Cecilia Cabiesas and Janet Conklin, Wilton Manors, FL had a big surprise when they attended the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” ® Stuart seminar, April 23-25 at Indian Riverside Park, Jensen Beach, FL.
Just completing the LLGF beginner classes on Saturday, the two women registered last minute for the Frances Langford Memorial Tournament, the first part of the Southern Kingfish Association tournament events in Jensen Beach, FL on April 25. They had never fished in a tournament before but decided to compete against 22 anglers. Fishing in Ft. Pierce aboard Chaos with Captain Jonathan Earhart, Cabiesas and Conklin weighed a 6.1 lb. and 4.5 lb. jack crevalle, plus released a snook and sea trout. Both women had never caught a jack crevalle before. They were stunned to hear they not only took one top honor, but also two more. Cabiesas took Top Lady Angler and Top Mystery Fish. Conklin took Top Aggregate boat. Fishing from the second LLGF boat in the tournament, June Phillips, Stuart, FL anxiously awaited at the weigh in, her fish coming within ounces winning an award.
“The “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar made all the difference in the world!” exclaimed Cabiesas, struggling with a handful of checks totaling $400, a rod and reel and a bag full of valuable prizes. “Without it, we wouldn’t have had the courage to challenge the local anglers in this competition and would never have dreamed we would walk away with anything.” Phillips and the other women from the seminar cheered the victorious women as they returned to the stage three times to accept awards.
LLGF Founder Betty Bauman congratulated the ladies, saying, “This is a moment these two women will never forget. We’re proud to have had the opportunity to motivate these ladies to try something they have never done before. They went head-to-head with some of the best anglers in Stuart, who are probably scratching their heads as to how these first-timers from Ft. Lauderdale out-fished them.”
The women were part of nearly 50 ladies who came to Stuart for the weekend of fishing knowledge and fun. Lurue Lord traveled from Georgia and other women who came from out of town. Four women who run a bait company, Aylesworth’s Fish and Bait, traveled from St. Petersburg to become familiar with the sport that is their livelihood. Owner Dawn Aylesworth commented, “This is a great opportunity for us to get out of the office to learn more and get out on the water. Being in the fishing industry doesn’t necessarily mean you get much opportunity to fish.” Jo Ann Tunnesen came from Miami to attend her fourth LLGF seminar. “There’s so much to learn,” she said. “My husband was so proud to see me gaff my first fish a week ago, something I wouldn’t have dared to try had I not practiced grapefruit gaffing at LLGF.”
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), kicked off with the Harbor Financial Services networking reception at the Dockside Pavilion. On Saturday morning, local captains took a day off the water to help the women achieve their objectives. Presentations were made by Capt. Marcia Foosaner/Inshore and Fly Fishing, Krista Chasmar/Offshore/Bottom Fishing, Capt. George Mittler/Basics and Kelly Campbell/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Conservation, with topics taught at separate beginner and intermediate/advanced level.
Other local captains, such as Capt. Melinda Buckley, Capt. Joe Massaro, Capt. Dave Osborne, Tony D’Ippolito, Drew Wickstrom, Capt. Squeeky Kelly, Capt. George Scott, Wayne Magdalena, Robin Folsom and more showed skills including conservation techniques and dehooking, spin casting, net casting with a Adventure Products Cast net, releasing, knot tying, hooks and lures, gaffing grapefruits, fly casting, boat handling with Ranger, 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.
To complete the experience, a fishing trip on Sunday gave the women a chance to practice their newly-learned skills on the water, aboard bay boats, sportfishing boats and a party boat. Each of the charter boats used for the Sunday Fishing Adventure returned with reports of fishing action, despite rough seas, high winds and fast current.
Featured on national network television and more, the series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and supported by major partners such as Ranger Boats represented by Calusa Island Marina, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Mercury, Gulfstream Int’l Airlines, Minn Kota, Magic Tilt and Humminbird. Annual partners included Bob’s Machine Shop, Harbor Financial Services, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Pompanette, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait, Mary Kay, 7Eye and more. The Stuart sponsors were Adventure Products, LLC and Hometown News. Local businesses also contributed. The organizers offered an immense fundraiser. Visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com for more information.
The 2010 seminar schedule includes Fort Lauderdale, June 11-13 and Islamorada, November 12-14. 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. Charters for the Sunday Fishing Adventure, with tackle and bait provided, are additional.
