Whoppin' Big Class at the Keys "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" University Nov. 14-16, Every Boat caught fish!

We had a fun class of 70 women at the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!^®" Keys weekend University,  November 14-16 at BPOE Elks, Tavernier, FL.

The women, coming from Florida as well as Canada, California, Michigan and Maryland joined the ranks of more than 8,000 University graduates.

The First Part - Fun Welcome Party!

Held in conjunction with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Sport Fish Restoration Program, the University kicked off on Friday, November 14 with the Harbor Financial Services meet-and-greet social featuring networking, fundraisers and an incredible Master Chef Appetizer Contest. It was a tough choice, but the victor was Coconut Shrimp Ceviche by Maria Leon, served in cocktail mini glasses painted with LLGF. Honorable mention was: Maryland Best Mac/Sue Marchetti, Pumpkin Dip/Heather MacGregor, Jalapena Poppers/Maria Jones, Chicken Wings/Lucia Davis and Fish Dip/Cindy Bruschi and Cynthia Deanda. We thank all ladies who brought the delicious dishes!

Then onto learning on Saturday...

Saturday's events began with classroom presentations on offshore, bottom, inshore and fly fishing, followed by lunch and hands-on fishing skills until 4 pm. Speakers were Rich Abrams/FWC and Captains Lee Lavery, Bob Jones and Rick Rodriguez. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin and net casting, gaffing grapefruits, trailer backing, stand-up fish fighting techniques and more were available for hands-on practice. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) educated University participants on conservation, safe hook removal, release techniques and more.

Second Party at the Redbone Gallery!

Events concluded with a silent auction, followed by a networking party with food and fun hosted by the Redbone Gallery, Islamorada, FL. A Holiday Auction is coming with some new items, keep posted!  

Sunday Fishing!

On Sunday, ladies embarked on a Fishing Adventure out of Whale Harbor. Islamorada, FL followed by a fish fillet demonstration. An incredible variety of fish were caught and/or released, including sailfish, tuna, yellowtail, dolphin, grouper, mutton snapper, kingfish, trout, redfish, mangrove snapper, sharks, sheepshead and more. Couples fishing was provided to those who wanted to bring husbands. On Friday was a Bonus Fishing Day with an inshore and offshore boat catching several species of fish.  

Featured on national network television and more, the University series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, with major partners such as Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Magic Tilt Trailers. Annual, patron and Keys class-only partners are on the website sponsor page at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com. The fundraisers helped support the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation - Thanks to all of our donors! Host Hotel was Breezy Palms Resort in Islamorada

Special thanks to our volunteers, sponsors and donors for making this cool event possible!   

Fishing Report - Islamorada, FL. Nov. 16, 2014 3/4 day

Almost every fish the Keys has to offer was caught on ten boats. Winds were South-Southeast at 15 mph. Seas offshore were 2-4 ft. "Caught" could mean either landed or released. "Dolphin" means mahi mahi.

Offshore Boats:

Sea Horse/Capt. Rick Rodriguez: The ladies landed four dolphin, a 6 lb. blackfin tuna, a yellowtail snapper and several mangrove snappers. They rigged ballyhoo with rubber bands to keep the bait's mouth closed.

Blue Chip Too/Capt. Skip Bradeen: The ladies caught two buckets full of yellowtail snapper, plus a 4 lb. trigger fish. They tried kite fishing and enjoyed learning how to make a chum ball. They also enjoyed catching speedo live bait. "What fun it was bonding with ladies who like to fish, too!" said Eileen Brookover, Tampa FL.

Caribsea/Capt. Kenny Spaulding: While they did go kite fishing on the drift, an 80 lb. sailfish hit when they were at anchor. After almost getting spooled while the crew was bringing in the anchor, Nancy Llacuna, Cape Coral, FL released the sail. Karen Roske, Cape Coral, FL caught a large 18 lb. mutton snapper. They caught several yellowtail snapper, a 9 lb. grouper and two dolphin.

Play Baby/Capt. Benny Spaulding: The group caught three king mackerel with the largest being 27 inches caught by Mary Ann Dineen, Bonita Springs, FL. They caught several yellowtail snapper as well as a releasing a few blue runners and amberjacks. Sharks and birds were stealing their baits.

Couples Boats

Kay K IV/Capt. Don Chittick: This couples boat caught 10 yellowtails, plus trigger fish, king mackerel and a remora. They utilized the stand up fish fighting techniques learned at the seminar. One of the anglers fought a 12 foot shark for an hour and a half which was released. "We thought that shark was going to pull us to Cuba!" said Pam Poland, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

New Blue Chip Too/Capt. Wayne Kvades: This group released a shark and caught 18 yellowtail snappers. Wendy Sims, Miami Shores, FL landed a 12 lb. grouper and Tom Sims, Miami Shores, FL caught two mangrove snappers. Rick Roth, West Palm Beach, FL released a shark. They went trolling, bottom fishing and bait catching.

Blackwater Charters/Capt. Eric Scoble: Fishing at Flamingo, the group caught mangrove snappers, redfish, black grouper and sheepshead. They saw two crocodiles and had a lemon shark chase their baits.

Inshore Boats:

Capt. Chris Hanson: Fishing at Flamingo, the ladies released a bonnethead shark, nine jack crevalle, a sheepshead, two snappers, two barracuda and a stingray. They landed two sea trout.

Reel Mello/Capt. Troy Mell: The ladies enjoyed fishing in Flamingo, releasing 18 sea trout and landing two keepers. They caught ladyfish which came in handy later for cut bait. They released six jack crevalle, a catfish and a lizard fish, using jerk baits, Berkeley Gulp shrimp and DOA lures. They saw turtles, bald eagles and ospreys and used 10 to 40 lb. Braid.

Capt. Bob Jones/Capt. Chuck Brodski : Fishing the Nine Mile Bank, the ladies caught several mangrove snapper, large trout and two king mackerel. Laurie Kean, Key Largo, FL was happy to have her Hoo Rag buff which came in handy for keeping her visor from flying in the wind. "All of us lost fish, too, but that's fishing!" said Kucera.

 More info: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com .  

March 14-15 Ft. Myers/Matlacha (mini) - Matlacha Community Center

April 17-19 South Florida - I.T. Parker Community Center, Dania Beach        

May 29-31 Treasure Coast - Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart

Nov. 13-15 FL Keys/Islamorada - Elks Tavernier   

Feb. TBA Ft. Myers Freshwater University

Registration for the first two events is open! 

Visit us on www.ladiesletsgofishing.com , Photos posted on Facebook!     

 For more photos visit our website News/Photo page
(photos to come) or Facebook! which has photos now! 

Yellowtail was the catch of the day on Blue Chip too!