Dubbed a “no-yelling school of fishing,” the Ladies Let’s Go Fishing program provides female anglers with a weekend university from Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23. Over the last 20 years, more than 8,000 program graduates have learned to become anglers or polished their angling skills as well as practiced responsible angling and applied learned fishing skills in offshore, bottom, inshore and fly-fishing.
Ana Rodriguez Cepero, Miami; Collette Dennehy, Ft. Lauderdale; Margie Plaxton, Punta Gorda;
Amy Carrasquillo, Pompano Beach; ‘Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!’ Founder Betty Bauman, Davie; and Mary Metcalf, Punta Gorda.
Participants learn techniques from prominent fishing captains based in the Florida Keys. The seminar kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, with a meet-and-greet social at Florida Keys Elks Lodge 1872 at mile marker 92, bayside. Participants and guests can participate in a fundraising raffle, silent auction and a home-cooked appetizer contest. Saturday’s activities are held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with classroom presentations by local guides on fishing basics, conservation, release techniques and more. After lunch, hands-on activities include knot tying, bait rigging, spin and net casting, boat and trailer handling, stand-up fish-fighting techniques, gaffing, removing hooks and filleting the catch. Presenters include fly-fishing legend Stu Apte, International Game Fish Association Hall of Famer Capt. Gary Ellis, tournament champion Stephanie Osgood Choate, female angler Capt. Lee Lavery and several others.
A cocktail party is to follow Saturday evening at Seaside Glassworks, mile marker 82, bayside. On Friday and Sunday, participants can opt for an additional inshore or offshore fishing trip out of Whale Harbor Marina, mile marker 83.5, oceanside. Anglers can fish from a sportfishing vessel, inshore flats boat or drift boat. Additional fees apply. “Our popular Keys university offers a unique vacation getaway where women can learn, network and enjoy the fabulous Florida Keys and its remarkable fishing,” said Betty Bauman, founder of “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Limited spaces remain at an Internet special rate of $110 per person. The regular entry fee is $145. A new VIP registration of $180 entitles participants to premium reserved seating, socials and meals as well as rebates and values on souvenirs.
A Ladies’ Choice option allows women to register a male guest, as well as invite teenagers to join in the learning weekend. There is a reduced registration fee for women with teens. The fee includes instruction, the use of equipment, the welcome reception, lunch, Saturday party and more. All rates can be found at ladiesletsgofishing.com. For more information, contact Bauman at info@ ladiesletsgofishing.com or 954-475-9068.