FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT BETTY BAUMAN AT 954-475-9068
STUART, FL 6/2015 – A variety of women and a few lucky men spent the weekend sharing fishing knowledge at the Treasure Coast “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” (LLGF) University May 29-31 at the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart, FL. The program offered a chance to learn, practice and go fishing. Participants ranged from women seeking skills to teach their children, widowers yearning to reconnect with the sport they once shared, couples learning together and those taking refuge from being yelled at while fishing.
The LLGF University kicked off with the Harbor Financial Services Welcome Reception Friday evening, where sponsors and donors were recognized.
On Saturday, presenters included Captains Lee Lavery/Fishing Basics, George Mittler/Offshore Fishing and Melinda Buckley/Inshore Fishing.
In the afternoon were one-on-one stations to practice dehooking, spin casting, net casting, releasing, knot tying, reel maintenance, gaffing grapefruits, ballyhoo rigging, Magic Tilt trailer backing, cleating and boating on the Ranger boat.
On Sunday, participants practiced their newly learned skills from inshore charters and the group party boat, offering plenty of action. Dorothy Conant, Stuart, FL a young-minded 87-year-old and the highest in age ever to take LLGF, received a prize for catching the first fish. Attending with her neighbor, Denise Jenkins, Stuart, FL, this high spirited woman enjoyed her new adventure. “Now we have something different and fun to do!” commented Jenkins. Inshore anglers hooked into snook, trout, drum, snapper and other species.
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. Stuart-only sponsor was Romora Bay.
Upcoming LLGF events are Sept. 11-13/Bimini, Bahamas and Nov. 13-15/Florida Keys/Islamorada/Tavernier. No equipment or experience is necessary. Charter fishing is additional. Contact: phone (954) 475-9068; email info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; website www.ladiesletsgofishing.com .
Treasure Coast Fishing Report, 5/31/2015. With 8 mph winds the seas laid down for anglers to have a comfortable day. Anglers fished offshore and inshore. Every boat had hookups and releases or catches.
Safari 1: Each of the thirteen people who fished on the drift boat caught fish, using cut bait as well as live small grunts. Fish included toro snapper, lane snapper, gray snapper and blue runners. Sylvia Thomas, West Palm Beach, FL caught the largest fish of the group, a 15″ toro snapper. There was an impressive but short battle when an estimated 400 lb. goliath grouper bit the bait but got away. Other patrons landed large king mackerel up to 28 lbs. and mutton snapper up to 18 lbs. The group learned how to bait hooks, use different kinds of tackle, reeling techniques and how to avoid bird’s nests (the hard way).
Chaos/Capt. Jonathan Earhart: Samantha Slater, Vero Beach, FL caught a 20-inch speckled trout and Tami Whittington, Boca Raton, FL released a 22-inch snook. They also caught catfish and a few mangrove snapper. They learned how to bait hooks and improved their casting.
Joe Massaro: Each angler had a shot at fish. Fishing on the Indian River across from the power plant, Nancy Parsons, Stuart, FL released a 6.5 lb. black drum caught on a Mirro Lure 30 feet from a dock. Nancy said she enjoyed meeting women interested in fishing. All fish were released.
Buck’s Tale/Capt. Melinda Buckley: Anita Winpenny, Stuart, FL released a 12-inch jack crevalle, fishing near mangroves north of Nettles. Christine Sears, Palm City, FL and Winpenny noted it was their first time to go fishing in ages. They learned casting, fishing etiquette, using live bait and artificials. All fish were released.
Committee dock fishing: While the ladies were out fishing, Capt. Barb Evans, Marco Island, FL released a Spanish mackerel and Betty Bauman, Davie, FL released a snook.
