This may be the last photograph of Rick Clunn with a spinning rod in his hand. Not actually, though. According to a 1988 story in “The Oklahoman,” Rick Clunn is credited with coining the term “sissy bait,” a term he used when referring to some of his winning tactics in the 1986 U.S. Open press conference. What we now know and refer to as “finesse” fishing, it has been a pretty rare sight over the years to see Rick with a spinning rod in hand, let alone two.
This photo was published in 1978 and comes from “World Championship Bass Fishing,” a book he and Steve Price collaborated on shortly after Rick had won back-to-back Bass Masters Classic titles as well as the 1977 BASS Champs event held on Percy Priest Reservoir. If you haven’t read this book, we highly recommend you do so.
