Ladies came, caught and conquered.

PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Betty Bauman
(954) 475-9068 email

 
Women Net Fishing Skills at
"Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"  
Ft. Myers/Matlacha University March 14-15

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT BETTY BAUMAN AT 954-475-9068

Dawn Otani proudly holds her fish at Ft. Myers/Matlacha LLGF University.
Women Net Fishing Skills at "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" Ft. Myers/Matlacha University March 14-15 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - MARCH, 2015 - - Nearly 60 people from ages 13 to 80 united to learn fishing skills at the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" (LLGF) Ft. Myers/Matlacha University March 14-15. Women came from as far as Alaska, California and Canada to learn fishing with others from Florida at the waterfront Matlacha Community Center.

 

The University offered education, hands-on fishing activities, networking and an optional fishing trip.

 

The event began on Saturday, with classroom presentations by Betty Bauman/Conservation, Craig Timbes "Snook Cowboy"/Inshore fishing and Capt. Rick Karnes/Artificial Lures. The curriculum included hands-on skill practice such as hook removal/release techniques, knot tying, kayak fishing, fly casting, spin casting, net casting, artificial lure selection/usage, reel maintenance and backing with Magic Tilt Trailers. A mid-day break, hosted by Harbor Financial Services, featured Cabot Cheese. The event concluded with a silent auction followed by networking at the Blue Dog Bar & Grill.

 

On Sunday, participants embarked on their chosen fishing adventures from boats or kayaks. They had a chance to catch or release snapper, ladyfish, snook, pompano, flounder and more. CBS WINK TV provided live coverage.

 

Participants came for many reasons. After moving from Alaska to Orlando, FL, Kathy Vascik came to gather Florida-specific fishing techniques. Jill Macaulay, St. James City, FL wanted to learn how to catch supper. The ladies responded to the new directive for LLGF to encourage teens and family participation. Celeste LaVergne, Boca Raton, FL attended with her husband and two teenagers. Christy DeBartolo, Marathon, FL bought the registration as a gift for her daughter from St. Louis, MO so they could experience fishing as a family. Commented LLGF Founder, Betty Bauman, "While our primary focus remains on women, we have responded to requests to welcome males and teens so the family can learn fishing together."

 

Featured on national network television and more, the University series is supported by major partners Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Fish Florida and Magic Tilt Trailers. Those and other supporters are recognized on www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.

 

The 2015 schedule includes South Florida/Dania Beach April 17-19, Treasure Coast/Stuart May 29-31 and Keys Nov. 13-15. International events are being planned, with the first event in Bimini, Bahamas Sept. 11-13. Contact: LLGF, phone 954-475-9068, fax 954-474-7299, email: [email protected], website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.com.

 

Ft. Myers/Matlacha University Fishing Report - Half Day, Sunday, March 15, 2015

 

Women experienced a picture-perfect fishing day with sunny skies and calm water. Every boat had fish action. Ladies chose from guided kayak fishing, pontoon/deck boat or inshore/flats boat fishing. "Caught" could signify either landing or releasing.

 

Pontoon Boat: Tami Endress, North Ft. Myers, FL caught a flounder. The ladies released small snapper, sheepshead, lost a large trout and broke off an unidentified huge fish.

 

Capt. Mike Wilson: Lucy Debartolo, St. Louis, MO caught her very first trout measuring 18.5 inches. Jodi Girouard, Yalaha, FL caught a trout and Christy Debartolo, Marathon, FL released a puffer fish. They learned different casting techniques for grass fishing versus mangrove fishing and real bait versus artificial bait. They learned to put shrimp and pin fish on the hook, tie knots and especially enjoyed practicing net casting for pilchards. "I got much better at spin casting!" said Girouard.

 

Captain Jack's Fishing Tours: Using live shrimp and artificial lures, the women released a large pompano, mangrove snappers, trout, sheepshead and a stingray. They enjoyed Capt. Jack's nature tour as well. They learned a new way of hooking shrimp with a twist and techniques to get their lures out of mangroves. The slogan was: "Next year, it's Capt. Jack or nothing!"

 

Capt. Rob Locke: Pat Barlow, Cape Coral, FL caught a large 26 inch trout and Colette Dennehy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL released a 15 inch trout. They released jack crevalle, three snook and 2 trout. They learned to hook pilchards in the nose.

 

Capt. Ed Schanen: The ladies released several sea trout using live bait and artificial lures.

 

Gulf Coast Kayaks: The men and women enjoyed seeing dolphin, turtles, birds and jumping fish. Using live shrimp,Jason Heupel, Los Angeles, CA caught a jack crevalle. Cindy Weber, Ft. Myers, FL caught 2 catfish.

