10-02-2008, 11:10 AM
KEY WEST, Florida --- Interrupted by evacuation orders for Hurricane Ike in early September, the Mercury Outboards S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament has bounced back with new dates of October 17-19 for the famed Florida Keys trilogy fishing event benefiting CF research.
The S.L.A.M., short for Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters, is part of the Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series now beginning its third decade to raise money for the fight against cystic fibrosis. Capt. Gary and Susan Ellis founded the Redbone tournament in 1988 as a grass roots effort to help victims like their daughter Nicole who have CF.
The 19th annual S.L.A.M. targets the "big-three" game fish of the Florida flats - tarpon, permit and bonefish. Catching all three on the same day is known as a "flats grand slam."
"It's one of the most exciting experiences a fly or light tackle angler can have," said ex-NFL Denver Bronco lineman Mark Cooper who hopes to capture the celebrity grand champion title after being edged-out on the water by baseball hall of famer Wade Boggs last year.
The two-day catch and release tournament is also part of the new ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series package of six televised Redbone and Redbone@Large tournament shows to air next spring. The other tournaments in the Florida Keys "triple crown" are the 18th annual Mercury Baybone in Key Largo (Oct. 3-5) for bonefish and permit and the 21st annual Mercury Redbone, (Nov. 7-9) for redfish and bonefish in Islamorada.
"Because of the postponement the tournament has a limited number of openings for participants and team entries with great captains to guide them," said Ellis. "For a two-angler team the entry fee is $3,000 which includes the guide fees for two days of fishing, all of the social functions such as the kick-off beach party, continental breakfasts, box lunches, dockside parties with hors d'oeuvres, Sunday awards barbeque and a tournament ditty bag."
The tournament's $2,500 individual entry fee is also available for those who would like to fish with a celebrity.
"Our host hotel will be the luxurious Beachside Resort which has just undergone a multi million dollar renovation," said Susan Ellis, "and our dockside host will be the Hurricane Hole Restaurant and Marina."
The Redbone has grown from one tournament - with $16,000 raised the first year - to 32 events internationally helping significantly by contributing more than $11 million to the research efforts of the CF Foundation. Last year's combined events brought in $1.56 million.
The S.L.A.M.'s grand champion angler, as do all the Keys trilogy series event grand champions, will receive a stainless steel Rolex timepiece and qualify to compete in the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament next summer.
Original artwork by nationally known marine artists are awarded as prizes to the top anglers and teams, as well as champion anglers in the general, spin and fly divisions. Artwork is also presented for the largest and most fish caught and released in each target species.
Besides Mercury Outboards which became the title sponsor in 1991, the other major sponsors for the Mercury S.L.A.M. include Rich Products, Robert James Sales, Redbone Rods, Rolex, Dedicato De Patris Wines, Southeast Construction, Prographics and South Florida Fishing Guides.
For more information about the S.L.A.M. and tournament registration forms, or for information about the Mercury Outboards Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, call 305-664-2002 or go on-line to www.redbone.org.
Media Contact
Pete Johnson (480) 951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com
The S.L.A.M., short for Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters, is part of the Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series now beginning its third decade to raise money for the fight against cystic fibrosis. Capt. Gary and Susan Ellis founded the Redbone tournament in 1988 as a grass roots effort to help victims like their daughter Nicole who have CF.
The 19th annual S.L.A.M. targets the "big-three" game fish of the Florida flats - tarpon, permit and bonefish. Catching all three on the same day is known as a "flats grand slam."
"It's one of the most exciting experiences a fly or light tackle angler can have," said ex-NFL Denver Bronco lineman Mark Cooper who hopes to capture the celebrity grand champion title after being edged-out on the water by baseball hall of famer Wade Boggs last year.
The two-day catch and release tournament is also part of the new ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series package of six televised Redbone and Redbone@Large tournament shows to air next spring. The other tournaments in the Florida Keys "triple crown" are the 18th annual Mercury Baybone in Key Largo (Oct. 3-5) for bonefish and permit and the 21st annual Mercury Redbone, (Nov. 7-9) for redfish and bonefish in Islamorada.
"Because of the postponement the tournament has a limited number of openings for participants and team entries with great captains to guide them," said Ellis. "For a two-angler team the entry fee is $3,000 which includes the guide fees for two days of fishing, all of the social functions such as the kick-off beach party, continental breakfasts, box lunches, dockside parties with hors d'oeuvres, Sunday awards barbeque and a tournament ditty bag."
The tournament's $2,500 individual entry fee is also available for those who would like to fish with a celebrity.
"Our host hotel will be the luxurious Beachside Resort which has just undergone a multi million dollar renovation," said Susan Ellis, "and our dockside host will be the Hurricane Hole Restaurant and Marina."
The Redbone has grown from one tournament - with $16,000 raised the first year - to 32 events internationally helping significantly by contributing more than $11 million to the research efforts of the CF Foundation. Last year's combined events brought in $1.56 million.
The S.L.A.M.'s grand champion angler, as do all the Keys trilogy series event grand champions, will receive a stainless steel Rolex timepiece and qualify to compete in the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament next summer.
Original artwork by nationally known marine artists are awarded as prizes to the top anglers and teams, as well as champion anglers in the general, spin and fly divisions. Artwork is also presented for the largest and most fish caught and released in each target species.
Besides Mercury Outboards which became the title sponsor in 1991, the other major sponsors for the Mercury S.L.A.M. include Rich Products, Robert James Sales, Redbone Rods, Rolex, Dedicato De Patris Wines, Southeast Construction, Prographics and South Florida Fishing Guides.
For more information about the S.L.A.M. and tournament registration forms, or for information about the Mercury Outboards Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, call 305-664-2002 or go on-line to www.redbone.org.
Media Contact
Pete Johnson (480) 951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com