In this video, Professional Bass Angler Rick Clunn, explains the historical evolution of the Rico topwater lure made by Lobina Lures. He explains how the unique design of the Rico topwater evolved from what early Anglers referred to as a chugger. Early chuggers like the Heddon Lucky 13 and Pico Pops were worked very slow and had a distinct sound created by the definitively designed protruding lower lip. In the mid- seventies Rebel Lure Co. produced a topwater chugger they called the Pop-R. I am not sure if it was by design or accident that it did not have much of a lower lip. Still every one fished it like a traditional chugger with its distinct popping sound. The story of this magical lure began for me in the early eighties when a guide customer of mine repeatedly showed me a very productive method of working the Pop-R with its unique lower lip. I won my first U.S. Open in 1983 on Lake Mead, in 100 plus degree July weather, on this amazing topwater.
After introducing the Pop-R to a young guide friend of mine, Zell Rowland, he then won the B.A.S.S. Mega-Bass event on Lake Chickamauga in 1986 and this well kept, secret lure went main stream. This lure had been discontinued by Rebel Lures in the early eighties. After Zell’s win Rebel reintroduced the Pop-R with new molds. The new molds created a more severe protruding lower bill and could not be fished in the same manner as the original. Lobina Lures at my request produced the original design with improved hooks, cosmetics, and hair tail hooks,The Rico. The following is its story and how the Rico should be fished.
Check Lobina Rico Lures in their catalog.
www.Lobinalures.com