November 08, 2012
By Florida Sportsman Newswire
Left, Captain Paul Tejera with Davey Johnson, holding one of the three redfish Johnson landed in the Redbone Tournament. Johnson was named the event's celebrity grand champion.
Florida Keys Fishing Tournament News
For Miami resident Ross Reeder, earning grand champion honors at the Florida Keys' Redbone tournament that ended Sunday, Nov. 4, was especially significant as the tournament marked its silver anniversary.
Reeder also won the 2012 Redbone Trilogy award, amassing the most points of any angler who competed in each of three Keys-based tournaments including the Robert James Sales S.L.A.M., Baybone and Redbone.
Fishing the Redbone with Captain Dave Denkert of Islamorada, Fla., Reeder released 11 redfish on bait, 23 reds on artificial lure and one bonefish on bait during the two-day contest, which for 25 years has been a major fundraiser for cystic fibrosis treatment and research.
Reeder's teammate, Islamorada resident Brooke Denkert, added four redfish and one bonefish to the tally, earning the duo the team grand championship title. Denkert's efforts landed her the lady grand champ title as well.
Davey Johnson, manager of the Washington Nationals, released three redfish on artificial and one bonefish on bait to be named celebrity grand champion. A resident of Winter Park, Fla., Johnson fished with Islamorada's Captain Paul Tejera.
Preceding the silver anniversary event, Johnson and Nicole Ellis, daughter of Redbone founder Gary Ellis, placed a memorial wreath in Florida Keys waters. Nicole Ellis, now 28, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth.
The ceremonial wreath signified remembrance of the late Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams, who was instrumental in helping Gary Ellis initiate the light-tackle fishing tournaments. To date, the Redbone series has raised some $18 million for the cause.
Anglers on 39 boats released 278 redfish and 13 bonefish during the two-day Redbone tournament.