Contact: LLGF, phone 954-475-9068, fax 954-474-7299, email: billfishbetty@hotmail.com, website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
Stuart Fishing Adventure Reports, Sunday, April 25, 2010:
Every charter reported fish and there were many happy faces at the dock. All of the captains were highly rated by the participants. You can find the captains information on the Guides section of the website.
Chaos/Capt. Jonathan Earhart: Cecilia Cabiesas and Janet Conklin, Wilton Manors, FL took several awards at the Frances Langford Memorial Tournament, the first of the SKA week of events. Both women had just completed the beginner classes at the Stuart “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar the day before and competed against 20 boats in their first-ever tournament endeavor. Cabiesas took Top Lady Angler and Top Mystery Fish. Conklin took Top Aggregate boat. The ladies were fishing in Ft. Pierce and weighed, then released, a 6.1 lb. and 4.5 lb. Jack Crevalle and releasing a snook and sea trout. It was the first jack ever caught by each of them.
Gotcha/Capt. Marcia Foosaner: Foosaner, the inshore speaker, got in the water and pulled the boat across the flat, allowing her anglers to get up and close to the fish. “What a memorable first flats fishing experience,” claimed Peggy Rich, Jupiter, FL. The ladies released ladyfish and jack, and enjoyed practicing tying knots and dehooking fish.
Bucks Tale/Capt. Melinda Buckley: Buckley, one of the LLGF instructors, and also competing in the tournament, put the ladies on jacks, redfish, ladyfish, bluefish, blue runners, and mackerel. One of the ladies chased a large redfish all over but lost it at the boat. “The tarpon were rolling and teasing us,” claimed one of the anglers. June Phillips, Stuart, FL caught her first “trash can slam” – jack, ladyfish, and a catfish. The ladies had a great time and commented about Buckley’s amazing boat maneuvering skills.
Outlaw Charters/Capt. Joe Massaro: Massaro, one of the LLGF instructors, taught the ladies to fish with three types of lures. Stephanie Calley, Jupiter, FL, caught her first sea trout ever. Susan Page, Stuart, FL caught a sea trout using an artificial lure for the first time. The ladies had a great time learning lures and practicing casting. “The jacks put up a great fight, “claimed Anita Salas, Stuart, FL.
My Other Honey: Several amberjack were released by everyone, along with catching dolphin and bonita. Barbara Johnson, Jensen Beach, FL caught her first amberjack ever. Lurue Lord, Statesboro, GA was reeling in an amberjack when a large hammerhead shark ate her catch. She almost brought the shark in, but it broke loose leaving her with a head instead. Jonson commented, “I used the reeling techniques I learned at the seminar; pull up – reel down.” The ladies reported a great time.
Infinity: The anglers caught wahoo, dolphin and jack crevalle. Mary Metcalf, Punta Gorda, FL caught her first wahoo ever. Betty Moore, Sunrise, FL caught her first jack crevalle. The ladies learned to fish with planers and how to use a gimbal belt. Although it was extremely rough, the ladies still caught several fish and had a great time learning new techniques.
What We Do II: Although it was very rough and bumpy for these beginners, the ladies were able to bring in some bonita. One of the ladies commented, “We now understand what the term sea legs mean.”
Safari One: Each of six ladies on the group boat caught fish. The gals got into a school of banded rudderfish and enjoyed the excitement as multiple rods bent at the same time. Even with the rough seas and ripping current, nobody got seasick! The ladies were proud to out-fish the men aboard, who caught nothing! They learned how to spool correctly and about currents. Renee Lippert, Viera, FL comments, “It was funny trying to take a picture with 3 fish at once; the fish kept falling and flopping around!”
Arecibo: One of our seminar attendees went out with her family and friends the day after the seminar. Her husband writes, “My wife was able to use the seminar information to single handedly rig, set the spread, set the hook and horse herself a dolphin in. I have to say the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” was a good investment.”
*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 for their info!
CALENDAR INFORMATION: 2010 schedule: June 11-13, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Nov. 12-14, 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 theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sport Fish Restoration Program, Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream International Airlines, Magic Tilt Trailers, Minn Kota,and Humminbird for major sponsorships. Please patronize them! Annual sponsors: Bob’s Machine Shop, Harbor Financial Services, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Tigress Outriggers, Pompanette, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Aylesworth’s Fish & Bait, Mary Kay, 7Eye and more. Local contributions provided by: Adventure Products, LLC and Hometown News.
A Note on Conservation: Remember, it is up to you to insure there will be quality fishing tomorrow!
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