GALLOPS WINS 13^th MERCURY OUTBOARDS BAYBONE

Points race tightens in second leg of Redbone trilogy series contest benefiting cystic fibrosis research

KEY LARGO, In-the-Florida Keys -- Dr. Mike Gallops, Naples, Fla., strengthened his Mercury Redbone trilogy series points lead by releasing three bonefish and two permit Sunday, Oct. 5, to win the 13th Annual Mercury Outboards Baybone Celebrity Fishing Tournament.  Guided by Capt. Rich Tudor of Islamorada, Gallops also caught four bonefish on Saturday.

The two-day tournament, one of 24 internationally, raises money for cystic fibrosis research and challenged anglers with the two wily backcountry species in the upper Keys event.

Dan Zicari of Vero Beach, Fla., captured second place again in as many tournaments releasing two bonefish on day one and two permit the next day fishing with Capt. Mark Krowka of Davie, Fla.

Father and son Mitch and Jeffrey Howell of Plantation, Fla., with Capt. Bob Branham of Homestead, captured the team award.  Jeffrey, 17, also captured the junior award with three bonefish total.

Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood guided by her husband Capt. Billy Ellenwood, Tavernier, won the women’s division title. 

Pro tennis star Jay Berger of Miami, caught two bonefish to win the celebrity division, while teammate Rick Moeller of Islamorada, caught seven bonefish fishing with Capt. Steve Thomas of Islamorada for the celebrity pro honors.

Frank DeLucas of Plantation, captured the fly division title with two bonefish guided by Capt. Duane Baker of Islamorada.

A total of 59 bonefish and eight permit were photographed and released among the 62 anglers and celebrities.

The awards banquet was held Sunday night at the Bayside Resort and Snook’s Bayside in Key Largo.

With their Baybone wins Gallops, Berger and Ms. Ellenwood all qualified to compete in the 2004 Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament to be held in May, in Islamorada.

The win moved Gallops into a tie for first place with Zicari at 1,500 points each going into the final leg of the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Series points race. The series grand champion will be crowned at the 16th Mercury/Cheeca Redbone Celebrity Tournament in Islamorada, Dec. 5-7, fishing for redfish and bonefish. 

In third place in the standings with 1,000 points is Jim Bokor, Tavernier, Fla., a four-time series grand champion who won the Mercury SLAM, the trilogy opener in Key West in September.  Bokor did not place in the top four at the Baybone. 

Dorsy is next with 500 points while DeLucas and Kal Blumberg of Ft. Lauderdale have 250 points each in the series race.

The winner of the Redbone series will take home a gold Presidential Rolex watch worth $18,000 and the series blue blazer sport jacket.      

The Keys tournaments, which have since spawned 21 other celebrity tournaments across the nation and internationally, have raised over $5 million for CF research efforts. An additional $1 million is the goal of all the tournaments this year.

On Friday, as a prelude to the Mercury Baybone, Zicari, guided by Krowka, won the 10th Annual Seamaster Superfly, a one-day, one fly pattern tournament among a field of 15 anglers. 

For information about the Mercury Outboards Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, call Susan Ellis at (305) 664-2002.

2003 Mercury Outboards Baybone Tournament Results

Bayside Resort, Key Largo, Fla., Oct. 3-5, 2003

Grand Champion Angler:  Dr. Mike Gallops, Naples, Fla., guided by Capt. Rich Tudor, Islamorada

Celebrity Grand Champion:  Jay Berger, Miami, Fla., guided by Capt. Steve Thomas, Islamorada

Grand Champion Lady Angler:  Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood, Tavernier, guided by Capt. Billy Ellenwood, Tavernier

Pro-Celebrity Grand Champion Angler: Rick Moeller, Islamorada, guided by Capt. Steve Thomas  

Team Grand Champion Anglers: Mitch and Jeffrey Howell, Plantation, Fla., guided by Capt. Bob Branham, Homestead,

Grand Champion Junior Angler: Jeffrey Howell, guided by Capt. Bob Branham

First Runner-Up Angler:  Dan Zicari, Vero Beach, Fla., guided by Capt. Mark Krowka, Davie, Fla.

First Runner-Up Team: Stacey Telenzac, Ocean Ridge, Fla., and Ed Clement, Coral Springs, Fla., guided by Capt. Rick Miller, Islamorada

Fly Division Champion:  Frank DeLucas, Plantation, guided by Capt. Duane Baker, Islamorada.
 
Most Bonefish Releases:  Pat Dorsy, Coral Gables, Fla., guided by Capt. Dave Denkert, Miami 

Most Permit Releases: Dr. Mike Gallops, guided by Capt. Rich Tudor

Largest Bonefish:  Paul Guard, Cape Coral, Fla., guided by Capt. Mike Patterson, Tavernier

Largest Permit:  Dr. Mike Gallops, guided by Capt. Rich Tudor

Total Boats 31

Total Fish Caught: 67 (59 bonefish and 8 permit)