Inductee

Rick Clunn (1946—) Rick Clunn’s five-decade career as a professional angler stands as a model of longevity, innovation and on-the-water success. Indeed, even two decades after his 2001 induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Clunn continued not only competing at the sport’s highest level, but also winning on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail. While he wasn’t the first angler to win two Bassmaster Classics – that was achieved by fellow 2001 Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Murray – he was the first to win four.

Along with the Classic wins, Clunn’s other achievements are numerous and legendary. He was the first competitor to win back-to-back Classics, achieving that feat in 1976 and 1977 on Lake Guntersville and the Kissimmee Chain, respectively. He also earned the Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 1988, and won two U.S. Open titles on Lake Mead as well as the Red Man All-American. The Classic titles alone would have made him a shoo-in for the Hall, but his 12 other B.A.S.S. wins, and three FLW Tour victories just cemented his undeniable case. He also appeared in five Forrest Wood Cups and at one point qualified for 28 consecutive Bassmaster Classics.

While the wins and titles speak for themselves, Clunn’s other major influence on the competitive angling world has been to explore and expand the “mental side” of the sport. He has examined and utilized influences and techniques from a variety of walks of life, and developed an “Anglers Quest” curriculum aimed at sharing what he’d learned. He also took advanced classes in wilderness survival to further hone his understanding of the natural world.

Clunn was born in California and subsequently called New Mexico and Missouri home, but he is best identified with Texas, where he learned to fish under the tutelage of his father Holmes Clunn, and at the side of his “brother,” fellow Bassmaster pro Randy Fite. First, he fished local and regional tournaments as a member of the Pasadena Bass Club, but the growing national bass scene tempted him and eventually he had to decide whether to leave a comfortable job working as a computer programmer for Exxon in order to chase his dreams. In 1974 he traveled to Lake Sam Rayburn, where he finished 24th in his first Bassmaster tournament, earning $275. Meanwhile, he continued to guide on Lake Conroe, and honed his skills even as his bank account dwindled. While he fished both the 1974 and 1975 Classics, he was struggling to break through financially until he won the first of his four Classic trophies in 1976.

When Clunn won his third Bassmaster Classic championship, on the Arkansas River in the summer of 1984, he blew away the field with a three-day catch of 75 pounds 9 ounces, beating his nearest competitor by over 25 pounds. As he stood on the stage to collect his trophy, flanked by future Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, he talked about how he was the living embodiment of the American success story: “Only in America can we follow our dream of chasing little green fish,” he said.

That wasn’t the end of the line for Clunn, not by any stretch of the imagination. Six years later he mounted a furious final-day charge using crankbaits of his own design to win Classic number four on Virginia’s James River, in the third consecutive year that B.A.S.S. visited the historic venue. Indeed, while Clunn has rightfully been known for his attention to the psychological aspects of competition, he has repeatedly been at the forefront of tackle development as well. He was influenced heavily in his square bill use by Fred Young’s original Big O crankbait, and along with other East Texans like fellow Lake Conroe guide Zell Rowland he was instrumental in the revival and popularization of the Pop-R. Those two techniques later led to the RC series of crankbaits and to the Rico topwater from Lobina Lures, respectively. He was also a pioneer of clear-water spinnerbaiting; one of his U.S. Open wins came burning a translucent-skirted lure where few others would have thought to try that.

Clunn continued to compete effectively well past the age when most of his peers either saw their skills atrophy or retired, or both. He won a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Florida’s St. Johns River in 2016, just a few months shy of his 70th birthday. Indicative of the immense respect he received from his competitors, many younger anglers who did not qualify for the cut days stayed around to see him hoist the trophy, and several vied to carry his weigh-in bag to the holding tanks. After the victory, he implored the crowd to “Never accept that all of your best moments are behind you.” Indeed, those words proved not only inspirational, but also prophetic. Three years later, on that same fishery, Clunn hoisted the trophy once again, this time marking his 16th B.A.S.S. win.

In 1972, feeling the need to expand his fishing knowledge, Mr. Nixon moved to Toledo Bend Reservoir, on the Louisiana/Texas border, where he honed his skills in locating and catching trophy bass.

In 1977, feeling that his skill level was proficient enough, to allow him to compete, he joined the B.A.S.S. tournament trail and thus began one of the most successful careers in tournament bass angling.

Since joining the B.A.S.S. circuit, he won two B.A.S.S. “Angler-of-the-Year” titles; 14 tournaments; qualified for 23 Bassmaster Classics and he won the 1983 Bassmasters Classic.

He has also won four B.A.S.S. Megabucks tournament and unbelievably, he won three of those events in a row.

With all of these accomplishments, the one title that will follow him, the rest of his life, is the fact that he became the first one million dollar winner, in prize money, along the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society’s tournament trail.

