at “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Keys University Nov. 13-15, 2015
Sixty women came from around the country to learn from the pros at the award winning “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®” Keys University, November 13-15 at BPOE Elks, Tavernier, FL.
The Award-winning “No-Yelling School of Fishing” Curriculum
The University kicked off on Friday with the Harbor Financial Services meet-and-greet social featuring networking, fundraisers and an incredible Master Chef Appetizer Contest. While all entrants received a nice gift, the victor was Linda Vybiral, Lecanto, FL for Black Bean Feta Dip.
Saturday’s events began with classroom presentations on offshore, bottom and inshore fishing, followed by lunch and hands-on fishing skills until 4 pm. Speakers were Officer Eric Steinmetz/FWC, Rick Karnes and Captains Lee Lavery, Bob Jones and Rick Rodriguez. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, reel maintenance, spin, fly and net casting, gaffing grapefruits, trailer backing, stand-up fish fighting techniques and more were available for hands-on practice.
Saturday events concluded with a silent auction, followed by a networking party with food and fun hosted by Seaside Glassworks, Islamorada, FL.
On Sunday, ladies embarked on a Fishing Adventure out of Whale Harbor Marina, Islamorada, FL followed by a fish fillet demonstration. While a cold front caused windy conditions, most went fishing and caught/released tuna, yellowtail, snook, trout, redfish, houndfish, mangrove snapper, sharks and more. On Friday was a Bonus Fishing Day with one offshore boat releasing two sailfish.
Featured on national network television and more, the series is supported by major partners including the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Discover Boating, Miami International Boat Show, Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation, Mercury, Ranger Boats, Magic Tilt trailers, Humminbird, Minn Kota and Fish Florida. Annual sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort, Old Bahama Bay, Sunrise Resort & Marina, Valentine’s Resort & Marina, Penn, AFTCO/Guy Harvey, Future Angler Foundation, Harbor Financial Services, Wear Video Badge and All Rite Grading. Keys-only sponsors were Africa Maximum Safaris, Calusa Cast Nets, Breezy Palms, Seaside Glassworks and Romora Bay.
Upcoming 2016 plans are:
Jan. 14-21 Cabo San Lucas or Costa Rica
March 12-13 Ft. Myers
April 29-May 1 Ft. Lauderdale
May 11-16 Isla Mujeres
May 20-22 Treasure Coast
June 25-26 Bimini Bahamas
Sept. 23-26 Jacksonville/St. Augustine
Nov. 11-13 Keys/Islamorada These dates will be confirmed in December.
Contact: phone: (954) 475-9068; [email protected]; www.ladiesletsgofishing.com and www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.
Fishing Report – Islamorada, FL. Nov. 15, 2015 3/4 day
Despite windy conditions, many who went out had a stellar fishing day. “Caught” could mean either landed or released.
Offshore Boats:
Blue Chip Too/Capt. Skip Bradeen:
Fishing 5 miles out with spinning rods and jigs topped with shrimp, all the ladies caught yellowtail snapper. They also used Hank Brown chartreuse 1/8 oz. jigs and bait balls. They caught blue runners for bait and found the yellowtail were not far behind the blue parrot fish. When they went further offshore for trolling, Mary Metcalf, Punta Gorda, FL caught a 12 lb. blackfin tuna. Capt. Skip Bradeen did a live radio show while the gals fished. Most of the ladies had their catch cooked at Lazy Days.
New Blue Chip Too/Capt. Greg Pope: Everyone caught yellowtail snapper, returning with a dozen and releasing more, plus a remora and needlefish. They learned how to get their sea legs. With the rough seas they decided to return early and some had their catch for lunch at Wahoos. They were proud they were bold enough to go fishing on a challenging day.
Play Baby/Capt. Benny Spaulding: Fishing with cut bait and bait balls 6 miles out at the reef, the ladies caught 41 yellowtail snapper and saw two turtles. Wendy Lauber, Boca Raton, FL released a cobia. Their motto was “Only real ladies fish!”
Inshore Boats:
Capt. Chris Hanson Scales 2 Tales: The ladies were excited that each had a chance to hook into a tarpon. Donna Doxsee, Orlando, FL caught a 32 inch snook and released a 28 inch redfish, a shark and large jack crevalle. Cindy Bishard, Center Hill, FL caught a 7 lb. mangrove snapper. Stephanie Haider, Bonita Springs, FL caught a 33 inch snook and released a shark and 22 inch snook. One of the women released a stone crab. They learned casting, setting the hook, releasing and fishing regulations. Just after fishing they were mentioned in a radio show by the captain.
Friday Fishing
Blue Chip Too – Capt. Skip Bradeen: Cindy Campbell, St. Augustine, FL released a sailfish and Pat Kucera, Clearwater, FL lost a sailfish at the bite. They also caught yellowtail and Theresa Mathis, St. Augustine, FL caught a king mackerel.
By: Betty Bauman
