REDBONE ISLAND WALK & SUNSET TARPON TOURNEY NET $20,000 MORE TO "CATCH THE CURE" FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

MARATHON -- Another $20,000 toward the effort to "Catch the Cure" for Cystic Fibrosis was raised as a result of the Mercury Redbone Island Walk and Celebrity Sunset Tarpon Tournament. The event was part of the national Great Strides Walk, which is made up of events organized all over the United States by local Cystic Fibrosis offices in their communities.

On the fishing side, the event found eight boats fishing in beautiful weather, with anglers treated to a beautiful sunset. Capt. Butch Hewlitt led his angler, Robert Mason, to the grand championship with two fish caught and released, one of which weighed an estimated 90 pounds. Robert's son Mark fished as his teammate, but the team grand championship went to John Riegor fishing with Capt. Rick Tudor. They caught two tarpon as well, both in the 80 pound category, but they caught one each, making theirs the best team effort.

Dick Greenfield and his teammate Dick Bettis, fishing with Capt. Randy Small, also caught two fish, but gave up the team grand championship to Riegor and Tudor on time.

Next year's event is tentatively scheduled for April 5 and 6, with the walk taking place on Saturday morning, April 5, followed by an evening of fishing and a first night dinner. Fishing will resume on April 6, with an awards banquet following.

For more information on this or any event in the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, call (305) 664-2002.

TOURNAMENT DATE: MARCH 17, 2001

TARGET FISH: TARP0N

FORMAT: ALL RELEASE- ALL FISH MUST BE 48 INCHES IN OVERALL LENGTH TO QUALIFY AS A LEGAL RELEASE. 20 LB TEST.

ANGLERS: 20

TOTAL FISH CAUGHT: 8

GRAND CHAMPION ANGLER: Robert Maison, Marathon, FL

2 tarpon

TROPHY: KENDALL VAN SANT BRONZE "TARPON"

GUIDE TO GRAND CHAMPION ANGLER: Capt. Butch Hewlett

TROPHY: Vaughn Cochran Tarpon Tile/Ameristitch "Tarpon Tournament Jacket"

CELEBRITY GRAND CHAMPION: Bruce Melnick,

TROPHY: Mike Stidham "Tarpon" Print

GUIDE TO CELEBRITY GRAND CHAMPION: Capt. Brad Picariello

TROPHY: Vaughn Cochran Tarpon Tile

FIRST RUNNER UP ANGLER: John Riegor, Duck Key, FL

TROPHY: James Harris Print "Silver King"

GUIDE TO RUNNER UP ANGLER: Capt. Rich Tudor

TROPHY: Vaughn Cochran Tarpon Tile

TEAM CHAMPIONS: John Riegor, Kline Davis

TROPHY: F.W. Thomas Print "Cardiac Arrest"

GUIDE TO TEAM CHAMPIONS: Capt. Rich Tudor

TROPHY: "Silver King" by James Harris

LARGEST TARPON: Robert Maison

TROPHY: Osborn "Tarpon" Pint

GUIDE TO LARGEST TARPON: Capt. Butch Hewlett

TROPHY: Carey Chen "Tarpon"