Michael G. Oliver of Buffalo, N.Y., triumphed over squally weather to take the grand champion title in the Redbone @ Large Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament that ended April 22.
Guided by Islamorada Captain Scott Heller, Oliver released two tarpon on bait for the win. In addition, he and teammate and father Michael C. Oliver Sr. of Amherst, N.Y., earned the team grand champion honors based on time.
The runner-up team award went to one of the other four father-son duos from the Empire State registered in the tournament: Gary Hall of Lewiston, N.Y., and son Brian Hall from Youngstown, N.Y. Led by Islamorada?s Captain Jim Dalrymple, each angler released one tarpon on bait.
Former NASA astronaut and veteran tournament supporter Bruce Melnick served as celebrity host for the event.
A field of 25 anglers released a total of five tarpon during the event, part of the Redbone at Large celebrity tournament series that raises funds to “catch the cure” for cystic fibrosis.
The 2013 Redbone @ Large Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament is set for April 26-28.By: Andy Newman/Carol Shaughnessy
