Islamorada, Florida Saltwater Seminar
ISLAMORADA “Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!” Seminar- Full class, great fun! Sept. 14-16, 07
Nearly 80 ladies came from Florida and other states to the Islamorada seminar! The weekend kicked off with a Friday welcome party. Saturday began with classes on Basics, Offshore, Inshore and Bottom Fishing. After lunch, the ladies had a fly fishing demonstration, then chose from several fishing skill stations to practice hands-on fishing techniques. The program concluded Sunday with a day of fishing, followed by a fillet demonstration.
Islamorada Fishing Report, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007
With perfect fishing conditions, every boat reported fishing action.
Blue Chip Too /Capt. Wayne Kvadus: Jeannette Rosenbruch used a sabiki for the first time and caught blue runners. Lurue Lord threw the cast net several times and caught lots of ballyhoo. All of the girls rigged bait, tied their own knots and they all caught fish! The ladies reported catching yellowtail, mutton snappers, dolphin, and kingfish to name just a few.
Killer White /Capt. Shaun Matthews: All six of the ladies caught fish - 10 blackfin tuna, the biggest weighing in at 25 pounds, skipjack tuna and yellowtail. Caryn St. John gaffed her first fish, after making sure it was a keeper!
Old Hatt /Capt. Ron Moore: Each of the six women caught at least one blackfin tuna and some as many as four. They experienced offshore trolling and practiced rigging their own baits. Lynn Butters, Brooksville , FL celebrated her birthday by catching four fish.
Miller Time /Capt. Dirrk “O” Reich: Tina Cook caught a 29 pound blackfin tuna. Claudia Garofalo, caught a 25 pound bull dolphin. All six of the ladies caught blackfin tuna. The gals also learned how to tie a bimini twist and some secrets on how to cast net bait!
* Whatever it Takes /Chuck Baldwin: The ladies caught over a dozen blackfin tuna at the 409 hump. They experienced multiple hook-ups and also learned how to catch bait. Natalie Costello landed a respectable number of tuna for her first time offshore!
Caribsea /Capt. Kenny Spaulding: The Captain took the ladies off the 409 and the West Hump. All of the ladies caught fish including 10 dolphin and 14 blackfin tuna. The ladies had nonstop action all day and lost some tuna to the sharks.
Capt. Eric Bass : Piper Marsh caught a snook and her mother, Janice Czerwinski released a tarpon. The ladies learned to sight cast and reported having a great time in the back country.
* Capt. Kerry Wingo: Cindy Ypsilanti released several redfish and landed one over 19" as well as releasing a 16.5” trout. Bonnie O'Hara released a trout and lots of snook. Arlene Haessler released multiple snook, trout and redfish as well as one shark that put up a nice fight. Overall, the ladies released more than 20 snook!
Capt. Mark Johnson : Valerie Jolley and Dieu Van Tran had a busy day! The ladies released over 50 fish including trout, snook, snapper, redfish, sharks, ladyfish, and catfish.
Capt. Randy Stallings: Jody Steele and Nancy Telese had a stellar day with over 37 releases combined! The ladies caught snook, trout, redfish and mangrove snapper.
* Capt. Bob Jones : Shannon Schiner and Sharon Zamojski spent the day practicing their fly fishing skills. The ladies reported a fun day of sight casting and released a few trout on fly.
Captain Michael (Party Boat): The ladies caught several yellowtail and grunts and learned dehooking and venting. Barbara Falsey caught her first fish ever!
* Take the Ladies Fishing sponsors. “Caught” signifies either landed or released
Recipe contest winner: Kat Krum for “Ceviche, Fish Salsa”. The recipe was in the class book - watch for them in our cookbook, still in progress!
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, Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops/ Wahoo Sponsor, Ranger Boats / Islamorada Boat Center , BoatU.S. Marine Insurance, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Lowrance Electronics, Shimano, Sebago, Magic Tilt Trailers and Gulfstream International Airlines for major sponsorships . Please patronize them! Annual partners : Minn Kota, Bob's Machine Shop, Maxima Line, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Bacardi, Pompanette, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Zeno Office Solutions and Printing Corp. of the Americas. Event Sponsors : Awlgrip North America, 3M, Florida Foundation For Responsible Angling, Calusa Castnets, Raymond James & Associates, The Islands of the Bahamas, Dolphin Jewelers, Parrot Bay Village/Costa Rica, The Cove Lodge/Alaska, Aylesworth Fish & Bait, Breezy Palms, Lurebox, Appleton Estates Rum. Sponsor information is in the class book.
Special Thanks to The Islands of the Bahamas , who was also a fabulous sponsor at the Stuart seminar in May! Remember the Bahamas when you are planning your next fishing trip or vacation!
Join a LLGF Chapter! Make new fishing buddies! Go to www.ladiesletsgofishing.com for info.
Thanks to our speakers: Capt. Lee Lavery, Capt. Skip Bradeen, Capt. Randy Crenshaw, Capt. George Mittler, Capt. Eric Bass and Michelle Owen! Great fishing instruction and conservation! Capt. Mittler is offering a special for LLGF participants until Dec. 31, 07 of 20% off a full day offshore charter in Ft. Pierce , FL aboard Daddy's Girl Too , 38' Luhrs sportfish. The boat takes up to 6 and normally costs $1,100. Call 772-359-0605.
