Rick Clunn's Discovery of the Lunker Lure Buzz Bait

In 1976 while fishing a regional tournament at Rend Lake Illinois I purchased my first Buzz Bait called a Lunker Lure. I had been traveling the B.A.S.S. tournament circuit for 3 years and had been in many tackle stores in many States and had never seen a lure like this one. This story is about that unique top water. I obviously was not part of originating this lure but my win at the B.A.S.S. event at the 1977 Bass Champs tournament at Percy Priest Tennessee introduced it to the bass fishing nation. I went on to win another B.A.S.S. event on the Mississippi River at La Crosse Wisconsin in 1983 on the Lunker Lure. No one keeps records of what lures have won the most tournaments but the Buzz Bait I would predict is one of the top winners. It catches the big ones! I will tell you my favorite way to fish this top water and show some ways it has changed. Note: Never fish it on light line!!!

[@bluesinsation]

Speaking of discoveries, I remember when I first discovered a gentleman named Rick Clunn. He was a fishing guide at Conroe that one of the boys from our bass club had been on a guide trip with and had then invited him to speak at our bass club. That was before he won his first classic. After his win, true to his word he came to our club... and we were all so thrilled we invited him to come back next year after he wins the Classic again. And he did win #2 and again true to his word, he again came and spoke at our club. True story.

[@petezzzz]

Glad to find you Rick. Met you back in '80s Field and Stream & Outdoor life. I had two of these same buzzbaits back then too. White and Chartreuse. You, Bill, Roland and Larry taught me a lot back then. Never stop bassin' my friend!

[@fishybassvon5752]

Love learning the history of bass fishing with the true legend of the sport. Thank you Rick!

[@chrisgroves255]

Rick I was watching a video you did 11 years ago where you were telling how people don't always need a big boat to be a good fisherman and how you at the time were using your 18" tracker. Great insight there. I was thinking how I'd like to hear your insight into where electronics have changed in your career and where the limit should be with the live viewing and all. Rick Clunn the GOAT

[@CJBagley]

Thank you so much RC. I remember selling some of these older baits back when I managed a small Mom/Pop tackle shop. It's wonderful to hear your stories, and to see how you use these great old lures. After 50+ years of fishing I'm still learning, and I so appreciate all that you share. I just managed to get a copy of your book from 1978, and am so looking forward to applying the knowledge you so generously imparted. You have been, and continue to be a great inspiration. To the younger anglers here, ..keep moving forward...keep a positive outlook...and as RC says, "Never accept that all your greatest moments are in the past " As a woman, and a disabled angler with 50+ years in our sport, I just recently started tournament bass fishing in a local kayak trail. It's a great experience...never say never.

[@marshalllanier360]

With all due respect for the Dances, Martins, VanDams, Brauers, and Kleins...... THIS man right here is most responsible for making me go absolutely bonkers over competitive bass fishing. I was 15 years old when he won the 1976 Classic and I said right then....THAT'S who I want to emulate. And I had the honor of finally getting to meet and talk with him in 1987 in Augusta Georgia during the US BASS Championship on my home body of water, The Savannah River. Hats off sir, on a remarkable career

[@johnnymassengale6275]

My dad was a distributor for the maker of the buzzbait you're discussing. Harkin's Tackle. He probably sold a couple hundred thousand dollars worth for them. I still have a few left from the 1970's.

[@normanham6142]

Thanks Rick. I love buzz baits. Caught my biggest bass on topwater lures and my PB on a skirt-less buzz bait w/a plastic lizard trailer over lay downs. Retrieved it slow & steady and the commode flushed! What fun.

[@vinnylivoti9567]

Rick thank you for sharing these tips with us. In my opinion you are the Jedi Master of Bass Fishing and one of my all time heroes.

[@chrisgroves255]

Rick Clunn the GOAT...You are a hero of mine Sir .... Love your channel.

[@mattquinlan4629]

Why a treat it is to have found you online! Thank you for your efforts making the channel. I know many of us are thrilled to learn from your life experiences. You are very appreciated Mr. Clunn

[@dannyparker7193]

I fell in love with the lunker lure the first time I ever threw it in the late 70’s. Still keep some version ties on at all times. I’ve been a long time admirer of Rick and appreciate all he’s done and shared over his illustrious career. He is the true Jedi master.

[@randysiler7458]

So cool to here these stories. I believe I owned a few back in the day. I have to start fishing again. Thank you for sharing Mr Clunn. 👍👍

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

🏆🏆In my 45 years of fishing I learned something new,Thank you Rick you’ve been my hero since I was 12 in 1982 and still to this day 👊👊👍

[@shadygraves]

Same here but I was 11 in '82!

