Rick Clunn Bass Blaster Interview: Bass Fishing Legend Insists "I Never Retired" Before NPFL Return at Age 80
In a monumental "3 Questions" feature on the influential Bass Blaster newsletter, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn shared candid insights on his 2026 return to full-time tournament fishing with the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL)—and firmly rejected the notion that he's "unretiring."
Why Rick Clunn Never Really Retired
Clunn laughed off the "unretiring" label, telling Bass Blaster he never stepped away from the sport. The Covid years and personal losses sharpened his perspective: competitive bass fishing is what keeps him truly alive. Quoting Joseph Campbell—"It’s not the meaning of life we’re searching for, it’s how to become more alive"—Clunn explained that nothing challenges his mind and body like high-level tournaments.
"When I put my foot on the trolling motor, I immediately become 25 again," he said, a line his wife Melissa often repeats. Turning 80 next July, Clunn credits ongoing activity—especially his multi-day Legacy events—for strengthening his previously injured back. He now fishes smarter, pacing casts instead of grinding out thousands per day.
Rick Clunn on Livingston Lures and Sound Technology
Clunn revealed how his partnership with Livingston Lures began with a casual conversation at the most recent Bassmaster Classic with pro Byron Velvick and CEO Erick Arnoldson. First drawn to the people, he then appreciated the brand's comprehensive hard-bait lineup and its unique electronic baitfish sound technology.
Initially skeptical, Clunn revisited his own 25-year-old research on bass lateral lines and became convinced the sound provides a real edge—especially during pauses when traditional lures go silent. "It can mean 2–3 more fish a day," he said, a critical margin in tournament bass fishing.
His current favorites:
- Prymetime 2.0 CB coffin-bill crankbait for superior deflection
- Walking Boss topwater (the same model Laker Howell used to win on Joe Wheeler)
The Bass Blaster interview underscores Clunn's enduring passion and sharp intellect as he gears up for the NPFL season. Central to his continued success is Livingston Lures' innovative electronic baitfish sound technology, which activates natural distress calls during pauses—turning dead-stick moments into prime strike windows. For a competitor like Clunn, who has long understood the power of subtlety and bass curiosity, this proven edge reinforces why the brand has earned a permanent spot in his arsenal.
Livingston Lures
