July / August 2010 Page 1

Rodman Wins Wolfson's Bass Tournament

By David Harvin

"If you haven't already heard the Tournament pulled about 450 boats (I don't know the exact count) Rodman did very well, 1st , 2nd and 3rd place, plus 1st and 2nd big fish. All were caught in Rodman. It was estimated that 65% of the boats went to Rodman."  Ed Taylor Sr.

Ed Taylor Jr. and Brian Dolski won the Wolfson's Children Hospital Fishing Tournament with a five fish bag of 31.5 lbs. and the fish were caught in Rodman.

The annual Wolfson's Children Hospital Tournament is the largest Bass Fishing Tournament in north Florida70; they left the City Dock in Palatka at safe light.

Participants could fish the St Johns River north, south and it's connecting tributaries. Every angler had his "secret" spot located through weeks of pre-fishing, and with $10,000 at stake, it was worth keeping your spot a "secret". Most of the anglers figured that it would take at least 25 lbs of fish to have a chance at winning the Tournament.

Some went north toward Jacksonville , some went south toward Lake George and a bunch went to Lock-into Rodman. They knew it would take a little longer to start fishing but it would be worth the wait.

Ed Taylor Jr. had been fishing Rodman for a month in advance but noticed almost every time he went over "this one spot" he would pick up a good quality fish. He had avoided his "spot" for a week to let it rest but on tournament day he wanted to try this spot first. Ed and Brian Dolski headed straight to the "spot". They were quickly rewarded with two monster bass, so they decided to stay put and fished it until it played out. They stayed there all day.

The strategy paid off because they came in first place and won the $10,000 prize. They also came in second for Big Fish.

You know it's a good day when you are culling 4 lb. fish.