 

Capt. Greg Stamper/Snook Stamp Charters: Using topwater lures, live bait and cut bait near Sanibel Island, the ladies caught a 25 inch sea trout weighing nearly 6 lbs. as well as ladyfish, lane snapper and a triple tail. They practiced on putting shrimp on circle hooks.


Overview:

"Ladies Let's Go Fishing!" hosts saltwater fishing universities in different Florida cities as well as international fishing adventures. This mini Fishing University offered much of what is offered at the full universities except in a shorter time frame. Noted as the "No Yelling School of Fishing!"

 

About "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"

Supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and endorsed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!�" (LLGF) is a national organization dedicated to attracting more women to sport fishing and to promoting conservation and responsible angling. LLGF promotes networking and encourages mentorship. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, LLGF has over 8,000 graduates and is the largest organization in the world whose objective is to introduce primarily women to fishing. Both Bauman and the University series - often dubbed "The No-Yelling School of Fishing" - are renowned nationally in the sport fishing and marine industries. The organization has earned rave reviews from national media including "Inside Edition," CBS' "The Early Show," NBC's "Nightly News," "Good Morning America," "Outdoor Life Network," USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and more.     

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BriefBrief Release:

 

Women Net Fishing Skills at "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" Ft. Myers/Matlacha University March 14-15

Nearly 60 people from ages 13 to 80 united to learn fishing skills at the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" (LLGF) Ft. Myers/Matlacha University March 14-15. Women came from as far as Alaska, California and Canada to learn fishing with others from Florida.

 

The University offered education, hands-on fishing activities, networking and an optional fishing trip. Commented LLGF Founder, Betty Bauman, "While our primary focus remains on women, we have responded to requests to welcome males and teens so the family can learn fishing together."

 

The event began on Saturday, with classroom presentations, followed hands-on skill practice such as hook removal/release techniques, knot tying, kayak fishing, spin casting, fly casting, net casting, artificial lure selection/usage, reel maintenance and backing with Magic Tilt Trailers/Ranger Boat. The event concluded with a silent auction followed by networking at the Blue Dog Bar & Grill.

 

On Sunday, participants embarked on their chosen fishing adventures from boats or kayaks, followed by fish filleting. They had a chance to catch or release snapper, ladyfish, snook, pompano, flounder and more.

 

Featured on national network television and more, the University series is supported by major partners Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Fish Florida and Magic Tilt Trailers. Those and other supporters are recognized on www.ladiesletsgofishing.com .

 

The 2015 schedule includes South Florida/Dania Beach April 17-19, Treasure Coast/Stuart May 29-31 and Keys Nov. 13-15. International events are being planned, with the first event in Bimini, Bahamas Sept. 11-13. Contact: LLGF, phone 954-475-9068, email: [email protected], website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com , Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing 
 

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Larry Witkowski, Cape Coral, FL shows Claudia Jonsson, Naples, FL, and Jennifer Kurek, Los Angeles, CA how to tie knots
Dawn Otani, Lithi, FL holds her trout.
Kathy Vascik, Orlando, FL admires her trout.
 
Capt. Dan Carns, Cape Coral, FL (front) assists Jason Huepl, Los Angeles, CA (rear) with his catch
Angela Niemeyer, Pompano Beach, FL, Marie MacMillian, Waterford, MI and Amy Carrasquillo, Parkland, FL examine lures.
Lizette Romero, Hollywood, FL kisses her sea trout catch.
Graduates of the Ft. Myers/Matlacha "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" University March 14-15, 2015.
 
Nancy Llacuna, Cape Coral, FL proudly shows her trout. 
 
Nancy Llacuna Cape Coral, FL practices her newly learned cast net throwing.
Patricia Bartow, Cape Coral, FL, and Collette Dennehy, Hollywood FL show off their trout while fishing with Capt. Rob Locke, Matlacha, FL 
 
Gals enjoy pontoon fishing.
 
Tami Endress, North Fort Myers, FL shows her flounder.
 
Capt.Craig Timbe/Snook Cowboy, Pine Island, FL teaches inshore fishing.
 
Tracy Lebron, Ft. Lauderdale, FL reels in a big one.
 
WINK CBS News interviews Nancy Llacuna, Cape Coral, FL, Dawn Otani, Lithi, FL, Lizette Romero, Hollywood, FL and Kathy Vascik, Orlando, FL aboard Ed Schannen's boat prior to fishing.
 
 

 

 

Comments from Participants:

"A great amount of info in a short time!" - C. Weber, Ft. Myers, FL

"I came to learn more about inshore fishing" - Mission accomplished!" C. Lavergne, Boca Raton, FL

"Splash, flash, vibration and scent are what the fish want from a lure - thanks to Snook Cowboy for the information!" - K. Manion, Auburndale, FL

"Fishing is a sport for any age lady!" - J. Girouard, Yalaha, FL

"Good, basic information with chance for hands-on practice!" - P. Barlow, Cape Coral, FL