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Z-Man® Project Z ProFileZ: Luke Clausen |
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Hop in the boat with ‘Laid-Back Luke’ |
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Ladson, SC (February 18, 2020) – Luke Clausen is pretty chill about his approach to catching bass. “I like to keep the positive thoughts in my head,” says Clausen, a highly versatile fisherman and one of the few Northwesterners to excel in a sport where Southern and Eastern anglers almost always own homefield advantage. Among his national tournament wins, Clausen’s resume cites one spectacular statistic: One of only four anglers to win both a Bassmaster Classic and an FLW Championship. In 2018, even after a serious accident placed Clausen on the IR list, the positive philosophy persisted. “I never doubted I’d return to professional fishing,” he recalls. Despite broken ribs, a separated and broken shoulder and a concussion, Clausen was already casting again within a month of his accident. Following a successful return season in 2019, the Spokane, Washington resident savored some downtime with his family, as well as a chance to hunt elk, recharge and return to his roots. “This is a special place,” he observes, referring to Coeur d’ Alene Lake, Idaho, the majestic, diverse waterway that taught him how to catch bass—shallow, deep and in between. “There’s no place I’d rather be.” |
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As he embarks on a new tournament season, Clausen is quick to single out an intriguing little lure he helped design. “A finesse spinnerbait has always been an under-the-radar presentation—a category of lure that’s pretty overlooked. I’ve been throwing the SlingBladeZ™ Power Finesse Spinnerbait a lot lately. This past week, it’s already produced several 5-pounders. Put a 3-inch MinnowZ™ or Slim SwimZ™ on the back and you’ve got a sweet little spinner that shines early in spring when the water’s still cold.” A Z-Man Fishing TV exclusive, Project Z: ProFileZ takes you on the water with the folks who count on Z-Man Fishing Products daily as tournament anglers, guides, and industry professionals. Take a trip with us to our ProZ’ home waters to learn their stories and how they’ve ended up where they are today—as well as why they rely on Z-Man baits day-in and day-out. In this episode, you’ll hop in the boat with professional bass angler Luke Clausen, as he spends a day on his home lake, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Between hooksets, Clausen talks about his Northwestern roots, shares a few choice Z-Man baits and recounts a few of the more memorable catches of his career. |
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Twelve-year-old Luke Clausen with the 7-pound 14-ounce largemouth that fueled his dreams to fish for a living. |