Wasn't sure where to put this post, but thought it most appropriate here.Back in February when we booked our summer vacation, a 6 week trip at Lake Kandle in Southwestern NJ, the owner told us we couldn't have the site we had last year because there was a professional Bass Fishing Tournament on the Delaware River and one of the anglers already had our site for one of the weeks we'd be there.We wanted a different site anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Our site this year is 3 sites down from our site last year. So when the Anglers started arriving last week, we thought it was pretty cool to see their boats and how they set up camp for the week. I like to fish, but I don't get too into it. I knew these were professional anglers, but being the first Bassmaster Elite tournament in NJ, I wasn't expecting the turn out they got. The angler that got the spot we had last year was Rick Clunn, considered by many to be one of the best anglers of all time. There were about 6 anglers at the camp site. The few we interacted with were very nice. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to meet Rick.Just curious if anyone else has had a similar encounter while camping.I wanted to respect his privacy until he left. Below is a picture of Rick's site; boat, truck and truck camper.

they are very good bunch of guys i try to meet up with them when they are in louisiana.

In the late 80's we were involved in off road racing (Baja 1000 & other SCORE events). You would see anything from multi-million dollar setups to guys sleeping in the back of their pickups. Our TT provided a lot more comfort than the pickup bed crowd but not as much as the multi-million dollar crowd.

:DSince when have professional bass fishermen become rich and famous?I'm pretty sure even they themselves would disagree...

sch911 wrote::DSince when have professional bass fishermen become rich and famous?I'm pretty sure even they themselves would disagree...Well, considering Rick Clunn's BassMaster earnings are over $2.2 million, there's a pretty good chance he's rich. Since more than just me at the campground knew who he was, I'd say he is famous.The winner at the Delaware River tournament, Michael Iaconelli, has also earned over $2.2 million, the 2nd place winner, Chris Lane, has earned over $1.5 million. The 4th place winner, Kevin Short, who was also at the campground has won over $800k. There's a good chance all three of them are rich. -Michael

Lol......his /her privacy is safe with me......I have NO idea who this person is.

Camping with the Rich and Famous... | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2014
Let me know when Jennifer Anniston pulls in next to anyone!
profdant139
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2014
I wonder if those elite bass hunters travel with this amazing device:

Bass-o-matic
MO_Rookie
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Not that it means much but if I had camped next to Rick Clunn I would have been excited also. It would have been hard not to be down at his site bothering him.
mdcamping
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
OldRadios wrote:
Some of their income is from actual winnings but I'm sure most of their income comes from product endorsements and advertising on their boats, trucks, and rigs.

Paid to fish. Now that's a good niche income for a full timer.

How about paid to Camp! I'm taking endorsements right now! :B :B

Mike
lfloom
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I was camping in San Diego. A 1.5 million dollar rig sets up across from us (I know that because my neighbor immediately googled it - he told us his rig was only worth half a million. This while looking wistfully at my 15K popup :-) )

Later, people were excited because he was famous for racing big rig trucks. I never knew that was a support. Me? Not so impressed - he accidentally dumped his grey water tank on the ground, and twice set off his alarm in the middle of the night.

I also once camped at a state park. It was one of those wonderful trips were everyone gets to know each other and the kids all roam in a pack. There was a lovely family a few sites down - A single dad, his two kids and his parents. They were taking an extended trip around the country. Apparently he was a well known, retired baseball player. I hadn't a clue who he was, but I sure enjoyed the family.
Ultralife
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
Why does "rich" always have to have a monetary value attached. To have the life-style and joy they have would make me rich beyond all expectations.
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
sch911 wrote:
:D

Since when have professional bass fishermen become rich and famous?

I'm pretty sure even they themselves would disagree...

LOL... I have a coworker that was on the pro fishing circuit for years. He's worked with me for 10 years now. He will confirm that they were definitely not rich. Most of his stories are about rooming with other fishermen in hotel rooms to save money.

He enjoyed it and talks about ti every day. He enjoyed the little notiriety that he had with the small following.
jesseannie
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
When you turn your beloved hobby into a money making operation it just becomes a job!
Been there done that.
jesseannie
OldRadios
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
Some of their income is from actual winnings but I'm sure most of their income comes from product endorsements and advertising on their boats, trucks, and rigs.

Paid to fish. Now that's a good niche income for a full timer.
empty_nest
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
They may not be "famous" to the general public but they are in the bass fishing world. I couldn't tell you one "famous" NASCAR driver, but know (not personally) virtually all of the Elite series pros.

These guys are true professionals and class citizens. I have fished with a few of them when they still allowed amateurs in that circuit. An experience I'll never forget.

It may look like a lot of glitz and glamour but it's a lot of hard work, long hours and weeks on the road.