NAPLES EVENT- Really great group!
More than 70 ladies came to Naples for the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" ® Gulf Coast seminar March 20-22 at the Naples Bayfront Inn and Bianchi's Restaurant. Women from 29 to 79 came from the local area as well as from California, Michigan, Arizona and Maryland to learn fishing secrets from local, talented charter captains.
"I've always loved being by the water, but liked fishing, which can turn from peaceful to exciting!" said Ana Gilliam, Naples, FL. Newlywed Susan Barger, Mesa, AZ came to learn a sport she could enjoy with her husband, an avid angler. Tanya Hackney, Clearwater, FL wanted to catch fresh dinner from her sailboat. She also learned fish venting and use of a dehooker for release.
Known as the “No-Yelling School of Fishing,” this award-winning series for women, held in conjunction with Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and presented by Mercury Outboards, kicked off with a networking reception at Bianchi's on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, local captains took a day off the water to help the women achieve their objectives. Presentations were made by Capt. Roan Zumfelde/Fishing Basics and Fly Fishing, Capt. Will Geraghty/Offshore and Bottom Fishing, Capt. Mark Block/Inshore Back Country Fishing and Rich Abrams and Kelly Blackburn/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Conservation, with topics taught at separate beginner and intermediate/advanced levels.
Andrew Barksdale and Paul Waterhouse from Calusa Island Marina worked one-on-one with participants to show boat handling and docking aboard a Ranger boat. Other local captains, such as Capt. Eric Alexander, Capt. Lacey Rush, Capt. Allen Walburn, Jean McCullough and more showed skills including conservation techniques and dehooking, spin casting, net casting, releasing, knot tying, gaffing grapefruits, trailer backing with a Magic Tilt trailer, operating a Minn Kota trolling motor, Mercury outboard, Bob's jack plate, Power-Pole and reeling against pressure. There was even a Raymond James table to help the ladies organize their finances to puchase a boat in the future. Performing as the fish for the standup fishing techniques demonstration was Capt. Lacey Rush, a guide from Ft. Myers, FL.
To complete the experience, a fishing trip on Sunday gave the women a chance to practice their newly-learned skills on the water. Each of the charter boats used for the Fishing Adventure on Sunday came back with exciting fishing reports of ladies catching or releasing king mackerel, snook, trout, pompano, jack crevalle and more.
Featured on national network television and more, the series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, presented by Mercury Outboards and supported by major partners such as Ranger Boats represented by Calusa Island Marina, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream Internationall Airlines, Shimano, Minn Kota, Magic Tilt and Humminbird. Annual partners included Magic Tilt, Minn Kota, Bob’s Machine Shop, Raymond James & Associates, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Pompanette, Crocs, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Aftco Bluewater/Guy Harvey, Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait, GG Schmitt & Sons, Calusa Cast Nets, Ameritex Technologies, Pompanette, Silverstar Fine Jewelers, and Mary Kay Cosmetics and more. Local businesses, including the White Elephant Thrift Shop, Angler's Answer and Dick's Sporting Goods contributed. For those who have taken the seminar, LLGF offers a local chapter in Naples for further networking.
The 2009 seminar schedule includes Fort Lauderdale: May 1-3; Stuart: June 26-28 and Islamorada: November 13-15. Early registration is just $99 when made 30 days or more in advance. Regular registration is $125 up to a week before the event and $145 for walk-ins and the week of the event. Registration includes instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, networking reception and silent auction, meals, goody bags and more. Sunday Fishing Adventure, with tackle and bait provided, is additional.
Naples Fishing Adventure Reports, Sunday, March 22, 2009:
Although it was windy, every charter reported fish and there were many happy faces at the dock. All of the captains were highly rated by the participants. All boats but two released all of their fish.
Alabama: The party boat rocked! Ladies caught plenty of mackerel from 5-15 lbs., blue runners and more. They learned trolling with spoons, casting for bait and following birds to find fish. One of the women reeled in a fish head after a dolphin ate the rest. Aida Saba, Port St. Lucie, FL caught a 15 lb. king mackerel.
Grand Slam/Capt. Will Geraghty: "Fish on, Fish on!" was the cheer for women who were lucky to fish with the seminar's offshore and bottom fishing speaker. Carol Behan had several first-time experiences, catching an 18 inch jack crevalle, a snook and ladyfish. Enjoying her first chance to cast to a fish, she said, "I kissed him and let him go!" All the ladies jigged and caught ladyfish, then targeted snook.
