Memphis Angler Wins Second Consecutive Key Wets S.L.A.M.

KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- Mo Smith released 14 bonefish, 10 tarpon and a permit to repeat as grand champion angler at the Robert James Sales Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters Celebrity Tournament that ended Sunday, Sept. 12.

The Memphis, Tenn., neurosurgeon released 10 bonefish and the permit on the first day of fishing, Saturday, then followed with four more bonefish and 10 tarpon Sunday.

Scoring a tournament total of 3,200 points, he was recognized for catching the most bonefish and tarpon and as the S.L.A.M.'s top fly angler.

Smith and his son, 16-year-old Parker, also took top team honors. Parker Smith caught three tarpon and two bonefish, bringing the team's total to 3,700 points.

Both were guided by Captain Mark Krowka of Islamorada, Fla., who was named grand champion guide. Krowka credited the win to Mo Smith's precision and commitment to practice casting.

"I don't think we had any more shots than anyone else, but he capitalizes on the ones we do have," said Krowka. "He's extremely precise and thorough in every part of his life, and brings that into his fishing."

The 2010 runner-up grand champion was Wade Davis of Deerfield Beach, Fla., who released eight bonefish on the tournament's first fishing day and a permit and tarpon on the second.

Davis and teammate Jamie Wilkenson of Orlando, guided by Captain Dave Denkert of Tavernier, Fla., took runner-up team honors with 1,300 points.
Top female angler was Bonnie Christ of Alexandria, Va.

The tournament's celebrity grand champion was retired NASA space shuttle astronaut Bruce Melnick.

The S.L.A.M. attracted 19 teams that released a total of 54 bonefish, 19 permit and 32 tarpon.

The tournament is first of an annual Redbone Trilogy that raises money for cystic fibrosis treatment and research. The second, the Baybone Celebrity Tournament, is set for Oct. 1-3, and the third, the Redbone Celebrity

Tournament, is planned for Nov. 5-7.