LAKE MEAD, Nevada — Bobby Murray of Hot Springs, Ark., won the inaugural Bassmaster Classic with a catch of 17 bass weighing 43 pounds, 11 ounces.
The tournament winning weight earned Murray the $10,000 prize in the winner-take-all event.
Roland Martin landed a 6-pound, 9-ounce fish to claim big bass honors.
Murray ran from cove to cove fishing a 1/4-ounce Zorro Aggravator tandem-blade spinnerbait as far as he could heave it. He cranked the lure back through any cover lodged or sprouting in the narrow cut.
Murray was catching bass 2 feet deep in the lake, which has depths to 589 feet.
Of note:
- Florida’s Johnny Adams qualified for the first Classic, but chose not to use vacation time from his job to fish the event. He qualified again in 1981 and finished 37th.
- The inaugural Classic competitors fished from Rebel Fastback bass boats powered by 90 horsepower. MerCruiser inboard-outboards and could run as fast as 37 mph. The rig retailed for $4,000.
- Competitors in the first Classic were limited to four rods and reels and 10 pounds of lures.
- Daily big bass winners at the first Classic earned $100 per pound and cashed in their prizes at the Union Plaza Hotel Casino.
Top 6 finishers
1. Bobby Murray Hot Springs, Ark. 43-11
2. Tom Mann Eufaula, Ala. 37-13
3. George Oates Memphis, Tenn. 34-01
4. Roland Martin Montgomery, Ala. 30-03
5. Bobby Meador Baton Rouge, La. 28-03
6. Don Butler Tulsa, Okla. 24-07