FIRST-TIME SAILS HIGHLIGHT KEYS “LADIES, LET’S GO FISHING!”® SEMINAR

ISLAMORADA, FL-11/09  —  Ladies celebrated remarkable "first" fishing accomplishments at the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" ® Keys seminar, Nov. 13-15 in Islamorada, FL. Participants Nancy Wright, Jupiter, FL and Aimee Riley, Bridgeport, WV came with high hopes of catching their first saltwater fish ever. It was beyond their wildest dreams to release sailfish up to 60 lbs. on their first attempt, only one day after training.
                Held at Holiday Isle Resorts & Marina, Islamorada, FL, 70 women learned fishing skills from local legends such as Capt. Skip Bradeen, Sandy Moret, Capt. Eric Bass and Capt. Lee Lavery. Celebrity speakers shared plenty of knowledge at beginner and advanced levels on inshore, offshore, bottom and fly fishing. Moret is the eight-time grand champion of the Keys’ most prestigious fly tournaments and is often featured on the Walker’s Cay Chronicles, The Reel Guys and Andy Mill’s Sportsman’s Adventures. Bradeen is the Florida Keys fishing expert on several radio stations. Bass co-hosts a radio show and Lavery leads the South Florida Chapter of "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!". Kelly Campbell of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spoke on conservation.
                Known as the “No-Yelling School of Fishing,” this award-winning series for women, held in conjunction with Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and presented by Mercury Outboards, kicked off with a Friday Welcome Reception, continuing with classes, lunch with fishing fashion show and afternoon skills practice on Saturday. Skills included conservation techniques and dehooking, spin casting, net casting, releasing, fly casting, knot tying, gaffing grapefruits, boat handling, trailer backing, operating a Minn Kota trolling motor, Mercury outboard, Bob's jack plate, Power-Pole and reeling against pressure. Performing as the fish for the standup fishing techniques demonstration was Larry Kahn, Editor of the Florida Keys Keynoter. A second reception was held at Pasta Pantaleo's Keys to Life Studio of Art.
                To complete the experience, the Imagine Rentals fishing trip on Sunday gave the women a chance to practice their newly-learned skills on the water and learn to fillet fish. Species caught and/or released both offshore and inshore included three sailfish, king mackerel, grouper, snapper, trout, snook, ladyfish, flounder, redfish, black drum, sheepshead and more. Two of the inshore boats reported14 species and 25 - 30 fish caught or released during the six hour trip.
                Ladies from ages 21 to 85 traveled from as far away as California and Canada to participate. Some shared their experience with daughters and sisters for a family fishing getaway. Others came to meet other women with similar interests or to make new fishing buddies. June O'Connell, Naples, FL, who came to learn to fish on her own without her husband's help, said "I like the camaraderie and new incentive to keep on fishing!" Jennifer Kerlin, Jupiter, FL commented, "My husband will feel like a sissy when I outfish him now!" Kathy Wilkening, Miami, FL described the weekend as a 'fantastic comprehensive introduction to fishing.' "I now understand why women keep returning!" said Carolyn, Ritter, Little Torch Key, FL. Upon receiving an award for attending the event eleven times, Lurue Lord, Statesboro, GA, said, "Fishing is a lifelong passion. The best anglers never stop learning!" The Top Recipe award was presented to Linda Schmitt, New Baltimore, MI.
                Featured on national network television and more, the series is also supported by major partners such as Ranger Boats represented by Islamorada Boat Center, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream Int’l Airlines, Shimano, Minn Kota, Magic Tilt and Humminbird.  Annual partners included Bob’s Machine Shop, Harbor Financial Services, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Maui Surf, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Aftco Bluewater/Guy Harvey, Pompanette, Silverstar Jewelers and more. Event sponsors were Imagine Rentals, Watermark Islamorada and Barefoot Fishing. 

Islamorada Fishing Report, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. 3/4 day
Every boat reported fishing action. In the report, "Caught" could signify landing or releasing.

