Terri Clark’s Fishing Passion and Pro-Am Challenge

Terri Clark’s passion for fishing is evident, sometimes amusing her band. This country music star practices fishing knots on her tour bus, prompting some ribbing from her bandmates. “You can get therapy for this,” she joked in an interview with OutKick OutDoors.

Clark blames Instagram for fueling her fishing obsession. The app frequently shows her videos about the strongest fishing knots, tempting her to try each one.

This weekend, Clark will be in good company. She will participate in The Champions Celebrity Pro-Am on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville. She’ll fish alongside one of the world’s leading professional bass anglers. The event follows a championship with 60 anglers competing for a $3.25 million prize.

Everyone thinks I’m a great fisherwoman. But they’re professionals. They do this for a living, Clark admits.

Clark focuses on familiar waters, while pros adapt to new lakes. They study topography and adjust to varying conditions. She anticipates learning a lot about professional bass fishing.

Clark is eager to understand fishing electronics better. She owns a Humminbird MEGA Live 2 system but hasn’t installed it due to concerns about excessive screen time. She sees its advantages and would welcome insights on Old Hickory Lake’s productive spots.

Speaking about her ambitions, Clark is determined to catch a musky over 50 inches. Her recent trip to Lake Erie didn’t yield this catch, due to poor weather and warm lake temperatures. However, she remains hopeful, possibly targeting Tennessee’s Caney Fork River.

Clark enjoys Lake Erie’s diverse fishing. She often catches bass, northern pike, or walleye, sometimes using a single lure. She proudly recalls a 16-pound pike she caught in 2022, which she had a replica made for her wall.

A memorable fishing trip involved comedian Kathleen Madigan, who caught her best bass, weighing 5.5 pounds. Clark finds her friend’s excitement as rewarding as catching a big fish.

Fishing is not purely relaxing for Clark. Her focus is intense, often leading her to forgo breaks to stay on task. Pike have leaped for lures near her boat, and she has sustained fishing-related injuries.

Even during tours, Clark seeks opportunities to fish. She arranges guided trips on off days and avoids fishing on show days to prevent conflicts with performances.

Fishing offers Clark a serene escape from the demands of her career. She cherishes moments like watching the sunrise over Lake Erie, where the tranquility moves her to tears.

Clark encourages more women and girls to get into fishing. She advises beginners to keep it simple, find knowledgeable mentors, and start with basic gear.

Her dreams include headlining at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and catching a musky exceeding 50 inches. When asked to choose between these dreams, Clark makes her position clear: “Don’t ask me which one.”