In case you think this individual is nothing more than a fishing machine, think again. Along with all of his credentials in bass fishing, he’s also hosted his own television show for three years and he’s been honored by being inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame and into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

While having fished all of his life, Mr. Murray came to the national fishing public’s attention when he won his first B.A.S.S. tournament, on Lake Eufaula, This was only the beginning of a storied career for this outstanding multi-species angler.

During his life, he has won over 40 regional and national tournaments, he’s received Master Angler status in alaska, for trout and salmon, and has landed trophy saltwater species, including a 964-pound tuna.

The single accomplishment that brought his name to national attention was his winning the very first Bassmasters Classic, in 1971, on Lake Mead, NV.

As much as this victory sealed his name in the record books, he proved, by winning the 1978 Bassmasters Classic, on Ross Barnett Reservoir, that he would attain legendary status.

In 1989 he was honored with an induction into the National Sport Fishing Hall of Fame; and in 1994 was elected to the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame.

When he was listed in the Living Legends of American Sport Fishing, author Larry Columbo said, “this angler is one of the true superstars of American sport fishing. His excellent reputation, along with his proven skills, put him among the elite class of anglers.”

William G. “Bill” Dance  It would be difficult to argue Bill Dance is the most recognized bass angler of all time. Even folks who have never made a cast recognize the friendly face under his iconic white and orange Tennessee Volunteer baseball cap — thanks to more than 2,000 airings of “Bill Dance Outdoors”, which first hit television in 1968.

However it’s critically important to understand Dance’s credibility on TV is based on one of the all-time great tournament careers, that very fittingly, includes him being credited with catching the very first bass ever in the history of B.A.S.S..

That fish ultimately began a streak of Dance winning 7 of the first 17 Bassmaster events he entered – and (3) highly respected B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles.

He also qualified for the Bassmaster Classic an impressive 8 of the 9 years he competed on the B.A.S.S. circuit.

No doubt, had Dance chosen to continue competing he was poised to set B.A.S.S. records that may have never been broken. Instead he chose TV – and the fishing universe is no doubt a better and more educated place because of his teachings.

His unique talent for communicating his knowledge of bass movements and seasonal behavior, along with lure selection, rod and reel selection, and a bit of biology and ecology too made Bill the favorite ‘on air fishing guide’ for millions.

But perhaps his greatest magic resided in his natural down-to-earth demeanor that made it feel as though your favorite uncle was taking you fishing while you watched from your living room.

“C’mon on here you fat-bellied rascal” was the sort of down-home statement Bill would utter to make viewers grin and feel at home, while they gained a half-hour of educational fishing entertainment.

On his side of the lens – that took way more hard work than how he made it look.

Well past age 70, and after 50 incredible years on TV, Bill and his camera crew were not only filming in freshwater, but harsher saltwater too, and a single half-hour show often required three days of filming.

In addition to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, Bill Dance is also a member of the National Freshwater Hall of Fame, the IGFA Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

All phenomenal credentials, and ironic too, given the fact Dance grew up believing he would likely become a doctor like his father and grandfather. He was actually enrolled in medical school, but the sight of horrific motorcycle crash changed his mind.

All who call themselves bass anglers can be thankful for that fateful change of heart. It lead to a career than spanned more than 50 years, touched the hearts and minds of literally millions, and ultimately made Dance the most recognized face in bass fishing of all time.

Dance is the husband to longtime wife Dianne, and father to four children. He makes his home near Memphis in the suburb of Collierville, where his television production studios are also based.

Homer Circle (1915—2012) has fished over much of four continents and written about the world’s great sport fish. However, it has been his devotion to the bass that brings him to the Hall of Fame. He began his journalistic career, when he worked as the Public Relations Manager for the Daisy Air-Rifle Company, of Rogers, AR. His natural talent, easy-going personality and mild demeanor allowed him to blend in with everyone he came in contact with. In 1964, the world famous Sports Afield recognized his talents by naming him Angling Editor, a position he held for more than 36 years.

Writing about fishing and chasing sport fish around the world, are only a part of this man’s abilities. Over the years, he has held four world records for different fish species.

Mr. Circle’s outdoors accomplishments include: Past President of the Outdoor Writers Association of America; the only member to have ever received the O.W.A.A.’s top three awards. He is a former Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner; the recipient of the Jaycee Service Award and the International Game Fish Association’s fellowship award.

If that’s not enough, this man has hosted three national television shows, on fishing, during his life; he has authored seven books; and has starred in more than 50 fishing films, one of which, every avid bass angler in the world has seen, Big Mouth.

When asked what his greatest accomplishments have been, he states “I think that I’ve been bountifully endowed because of two enduring blessings, my child bride of over 60 years, Gayle, and my unique profession”.

