By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

After a couple of subpar seasons, Clifford Pirch has seemingly returned to the form that saw him qualify for seven consecutive Bassmaster Classics from 2014-20.

Pirch sits at No. 6 in the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) race heading into this week's event at Lake Chickamauga. He's logged 8th- and 11th-place showings in the past two tournaments after 30 straight outings in which he finished no higher than 17th.

The 46-year-old veteran from Arizona's mind is much clearer now than it was in 2021, when he went through some undisclosed personal issues and ended up 67th in the points.

"I've got a lot (fewer) issues to deal with now and a lot better support system," he said. "With the help of family and friends, I've got a whole new direction on things. I'm blessed to have the type of people in my life who can help me move forward in a positive way."

Done Damage Up Shallow

Pirch began the 2022 season with a 38th-place finish at the St. Johns River in Florida. A week later, he landed among the Top 10 at the Harris Chain of Lakes, also in the Sunshine State, and he just missed advancing to the final day at South Carolina's Santee Cooper Lakes three weeks ago.

He said the scenarios that the Elite Series has presented so far this season have been conducive to him faring well.

"I've had a lot of shallow-water opportunities and some chances to do some sight-fishing, which are things I really like to do and I have a lot of confidence in," he said. "It hasn't been a deal where you had to know the secret hole or even know a lot about the lake and the various locations on it.

"I've been able to see the evidence and go with it. When you get those kinds of conditions, you don't feel like you're in some other people's back yard so much."

The strong start gives him a big leg up on qualifying for next year's Classic on the Tennessee River.

"I think we've got a great schedule outside of not going to the West, which is something I hope for every year," said the three-time WON Bass U.S. Open champion. "I generally like the fisheries and the time of year we're going to them. The longer you do this as a career, the more fun it is to be on places that produce. It's more exciting for the fishermen and more exciting for the fans."

Working the Classic expo for sponsors, although enjoyable, is something he'd rather not do for a third consecutive year in 2023.

"I didn't like that after I had that nice string (of qualifications)," he said. "I had to be reminded of what it's like to not do well for a while, but it's all part of the cycle of things. As much as I like all of my sponsors, I definitely prefer being on the water."

Creative Juices Flowing

Pirch has recently designed some new offerings for Big Bite Baits. The Ram Head, a jig designed for Ned-rigging, is already on the market and a couple of soft plastics (a dropshot worm and a jig trailer) will be introduced in the coming months.

The scented dropshot worm is targeted for northern smallmouths, but he's had success with it on largemouths in the last two tournaments.

He's been aided in the process by longtime friend Kirk Russell, a fellow Payson, Ariz. resident and an experienced hand-pourer.

"It's something I've really been enjoying lately," he said. "We got the plastic from Big Bite and we've been messing with some shapes, and we've got quite a few things coming down the pike."

Notable

> The Elite Series will make its second visit to South Dakota's Lake Oahe in August, where Pirch finished 3rd in 2018. "Doing well there once gives me confidence, but that doesn't mean I'm always going to do well there," he said. "Those smallmouth are pretty nomadic and sometimes they can burn you. I'll say that I'm humbly looking forward to it because they can sure humble you in a hurry."