Saltwater Fishing Home Page Saltwater Fishing News
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photos available via e-mail upon request
CONTACT: Pete Johnson
Johnson Communications, at 480-951-3654
Mercury Redbone/P.F.L.G.A. celebrity fishing tournament growing bigger in Montauk,
NBA Hall of Famer John Havlicek, football great Dave Rimington, ESPNâs Jose Wejebe and Howell Raines among celebrities, along with guides, anglers, volunteers helping to âcatch the cure for cystic fibrosis,â Sept. 17-19
MONTAUK, Long Island, NYIn only its second year thhe Mercury Outboards Redbone @Large P.F.L.G.A. Celebrity Tournament in Montauk, has increased in size and is again sold out for fishing positions at the Montauk Yacht Club Resort and Marina, September 17-19.
Though a sell-out with a field of 120-plus anglers, guides and celebrities, organizers say âyou donât need to fish to help âcatch the cureâ for cystic fibrosis.â The public is invited to join in for a silent auction that starts on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 17 at 1-5 p.m., and then again Thursday from
A $250 per person social package is also available for the Thursday night banquet and live auction along with the Friday evening lobster/clambake awards party.
The tournament is one of a multi-series of 24 Redbone celebrity events across the nation and internationally, all title sponsored for over a decade by Mercury. Each tournament has become increasingly popular with fishermen for its fun and camaraderie while simultaneously contributing to a great cause.
Entries went fast
Word got out about how much fun the anglers in the field of 33 guided boats had last year. The field was increased to 42 boats and again sold out quickly. Anglers paid an entry fee of $3,000 to fish with a celebrity, or two people are fishing as a team entry for $3,500. The entry fee includes a guide for the two days of tournament fishing and all meals listed on the social schedule.
Many of the guides who donate a day of their time are from the Professional Fly and Light-Tackle Guides Assoc. (P.F.L.G.A.) of
Anglers, celebs and guides seek a âNorâ East Grand Slamâ of striped bass, bluefish and false albacore. All fish caught will be photographed and immediately returned to the water.
Among the many celebrities scheduled to participate are NBA Hall of Famer/Boston Celtic John Havlicek, one of the founding celebrities of the Redbone series; collegiate and NFL football great Dave Rimington and former New York Times executive editor Howell Raines. From the fishing world, celebrities include the host of ESPNâs Spanish Fly Jose Wejebe, marine artist and writer Tim Borski along with authors/writers Nick Curcione and Bob Popovics.
Fleet Specialist will present a dinner and live auction after Thursdayâs fishing. On Friday, Highland Asset will host a Long Island Lobster/Clambake Awards Party. Other sponsors include Bear Stern, Lehman Brothers, UBS Securities, Montauk Yacht Club, Allied Domecq, Hellâs Bay Boatworks, Cape Fear Rods, Orvis, ESPN Outdoors and Lowrance.
Tournament winners in numerous categories will take home beautifully framed original and limited edition marine artwork from nationally known artists. Prizes will be awarded to the tournamentsâ top anglers and teams in the spin and fly divisions. Awards also will be presented for the largest fish released in each target species and the largest number of fish released in each species.
In addition, the tournament's grand champion male and female anglers and the top celebrity angler will qualify to participate in the 2004 Rolex/International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Inshore Championship Tournament in the
âMontauk is one of the most exciting locations weâve added,â said Redbone founder and tournament director Capt. Gary Ellis. âThe enthusiasm of the guides, the
âThe Montauk fishery is abundant. And there are flats areas off Montauk that are similar to fishing for bonefish in the Keys, except you substitute the strong hit of a striped bass for that of a bonefish.
âIn the fall the fish move out of the bay and marsh to feed on the large schools of bait on the shore. Youâll be sight-casting to large schools of fish crashing bait. Itâs remarkable to watch.â
The tournament will combine artificial and fly said local guides and organizers Captains Scott Holder and Paul Dixon.
âWe have some of the most extremely knowledgeable guides the area has to offer and each is donating a day for this worthy charity,â said Holder chairman of the P.F.L.G.A.
For further information on the tournament or social tickets, please call Susan Ellis at the Redbone offices in
Redbone background: From the Keys to 24 tournaments nationwide and beyond
In 1988, the Redbone (REDfish and BONEfish) began as a small local fundraising tournament in Islamorada in the
The late Hall of Fame slugger Ted Williams, a Keys resident during and after his playing days, helped the Ellis family attract celebrities such as Curt Gowdy, Joe DiMaggio, John Havlicek and many others to compete in the tournament. Through the efforts of guides, anglers and volunteers, they raised $16,000 at that first event.
Mercury Outboards became title sponsor of the Redbone tournaments 13 years ago. As the series grew, the world leader in fuel-efficient, low-emissions marine propulsion continued to dedicate increasing manpower and financial contributions for the events.
Since then, the 16-year-old Mercury Redbone series has gained national and international attention, luring distinguished anglers from all around the world and raising $5 million dollars for cystic fibrosis research.
âMercury and its employees are deeply committed to helping wipe out cystic fibrosis,â said Pat Mackey, president of Mercury Marine. âGreat strides in research for a cure have been made in recent years, and weâre excited about being on board this extremely worthwhile cause.â
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can lead to life-threatening lung infections.
The CF mucus also obstructs the pancreas, interfering with digestion. Though remarkable progress has been made, there still is not cure for cystic fibrosis.
Tournaments nationally and internationally
In addition to Montauk, other Mercury Redbone@Large celebrity fishing events include Little Palm Island and
There are also eight tournaments in the new Mercury Redbone@Large Red*Trout celebrity fishing series, in which redfish and speckled sea trout are the target species. Cities in that series include
âPlus we have our original Mercury Redbone fall trilogy points series here in the Keys in Key West (Mercury SLAM, early Sept.) and upcoming tournaments in Key Largo (Mercury Baybone, Oct. 3 - 5) and Islamorada (Mercury/Cheeca Redbone, Dec. 5-7), which fill up quickly with celebrities and anglers,â said Ellis.
âMore and more CF offices around the country in coastal communities like Montauk are asking to use the Mercury Redbone âfootprintâ of producing a successful celebrity fishing tournament. Itâs not just a
###
2003 MERCURY OUTBOARDS REDBONE @ LARGE
P.F.L.G.A. MONTAUK CELEBRITY TOURNAMENT
ITINERARY
SEPT. 17TH, WED.
Silent Auction opens-Open to the public.
MONTAUK YACHT CLUB.
SEPT. 18TH, THURS *** GUIDES*** must check in with scorekeeper
Prior to departure.
SEPT. 19TH, FRIDAY
| Advertising/Sponsor Information |
Privacy Statement
| |
|