Tournament Trail

http://www.floridakeysnews.info
Little Palm Grand Slam Aug. 17-19 - Anglers are to gather at an
exclusive island retreat in the Lower Florida Keys to target bonefish,
tarpon and permit during the Mercury Redbone at Large Little Palm
Island Grand Slam, set for Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 17-19. The
tournament is headquartered at Little Palm Island, a five-acre private
resort located in the Atlantic Ocean three miles offshore of Little
Torch Key, Mile Marker 28.5, oceanside, on U.S. 1.
Baseball superstar Wade Boggs is to be the celebrity host of the
angling challenge, which benefits cystic fibrosis research and
includes general, spin and fly divisions.
Awards are to be presented to the tournament's individual grand
champion and team grand champion, as well as for the largest fish of
each target species and the most releases of each species. The
captains in each of the winning categories are to receive trophies.
"It takes a well-rounded angler to make the final cut," said
tournament founder Gary Ellis. "Three of the previous grand champions
will be back competing in 2004: Jim Bokor, Adolphus Busch and Sharon
Sydnor, who won last year."
The tournament is to kick off Tuesday, Aug. 17, with festivities and
dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Fishing commences at 7:15 a.m. Aug. 18 and
19, following a dockside continental breakfast. Lines are scheduled to
be in the water until 3 p.m. each day, with a daily post-angling party
at the Little Palm Island pool set for 3-5 p.m.
Anglers can enjoy a poolside barbecue at the resort at 7 p.m.,
Wednesday, Aug. 18, while Thursday's fishing is to culminate in a 6
p.m. cocktail party and a 7 p.m. awards banquet. A silent auction is
to continue throughout the tournament.
The field is limited to 25 boats. An entry fee of $2,500 per team
allows two anglers and their guide to compete in the tournament and
participate in all social activities. Additional social privileges are
available for $425 per person.
For more information or registration forms, call (305) 664-2002 or
(877) 534-7423.