eye. Then in 2016 he wins the Elite series event on the St. Johns RIver. Then he repeats that win again on the St. Johns River in 2019 at age 72. These years watching him be this competetive at his age opened my eyes and showed me that age is just a number and his saying "Never accept that your best moments are in your past!" really took on new meaning. And even though it took me a while to come to the fact that fishing a limited schedule and not being very competitive I have found that I am having some of the best times of my tournament fishing after following this man who has achieved so much and believe me there is no way I can see anyone ever win or even be fishing at his age and believe his recent retirement just capped off the greatest career of any angler ever.

He’s always inspired me. Im 69 years old and every year I wonder if I have it in me to keep tournament fishing. I see how active he is with the hiking and all the outdoor stuff he does. So my wife talked me into doing triathlons a few years ago. I dont think I would have even tried if it weren’t for him. Now I swim bike run all the time and I can still fish 8 hours without a seat to prop me up. Thanks Rick, you inspire people you have never met!

Man you sure are bitter over something your mom and dad did to or didn't do for you...