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Florida Keys
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| by Stuart Newman Associates |
(Nov. 08, 2007 - ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys)... Practicing spin and fly casting into hula hoops on a lake, and a scant 75-point lead, earned Mo Smith of Cordova, Tenn., four titles at the 20th anniversary Mercury Cheeca Redbone Tournament held Nov. 2-4 in Islamorada.
Smith captured the tournament grand champion title with eight bonefish and five redfish. He also was named grand champion of the Florida Keys Outfitters Cheeca/Redbone one-day, one-fly Superfly tournament, which precedes the Redbone itself, with five bonefish.
The Redbone is the final contest in the Florida Keys’ prestigious three-tournament Redbone Celebrity Trilogy that raises funds for cystic fibrosis research.
Smith is the first person in the 20-year history of the Redbone tournament to take the titles of tournament grand champion and series grand champion. He also won the Superfly series grand championship.
Smith’s guide was Captain Mark Krowka.
"Mark’s just an outstanding guide," said Smith. "He’s the reason we won."
Smith and Troy Pruitt each had 2,000 points in the series, but the tie was broken by an individual 75-point tournament lead in Smith’s favor.
"That’s by a hair -- it’s less than one bonefish," said Krowka.
Smith and Frank Delucas of Plantation, Fla., combined to win the first runner-up team award. Delucas added three bonefish and two redfish to the team score.
Last year’s grand champion, John Timura of Islamorada, returned to win the team grand champion title with fellow Islamorada resident George Proenza. Proenza was also first runner-up angler in the tournament. Timura caught seven redfish and two bonefish, while Proenza scored with six redfish and four bonefish. Their guide was Captain Brian Helms.
The Redbone’s celebrity grand champion was artist Jorge Martinez of Miami, who released three redfish and three bonefish guided by Captain Bou Bosso.
First runner-up celebrity was Bill Hurst for two redfish and three bonefish. A Miami native, Hurst is renowned for his 1996 season pitching for the Florida Marlins. His guide was Captain Dale Perez.
Grand champion lady angler was Linda Denkert of Islamorada, who was guided by her husband, Captain Dave Denkert. She released three redfish and one bonefish.
The spin/plug division champion title went to Adam Vasquez of Washington, D.C., who fished with Captain Chris Jones.
Bob Rich of Islamorada won the fly division championship with guide Rusty Albury.
Mike Myatt of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., released the most redfish.
Jim Bokor of Tavernier released the largest bonefish with Captain Eric Herstedt.
Steve Hamblin of Braselton, Ga., released the largest redfish with Captain Tim Walsh.
Joe Viar of Alexandria, Va., was runner-up in the Superfly with three redfish. He fished with Captain Andy Thompson.
Tournament founder Gary Ellis said the event raised more than $100,000. He anticipates that a cumulative $1.5 million will be raised this year to fund research.
"We’ve inspired this country to go fishing and have fun with a higher purpose: to catch a cure for cystic fibrosis," said Ellis.
Anglers on 67 boats released 68 bonefish and 173 redfish during the two-day Redbone tournament. |
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