Fishing the Flats -- The Redbone
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Fishing the Flats -- The Redbone |
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The Florida Keys are the location for some of fishings greatest moments, particularly
when the wind is over 30 - mph and the air is still chilled in the early November
morning for the Mercury Outboards / Cheeca Redbone Celebrity Tournament.
Its the stuff true anglers relish isn’t it?
The celebs’ including actor Ed Marinaro, Boston Celtic great John Havilcek, and the
great American Sportsman / broadcaster, Curt Gowdy, plus a raft of amateur anglers
and guides all gathered up for this ninth annual "Redbone" charity tourney, as the
locals call it, out of Lorelie Docks in Islamorada. And some fun it was since where else
does a cast of luminaries congegrate with the public for such an outstanding event.
The cast also included ABC’s Good Morning America correspondent Andy Hill, former
NFL pro’s Ted Hendricks, Manny Fernandez and representing baseball, Steve Towle,
Dave Kingman, Davey Johnson the Orioles manager, CNN’s Brian Johnson, and Field
and Stream writer Gene Hill. Previous hopefuls include the likes of Phil Harris and Joe
DiMaggio.
Amateur (meaning unknown, not unproficient) anglers drop $1500 to fish with a
celebrity and guide for two days of competition and social events. (B.A.S.S. take note -
charity is the word here). This event is one of a very few where everyone stands on
common ground, elbow to elbow, where one’s ego is left at home for the sake of true
comaraderie largely because the fish don’t give a damn who you are anyway. The real
stars are the "bones" as they are best known for their torpedo shape, crafty habits and
fighting temperament. The bones nail the bait with a ferocity unlike many of
sportsfishings targets, including the mighty tarpon. Hold on tight when the bone
strikes; your line will run faster than you can put down your sandwhich and catch a
glimpse of it heading to deeper water.
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For those who are not altogether familiar, the "Redbone" name may be a little confusing
since it really comes from the marriage of two species names, the Redfish and the Bonefish,
which are the trophies sought here. While the Redfish is a bit of a nitwit, averaging 5 - 15
pounds, difficult to spook but still a fighter, the Bonefish is more akin to hitting a big league
knuckleball since he can usually see you through the surface and is more likely to take a
pass on your bait pitch. Even under the best of conditions the bone is as tough to cajole
onto a hook as to get him into the boat. Known as the grey ghost and phantom of the flats,
bonefish are held in esteem for their ability to outwit the best of anglers. If you are lucky
enough to hook one it races to the blue deep with a speed and determination you have not
experienced before. Forget the giant bass of north Florida ponds and for that matter even the
cagey Muskey of Canada, the bone is real ride.
As an indication of the nature of the hunters and the hunted (anglers must land at least one
of each) according to the "legal" 12 pound test limitation, the lowely redfish counts for 100
gimme points, the bone a hard-earned 200. But consider.
Sleek, silvery and rocket quick, the bone typically weighs up to about 10 pounds but 19 to 22
are not unheard of here. J.P. McFerran, ostensibly the first to catch one told in 1891 that,
" I verily believe that, pound for pound, the bonefish is far and away the king of all swimmers,
and the only objection I can urge against him is that an experience with him disqualifies one
for all other fishing". Say’s it all doesn’t it? Nearly everyone at the Mercury Outboards/ Cheeca
Redbone Charity agrees.
Contact Cheeca Lodge in Florida, call from the U.S.A at 1-800-327-2888 or for overseas
callers, area code 305-664-4651
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