Met Rick Clunn

[stratos268v]

 I went to BPS in Destin Florida this weekend and met Rick Clunn.  He gave a brief seminar on Bass fishing and gave some great tips.  Here are a few that stuck out in my mind:

- He fishes the same rod for every application.  For example, he says he doesn't use a different rod of cranking, swim bait, jigs, top water, and spinner bait.  He says as long as it is seven foot, that's all that matters.

- He uses mono line for almost 90% of all of his reels.  

This fits right up my alley.  I want to use different rods for different applications, but I can't afford to do so. Also, I love mono line, its more manageable for me.  I tried braided and Flouro but they don't work as well for me.  I'll stick to mono.  

 Thought I'd share this with you all to get your opinions on this...

NJD  

[skillet]

 Thanks! Never heard that about him...

skillet

[1inStripes]

I believe he mentioned both the single rod type and mono line preference in one of the more recent episodes of The Bass Pros Art of Angling segment.  Simply using the KISS method I guess.  Something I should do.

[senile1]

I believe he mentioned both the single rod type and mono line preference in one of the more recent episodes of The Bass Pros Art of Angling segment. Simply using the KISS method I guess. Something I should do.

Yes, in an episode from 2008 he discussed this topic.  If I'm not mistaken I believe he stated that he used the same action for every technique.  While I can understand this for a number of techniques, I think some require specific rod actions to achieve the most success.  I prefer to have either a specific rod action or a specific type of line for some of the finesse techniques, drop-shotting, deep cranking, and flippin' heavy brush.  But then my fishing success doesn't compare to Rick Clunn's.    Each to his own, I guess.

[J Francho]

Clunn has used different equipment in special situations.  At the urging of other pros, he used a medium/moderate rods and fluorocarbon fishing cranks for smallmouth on Erie.  His starting point, and philosophy though is built on identical rods, with identical reels, and identical mono.  The theory is once he's accustomed to a bait, then that consistency of his rig can be relied on while fishing.  I personally think 90% of my fishing can be done with a 7' MH/F rod, though I couldn't stick to one line material, and defintily wouldn't be without my two spinning rigs, my heavy cover rig, and my cranking rids.  i could probably delete my TW/shlashbait rig, but its just to sweet not to use.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I have used this analogy before, but nothing has changed:

Tiger Woods would beat every golfer in the world, other than those

on tour, using nothing but a putter or 7 iron. That doesn't make it

the best choice for anyone else.

Although I agree with J Francho's choice for one rod fishing, using

technique specific equipment is simply more fun for me. I think three

rigs is the "magic number", but I have a few more...

:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

[Uncle Leo]

I just can not imagine being able to use one rod for all techniques. I would have to agree with RW on this one. I would need at least three different outfits. 6' 6" Med Mod rod.  6' 6"MH Fast both baitcasting and a nd a 6' 6" Med Fast Spinning outfit as a minimum.

[TommyBass]

I generally use all the same rods for all techniques as well.  Most of my rods are 7' MH and I generally use only mono, although flourocarbon or light mono are required in very clear water.  I have acquired several different reels but I don't think they really matter as much other than ratios.  To me, having too many different setups can just make things more confusing and at times can limit your fishing abilities more than they expand them.  

[David P]

Old people have trouble adjusting to new technology  ;D

[Fish MD]

I think that man, however great he is, has smoked a little too much payote in his day.

[SnowBass23]

- He fishes the same rod for every application. For example, he says he doesn't use a different rod of cranking, swim bait, jigs, top water, and spinner bait. He says as long as it is seven foot, that's all that matters.

I find that interesting because he has his own line of BPS rod/reels matched to a specific task.  They even say "Topwater", "Crankbait", and so forth on them!  But, simpler is usually easier (just maybe not as much fun!).

[21farms]

i have a bass pro shops rick clunn rod: the 7-foot worm/drop shot model. just by this rod, i can tell he believes in using one rod because this is different than any other worm rod out there. most technique-specific worm rods are either 6'6" or 7'0", are medium-heavy and have extra-fast actions. i'd say that the rick clunn rod is much closer to moderate-fast. interestingly, i should be using this rod for a bunch of different things then but i've found just the opposite...i hardly use it at all, preferring the traditional tapers/actions for the different specific-techniques. i guess it is the ol' jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none thing.

[Catt]

60% of all technique specific tackle be it rods, reels, line, hooks, lures or what ever is nothing more than hype aimed at hooking the angler.

Why y'all think the bass fishing industry when from patches sewn on a vest to computer printed jerseys and from stickers to completely wrapped boats? To get y'all to buy a product!

When asked why he makes worms in so many different colors Tom Mann answered To catch the angler, a bass has never put a penny in my pocket.

Today's angles are more concerned with what instead of where which is why most are non-productive.

[Muddy]

Gotta love this Cajun! Right on the money. Too bad I didn't hold on to more of my money learning this lesson 8-)

[senile1]

60% of all technique specific tackle be it rods, reels, line, hooks, lures or what ever is nothing more than hype aimed at hooking the angler.

Why y'all think the bass fishing industry when from patches sewn on a vest to computer printed jerseys and from stickers to completely wrapped boats? To get y'all to buy a product!

When asked why he makes worms in so many different colors Tom Mann answered To catch the angler, a bass has never put a penny in my pocket.

Today's angles are more concerned with what instead of where which is why most are non-productive.

I agree wholeheartedly.  I also agree with RW that it is fun to use specific rods for techniques they were designed for.  

[deadeye32.]

Clunn strikes me as one of those guys who can argue both points of a topic. One day he might say use the same rods and the next, you need to use technique specific rods.  I like his art of angling spot on Bass Pros, but I think he can over think situations at times also.