Okay pro staff, and readers, who do you feel is or was the best bass angler of all time? One of the up and coming pro's? Bill Dance? Roland Martin? Someone from the past, Virgil Ward, Buck Perry, Orlando Wilson? Big name stars, David Fritts, Rick Clunn, Gary Klein, Jay Yelas, Denny Brauer? Lots of choices, lots of answers. What do you think? My answer later.

I think it is fair to say that there are a number of "great" anglers both young and "old".

As far as competitive angling goes, I would have to go with Rick Clunn. He has proven time and again that he can succeed on the purest level of angling - making the fish bite regardless of the conditions faced. Not only has he proven he can do that, he has done it repeatedly under the greatest of pressures such as the Bassmasters Classic. I think Hank Parker had that in him as well but chose to leave the game before making the mark Clunn has.

On the underrated side I have to mention Billy Westmoreland - he may have not been as notorious of a tournament angler as some others, but there isnt a pro out there who wouldnt recognize his aptitude for patterning and catching fish, especially smallmouths.

I'm only 17 so i dont know all the "old guys". But if i were to answer this question with my limited knowledge i would have to say Kevin VanDam.
Simply because he has proven himself at such a young age. He stepped up to all the challenges that were thrown at him and if you look at the Bassfan.com standings he's #1.
Although he has yet to make a cut this year he is still high in the AOY standings. If i had a 2nd choice it would be Clunn b/c well enough said in the name Rick Clunn.
Thats my imput.
J.T.

First I have to totally agree with Brian. Billy Westmoreland was one of the greatest fisherman that ever wet a line. Most know him for his smallmouth skills but not many know that he won 2 Bassmaster events in Florida in his earlier days. I had the great opportunity to fish with him a few years ago and I have to say that he was one of the nicest poeple that I have ever met.

Anyway, I truly beleive that Larry Nixon is in a class of his own. He has shown it time and again that he is a top contender in any tournament he enter.

Mark

I would have to say Hank Parker is the best ever. I also think there are some up and comers that will leave their marks on angling history. Gerald Swindle, Skeet Reese, Dave Lefebre, J.T. Bagwell (LOL I had to through that in just for laughs), Ish Monroe and David Walker will all be superstars in the world of bass fishing.


JT Bagwell

Hands Down... RICK CLUNN
Strong 2nd... Kevin VanDam

Although I am sure there are bass anglers out there who do not choose to compete or show their talents to the public.

Having fished with some of the greatest Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin, Rick Clunn, Jack Hines, Zell Rowland to name a few. My number 1 choice would be Larry Nixon followed by Rick Clunn. While Clunn is ahead in Classic wins Nixon has won 4 Mega Bucks Titles. In the Mega Bucks floor mate you must fish the same waters after the other pros.

I think Rick Clunn is the best ever, but I think I admire and respect Hank Parker the most of everyone. I, with the help of my two kids, have named our last two pets after Hank Parker. He has always been a class act to me and could have been the modern day Rick Clunn if he would have stayed in competitive fishing.

Kevin Van Damm is the best currently, but watch out for Mark Davis, David Fritts, and David Walker. They could be in this class someday.

Great Post Johnnie!!!!!!

Guys, this is a great post but the thing that bothers me is that you assume that it is or may be a pro. Putting thought into it, Rick clunn has had the most impressive career. He would be my pro pick. K. Van Dam is a great angler but please, he hasn't been around long enough to even be considered here. I guess this would be based on lifetime acheivement. Think about guys who have won multiple Classics.....Nixon, Parker, etc. Now, Billy Westmoreland is a great pick, a great all time smallie guy. How about Charlie Brewer? He single handedly changed the way guys fish with his Slider approach. Doug Hannon, has likely caught more 10lb bass than any man in history. Tim Holshlag is a smallmouth machine on small waters. Bob Crupi, has more teen and 20's bass than anyone I've ever heard of. There are just so many guys we don't even know about. Perhaps we could establish some criteria that would clarify what makes a guy the best.

Good approach, Craig. Unfortunately, it is difficult to select someone who isn't constantly in the public eye. How would we possibly be aware of the person and his accomplishments?

I'd love to see someone come up with a set of guidelines making it possible to gauge a persons ability. As we all know, this idea is just too involved to merit consideration.