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

@@shadygraves I couldn’t wait for Saturday’s to watch Bassmaster on TV 👊

[@user-sh2mk8ew4c]

I was a kid when Lunkr Lure came out. That bait is why I fell in LOVE with bass fishing. That explosion. A few year ago I caught my PB on a buzz bait. 8 pounds, Scared me to death. I have a rod and reel dedicated to a buzz bait and 1 is always tied on.

[@chuckkaleel9105]

Love your videos and hearing the history of this great sport from one of the greatest of all time!!!

[@ryanvarner6520]

I purchased my first Lunker Lure Buzz Bait in 1976, and have one tied on anytime I fish for fun or in a tournament. It's a big fish bait that I'll never get tired of fishing! This was a fantastic video, Rick. Good luck in future events!!

[@johncatelli8767]

Rick not dumb just green like the rest of us! Had a little company CP Tackle we made bass boom baits. Spinnetbaits buzzbaits southern plastics was what we sold. Hell did they work especial Posts SPAWN BUZZ BAITS! That's a mouthful back then in New Jersey. Know one even knew what they where lol. Ran into all you guys at the trade shows. You were the man then an you are one of the father's of our sport live live long fish hard Gods speed!

[@shawnbeck2303]

Rick, I watch your videos and listen to you tell about your fishing and the lures you use. I totally changed my fishing gear last winter. But I still have my Dad's old lures. Buzz Baits, Rattle Traps and cranks. I break them out from time to time. To remember him and when we fished together. The best worm fisherman. I have ever seen. He's been gone since 1996. He was 60 years old. This summer I will be 60 years old. He would be proud that I am carrying on the family tradition. Shawn

[@RichZFishes]

I remember that issue of Bassmaster so well! I believe it was the following summer, I fished the National Chapter Tournament at Kentucky Lake, and of course visited all the local tackle shops I could find. Bought a couple white buzz baits in one of them. Only caught one fish on a buzzer at the tourney, but the the next year, from post spawn to early fall, one of those buzzbaits modified to what I called "the small freight train" became my #1 lure on a couple local lakes. Until it finally broke two years later, it was the only buzzer I'd fish. Rigged it with a new white skirt, a white, 6" super tail twin tail on the hook, and a 4" super tail on the trailer hook. I could make that thing plop-plop-plop so slow it was ridiculous. I'd thank you, Rick, every time set the hook on one.

[@joebee1459]

How am I just now finding this chanel?!?! Rick Clunn is the G.O.A.T!

[@DarrelCollins-nl3kn]

Thx Rick for all you done. Also I live in Modesto, CA. former Home of Miiton Poe & I caught a guesstimated 12 lb bass on Poe' s RC3 white black dot with a rattle @ Don Pedro. But never. Fished it much. Poe's 400 I caught a few big ones on . Once lost a nice one right at the boat cause I forgot I had 8lb test and drag was too tight.

[@sorinlazea4915]

Awesome! Each post is like a fishing class with some history print on it. Can't wait for the next one.

[@coreyhutcheson7131]

These vids are awesome don’t change a thing about them plz I love the story’s from the legend himself you are a idol to so many fisherman

[@Shawn_Lai]

Love this information Rick you’re a legend!

[@Sirach985]

I started watching your videos earlier this week and I was hooked immediately.

[@JohnLIpe1]

Thank You I truly enjoy the information you give 😊

[@larryhernandez531]

One of my favorite topwater baits for sure Southern California

[@TN-Vols-Fan]

Rick, I've been following you for years, thanks so much for the videos. Have you thought about doing some of the Angler's Quest stuff on KZbin?

[@lenclark6099]

An Amazing discovery that they are silent under the water, WOW!!! I really love using Buzz Baits and catch a lot of fish on them. Thanks for airing this video!!!

[@donovancoughlin]

Thank you Rick!! You are a true legend! You should have 1 million subs based on your wealth of information. The younger should learn from the older and you have a lot to teach. I am so glad to see you have started a you tube Chanel and hope that your subs multiple quickly!!!

[@hoopsheavenpa]

Never knew you had a KZbin channel! This is awesome! Could listen to you talk fishing for hours. All the best, Rick!

[@63Bare]

I enjoyed this video very much. I've never seen a buzzbait with a willow blade as part of the head like the ones you showed.

