Same question we asked the Pro Staff:
Who is your favorite B.A.S.S./FLW Pro and in 15,000 words or less, why?

My favorite is the one and only Rick Clunn who is still always a threat to win, no matter where or when. His thought process is impeccable, although it may border on being indecipherable. lol

Let's hear it. JoeM

I would have to say Larry Nixon would be my pick. Denny Bauer would have to be second because I love to fish a jig.

Nixon just keeps on plugging. Plus he is just a likable kind of guy.

Conley

Mofish- Larry is another great Bass Fisherman. If my memory serves me well, Larry almost prevented Rick Clunn from winning his 2nd consecutive Classic in 1977
down in Florida. Eventually he won his own Classic in Cincinnati.

He just keeps going along. He was in the top five or ten in the FLW event in Lake St. Clair that was on ESPN2 on this past Sunday.
Another success story.

Thanks for posting. Anyone else?
Good Fishing, JoeM

Actually, Larry Nixon ended up winning that FLW St. Clair Tournament. One big Smallie after another. Texas can be proud of Nixon.
Maybe he should run for President. Heck, we have another Prez Bush, why not the Bassin'
People's Choice, President (Larry) Nixon.
Good Luck & Good Fishing, JoeM

Larry has always been one of my favorite Pros. In my ProStaff post I mentioned Rick Clunn as my top choice, but Nixon was running right along side him. Both of these guys are a cut above the norm...

Who's Norm?????

Well I guess you guys know that NIXON WON AGAIN. I wish I could be like that.

MO

Yeah, me too...

Denny Brauer is my choice! He is the master of pitching, he cuts up cover with more acuracy than anyone else. He is a humble pro so much that once he blanked at a televised tournament and still took time to do an on-camera interview. He acts like a pro 100% of the time, and this cannot be said about all others. A close second to Denny is Woo Davies, he is also a first class pro. If you were at the Chicago classic you know what I say is true.

DEFINATLY! Larry Nixon, he is still one of the most consistant pro's out there and he has been doing it for almost 30yrs. He is also the all time leading money winner. I think Larry has the ability better than anyone, to find out how bass react to different conditions during a tournament. He instinctivly knows how to make bass bite during these times of change. He also knows how to catch Smallmouth, and Kentuckies just as good if not better than anyone on the circuit. Larry has stood the test of time.

My favorite Pro is Marty Stone. Marty and I are good friends, and he is a genuine great fellow. He has to be one of the nicest guys I have ever met! Not just saying this because we are friends, saying it because I really respect his tactics, influence, attitude and respectful approach to fishing. He is second to none!

Mike Bailey
Bassin USA Pro-Staff
North Carolina

Well, my choice would have to be Kevin Vandam just because of his versatility. He is from Michigan and he gives all them southern boys all they can handle. He is probably one of the best spinnerbait fisherman out there, but he won the classic flippin and pitchin. Got to admire that.

Joe, I am a little late in my reply however the most admired Pro and the best are two different things. I would say that Rick Clunn is the toughest competitor and would strike the most fear in my heart if I was in the lead and he was trailing by a few pounds. Rick Clunn is with out a doubt the Pro who has been around the longest and has won the most money and Classics, His ditractors have always said that up until his win in the old Western Bass U S Open in Lake Mead that he won classics becuase the seasonal pattern favored his Buzzbait and Crankbait upper third creek pattern and all classics where held in the Fall. I think Rick is the best there has ever been, but like he said the best has not even been conceived in our minds yet. If not Rick Clunn Hank Parker was super imppressive for a few years and won a ton of money in short order, one could argue that for a short period of time he was unbeatable and when he returns he is as unbeatable as ever. The argument against him was that Denny Brauer and David Fritts had there as I would call it "John Wayne year" and if they choose retirement after that we could make the same case for them. The classic on the Ohio river showed thta Larry Nixon has the ability and tenacity to be the best when the going is near impposable,lowest wheight in any classic. Two others that deserve mention are Mark Davis and George Cochrane both are always there as is David Hite. I willtell you from personal expeirence they are all very very good at what they do, I had the pleasure of drawing to very good pros (or they had the misfortune of drawing me) years ago Tommy Martin and Ricky Green both were gentlemen and exceptional Bassfishermen who could teach you more by accident than most people could on purpose. I would still pick Rick Clunn as the best and Larry Nixon as my second, but as any of them will tell you you are only as good as your last Tournament and or cas or year with all the young bloods coming up!!! Good Bassin Dan Bass