_Wrightsville Beach, N.C. -_- Prepare to wet a line and reel in a prize-winning red drum or speckled trout during the only North Carolina leg of the international Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Take the bait and book passage today for the Cape Fear Red Trout Celebrity Classic, Oct. 21-23 stationed at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach.
Dozens of experienced, intermediate and beginner fly, spin, plug and bait fishermen and women from across the state of North Carolina and beyond travel to Wrightsville Beach to troll the inshore waters of the Cape Fear during this guided catch-and-release, photo finish International Game Fish Association sanctioned contest.
Boats will embark from the Blockade Runner’s Banks Channel dock. Seasoned local and celebrity fishing guides are teamed with anglers based on skill level. Individual anglers may be paired with Redbone founder Gary Ellis. Ninety percent of the $1,125 per person entry fee benefits Cystic Fibrosis. Registration fees includes the guided vessel and gear, attendance for two at the Catch the Cure kickoff banquet, receptions and meals, T-shirt, fishing shirt and gift bag.
The tournament Grand Champion will qualify to compete in the three-day Rolex/IGFA Inshore Tournament of Champions in the Florida Keys. Other tournament awards include beautifully framed original works of art and bragging rights, plus the reward of a personal contribution to fight Cystic Fibrosis, a progressive disability that affects approximately 30,000 Americans.
The three-day weekend begins with dinner and auctions at 5:30 p.m. on Friday Oct. 21 at the Blockade Runner. Followed by a 6:30 a.m. breakfast, the fishing begins at 7 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Fishing resumes at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 and concludes at 3 p.m. The awards party will be held on the Blockade Runner’s oceanside lawn at 4 p.m.
The Cape Fear Red Trout Celebrity Classic has raised between $45,000 and $65,000 annually. For sponsorship and angler package deals, two-person team and individual registration, visit www.cfredtrout.com
More about the international Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series may be found at www.redbone.org
