A Weekend on the Water: What 284 Boats, One Giant Bass, and a Hospital Have in Common

If you’ve ever spent a sunrise on the St. Johns River in Palatka, you know the kind of stillness that settles before the engines roar. It’s not quiet — not really — but there’s a hush. Fishermen move with focus. Coolers clink. Boats idle. Everyone’s watching the clock.

Then it happens — blast-off. And just like that, the 36th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament was underway.

This year, 284 teams hit the water in what’s become one of the largest and longest-running bass tournaments in Florida, not just for the competition, but for something bigger: raising funds for the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. And at Ocean Waves Sunglasses, we were proud to be back as a sponsor — supporting the cause and the community that raised us.

25.90 Pounds and a Big Win

By the end of weigh-in, it was Cody Morgan and Brant Langley who would take home the win — and the $10,000 prize — with a five-bass limit totaling 25.90 pounds. According to Xtreme Bass Series, this was Brant’s first time fishing the Wolfson, but you wouldn’t know it. Their bag was solid from start to finish.

Right behind them were Steven Keith and Daniel Robertson, whose 25.68-pound limit was nearly enough — but they did snag the Big Bass prize with a 9.55-pound monster, earning them an extra $5,000. Third place went to John Kremer and Jeff Duncan with 24.63 pounds and the second-biggest bass at 8.39.

Not bad for a weekend in May.

More Than Just Trophies

Here’s the thing — the leaderboard is always exciting, but the real story is what happens behind the scenes. Since 1989, this tournament has raised over $7 million for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. This year, proceeds will help purchase life-saving equipment for kids with heart conditions.

It’s personal. It’s local. And it’s why we’ve made it part of our mission at Ocean Waves to support it.

From Sunglasses to Sponsorship

We’ve always believed in seeing clearly — not just in how our lenses perform, but in the bigger picture. This tournament reminds us why we started in the first place: to build something that lasts, that gives back, that feels connected to the water and the people around it.

Being part of the captain’s bags, watching our banner hang near the docks, hearing stories from the anglers — it means something. It’s not just marketing. It’s being part of a community that shows up for each other.

Lads, Lasses & VIPs Too

The weekend wasn’t all about the main event. There was the Lads & Lasses Tournament — always a favorite — and the VIP & Friends event, which brought together longtime supporters and new faces alike.

It’s these smaller moments — kids weighing their first fish, teams high-fiving at weigh-in, strangers sharing bait stories — that make this tournament more than just a competition. It’s a tradition. A celebration. A fundraiser that doesn’t feel like one.

Until Next Year…

To everyone who fished, volunteered, donated, or cheered from the banks: thank you. We’re already looking forward to next year’s early morning call times, boat chatter, and big bass moments.

And of course, we’ll be back — sunglasses polished, banners packed, ready to support a cause that’s close to home.

Sources:

📍 Xtreme Bass Series – Tournament Recap

📍 Casting for a Cause – Xtreme Bass Series

📷 All photos by Becky Williams