LAKE TOHO, Fla. — For the first time in Classic history, contenders had advance notice of the site for the "Super Bowl" of bass fishing. Rick Clunn of Montgomery, Texas, became the first angler to win back-to-back Classics — with a catch of 27 pounds, 7 ounces.
In the opening round, Clunn brought in nine bass weighing 19-10.
The next day, he had two bass weighing 5-1, and the final day he boated one keeper weighing 2-12.
Clunn caught his big bass, weighing 7-7, out of cabbage, using a Floyd's Buzzer. He also fished heavy grass and cabbage, using a black Johnson spoon.
Of note
• Rick Clunn became the first Day 1 leader to go on to win the Classic. He was also the first wire-to-wire winner, leading every day of the event.
• The 1977 Classic was Larry Nixon's first. It would be 1995 before he would miss one.
• With his second consecutive Classic victory, Clunn moved into the lead on the BASS all-time money list with $71,563.76.
• Immediately following his victory, Clunn was quoted as saying, "I want to perform consistently over many years, not just one or two. That's the true test of a professional."
Top 6 finishers
1. Rick Clunn Montgomery, Texas 27-07
2. Larry Nixon Hemphill, Texas 25-11
3. Bo Dowden Natchitoches, La. 21-07
4. Roland Martin Broken Arrow, Okla. 19-09
5. Doug Odom Orangeburg, S.C. 19-03
6. Bobby Murray Nashville, Tenn. 18-10