Ladies Reel in the Sails at "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" Costa Rica

FT LAUDERDALE, FL, 1/27/2004 -- A dozen ladies and guests released 76 Pacific sailfish, 22 yellowfin tuna and more at the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"® Costa Rica Fishing Tour held Jan. 10-15 at Parrot Bay Village, Puerto Jimenez. Five of the women had never before caught sailfish.

"It was such a thrill to release my first sailfish," exclaimed participant, Fran Adler, Boca Raton, FL, "and I never dreamed I would release eight on my first day of fishing!"

Participants fished two days on calm seas from 30' center consoles. The sailfish ranged from 80 - 110 lbs. each. Double, triple and quadruple hookups added to the excitement. In one day, the ladies on Capt. Steve Petras' boat released 21 sailfish and caught 21 yellowfin tuna, providing sushi for the Parrot Bay Village guests.

Commented "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" Founder, Betty Bauman, "Because we have more than 2,500 graduates of the program in the last eight years, many of which have attended multiple seminars, there has been increasing demand for organized, far-away fishing trips." Bauman explained that some of the grads have purchased boats and conquered various styles of fishing in their local areas, and are now looking for more. She continued, "Costa Rica offers the perfect graduate crash course to propel them into the world of big game fishing."

The organization chose Parrot Bay Village because of their proximity to great fishing, typically calm seas, jungle beach location, fishing ability and competent staff. The event sold out in a week, with participants coming from South Carolina, Virginia and Florida.

Bauman explained, that while the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" weekend seminars are for women only, the ladies voted to invite men on the foreign fishing trips. Four of the ladies brought their husbands, some of which also experienced 'first' fishing experiences. Bauman's husband, Chuck Baldwin, topped off the journey by releasing his first sailfish caught on fly tackle. Elaine and Jack Horner, who came to cover the event for BoatU.S. Magazine, both released their first sailfish. They continued to release 3-4 each.

Several of the group also enjoyed jungle tours and horseback riding in the jungle and on the beach, where they saw 4 breeds of monkeys, sloths, anteaters and other jungle wildlife. The women also witnessed crocodile feeding at the resort.

In addition to their annual series of four seminars and one special event in Florida, as well as events in Colorado and Alaska, the group is planning a trip to the Bahamas in mid-May. For more information, contact "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" at 954-475-9068, email billfishbetty@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com .