Steven Schumacher celebrated victory over former club Plymouth as loan striker Mason Burstow’s home debut goal sealed Bolton’s 2-0 League One success at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Captain Eoin Toal headed in Josh Sheehan’s corner to give Wanderers a 20th-minute lead.
Burstow, whose last goal was for parent club Hull in December 2024, sealed Bolton’s first win of the new campaign, tapping in Amario Cozier-Duberry’s cross on the hour.
Wanderers’ triumph was the perfect response for boss Schumacher after his side’s 2-0 opening-day defeat at Stockport.
But the team he took to the 2022-23 third-tier title are winless under current manager Tom Cleverley, now beaten twice with just one goal scored and five conceded.
Argyle had not lost a league game at Bolton since 1993 and were bidding for a fourth victory in five league meetings against their hosts.
Instead, they failed to produce a shot on target to test home debutant keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Kornel Szucs headed over late on and ex-Wanderer Xavier Amaechi flashed a first-half free-kick wide but Argyle finished well beaten.
Match report supplied by PA Media