[@robertkercheval1371]

Were very fortunate to have you share all this information rick. Your definately all class ..and still the best. We love it. And... your channel is gonna blow up buddy. Mark my words!!. My oldest is 16 and he sees all these popular guys and there shows. But when he asks me who was the best. I remember watching bassmasters in the late 80's and the 90's.. and i tell him rick clunn.. when i first told him that he looked at me funny ... he mentioned kvd, roland, bill dance and such . I just smiled and told him go watch this . Now he's seen so many of the old tournaments , and relatively new. He..tells me , "dang this guy was awesome "!!.. i said , boy you aint telling me nothin i didnt know!! Lol. We all cant wait for the new content , great job buddy.

[@paulmajor5585]

Great info on the weight of line and the use of a worm after attracting attention.

[@edwardlee9845]

Been the man since I was a child. This guy is truely got some MJ GOAT level secrets to success. Clunn is the original cedar square bill hybrid master. Everyone owes this man the biggest thanks. Changed the game.

[@pcdmediaoutdoors9882]

First fished Lunker Lures back in Ky in the 1970s. We bent the short top blade arms down some so the blade would just tic the long bottom wire. When the blade rotated it would make a clicking sounding. It caught fish. Some may remember the old 1970s TV show "Hee Haw" that had a big round cast-member comedian named Junior Samples. On more than one of the Hee Haw shows Junior wore an official "Lunker Lure" gimme cap.

[@jasonmwest1ify]

Love this!!! Can't wait to watch more of these videos!

[@highjenks3d]

Your my bass angling hero Rick thanks for all you do!

[@wg7644]

LOVE these historical fun stories.

[@dustinhines9994]

Big Fan. Thanks Mr. Clunn.

[@409demo]

Your channel is gold. You're living the best retirement. Keep doing videos!

[@bassfishingchadhill]

I live about 20 minutes from Rend Lake. Great story, Lunker Lure is famous in these parts.

[@danielnies7144]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge means a lot love the videos Specially the top Water video that was awesome

[@leescheideljr.2123]

A friend of mine knew Bill Harkins, who started Lunker Lure. I was given two prototype buzz baits. They had flatter heads and home made blades which were marked BH and a number. If I had known I had a bit of history, I would have kept a better eye on them !!

[@ronkinne9521]

Thats my Great uncle Bill! Started lunker lure down in Carterville IL. Him and my other uncle ran the bait and tackle shop at Little grassy lake and they would mess around in the shop and one day they came up with the design!=] I have heard this my whole life growing up and I tell everyone I know that fishes with lunker lure the og story lol

[@richshackelford5793]

Great video Rick

[@ThumperSpinnerbaits]

I live 10 minutes from Rend Lake. Grew up hearing dad talk about you and Lunker Lures. Sadly Rend has changed so much from the late 70's and 80's. It still takes 12lb plus to win a 1 day tournament. But, its best days are long past. Another great Southern Illinois bait is Thumper Spinnerbaits that dad began making when i was first born.

[@ronkinne9521]

U know Bill made the lunker lure in the baitshop at little grassy

[@rickmorehouse7454]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.

[@timfontenot9921]

GOAT of buzz baits and fisherman !!!!

[@charlesrobertson2412]

Thanks Rick, I’m a big fan! Thanks for the advice

[@edpelkey7798]

Thank you for the tips Rick, I have been a follower for some time. Many of your wins were special, but for me was the last win was the best. On the last day you caught a 9 and 10 pounder on a trickster! I can tell you it was awesome to see it on TV. 👏👏👏

[@bakersoutdoors1]

Wow crazy video... I live next to rend lake...and I have thrown the lunker lure since I was a kid...cool story

[@genejowers5567]

Always the Man. Ty Mr. Clunn

[@jonesboyshunting8673]

Great video Mr. Clunn. I live about 20 minutes from rend lake and in the town where those are packaged at. I have several work the rubber skirt on it and flat heads and catch fish on it all the time now that I know the rubber skirt ones are harder to find I might just put them up. Keep it up

[@Trevlee74]

Glad this showed up in my feed! Very happy you created your own channel Rick. Already watched all your videos. Pure gold. 👍 Please do more on history of baits and whatnot.

[@kylemolletfishing9123]

Rick, this was really great to hear you talking about when discovered the buzzbait. I'm from Carlyle, Illinois. I guide on Carlyle, Rend, Kincaid, Shelbyville, and the Kaskaskia River. The Lunker Lure has put a lot of bass in my boat over the years and is still my favorite bait of all time, and probably always will be. It just catches fish. And big ones too. Glad you did this video. I loved it.

