Hall of Famers Randy Moss and Rick Clunn Team Up

Clunn is considered the greatest professional tournament bass angler of all time. Clunn is a four-time Bassmaster Classic champion, Bassmaster Angler of the Year 1988, two-time U.S. Open winner, Redman All-American winner, plus owns 14 Bassmaster Invitationals, Opens, Megabucks and Elite Series wins. And those are just the victories. Now, think about stats like qualifying for the most consecutive Bassmaster Classics—28 in a row (1974-2001), the most Classics fished at 32 with half of those ending in Top 10 finishes, the largest margin of victory in a Bassmaster Classic—25 pounds, 8 ounces in 1984, over $2.6 million in B.A.S.S. winnings, and one of the first anglers ever inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (Class of 2001).

I would love to have been in the boat with those two amazing competitors—to overhear any strategic discussions or just observe how they react to unexpected challenges and changing conditions throughout the tournament.

I did observe them on stage at the award ceremony and got just a taste of what I assume was happening on the boat. The mutual respect was apparent.

The ever analytical and observant Clunn said, “What I love about this [event], physically, everything we do in our two sports is different, but I love the fact that the mental part is really very similar. It intrigues me to get into his (Moss’) mind and share the psychological part of the sport.”

Moss said, “I’ve enjoyed bass fishing my whole life. I’m excited to have the opportunity to be here with a legend (Clunn) and the other bass anglers I watch week in and week out, and go out and try to win a championship. It was a great opportunity and a pleasure to fish with a legend like this.”

While I understand and appreciate the spectacle of events like this pro-am, and know it’s really just for fun, I do love to see top level achievers like this and just try to gain a little insight into what makes them tick. I hope this event can become a regular part of the Bassmaster Classic’s week of activities and celebration. I’m trying to picture a pairing that could top Moss and Clunn and I’m wondering if that’s even possible.

Oh, and I nearly forgot the reporter part of my job. The super team ended up in second place in the tournament. Like they say in all sports, there's always next year.