Capt. Roan Zumfelde: Zumfelde, the basics and fly fishing speaker, treated his anglers to what was described as 'a VERY cool experience.' All the women released ladyfish and jack crevalle. They learned fishing with jigs and live bait. They witnessed a school of dolphin and had an opportunity to learn more boat handling. Michell Getchell, Pompano Beach, FL who laughed about all the trees she snagged, said, "Virtually every location gave us an immediate bite at the first cast! Sharing this with the other girls and challenging ourselves made a memorable experience."
Joey D/Capt. Joey Dobin: "Pink jigs rock!" was the comment of the day. Fishing with live and artificial bait, all the ladies caught a variety of ladyfish, sea trout, bluefish, pompano and a hammerhead shark. They had a chance to throw the cast net and enjoyed seeing deer, osprey, bald eagles and dolphin.
Capt. Chris McCubbin: The ladies caught jack crevalle, blue fish, ladyfish and snook. Susan Kolanda and Coco Dila, both of Naples, FL released their very first snook ever and Dila was excited to catch a 7 lb. jack crevalle.
Priority One/Capt. Mike Prescott: The ladies enjoyed their first experience with mangrove fishing and released 4-5 lb. jack crevalle, 20-23" snook and catfish. They castnetted live bait and baited their own hooks. Karen Cronin, Naples, FL released her first snook ever.
Capt. Ken Miller: The ladies caught five sheepshead and released several more. Tanya Hackney, Clearwater, FL caught a keeper pompano. The ladies also caught four sea trout. Hackney was excited to bring home whole fish to show her home-schooled children. She added, "By learning so much about fishing, we can have so much more fun, even when we are not catching fish! Mary Hackney, Tanya's mother in law, practiced using a dehooker on a catfish. They saw a wild boar and a racoon swimming from island to island.
*Caught could designate either landing or releasing.
Did You Enjoy Your Instructors? All of the instructors from the Stuart seminar are licensed charter captains! You can book a trip with them and learn even more! Visit the “Guides” page on our website, www.ladiesletsgofishing.com for their info!
CALENDAR INFORMATION: 2009 schedule: May 1-3, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; June 26-28, Stuart, FL and Nov. 13-15, Islamorada, FL. Registration is $99/early entry, up to $145/walkins. Includes welcome party, classes at beginner/advanced levels, lunch, hands-on skill stations, Fishing additional.
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 Program, Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream International Airlines, Shimano, Magic Tilt Trailers, Minn Kota,and Humminbird for major sponsorships. Please patronize them! Annual sponsors: Magic Tilt, Minn Kota, Bob’s Machine Shop, Raymond James & Associates, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Pompanette, Crocs, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Aftco Bluewater/Guy Harvey, Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait, GG Schmitt & Sons, Calusa Cast Nets, Ameritex Technologies, Pompanette, Silverstar Fine Jewelers, and Mary Kay Cosmetics. Local contributions provided by: White Elephant Thrift Shop, Angler's Answer and Dick's Sporting Goods. Sponsor information is in the class book.
A Note on Conservation: Remember, it is up to you to insure there will be quality fishing tomorrow!
Comments from participants:
“I loved the non-threatening approach and the use of real captains for instruction.” A. Gilliam - Naples, FL.
“I really think fishing is a great way to bond with your loved ones, and gives us girl time together.” A. Gilliam - Naples, FL.
“Great program! It was terrific from the first phone call to register, to the reception, to the seminar. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and personable. Thank you for the experience!” L. Johnson - Ft. Myers, FL.
“Seriously, this course was great! It had breadth and depth of information, plus great folks to teach us.” M. Hackney - Naples, FL.
“Being able to pick, choose, and move between skill stations was terrific! I loved the flexibility.” M. Hackney - Naples, FL.
“Loved it - thank you! I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with my four children (all under 8).” T. Hackney - Clearwater, FL.
“It’s incredible how much I learn each time I go through this seminar! When I thought I was pretty good at fishing, I found out I can learn a whole lot more!” C. Tutino - Naples, FL.
“The instructors/captains were outstanding! Terrific presentation and speakers, and positive enthusiasm for the sport!” S. Kolanda - Naples, FL.
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