Hawks Cay Hosts Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament

For Immediate Release

Hawks Cay Hosts Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament
- Anglers Raise Money for Cystic Fibrosis -

 
March 24, 2008 (Duck Key, FL) - It's prime time for tarpon at the Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament coming up at Hawks Cay Resort in Marathon, Florida Keys on April 25th through the 27th, which will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 

"This event is special because we will be fishing in the center of early tarpon season," said Gary Ellis, founder of the Redbone tournaments. "It's famous for that first show of exceptionally large tarpon. Most of our other events skirt the major migration."

Wade Boggs, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, will serve as the celebrity host for the event. Boggs is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005. With 12 straight All-Star appearances, he is third only to Brooks Robinson and George Brett in number of consecutive appearances as a third baseman.

Registration runs from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25 and will be followed by a kick-off gala dinner complete with silent auction. The dinner is open to the public, and auction prizes include bonefish trips to the Bahamas, trips to other Redbone events around the country, fishing rods, jewelry, artwork and more.

On Saturday, April 26, anglers will fish at dawn from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again at dusk from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 27 they will head out in the morning from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

"Getting out there with the sunrise and going back out at sunset is absolutely the best time for catching tarpon," Ellis said.

The event will close with an awards luncheon on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Ellis noted that with this tournament, Redbone will be re-establishing their presence in Marathon. For many years, they held the Redbone Island Walk and Celebrity Sunset Tarpon Tournament on the old seven mile bridge. Once renovations on the bridge began after Hurricane Wilma, the event was put on hold. 

"We had no plans of restarting the tournament until Hawks Cay contacted us and wanted to put it back on the map," Ellis said. "The timing was perfect with the new ownership and the renovation of Hawks Cay. It was a win-win to show off the beautiful new destination and to have such a great central location. It's a great way to jump-start an event that has had so much success for so long."

Hawks Cay re-opened in February 2008 following a $35 million renovation with 177 newly redesigned guest rooms and 225 two- and three- bedroom villas, most of which will be renovated this summer. Their new signature restaurant, Alma, features Nuevo Latino cuisine and their Beach Grill strives for a more casual dining experience. The resort pool doubled in size and now showcases a dramatic sun terrace and veranda.

The resort’s 85-slip marina is home to water sports, Offshore Sailing School and fishing charters. In addition to hosting the tournament, Hawks Cay is also the host resort for the popular "Saltwater Experience" fishing show.  With the full-service marina located directly on property, tournament anglers can begin fishing upon arrival at the resort.

"Hawks Cay is all about the water," said Stephen Bello, Managing Director at Hawks Cay. "We are proud to be bringing the Redbone Tournament back to Marathon and establishing Hawks Cay as the premier destination in the Keys for fishing and the number one choice among anglers."

All of the proceeds from the Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since their first tournament was produced in 1988, Redbone has raised over $10 million. In 2007 alone, tournaments bearing the Redbone name raised $1.5 million net for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"It makes me proud that people look at our efforts and see that the money's going to the right place," said Ellis. "The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has the best record for percentage of actual dollars that goes to science—over 90 percent goes into research, care and medical programs. It's good to know that people believe in us and support us."

The Redbone Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament will be held at Hawks Cay Resort in Marathon on April 25th through the 27th. The entry fee is $2,500 per two angler team, which includes guide fee and socials for each angler and a guest. Call 305-664-2002 for more information or visit www.redbone.org. For more information about Hawks Cay please call 888-443-6393 or visit www.hawkscay.com.