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Jim Bokor Jr. secures Baybone win

Fishing with Captain Richard Black of Islamorada, Bokor released four bonefish and three permit during the two-day challenge.

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — A formidable contender in the Redbone Trilogy series, Jim Bokor Jr., of Buffalo, N.Y., was named grand champion angler at the Baybone Celebrity Tournament that ended Oct. 9 in Key Largo.

Fishing with Captain Richard Black of Islamorada, Bokor released four bonefish and three permit during the two-day challenge.

Despite a first day of soaking rain, Bokor said he and Black managed to sight fish for an hour, but even in low visibility were able to soak some shrimp and crab baits to catch three of his overall bonefish.

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“The second day, all I was after was permit,” Bokor said, crediting his skilled guide’s born-and-raised local experience with his own competitive streak and family blood for a successful edge. “It’s my dad in me — he’s a great angler, and I try to be the best at what I do.”

The Bokor name is synonymous with winning fishing tournaments in the Florida Keys.

Father Jim Bokor Sr., known for his flats-fishing prowess, is a five-time series grand champion of the Redbone Trilogy tournaments, and is reputed to have landed more 10-pound-plus bonefish than any other angler in the sport.

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Securing the Baybone’s team grand championship were Dan Sargent of Orlando and Greg Perkins of Raleigh, N.C. The duo was guided by Captain Jared Raskob of Islamorada.

Top female angler was Bonnie Christ of Alexandria, Va., led by Andy Thompson of Miami. Christ recently swept the ladies’ grand championship at the trilogy’s Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. event in September.

Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Wade Boggs was named the Baybone’s celebrity grand champion with one of each species. The veteran tournament participant was guided by Islamorada’s Captain Jim Dalrymple.

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Twelve boats and 24 anglers competed in the tournament, racking up 30 bonefish and nine permit releases.

The Baybone was the second 2011 tournament in the prestigious annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament trilogy. The trilogy culminates with the Redbone Celebrity Tournament scheduled Nov. 4-6.

Redbone events raise money for cystic fibrosis treatment and research.

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