Veteran New York Angler Sweeps Robert-James Sales S.L.A.M. in Key West

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Jim Bokor Jr. of Buffalo, New York, earned the title of grand champion angler at the Robert-James Sales S.L.A.M. Tournament that ended Sept. 12 in the Florida Keys.

The veteran angler, who has won the tournament in past years, released eight bonefish, five tarpon and two permit while fishing with Captain Richard Black of Islamorada, Florida.

As well as taking overall honors, Bokor was named the general division and spin/plug division champion. He also scored the tournament’s most releases of bonefish, permit and tarpon and caught a 43-inch permit that was the tournament’s largest.

In addition, Bokor and Dwayne Wesolowski were named the first runner-up team. Wesolowski contributed three tarpon and four bonefish to the team’s tally.

The grand champion team award went to Carmen Perez-Padron and angling partner Paulo Firmo, both of Miami. Fishing with Islamorada’s Captain Dave Denkert, Perez-Padron released six bonefish and five tarpon while Firmo released four tarpon and three bonefish.

Perez-Padron was named the tournament’s grand champion lady angler and first runner-up angler overall.

Celebrity grand champion angler was former Denver Broncos football player Mark Cooper, who fished with Captain Bear Holeman of Key West.

The tournament’s fly division champion was William Collier of Naples, Florida, who released four bonefish and one tarpon while guided by Key West’s Captain Justin Rea.

The S.L.A.M. drew 12 teams that collectively released 43 bonefish, 35 tarpon and two permit.

The tournament is part of an annual Florida Keys trilogy of Redbone challenges that raises money for cystic fibrosis treatment and research. The trilogy continues with the Robert-James Sales Redbone Tournament set for Nov. 5-7, 2021, and concludes with the Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament scheduled April 8-10, 2022. Both take place in Islamorada waters.

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