Teamwork was the name of the game at the “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!” Seminar, held at Dania Beach’s I.T. Parker Community Center, June 11-13. Women of all ages and walks of life joined local guides, instructors and industry veterans on National Marina Day for a weekend of fishing education and hands-on instruction.
Attendee, Valarie Phillip Hollywood, Fla., was excited to have ‘learned to do things that (she) had to reply upon others in the past;’ while Jo Ann Tunnessen, Palmetto Bay, Fla., shared, “It’s a great way to learn to improve skills with other women in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Thrilled to see that every boat caught fish, Sylvia McGinnis, St. Augustine, Fla., said, “We are very fortunate the oil spill has not affected our waters and the fish are still biting!”
The program kicked off with a networking party on Friday, June 11. On Saturday morning, local captains took a day off the water to help the women achieve their objectives. Presentations were made by Capt. Ariel Cabrera/ Fly Fishing, Capt. Ray Culver/Inshore Fishing, Capt. Tony DiGiulian/Advanced Offshore and Bottom, John Drouet/Beginning Offshore and Bottom, Chuck Baldwin/Basics and Kelly Campbell of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, with topics taught at separate beginner and intermediate/advanced levels.
Other skills stations included conservation techniques and dehooking, spin casting, net casting, knot tying, hooks and lures, gaffing grapefruits, boat handling and trailer backing. Denita Zieger, Millville, N.J., even went home with a new conservation mantra – ‘fish depend on it.’
The weekend was full of impressive tales of team work. On Saturday, while the ladies were trying their hand at trailer backing a group of fellow boaters ran into a problem docking their boat at the marina, the ladies and their instructors jumped in to help and got a first hand lesson on what not to do!
At Sunday’s optional fishing adventure the ladies piled into sports fishing, center consoles and even a party boat for a day out on the water. On Double Up the ladies pooled their efforts and snagged a 22 lb. grouper. They put tried their newly-learned kite fishing skills and Lurue Lord, who traveled from Savannah, Ga. put her gaffing skills to work on a bonita.
On Lady Vikki, the ladies each pulled in impressive catches, including kingfish and bonita. But by far the best cast of the day was JoAnn Tunnessen’s kayaker!
Ladies on Catch My Drift party boat caught more ‘friends’ than fish.
The 2010 seminar schedule concludes with Islamorada, November 12-14. Early registration is just 115 in advance and $145 for walk-ins and the week of the event. Registration includes instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, networking reception and silent auction, meals, goody bags and more. Charters for the Sunday Fishing Adventure, with tackle and bait provided, are additional.
The “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing!” series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and supported by major partners such as Ranger Boats, BoatU.S. Angler Boat Insurance, Mercury, Gulfstream Int’l Airlines, Minn Kota, Magic Tilt and Humminbird. Annual sponsors include: Harbor Financial Services, Eagle Claw, Power-Pole, Pompanette, Silverstar Fine Jewelers, Hi-Performance Bob’s Machine Shop, Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina,Tigress Outriggers & Gear and Hook & Tackle. Class sponsors include: 7Eye, Costco, Bottom’s Up Beverage, Pollo Tropical, Mary Kay Cosmetics & Sunscreen and Bluewater Fishing with Hattatude and Genesis, Islamorada, Fla. Patron sponsors include: Aylesorth’s Fish & Bait, Duffy’s Sports Bar, Wild Strawberry Lodge, Sitka, Alaska; Valentines Resort, Boat Harbour/Eleuthera, Bahamas; Bimini Bay, Bimini, Bahamas; Diver’s Direct, Tribeca Medasesthetics andStar Brite.Contact: LLGF, 954-475-9068, fax 954-474-7299, e-mail: [email protected]: Betty Bauman