Great Prizes! We had some great prizes, including a trip to Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina/Abaco, Bahamas , Bimini Big Game Club, Parrot Bay Village in Costa Rica , and the Cove Lodge in Alaska . Also featured were Mercury 50 hp Four-Stroke Engine, airfare from Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, art from Don Ray, Robert Dorman, Carey Chen, Guy Harvey, Steve Goione, The Billfish Foundation and Pasta Pantaleo. Also, great items from Smith Optics eyewear, Ono Sunglasses, Eagle Claw, Lure Box, Taylor Made, Star Brite, Fish Her, Lowrance Electronics, Tigress, Coleman, Minn Kota, C&H Lures, MD Lures, Snapper Slapper, Moldcraft, Strip Teaser, Sebago, Pompanette, Suremark, Royal Robbins, King Sailfish Mounts, Upholstery Innovations, Hook and Tackle, Maxima Lines, Silverstar Jewelers, TIB Bank, Roff's, Quease Ease, Rapala, DOA Lures, Sea Tow, Key Largo Resorts, Lazy Days Restaurant, Flying Fisherman, Sun Cruz Casinos, Shell World, Calusa cast nets, Miami Seaquarium, Theater of the Sea, Coconut Palm Inn, Richardson's Charts, Vantage Point Guides, Eat Me Tackle, Whale Harbor Restaurants, Huki, Breezy Palms, Boat Bunkers,Tavernier Inn, Key West Express, Awlgrip, Florida Bay Outfitters, Grays Sportfishing Apparel, Conchy Joe's Bait and Tackle and fishing trips with Capts. Paula Carbonell, Kerry Wingo, Chris Lembo, Shaun Matthews, Bob Jones and Greg Snyder. Thanks to all auction and raffle donors! All donors may not be listed here, but were listed in our class books. Your contributions help us meet growth demands.
Next Seminar: St. Petersburg , FL on Oct. 12-14.
08 Special events: Costa Rica Sailfish Trip Jan 21-25, 08! Parrot Bay Village , Puerto Jimenez (Pacific coast, across from Golfito) $1775 includes 5 nights, 2 days of fishing, male guests welcome! Upgrade to more fishing or many things to do on the other days. In-country air included, int'l air not included. 1-866-551-2003, mail@parrotbayvilllage.com. www.parrotbayvillage.com
Ladies only Alaska trip June 8-11! 3-nights, 2 1/2 days guided fishing at Alaska 's premier sportfishing lodge: The Cove Lodge, Elfin Cove, Alaska . 85 Mi. West of Juneau . $2,995. Salmon, halibut & more. Prime king salmon season! 800-382-3847, email gordywrobel@covelodge.com. www.covelodge.com. Air not included.
Send Us Your Letters and Photos! Please email comments about the seminar, especially if you bought tackle, boats, fishing equipment or if you have had an interesting fishing adventure. We want to keep in touch!
If Your Company is a Sponsor, You Attend the Seminar for Free! Sponsors make it possible for the seminar to show a variety of fishing equipment - If you know of anyone who wants to be a sponsor or donor, please contact us.
Lowrance has a great website that explains the basics of marine electronics at www.lowrance.com. You can also download a simulator where you can practice how to use a Lowrance on your computer!
MAJOR SPONSOR NEWS: Sebago - check out their GREAT styles for women at Sebago.com!
Shimano (Shimano.com) - when you buy quality tackle, you only pay for it once! Please show your appreciation by patronizing them and remember to mention you heard about them through LLGF!
Watch Cal Sutphen's show covering the Isla seminar, “Reelin in the Keys”, Comcast Chan. 19, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 24, 8 pm and Friday Sept. 28 at 4 pm, those in the Keys can see it. Cal was brave enough to be our fish.
LLGF 2400 Bay Ranger - the Official Boat of Choice for LLGF! Islamorada Boat Center was the representing dealer. Be sure to visit www.rangerboats.com .
LLGF pendant - purchase it in silver, gold w/diamond eye or white gold! Contact John Cerasaro, fishingjewelry.com
Media: We had some great media personnel at our seminar: CCA Seawatch, SeaTow Lifelines, Reelin in the Keys show, St. Petersburg Times and more!
Remember to do your part to preserve our marine resources for the future!
Comments from Participants:
"Fishing is a humane sport, not a seek and destroy sport." - A. Medford, Southold , NY
"Fishing is not nuclear physics (quote from Capt. Eric Bass)" - V. Cruz, Sorrento , FL
"I will teach my husband to fish and promise not to yell at him!" R. Wagaman, Indialantic , FL
"Have fun, don't take "excitement" voices as yelling!" - V. Cruz, Sorrento , FL
"Any woman would love it if they like to fish" - B. Williams, Marathon , FL
We learned to fish as a team" - A. Young, Palm Beach Gardens , FL
Funny Comments from Miller Time :
"Are you fishing for a bear? You have a bare hook! ..."By time he comes up he'll have a beard!"
