Former tour pro Doug Gilley, winner of the 1984 Super Bass event at Florida's St. Johns River, died Sunday morning of heart failure. He was 74.
Known around Florida bass circles as "the Silver Fox" for his thick mane of white hair, the Winter Springs resident had reportedly been in ill health of late, but had recently won a local tournament.
"He won everything worth winning in Florida and he was an absolute icon," said Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bernie Schultz. "He was a huge influence on me, as well as Shaw Grigsby, Fish Fishburne, Peter Thliveros and Terry Segraves."
Schultz said a private funeral service will take place this week, with a public memorial to be held at a later date.
