Clunn announces he's departing Elite Series

One of the greatest anglers in the history of professional bass fishing announced today that he's leaving tour-level competition. Rick Clunn, a four-time Bassmaster Classic champion, revealed that the event at the St. Lawrence River would be his last on the Elite Series, although he'll continue to fish at the Opens level.

He finished 69th in the season-ending event at the St. Lawrence, failing to advance to Day 3.

Clunn, who celebrated his 78th birthday last month, competed professionally for half a century. He qualified for 32 Classics, winning in 1976, 1977, 1984 and 1990. Overall, he compiled 16 wins (the last in 2019 at Florida's St. Johns River) in an unprecedented 504 B.A.S.S. tournaments, earning more than $2.7 million along the way.

His Facebook post is embedded here:

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