[@ronkinne9521]

Lunker lure was designed on little grassy lake ÷]

[@juststatinfactssv4989]

Great info and stories, please keep them coming. I’ve met alot of pro fisherman in my days and only asked for 2 autographs, yours and Guidos. I still have the pics up in my fishin room from 25yrs ago

[@thorpypoo]

Thanks Rick! I learned some things from this. It seems to me that at night or stained to muddy water a squeaky or clacker buzz bait might be an advantage. I really never thought about the fact that the buzzing sound might not be heard under water.

[@KissmyBasss]

This takes me back. My uncle had a bait company called Snakehead Lure Co. We helped him build spinners and a bait called the Lil Chubbo named after his poodle.

[@aaronsnatic2446]

Rick would love to hear the whole story with the silicone skirts. The "perfect" bait that helped you win one of your 2 US Opens (I've read Bass Wars a few times over the years).

[@adVANCEdAngling]

Bass Wars is among my absolute favorite books!

[@andywilliamson7846]

Great video, Rick. At Cordell Hull, Wade Reed actually beat you by a 12 ounce margin (not 2 ounces). I am still planning on sending you a couple left-running Lunker Lures that I showed you at Lake Oahe, in June 2018, in which I have bent the blade tips the opposite direction, making it run slightly to the left. (As you know, the stock ones tend to run slightly to the right). It is hard modifying, as I ruin a few blades doing it, but did order 25 blades directly from Lunker Lure. Years ago, I asked Lunker Lure if they would make me blades with the tips bent in the opposite direction, but they said no. Take care, A.W. (South Dakota)

[@patrickconnell6654]

Thanks for the info, keep catching and sharing the info.

[@marklunsford337]

Thanks Rick for doing the videos you're the best!!!!!

[@FC-cz6zd]

I would love to know who the folks were behind designing this bait.

[@rousefire]

Subscribed . I discovered Lunker Lures around 1976 too . Its still my favorite lure to throw .

[@andywilliamson7846]

My favorite buzzbait too. 1) Because the wing tips of the patented blade are bent/cupped around almost to 135 degrees. This gives it great action and sound. It is hard to find another buzzbait blade that is cupped to that degree. 2) Because, in Feb. 1996 at Sam Rayburn, Rick told me, "It's the only buzzbait I fish". That's good enough for me!

[@Jwynn_23]

I’m not too far from rend lake and we definitely love are top water and buzzbaits

[@johnnyburns3020]

I've been a fan of ya since the 80s

[@andrewsison9893]

Always be a legend Rick Clunn

[@garylukas3476]

Thanks for your channel. You are a legend. Appreciate the tips.

[@hcrumb59]

Thank you Rick, I see now why Skeet Reese calls you the "Godfather". thank you again.

[@tablerockkid8237]

Just found you and subscribed. Been following your career a while ... :-) Back to the Poe's crank bait days and before. Bought one of the Poe's 'crate' of baits with your autographed hat and wore the hat completely out. 😊 will be watching for your videos and going back to watch all the old ones. Thank you for all you've done for bass fishing. "You da man!"

[@brandon87ize]

Fantastic information! I thought I’d been doing it right by banging it into the stumps guess I need to try finesse around the stumps. Lol

[@TheFishdoctor1952]

When the Lunker Lure first came out, it had a bead, not a rivet. The sound stayed the same for a long time. I was fishing a bar pit off the Mississippi River when a local stick showed up with his car top boat. I was in a regular bass boat and he asked if he could fish with me. Knowing who he was, I said of course and let him run the t/m. We threw the same white LL, but he was catching 4 to my 1. I noticed his made a lot more noise (squeak). He showed me the rivet he had changed out on the lure. The next years production of the bait had the rivet as standard equipment.

[@ronkinne9521]

My great uncle was the one who created the Lunker lure in Southern IL in the 60s-70s

[@NewDaySon37]

My father tells me stories of throwing a lunker lure with a Mitchell 300 reel and Stren 8 lb blue line. So Rick, don’t feel bad about throwing one on 12 lb test. Judging by the line and reel choice of his, this means you made a 40% better choice at least. He did manage to catch a couple double digit fish in running water with that setup. You gotta love buzzbait fishing though. I know people that refuse to throw one and I wonder why. Its my go to on hot summer mornings.

