Gulf Coast Everglades Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Adventure Proves to be a Wild One
The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing nonprofit Foundation had its first-ever Gulf Coast Everglades weekend in Chokoloskee, FL Nov. 18-20. Participants shared a Friday dinner, Saturday fishing, Saturday evening presentation on Everglades fishing by Capt. Pete Rapps, a Saturday potluck home cooked dinner and Sunday fishing on charter boats. Rapps discussed fishing tips, best fishing times and how a cold front low pressure inflates fish bladders, making them feel full and less hungry.
John Mayer, Taneytown, MD and Stephanie Haider, Bonita Springs, MD and Minnesota came to celebrate birthdays with a fishing experience.
Commented Betty Bauman, Founder, “Fishing the remote 10,000 Islands is for people who love adventure and want an ‘out-there’ saltwater experience away from civilization. This was an outstanding adventure and a tremendous bonding opportunity for those who love the outdoors.”
Chokoloskee is a remote village on the Gulf Coast, south of Everglades City. It is the last civilization bordering the pristine Everglades National Park, known for its outstanding wildlife and sea creatures.
Every boat caught fish, despite a cold front that arrived on Saturday, making it challenging to fish. Seas were choppy further out but comfortable behind islands. The cold front and water temperature of 61 degrees presented tough fishing conditions. Each day offered a few hours of nice weather and a few hours of winds. There was no rain all weekend. Fishing times were 4, 6 and 8 hour trips.
Saturday Mark Worley, Worleybird Charters
38 fish total, 13 sea trout, 7 catfish, 5 lizard fish, 7 ladyfish, 4 jacks and one redfish. One of the ladyfish caught by Katelyn Parrish, Taneytown, MD measured 26 inches.
Saturday Ranger
11 fish total using live shrimp, small herring and artificials. 6 catfish, 1 lizard fish, 2 jacks, 1 ladyfish and 1 grunt. They saw a raccoon swimming, lots of beautiful dolphin, pink spoonbills and watched white pelicans work as a team to round up fish. The wind picked up quickly in the afternoon. They were happy to be on a Ranger for the ride home when the seas kicked up.
Saturday Charles Wright
11 fish total, 6 trout, 2 bluefish, 2 ladyfish, 1 lizard fish. Laurie Welton, Vero Beach, FL caught the largest trout. They enjoyed the beauty and solitude of the 10,000 Islands, the white pelican migration and learning the history of the area.
Saturday Georgia Ehrlund boat 4 people
Several trout were released. Eight Spanish mackerel were caught, as well as several bluefish and a few lizard fish. They fished with gulp baits, live bait and spoons.
Sunday Pete Rapps
47 fish total, 4 snook, 1 keeper black drum 25” Katelyn Parrish, 9 snapper, 9 ladyfish, 2 sheepshead, 1 trout, 2 flounder (one 18” Katelyn Parrish), 1 redfish, 7 jacks and 11 catfish. Sean Mayer threw the cast net for a net full of big pilchards. Katelyn Parrish, Taneytown, MD who never fished before was excited about her catch.
Sunday Mark Worley, Worleybird Charters
11 fish total, 3 snook, 3 jacks, 4 trout, 1 ladyfish. Sarah Sawyer, Sarasota, FL released two 22 inch snook and kept a 33 incher – her first saltwater catch she ever could keep and bring home for dinner. She also released a trout.
Sunday Ranger
22 fish: 1 redfish, 13 ladyfish, 1 sea trout, 1 silver trout, 1 sea trout, 6 catfish. This was the first silver trout they had ever caught in this area in 25 years of fishing it. Andy and Maria Newman from Miami and Florida Keys enjoyed the scenery and fishing.
For more information visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, email info@ladiesletsgofishing.com or call 954-475-9068.
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Comments from Participants:
“We had a great time and looking forward to doing more events!” – G. Ehrlund, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
“I love this!! We did such a fantastic job catching a great amount and variety of fish. This makes me so happy :)!” J. Mayer, Taneytown, MD
“Super group, great destination! Great time, I want to do more LLGF events!” – S. Sawyer, Sarasota, FL
“What LLGF is doing is great!” – K. Parrish, Taneytown, MD
