ESPN

Rick Clunn participated in three of the early Bassmaster Classics that featured the original "mystery" format where contenders did not learn of their destination until they were several thousand feet in the air aboard a commercial airliner.

In fact, the veteran Missouri pro won one of those mystery Classics (in 1976, and followed up with a win in 1977, the first year that the Classics weren't on a mystery lake). That makes the four-time Classic winner an excellent source of information and advice for the 13 competitors in the upcoming Busch Shootout Championship. "I love that format," the 28-time Classic qualifier said. "From a purist standpoint, I've always liked the Classic for that reason and certainly the most level playing field possible is when you don't know where you're going.

"When you get there, it's just up to your talent and your ability to figure out the fish. That's why I always said those Classics were the No. 1 most important victory in sports because it is a reflection of the individual's ability more than anything other thing, including Angler of the Year."

The one-day Busch Shootout Tournament is the crowning event of a seasonlong $200,000 incentive program for pros on the CITGO Bassmaster Tour presented by Busch Beer and Bassmaster Elite 50 series. The participants qualified by posting the 10 largest single-day weights in each of those events along with the anglers posting the largest single-day weights in the CITGO Bassmaster Classic (Takahiro Omori), the CITGO BASS Federation Championship (Thad Takes) and the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship (John Murray).

The all-expense-paid Shootout will take place Sept. 18 and will be telecast on ESPN 2 September 25 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET/ 9:30-10:30 CT. The winner will take home $100,000 with the rest of the field earning $5,000.

"It's all going to boil down to who can find the fish the fastest," Clunn said. "I really think that is the No. 1 thing that we should judge most anglers by. With this format, you obviously don't have much opportunity for outside help.

"I don't know that I can give them much advice. The good thing is they've had a year under their belt of fishing without a lot of help thanks to the 30-day no-info rule that was put in place this past season. I think that will help the guys with this mystery format. The guys that are best at finding fish all by themselves are going to be the ones that excel at this event."

One angler who is eagerly anticipating this mystery tournament is Takahiro Omori. As the recently crowned Classic champion, Omori has had a whirlwind summer that has included doing "10 times" as many media interviews as he is accustomed to conducting and he is ready to get back to what he knows best.

"I'm looking forward to it because I'm a fisherman," he said. "It feels good to work with my tackle and get ready for the tournament. I'm looking forward to catching fish, not talking to people."

Fast pro

Away from the busy spring spent competing on the CITGO Bassmaster Tour and Bassmaster Elite 50 series, Alton Jones enjoys a fast-paced hobby (particularly in the fall).

"I like to ride dirt bikes, trail bikes," the Texas pro said. "I have a Yamaha 225 and I've got a little one for my son and we ride. We don't do the high-flying jumping; we trail ride. It's fun. We do a lot of our trail bike riding in Colorado. We've got a little place up near Buena Vista and we try to spend as much time up there as we can."

Did you know?

The CITGO Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Busch Beer on Lake Eufaula will be the 65th BASS event held in the state of Alabama — by far the record.

Pro birthdays

Georgia's Johnny Lesesne turned 46 on Sept. 11. Alabama pro Randy Howell turns 31 on Sept. 25, while Art Ferguson of Michigan will be 40 two days later. Kentucky's Mark Menendez becomes 41 on Sept. 28.

If I hadn't become a BASS pro …

Seven-time Classic qualifier Mike Wurm of Arkansas says he would have pursued a career as a golf pro.

They said it

“It's one of those things & it's hard to put a finger on exactly what triggers it. And everybody would like to figure out a way to keep it going once it starts. It's tough.”
— Three-time CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam on momentum in fishing.

Tim Tucker's Pro Angling Insider is a new bi-monthly newsletter with an annual subscription rate of $39.95. It can be ordered by calling toll-free 800-252-FISH. A sample issue can by seen on his Bass Sessions 2004 web site, www.timtuckeroutdoors.com.

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