I do agree that obviously there are many anglers who are no longer in the news, but might be one of the greatest ever. Virgil Ward is one of them. I always looked up to
Charlie Brewer who you mentioned. Then there was Bill Binkleman who preceded the Lindners and their Lindy Rig with his book "Lunkers Love Nightcrawlers".(It helped define ways of catching bass with either bait or lures.) Or the old college Prof, Buck Perry.

So, we could pick the best in a bunch of categories. Can we agree on some of these?
I'll leave that up to you guys.

To all of you, thanks for your inputs. This site thrives on all the contributions from the Pro Staff and the other board members.
Thinking back to how long it took old guys like me to find out a lot of this information
It took me years to learn what our Pro Staff
casually mentions in a few weeks on this website.

Now, I'll listen to you guys some more. Much obliged. Joe

PS- One last thing, my personal pick of the greatest tournament fishermen of all time has to be Rick Clunn. He may be too New Age for some guys, but his accomplishments span from the mid-70's through today. And I don't think he's ready to hang up his rod yet.

Pro Staff,
This has been a fun post for me. Hearing names from the greats of the past and the great to come lets me know our sport is in good hands. Virgil Ward was my very first angling hero. He did more for our sport than anyone will ever know. Even one of our Pro Staffers need at least an honorable mention; Dan Galusha. Dan has contributed an awful lot to guys like me and has won regional as well as national aclaim. I'm sure there are other pro staff members equally as talented. Now to answer my own question; " best bass angler of all time?" I guess I'd have to say Rick Clunn. He has taken the sport to new levels and has always talked about not having any limitations, being able to put everything else on hold for a few hours and has taught us all many new and innovative tricks to help us in our pursuit of happiness, catching bass. Clunn moved to my howetown, Ava, Mo. a few years ago, and just blends right in to the scenery. Half the non-fishing population have no clue who, or what he is. That's his style. My vote, Rick Clunn!!

Craig,
Sorry if my choice isnt the right one for you but thats my opion. I'm only 17 and i have little knowledge of our "founding fathers" of the sport i love. I'd like to thank all of you who mentioned the "old guys" as i call them. I'm eager to learn more about them.

J.T. Palmore

Ok, here is my two cents worth.. Well living in Missouri I can count a few local boys on that list, These guys have forgot more than I will be able to learn.

Here we go, 1st Place.. Guido and Dion Hibdon light tackle inventors and dock fishing fools both Classic Champs,

Denny Brauer, This guys is Mr.Jig and Classic Champ and the nicest pro I have ever met in person.

Rick Clunn,This is the only one what might move Guido over.. Just his name Well no more said. A must see web site www.rickclunn.com

And last one Pro I really Hope can get to the big dance and win in a few more years, local boy Brent Chapman.

I guess my point is I can't pick just one All of these Pro's I have spent alot of time watching and trying to remember everything they say and do.

That was fun good post!!!!

Good Fishing

EAT SLEEP FISH

Don, you're right about them good ole boys from Missouri. The Hibdons and the Brauers are always tough and I know there are many "no name" anglers that are super. Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this post. It's been fun!!!

He may be a little "Over the Top" for some,and became very commercial driven late in his career,but he's still going strong today.My vote goes to Roland Martin.
9 time BASS AOY
19 time BASS Champion
23 classic appearances
Pretty much dominated the 70's early 80's.Was very consistent for a long time.He's probably been there,done that,Twice!
Hasn't done much lately but Jordan doesn't score 40 a game anymore either...><>...HS

Sorry, JT, I didn't mean to be harsh towards your opinion at all. Kevin is a guy who is still in the first 1/3 or his carreer, in twenty years I may be considering him as the best. I would classify him and Jay Yelas as two of the best up and coming guys in the sport. Listen, all of these pros have some great accomplishments. Rolo , as Paulie noted, was an extremely dominant force in the 70's and 80's. Would a Classic victory have us picking him? Likely. Paulie, both Rolo and Jordan always have the capability to go out there and destroy people, no matter how old they are.

Johnnie- Great thread! To the rest of you guys, keep up the good stuff. Every post has added something constructive to the mix.

Much obliged to all. Joe