Blue Chip Too/ Capt. Skip Bradeen: The day started with catching bait on sabiki rigs, followed by kite fishing, trolling and bottom fishing. When a 500 lb. hammerhead shark ate the kite bait, Jennifer Kerlin, Jupiter, FL exclaimed, "The shark was so big it seemed unreal - we thought Capt. Skip paid a diver to swim around with a fake fin!" The ladies also caught hound fish, blue runners, yellowtail, bonita and a mangrove snapper. They learned bait bridling.

Killer White/ Capt. Aaron Brower: After catching bait, all the ladies caught fish including two sailfish, two king mackerel, cero mackerel and yellowtail. Beth Beals, Ft. Lauderdale, FL caught her first king mackerel at 27" long and mother Laurie Beals released a sailfish. After an arm-breaking 45 minute fight, Aimee Riley, Bridgeport, WV was excited that the first fish she ever caught was a huge sailfish! The ladies had an amazing time and an action packed day.

Caribsea/ Capt. Kenny Spaulding: After catching bait, the ladies had a fun-filled day including kite fishing, trolling and bottom fishing. The group caught 24 yellowtail. Karen Roske, Cape Coral, FL caught a 6', 50 lb. sailfish and Nancy Wright, Jupiter, FL caught her first sailfish ever. The ladies returned inspired. Rhiana Rolland, Jupiter, FL, comments, "Unbelievable fun!!!  What happened on Caribsea, stays on Caribsea!" 

WIT: The ladies spent the day learning to kite fish and practiced their newly learned skills. Aida Cavooris, Port Saint Lucie, FL caught a 2' 5", 8 lb. kingfish, commenting, "I learned how to use wire leader!"

That's Right/ Capt. Jeff Oughton: The ladies enjoyed bottom fishing and snapper fishing. They learned to use artificial lures and about weather conditions and current. They caught yellowtail and mangrove snapper and red and black grouper. Delores Davis, Sunrise, FL caught a 3 lb. 18" mangrove snapper. She reports, "I loved every moment!"

Tails Up/ Capt. Kerry Wingo: Reeling in more than 30 fish in the Flamingo back country left little time to rest for the two ladies. Elaine Lapinski-Smith, Homestead, FL caught her first of several species; snook, black drum, sea trout and ladyfish. Donna Kahn, Key Largo, FL caught her first sheepshead. They also caught several jack, snapper and a flounder. 

Capt. Eric Bass: The ladies had an action packed day, catching more than 25 snappers. Elaine Olges, Sarasota, FL caught her first saltwater fish; a snapper. Describing the beauty of the backcountry, Olges remarked about seeing saw dolphins, manatees and white pelicans, commenting, "Fishing is now a passion for life!"

Capt. Michael: Out of Robbies Marina, the Capt. Michael provided a fabulous party boat fishing trip. The ladies caught several yellowtail snapper, blue runners, mutton snapper, white grunts, grouper, angelfish, and an orange roughy. Sherry Brown, Lauderhill, FL enjoyed her first fishing trip in the ocean and catching her first fish. The ladies enjoyed learning about bottom fishing and rated the captain and crew as 'awesome'. Barbara Robillard, Sarasota, FL now baits her own hook! All the ladies on the boat caught fish.

“Caught” signifies either landed or released

Thanks to our Partners!  Our valued sponsors help provide manpower, equipment for the skill stations and exciting products.  This program would not be possible without their support! Special thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sport Fish Restoration Program, Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream International Airlines, Shimano, Magic Tilt Trailers, Minn Kota,and Humminbird for major sponsorships.  Please patronize them! Annual sponsors: Bob's Machine Shop, Harbor Financial Services, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Maui Surf, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Dolphin Jewelers, Aftco Bluewater/Guy Harvey, Pompanette, Silverstar Jewelers and more. Event sponsors: Imagine Rentals, Watermark Islamorada and Barefoot Fishing.

Class notes:

Dolphin Jewelers - If you didn't have a chance to pick up a great piece of gold or silver jewelry, check out www.dolphinjewelersonline.com.

Check out www.rangerboats.com, the Official Boat of Choice for LLGF!

A Note on Conservation: Remember, it is up to you to insure there will be quality fishing tomorrow!

Photos coming soon!