[@kennethroth6757]

😮 legendary Rick clunn is on KZbin 👌😁👍

[@billyallmon5039]

H&h has the old style skirts,sprinkle talcum powder on skirts to stop sticking

[@andywilliamson7846]

Good advice, Billy. I use baby powder. Remember the product of about 34 years ago, called "Un-Gum"? It was an aerosol to be sprayed on rubber skirts to get them unstuck, and keep them from sticking. I think it was basically just silicone spray.

[@Bluezkat1]

This man is a legend! Makes me wanna throw a buzzbait like bad

[@mikelauer8352]

The first time I ever heard of them was back in the early 80's. My dad and a couple of buddy's drove from St. Louis, Mo. all the way down to the famed Toledo Bend lake for a week of Big bass fishing. After not doing very well for the first couple days we ran into a guy (much like yourself) with a big fancy bass boat (we had canoes) and ask how he was doing. He said he had been catching some real nice fish on a "Squealer". (That was what he called it but we later found out it was a buzz bait) We all looked at each other like what in the heck is he talking about lol. He ended up giving us a couple (they were all black blade too) and man did we catch some dandy's. We fished them back here in Mo. and they were unbelievable any where you fished them for years.

[@Macdaddy8124U]

Great video!!

[@bassngal3314]

Hi Rick, these are great, keep them coming and you’ll soon have lots of subscribers! Thanks for the info !

[@timhall4154]

i live 10 minutes from rend lake ..my dad delivered the fuel to help build that lake .....you didn’t happen to buy them buzzbaits at gully’s bait shop or trills bait shop did you .....great video rick ..!!

[@ronstanley477]

Those squeakers always worked best just before they broke. Drove many of miles holding one out the window trying to get it to squeak.

[@andywilliamson7846]

The FLAT rubber hula skirt, (they are used on the famous Hula Popper), like the chartreuse one Rick is showing, whether made out of natural rubber or silicone rubber has always been my first choice in a skirt for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits because of it's never-ending action. The flat, 1/16" wide tails are super important. Tails that ended in a point were the original. Now, they commonly are chopped off square, or rounded off. In skirted jigs, a ROUND rubber skirt is my preferred choice.

[@kevinvc1804]

I bend the prop down so that it's banging on the shaft... beautiful sound

[@shawnbeck2303]

Rick, With the Wopper Plopper being a great bait. Which would you prefer. The Wopper Plopper or the Buzz bait? Went fishing a Whopper Plopper yesterday. The bass tore that bait up. Haven't tried the Buzz bait yet. Also I have a double Buzz bait. That I want to try out. Shawn

[@jamescasper5248]

Them buzzbaits, I was 13 in 76, 1977 living in East Texas on a farm pond hot summer I fish a Lunkerhunt lurebuzzbait and killed them, my dad came to the conclusion that due to the heat and oxygen content of water most of the active bass were 3ft or less. 7 two 6’s and other thanks Mr. Clunn

[@firemandan5959]

I had a Tackle Store in ans as City called Tournament Tackle we sold Skeeter Bass Boats and high end fishing tackle. The Lunker Lure guys came through and made a sales call and showed me the new buzz bait. I thought it was a joke but we were told you had been winning with it so we bought about 12 dozen different colors. The local bass club guys bought some form our store went to Lake of the Ozarks and fished boat docks with them. The club won the event and we sold out every one of them.

[@robertveith2571]

I would to know have ever tried the buss plug by Fred Arobogast?????

[@Branson4fun]

Keep on keepin on!

[@mauricesmith542]

G.O.A.T!!!

[@shadygraves]

There's still only one buzzbait. That's a ½oz white Lunker Lure with the living rubber skirt.

[@dmeador11111]

First time i used one was today.I caught 8 on a black lunker lure og buzzbait . I'm a believer.

[@ronsaunders4491]

I started using Lunker Lure Buzz bait's early 80s after I was in the Army.

[@gregwebster8784]

I wish we had KZbin back in the 70s. This would have cleared up so much. lolololol

[@johngalt3568]

Rick: Would you please us the story of the “Fleck Weed Wader” and it’s role in your early Classic victories?

[@TheMinimalistFisherman]

I love that you asked your children to help you test this lure. To listen and report! I ask my kids to help too, and I practice flippin' jigs at them on bikes. This used to be very dramatic until I started pinching the barb down... that's an awful joke Lord forgive me... 😂😁👍

[@robertveith2571]

I was living in Maryland at the time when I had that Sputter Fuss

[@mikejohnston80]

I don't think I've ever walked out of a tackle store for less than a hundred bucks. I stop at all of them.

[@rogerervin9199]

Where in Arkansas?