Anglers and Celebs Prepare for Round Two of Redbone Trilogy at Baybone in Key Largo
OutdoorHub 10.01.12
It’s round two of the Redbone Trilogy as anglers, celebrities and guides will take on bonefish and permit at the 22nd annual Baybone in Key Largo, Oct. 5 – 7, hosted by Robert James Sales, to help fund medical research to catch the cure for cystic fibrosis.
Celebrity host MLB Hall of Famer Wade Boggs will compete against other notables like NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick and former jai alai star Joey Cornblit, earning points in fly, bait and artificial categories by catching and releasing multiple combinations of the two species.
Frank Delucas of Plantation, Fla., the top angler at the series opening 23rd annual S.L.A.M. in Key West, in early Sept., is expected to lead the charge for the Redbone Trilogy points race. The fall series concludes with the 25th annual Redbone, Nov. 2 – 4 in Islamorada.
Marine artwork and sculptures are awarded to the top anglers, teams and guides.
Dove Creek Lodge, at mile marker 94.5 Oceanside, serves as the headquarters for the Baybone with social functions at the adjacent Snapper’s Waterfront Restaurant. Snappers is also the site for the 3 – 5 p.m. dockside parties after the fishing on Saturday and Sunday
Preceding the Baybone is the Superfly, a one-day, one-fly competition for the same two species sponsored by The Fly Shop of Miami. The Thursday, Oct. 4, registration is set for 6 p.m., fly fishing tournament is slated for Friday, with an awards ceremony beginning at 5 p.m.
Entry fee for the Baybone is $3,500 for a two-angler team or $3,000 for an angler to fish with a celebrity and include two days’ charter fees with a professional guide. The entry fee for the Superfly is $350 per angler who also fishes the Baybone or $500 per angler if not.
The Redbone began in 1988 by the Capt. Gary and Susan Ellis as a grassroots effort to help victims like their daughter, Nicole, who has CF. With help from baseball legend Ted Williams and his celebrity friends to attract anglers, $16,000 was raised that first year.
The Redbone series has since spawned nearly 30 fishing events across the U.S. and internationally raising more than $16 million for scientists and researchers at the CF Foundation.
“We had no idea 25 years ago when we started these tournaments just how many remarkable strides would be made increasing the life expectancy of young CF sufferers,” said Capt. Gary Ellis, “especially now with the most promising ones through gene research.”
“Not only did it lead to isolating the CF gene, but it also paved the way for the discovery of the genes for many others. New CF drug research has helped improve lung function and add a little more time for patients. It’s remarkable how far they’ve come, but there’s still no cure and our tournaments continue in full force to help them.”
With Robert James Sales, Sanppers and Dove Creek Lodge other sponsors in The Redbone Trilogy include Rich Products, Redbone Rods, Double Tree Grand Key Resort, Hurricane Hole, DragonFly Boatworks. Reef Safe Suncare, Image Graphics, The Lorelei, The Islander Resort and Medical Resources Group.
For more on the Redbone events go online to www.redbone.org or call 305-664-2002.
