Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament reels in more than $300,000

A team from Lake Butler, Fla., won big at the 30th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament Saturday, taking home $15,000.

Kenneth Owen and Cole Kite won the Big Bass competition with a bass weighing in at 10.87 pounds. The pair also won the overall competition with a five-fish aggregate weight of 28.84 pounds.

Second place overall went to Charles Minta and Drew Rogers, of Macclenny, Fla., with an aggregate weight of 22.74 pounds after a .25 deduction for one deceased fish.

Jason Reed and David Davis, of Hollister, Fla., took home third place overall at 22.03 pounds and third place in the Big Bass competition with a bass weighing 8.31 pounds.

Richard Ng and Scott Dunkley caught just one fish and placed 94th overall, but took home second place in the Big Bass competition with a bass weighing 8.50 pounds.

Andy McClain, of Palatka, Fla., won the drawing for a rigged, 21-foot-10-inch Bullet Boat Model 21XRS with a Mercury 250 Pro XS motor and trailer, valued at $65,000. McClain has participated in the bass tournament for four years.

More than 1,000 anglers in around 600 boats took part in the three-day tournament, which is recognized as the largest bass fishing tournament in Florida and the second largest in the country. Proceeds from the tournament will support Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s heart surgery program.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Tournament Chairman Brian Seay of Miller Electric in Jacksonville. “Giving back to our community and helping the children and families. I guarantee that at some point in your life, you will have your own story about Wolfson Children’s Hospital or will know someone who does.”

The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament began in 1989, when the director of the Plant Facilities department of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, along with several others, wanted to raise funds for technological advancements at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Today it is the largest tournament in the state raising money for kids. The tournament beneficiary, Wolfson Children's Hospital, provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for sick and injured children across North Florida and South Georgia.

The 2020 Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament is scheduled to take place May 14-16. Registration opens in February 2020.