Nefar Charity Bass Tournament On St. John’s River Benefits Haven Hospice Programs
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors Charity Bass Tournament on the St. John’s River is growing to the point that parking and transportation for the fishermen has become a problem – but that’s a good thing, said Mike Oglesby, the OGS Tournament Trail Tournament Director who runs the tournament.
“We promised to grow this tournament and we’ve done a fabulous job,” Oglesby said. “Last year we had 114 boats and this year we promised 150 boats, if not more.”
That created concern with the anglers who have been calling in to find out if there will be adequate parking, he said.
“We’ve established plenty of parking with different businesses and public parking areas,” Oglesby said.. We’ve even gone to the expense of hiring buses to transport people back and forth to the weigh-in and launch sites. We are ready for 200 to 250 boats easily.”
In the past 11 years the tournament has raised $215,296 for Haven Hospice. Since 1979, Haven Hospice has touched the lives of more than 70,000 patients and families, whether in their homes or at one of the five hospice care centers operated by Haven.
Last year, Haven Hospice provided direct care to 5,321 patients facing a life-limiting illness and supported their loved ones through the process. In addition, the hospice provided free counseling and grief support to 4,010 individuals and families.
The 12th annual tournament will be held Saturday at the Palatka City Riverfront Amphitheatre with angler teams vying for the $3,000 guaranteed first place and the $1,000 guaranteed prize for big bass of the tournament, plus the “Average Joe” pot.
The entry fee is $120, which includes $10 for the Big Fish Payout and $10 for the “Average Joe” Pot. Payback to the field will be the remaining 80 percent of the total entry money
The “Average Joe Payout” will reward the three boats that have an average catch for that day, giving those boats down in the field the opportunity to win some money. The “Average Joe” is determined by calculating the average weight of the fish, once all the fish are weighed in. Then the average number of fish caught per boat will be calculated. The average number of fish caught multiplied by the average weight provides the “Average Joe” weight for the day.
The boat with the weight nearest that weight, without going over, is the top “Average Joe,” and will win 50 percent of the pot. The next weight will be the second “Average Joe” and will win 30 percent of the pot, while the next weight down from that will determine the third “Average Joe,” who will get 20 percent of the pot.
In addition to the fishing, there will be a Family Fun Day beginning at 11 a.m. on the riverfront with free fun activities for the family, including a kids big slide, a “Reel Kids Casting Contest” for prizes, go fishing for a live fish, a free classic car show and music. Artisans will display their crafts and food vendors will be available throughout the day.
NEFAR Charity Bass Tournament
Sat, Apr 25, 2015
St Johns River
Palatka City Docks
Call Mike Oglesbee 386-546-3614
