Bokor. Jr. wins 2021 Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. in Key West

Angler Jim Bokor Jr. of Buffalo, N.Y., fishing with his friend Dwayne Wesolowski of Buffalo as his teammate and Capt. Richard Black of Islamorada, won the 2021 Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series in Key West which is the kick-off of the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series. The Robert James Sales Redbone Tournament Series aims to catch the cure for cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease which affects the lungs, and has contributed millions of dollars since 1999 for cystic fibrosis research. Bokor Jr. was runner-up to the grand champion in 2019 when the tournament was last held due to Covid -19, when he caught 20 bonefish and five tarpon. 

Species sought in the S.L.A.M. are bonefish, tarpon and permit. The S.L.A.M. is followed by the Redbone Celebrity Tournament the first weekend in November and the Redbone Sunset/Sunrise Tarpon Tournament in April.

This year, the weather for the Southernmost Light Tackle Masters event (S.L.A.M.) was cloudy, so sight-fishing conditions were difficult. Bokor’s team decided to run north to catch tarpon and caught seven out of 10 seen. Capt. Black said Bokor Jr. caught about five on shrimp and a couple on artificial tackle.

The team found bluer skies “much further north” than Key West, and after about 15 minutes of looking for permit, Bokor had a 43-inch permit which ended up being the tournament’s largest in two days of competitive fishing. 

Next, they fished for bonefish to complete a “slam of tarpon, permit and bonefish,” and Bokor’s proficiency at fishing a bank nabbed three out of the four bonefish spotted using live shrimp as bait. They had their “slam” by 11 a.m. which enabled them to make their way back to Key West, where the cloudy conditions continued. Still, Bokor caught another bonefish near Key West.

The next day, the team aimed for additional points and Bokor caught four bonefish on artificial tackle, and his friend, Wesolowski, caught four bonefish on bait. Bokor also caught another permit giving him two “slams.”

Black had guided Wesolowski and Bokor Jr. in the Keys last winter casting for redfish, so Wesolowski was relatively new to sight fishing and recognized the difficulty and enjoyment of it. 

In all, Bokor Jr. achieved awards in nine out of 15 categories including the runner-up team category. He plans to fish the Redbone Celebrity Tournament set for Nov. 5-7 in Islamorada again with Capt. Black.

Carmen Perez Padron of Miami also had a great tournament. She not only won first place among women anglers, but team grand champion title with Paulo Firmo of Miami and Capt. Dave Denkert of Islamorada.

William Collier of Atlanta, guided by Capt. Justin Rea of Sugarloaf Key, was the fly division champion.

Photp: Jim Bokor Jr., with a permit, won the 2021 Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. In Key West. 

 

Results for the 2021 Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series

Grand Champion Angler: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Celebrity Grand Champion Angler: Mark Cooper with Capt. Bear Holeman

Grand Champion Lady Angler: Carmen Perez Padron with Capt. Dave Denkert

Team Grand Champion Anglers: Paulo Firmo & Carmen Perez Padron with Capt. Dave Denkert

First Runner Up Angler: Carmen Perez Padron with Capt. Dave Denkert

First Runner Up Team Anglers: Jim Bokor, Jr & Dwayne Wesolowski with Capt. Richard Black

General Division Champion: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Spin/Plug Division Champion: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Fly Division Champion: William Collier with Capt. Justin Rea

Most Bonefish Releases: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Most Permit Releases: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Most Tarpon Releases: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Largest Permit: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Top Rod Day 1: Jim Bokor, Jr. with Capt. Richard Black

Top Rod Day 2: Paulo Firmo with Capt. Dave Denkert

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