There’s no other way to describe it but simply “the fishing blitz,” an experience no other fishery can offer as anglers return for the 10th annual Redbone @ Large F.C.A. Celebrity Tournament at the Montauk Yacht Club Resort and Marina, Sept. 21 – 23.
“Montauk is one of the most outstanding fisheries anywhere for fly fishing and light tackle anglers,” said Gary Ellis, founder and tournament director of the Redbone which raises money for researchers to “catch a cure for cystic fibrosis.”
Anglers, celebs and guides seek a “Nor’ East Grand Slam” of striped bass, bluefish and false albacore. All fish caught are photographed, weighed and safely returned to the water.
“In the fall the fish move out of the bay and marsh to feed on the large schools of bait on the shore. You’ll be sight-casting to large schools of fish crashing bait. It’s remarkable to watch.
“Though our participant numbers were down last year because of the economy, out of the 11 guided boats the 22 anglers caught and released 897 fish. That’s simply amazing,” Ellis exclaimed. “As a Florida Keys guide I’ve seen giant daisy chains of circling tarpon, massive pods of feeding sailfish and huge pushes of redfish and bonefish. But this fishery at the tip of Long Island can be pure anglers’ nirvana,” he grinned. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The tournament at Montauk is one of a multi-series of 30 Redbone celebrity events held across the nation and internationally as well. The Redbones, each with its own unique local flavor, have become increasingly popular for its fishing potential, the camaraderie of the anglers competing, plus the fun, food and socializing while simultaneously contributing to a great cause.Among the celebrities scheduled to participate are MLB Hall of Famer/New York Yankee Wade Boggs, one of the founding celebs of the two decade old Redbone series along with popular NY executive chef Kerry Heffernan of South Gate Central Park South fame, plus several others “waiting in the wings.”
Most of the guides who donate a day of their time are from the Fisherman’s Conservation Association (FCA) of New York, which helps organize the event locally.
“The FCA is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the ‘conservation triad’ of access, habitat, and fisheries management,” said Ellis. “The FCA’s financial support directly benefits the marine waters priorities of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut including such causes as fighting the proposed dumping of toxic waste in Jamaica Bay, illegal poaching, beach access and seeking game fish status for striped bass in New York.
“Through Captain Frank Crescitelli the FCA’s guides have been deeply committed to helping wipe out CF,” said Ellis. “Great strides in research for a cure have been made over these 10 years, and we’re excited to have the hands-on tournament involvement of the FCA.”
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’s still no cure for cystic fibrosis.
Angler entries still open
Anglers pay an entry fee of $3,000 to fish with a celebrity, or two people can fish as a team entry for $3,500. The entry fee includes a guide for the two days of tournament fishing and all meals and events listed on the social schedule.
The public is invited to join in for a silent auction that starts on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21 at 1 – 5 p.m., and then again Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. when it closes.
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 at the Montauk Yacht Club, the host sponsor of the event.
Winners in numerous categories will take home beautifully framed original and limited edition marine artwork from nationally known artists. Prizes are awarded to the tournaments’ top anglers and teams in spin and fly divisions. Awards are presented for the largest fish released in each target species and the largest number of fish released.
For further information on the tournament or social tickets, please call Susan Ellis at the Redbone offices in Islamorada, Fla., at 305-664-2002 or go online at the redbone website.
Redbone background: From the Keys to 30 tournaments nationwide and beyond
In 1988, the Redbone (REDfish and BONEfish) began as a small local fundraising tournament in Islamorada in the Florida Keys to help over 30,000 CF patients across the nation such as Nicole Ellis, daughter of Capt. Gary and Susan Ellis.
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 Boggs, Curt Gowdy, Joe DiMaggio, and many others to compete in the tournament. Through the efforts of guides, anglers and volunteers, they raised $16,000 at that first event.
Since then, the 23-year-old Redbone series has gained national and international attention, luring distinguished anglers from all around the world and raising over $15 million dollars for cystic fibrosis research. Last year’s combined events alone brought in $1.4 million.
The events also gained fame on TV as hundreds of top celebrities have competed in the past including General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Hall of Fame Boston Celtic John Havlicek, Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield, super model Lauren Hutton, astronaut Bruce Melnick and the late saxophonist “The Big Man” Clarence Clemons.
In addition to Montauk, other Redbone celebrity fishing events for a wide variety of fish species stretch from the Keys to the Bahamas to Buffalo, N.Y; Cleveland, Ohio; Laughlintown, Pa.; Aspen, Colo.; Mexico and Costa Rica.
“We also have a popular series, in which redfish and speckled sea trout are the target species in cities which include St. Augustine, Fla.; Golden Isles, Ga.; Wrightsville Beach, N.C.; Charleston, S.C. and West Pointe Ala Heche, Louisiana,” said Ellis.”Plus we have our original Redbone fall trilogy points series here in the Keys which began in Key West with the Robert James Sales SLAM, Sept. 9 – 11, (tarpon, permit and bonefish) the Baybone, Oct. 7 – 9, in Key Largo (bonefish and permit) and in Islamorada the tournament that started it all, the 24th Redbone, Nov. 4 – 6, which fills up quickly with celebrities and anglers.”By: Pete Johnson / Johnson Communications
