Florida Keys Fishing - 2009 Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament at Hawks Cay Resort

2009 Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament

Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26

High winds on Saturday and Sunday made fishing in the Hawks Cay Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament a true test for the participating guides and anglers. Sight fishing was virtually eliminated, but the 20 participating teams were still able to capture 31 fish during the 2-day tournament.

Brooke Denkert, a 23 year-old master’s student from Islamorada, walked away with the Grand Champion Angler and Lady Angler Grand Champion titles after catching 5 tarpon. Brooke’s team – including guide Dave Denkert, Brooke’s father, and Wade Davis of West Palm Beach – also picked up the Grand Champion Team award with nine tarpon caught over the course of the weekend.

The team of Robert Cullen and son Michael Cullen, guided by Ken Knudsen, won the Fly Grand Champion category as well as the runner-up team award. Miami Dolphins former quarterback John Beck, guided by Scott Meyer of the Saltwater Experience, earned his second straight Celebrity Grand Champion award.

The Redbone charity tournament at Hawks Cay will eventually be featured on the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by TakeMeFishing.org on ESPN Outdoors programming.

The Hawks Cay Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tourney is part of the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series. Proceeds from the tournament and accompanying silent auction benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series was founded by Gary and Susan Ellis in 1988 with a mission: "To catch the cure for cystic fibrosis."

Visit www.redbone.org for further details about the tournament.