Anglers are invited to fish for redfish and bonefish in the 33rd annual Redbone Celebrity Fishing Tournament which aims to catch the cure for cystic fibrosis. Founded in 1988, four years after Gary and Susan Ellis of Islamorada learned their daughter, Nicole, was born with the genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, they set about gathering friends and celebrities to fish in the Florida Keys and to fund research for a cure.
The Redbone features a silent auction, guest speakers and celebrities along with camaraderie and the sharing of great fishing stories. Redbone tournaments worldwide have contributed more than $26 million to cystic fibrosis research.
Kicking off Friday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. is the registration for anglers, guides and celebrities at the Islamorada Fishing Club. The silent auction and kick-off dinner is at 6 p.m. The silent auction closes at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 6, at 6 a.m., a continental breakfast and reading of the rules starts the tournament at the Lorelei Cabana Bar. There are awards in fly, artificial and bait categories. By 6:30 a.m., guides must sign-in with the scorekeeper, prior to departure at 7 a.m. A brief moment of silence in honor of longtime sponsor, Jim Bokor, Sr., of Buffalo, N.Y. and Islamorada, and the traditional Blessing of the Fleet precedes fishing.
Lines must be out of the water by 3 p.m. and a Celebrity Dockside Party at the Lorelei Cabana Bar continues through 5 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 7, it’s more of the same fun with a 6 a.m. continental breakfast at the Lorelei and a 7 a.m. departure for anglers. Lines out is at 3 p.m., and from 4- 6 p.m. is the dockside awards party at the Islamorada Fishing Club.
The participation fee is $3,700 per team and includes the guide for two days of fishing and social functions for each angler and their guest. $1,850 is a tax-deductible donation.
Redbone thanks its tournament sponsors: Robert James Sales, Tom Thumb Food Stores, Lorelei, Pilar’s Rum, Islamorada Fishing Club, Mercury, Costa, Pure Fishing, Breezy Palms, Image Graphics and Rich Products.
For more information, call 305-664-2002, email susan@redbone.org or visit www.redbone.org.