Mr. Circle passed away at the age of 97 in June 2012

Ray Scott (1933-2022 ) — Ray Scott’s All-American Bass Tournament in June 1967 on Beaver Lake, Arkansas, is remembered as the seminal event in modern bass fishing, even though it wasn’t the first bass tournament in history. However, his subsequent tournaments — the Dixie Invitational on Smith Lake, Alabama, in October 1967, and the Seminole Lunker on Lake Seminole, Georgia, in February 1968 — may have been more impactful in that they marked the launch of the first professional bass tournament circuit.

It’s one thing to get 106 diehard bass fishermen to pay $100 for the right to fish a three-day tournament, as they did at Beaver Lake. It’s quite another to get them to return, again and again.

Before long, Scott’s fishing derbies became proving grounds for numerous advancements in gear and tactics, and created widespread demand for the newest boats, outboards, trolling motors, electronic devices and even tow vehicles.

In the beginning, Scott just wanted to raise the national profile of bass fishing to be, as he said, “on par with golf.” He did that and more — he created a sport that eventually would be the main driver in a massive sportfishing industry that generates more than $125 billion in economic impact and provides some 800,000 jobs.

His brainchild, the Bassmaster Classic, has become the biggest event in sportfishing and has earned the nickname, “the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.” With attendance regularly surpassing 100,000 each year, the Classic Outdoors Expo has become one of the main venues for manufacturers to introduce new products to the buying public.

In addition to his tournament trail, Scott began to organize America’s bass anglers, launching the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and its membership magazine, Bassmaster, at the beginning of 1968. Soon afterward, he and others, including up-and-coming professional anglers John Powell and Roland Martin, set off on a nine-month tour of the nation, presenting 101 seminars on advanced bass fishing. Packed auditoriums drew each community’s most dedicated anglers, and they formed bass clubs that became affiliated with B.A.S.S. through what is now known as the B.A.S.S. Nation.

Scott used the clubs and the growing clout of his membership to promote conservation and wise fisheries management. When B.A.S.S. filed antipollution lawsuits against more than 200 companies nationwide, Scott was interviewed on national news programs and by major newspaper journalists. The crusade has been credited as the impetus for establishing the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and passing the Clean Water Act of 1972.

His best-known contribution to fisheries conservation was no doubt the introduction of the catch-and-release ethic to bass fishing. Beginning in 1972, aerated livewells were required in B.A.S.S. tournament boats, and anglers were incented to keep their catch alive. As a direct result, bass anglers today release all or most of the bass they catch.

In 1984, Scott convinced then-Vice President George H.W. Bush to help secure passage of the Wallop-Breaux Amendment to the excise tax-funded Sportfish Restoration program. The fund in recent years has generated more than $350 million for boating access, fish restoration and other state-run fisheries projects.

Scott met Bush while the latter was campaigning for President of the United States in 1979. The two connected instantly, and Scott was tapped to serve as Bush’s Alabama State Campaign Chairman. According to Scott’s biography, The B.A.S.S. Boss, by Robert Boyle, demonstrations Scott organized on behalf of Bush helped secure his friend’s selection as Ronald Reagan’s running mate during the Republican National Convention in 1980.

Bush (a 2016 inductee into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame) visited Scott’s homes in Montgomery and Pintlala, Alabama, where they fished on Scott’s well-stocked lakes. Bush later used the “bully pulpit” of the presidency to promote fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation, and he told the New York Times that his favorite periodical was Bassmaster Magazine.

Dedicated to boating safety, Scott began requiring contestants to wear life preservers any time their outboards were running, and he pushed to make the “kill switch” a standard safety feature on boats. He was instrumental in creation and passage of the Boating Safety Reform Act in 1994, which made Alabama among the first states to require boat operator certification. He was appointed to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council by then-President Jimmy Carter and was inducted into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame in 2002.

For those and many other achievements, Scott was listed — along with President Teddy Roosevelt, Rachel Carson and Aldo Leopold — by Field & Stream Magazine as one of 20 people who did the most to influence outdoor sports in the 20th Century. Outdoor Life named the formation of B.A.S.S. as one of the Top 10 fishing innovations of the past century.

He has received countless other awards for his achievements during his 50 years in the bass fishing industry, but one that may have meant the most to him was the Horatio Alger Award, which he received in 2003 for overcoming adversity to achieve the “American Dream.” Born during the height of the Depression, Scott’s father was a farm laborer and his mother was a hairdresser. He overcame poverty and a learning disability (dyslexia) to become, as biographer Boyle described him, “the man who woke the sleeping giant” of America’s sportfishermen.

Ray with Bob Cobb and Dave Precht