Fishing tournament returns to Palatka after 1-year hiatus 

Thursday will mark the start of an extended weekend of bass fishing entertainment in Palatka that will be broadcast throughout the nation.

The Bassmaster Elite Series is coming back to the city after last year’s Florida stop in the series moved to Lake Okeechobee. 

From Thursday until Sunday, anglers, vendors and live music will liven up Memorial Parkway as spectators partake in events along the riverfront and anglers search the St. Johns River for their prizes. 

Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President Dana Jones said Monday she expects sponsors and anglers to be already making their way to town to prepare for the event.

She encouraged local business officials to display signs in or around their businesses to welcome back the anglers. 

“It’s a huge economic impact,” Jones said. “It’s great to welcome them back.”

Bassmaster draws anglers from across the country and abroad to compete in the tournament, which Fox Sports broadcasts across the United States, she said. The competition yields a $2 million impact for Putnam County, Jones estimated in an emailed comment. 

The anglers will set out on the St. Johns River from the Palatka City Dock around 7 a.m. daily and return at 3 p.m. for weigh-ins, B.A.S.S. Communications Manager Chad Gay said in a press release. 

Local angler Cliff Prince and his wife, Kelly Prince, are eager to be back together after he has been traveling for other tournaments. Kelly Prince said she and her family don’t always get to go with him when he works. 

“It’s exciting when we see it on the schedule,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have everyone here.”

Cliff Prince agreed, adding how much he looks forward to working in a familiar setting. 

“I’m just glad to be home and fish on my own body of water,” he said. 

The last three Bassmaster events in Palatka took place in February, but the new dates might cause the anglers to venture into new areas of the river to find their catches, East Florida angler John Cox told Bassmaster. 

“I think with us fishing in mid-April, that will open up the north part of the river and we’ll see more stuff (in) play with the tide,” Cox stated. “I think we’ll see something different this year. I think we’ll see people spread out more than we normally do. We’ll see people get on something off-the-wall and unexpected.”

People who want to keep up with where the anglers reel in their catches can watch Bassmaster LIVE, which will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days. Coverage will also be available on FS1 on Saturday and Sunday, Gay stated.

This year, Bassmaster started a workshop for women anglers called BassmastHER. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. at the Palatka riverfront’s St. Johns River Maxam Elite booth. 

Women can sign up at bassmaster.com/bassmasther. 

According to a Bassmaster press release, women anglers will learn about bass fishing fundamentals, rods, reels, casting accuracy and how to operate a bass boat. 

There will be features at the riverfront to keep spectators busy as they wait for anglers to come back for the daily weigh-ins. 

Food vendors will set up at noon Thursday and Friday and people can stick around for live music at Velchoff’s Corner, 105 N. Second St., which will begin at 5 p.m. every day. 

Family-friendly events will last from noon – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a free Kidz Zone at the St. Johns River Center, 102 N. First St. The programs are centered around science-related, hands-on activities for kids and parents, Jones said. 

“It’s just a very entertaining event and so cool for children,” she said. “There’s nothing like this to do in town.”

From noon – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, people can walk around an exhibition that features demonstrations, vendors, prizes and more. 

Military and First Responder Appreciation Day will be Saturday, and B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day will be Sunday. 

For additional Bassmaster Elite Series information, visit https://www.bassmaster.com/.