VIDALIA ��� There are plenty of bass tournaments on area lakes this time of year, but Saturday’s big tournament was a little different.

The reason was the proceeds from the tournament were going to benefit the Miss-Lou Relay for Life.

Thirty six boats participated in the first ever Delta Bank Bass Classic, and tournament Marketing Director Ouida Pecanty said the tournament was a great success.

“Everything went great, and everyone had a good time,” Pecanty said. “Of the 36 entries in the tournament, 10 of those were corporate entries. The tournament was absolutely a great success.”

The tournament began at 6 a.m. and concluded at 3 p.m. on lakes Concordia and St. John.

The weigh-in was at the Vidalia Home Hardware parking lot, and Pecanty said there was a large crowd assembled there.

“We had a really good crowd watching the weigh-in,” Pecanty said. “Everybody had great fun.”

The tournament was won by Smylie Hudnall, who also won the $500 prize for catching the biggest bass.

“He took home all the prizes today,” Pecanty said.

But the big winner is Relay for Life. The tournament itself raised $1,500 for the organization, and Pecanty said that more money was raised by selling T-shirts and bracelets at the weigh-in.

The tournament was organized by the Vidalia Delta Bank.

Bank workers were up before dawn getting things ready for the tournament, and Pecanty was feeling the effects Saturday night.

“It’s tough to get up at 3:30 in the morning,” Pecanty said. “I’m ready to hit the bed.”