Palatka, FL-Seth Slanker and Jackson Swisher topped the 90 boat field in the 2025 Wolfson Children’s Hospital VIP & Friends Bass Tournament, edging out the win by a narrow margin. Slanker and Swisher weighed a 22.65 pound, 5 bass limit to top the field, earning $1,000.00 for the victory.
Derek Daniels and Michael Johnson may have been edged out of the top spot yet again to finish the day in second place with a 22.55 pound, 5 bass limit to earn $750.00. This was the third consecutive second place finish for Daniels and Johnson in the VIP & Friends event.
Third place went to the team of Lee Stalvey and Jeff Reedy who weighed a solid 21.87 pound, 5 bass limit. Stalvey and Reedy earned $600.00 for their efforts.
Rounding out the Top 5 were the teams of Chris Cercy and Eric Roberts in fourth place with 19.99 pounds, followed by Parker Stalvey and Jacob Deel in fifth place with 18.88 pounds.
Chris Cercy and Eric Roberts tookk home Big Bass honors with an 8.27 pound Trophy Catch to earn an additional $1,000.00. Josh Griffis and Travis Woods weighed the 2nd Big Bass of the event, a 6.84 pound kicker to earn $500.00.
VIP & Friends Top 10
| Place | Team | Big Fish | Total Weight | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seth Slanker & Jackson Swisher | 5.77 | 22.65 | $1,000.00 |
| 2 | Derek Daniels & Michael Johnson | 6.09 | 22.55 | $750.00 |
| 3 | Lee Stalvey & Jeff Reedy | 5.98 | 21.87 | $600.00 |
| 4 | Chris Cercy & Eric Roberts | 8.27 | 19.99 | $500.00 |
| 5 | Parker Stalvey & Jacob Deel | 18.88 | $250.00 | |
| 6 | Syler Prince & Robin Shiver | 6.24 | 18.54 | |
| 7 | Austin Crews & Paul Crews | 4.62 | 18.35 | |
| 8 | Ronnie Counsil & Andon Harcus | 18.21 | ||
| 9 | Ben Dowling & Chris Keith | 5.34 | 18.20 | |
| 10 | Brandon Wilkes & James Buccanon | 5.44 | 18.16 | |
| 1st Big Bass | Chris Cercy & Eric Roberts | 8.27 | $1,000.00 | |
| 2nd Big Bass | Josh Griffis & Travis Woods | 6.84 | $500.00 |
Full Results found here
The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament week kicks off with the Lads and Lasses tournament on Thursday, followed by the VIP and Friend’s tournament on Friday. Saturday is when all the real fun begins with the 36th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament.
Since 1989, the Tournament has helped Wolfson Children’s Hospital fund specialized treatments, lifesaving technology, and capital improvements. The Plant Facilities Department at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville organized and launched the tournament as a vehicle to fund capital improvements and acquisition of advanced technology. From its inception, the Tournament has raised more than $6 million for Wolfson Children’s.
This year’s event is focused on funding life-saving equipment and technology in the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Baptist Health will match a portion of all gifts to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament for the Wolfson Bass Tournament Endowment Fund.
This year’s goal is to raise $500,000.00. One of the ways you can help is by purchasing tickets for a chance to win a new Bullet 21SDC powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS. Tickets are $20.00 a piece and can be purchased online here.
More information on Wolfson Children’s Hospital can be found here.
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