Gulf Coast/Sarasota Event Aug. 22-24, 03

Another great success!

We were pleased to have one of our most enthusiastic crowds and committees ever at our Sarasota seminar. We thank the Sarasota Yacht Club and Tony Piano for providing such an excellent location!

Fishing Report, Sarasota, Aug. 24

Shark: The ladies had a great time fighting barracuda. Susan Hamel, Longboat Key, FL caught a mangrove snapper and Jeanne Voshell, Spring Hill, FL caught a Spanish mackerel. The ladies learned how to catch bait, place it on hooks and got plenty of practice reeling fish.

Shark II: All women on board caught at least three barracuda. For most of them, it was their first fish ever. They had a chance to learn catching bait.

*Maverick: The women said they caught and released "too many fish to count!" including grouper and sharks. 10 pre-tagged grouper were released. They learned about bait, hooks, weights and fishing techniques.

Anna Leah: Yellowtail snapper and grouper were the catch of the day. With an estimated 60 fish caught or released, the women had plenty of chances to practice their fish fighting techniques. Catherine Billick, St. Petersburg, FL was excited to hold a fish for the first time.

Y-Not /Capt. Tony Piano: Fishing on a luxurious 50' Viking, participants caught small grouper and snapper and learned about bottom fishing baits. An exciting triple header ended with laughter when the women realized their lines had become tangled and they were fighting against each other!

Flying Fish /Party Boat: Not only did participants catch grunts and red grouper, they also caught rocks, lost hooks, made a few birds nests and learned de-hooking, knot tying, venting procedures and de-tangling line. Their advice for future is: bring Wet Wipes.

Fish Head Charters / Capt. Judd McKean: There was lots of excitement when all the ladies caught barracudas. Cathy Schaibly, New Port Richey, FL caught the largest barracuda of the day. They practiced the uniknot and bowline knot and learned about bait. Two women who were medical professionals had an opportunity to apply their skills to the captain, who had lodged a Sabiki bait hook into his hand, demonstrating the caution which should be observed when catching bait.

Artifishall /Capt. Geoffrey Page: Fishing inshore, the women caught and/or released redfish, grouper, trout, snook, flounder, catfish, lizardfish, ladyfish, for an exciting day of flats fishing.

Game Fish-Her Charters /Capt. Merrily Dunn: While they solved all of the world's problems, the women caught trout, commenting, "Women can fish and have fun without ugly words!"

Snook Fin-Addict/ Capt. Rick Grassett: Using artificial bait for the first time, the women caught two nice redfish, sea trout and a lizard fish. Robin Springstead, Brooksville, FL caught a 25.5" redfish. They got to use their instruction from Saturday.

City Island: Amidst traffic from the powerboat races as they fished from land, two ladies caught an impressive selection of mangrove snapper, puffer fish, grouper, jack and one unidentified species.

Recipe Contest Winner: Candie Clerkin, Bradenton, FL for "Poached Grouper with Tropical Fruit Salsa"

* Take the Ladies Fishing Sponsors

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, Ranger Boats /Marine Dynamics, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance, Marine Industries Association of S. Florida, Lowrance Electronics, Magic Tilt Trailers, IGFA and Gulfstream International Airlines for major sponsorships. Please patronize them! Annual partners: Accurate/Offshore Fishing, Minn Kota, Bob's Machine Shop, Maxima Line, Yo-Zuri, Eagle Claw, Hook & Tackle, Pompanette, Reel Native Florida Fishing, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, The Islands of the Bahamas, Mary Kay, Benchmark Business Systems, Image Graphics 2000, Rugged Shark Shoes, Knarley Harley and Printing Corp. of the Americas. Class partners: Bay Harbor Ford, CB's Outfitters, Mastry Engine Center, Member Advantage, Raymond James, Shakespeare, Marine Dynamics, Maverick Charters, Capt. Merrily Dunn, Finkelstein & Associates, Publix, Freedom Boat Club, 3M, Lee Fisher Cast Nets & L.J.L. Manufacturing. Details are in the class book.

Join the LLGF Association and get $10 off your next registration! Log onto ladiesletsgofishing.com for the Chapter Forum, for announcements of chapter activities! Members receive newsletters with fishing tips, discounts, news on class participants, pen pals, member card, decal and more! Contact us for information on the chapters! Fill out the Association form in your class book and send to LLGF headquarters with credit card or check.

Thanks to our speakers: Capt. Merrily Dunn, Capt. Geoffrey Page, Capt. Dave Zalewski, Capt. Larry McGuire, Kim Amendola and Chuck Baldwin!

Great Prizes! We had some great prizes, including trips to Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina, Abaco, Bahamas, airfare from Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, Knarley Harley, Guy Harvey, Carey Chen & more, tackle boxes from Plano and Lurebox, Shakespeare, Accurate Reels, Jewelry from L.J.L. Manufacturing and Koen Jewelers, fishing trips with Captains Jim Taylor, Capt. Geoff Page, Shawn Foster and more. Thanks to all auction and raffle donors! Your contributions help us meet growth demands.

Next Events: Islamorada Oct. 17-19 (great time) at Holiday Isle! Sign up soon - it's filling up quickly!

Send Us Your Letters and Photos! We need new newsletter material - Please email comments about the seminar (we already know about the food and will work on it next time), especially if you bought tackle, boats, trucks, fishing equipment or if you have had an interesting fishing adventure. When you use the lures or fishing equipment you received at the seminar, please email to us the results!

Did you see the LLGF Gold Pendant? you can buy it on www.ladiesletsgofishing.com - $220 with diamond eye. L.J. L. Jewelers offers a complete line of marine jewelery on www.jewelartjewelers.com.

If Your Company is a Sponsor, You Attend Free!

We are looking for sponsors, door prize and goody bag donors for next year. If your company takes a sponsorship worth $500 or more, you get a comp entry and other benefits. Please contact us!

Remember, 40% off clothing sale till Sept. 13 at CB's Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Rd. www.cb's outfitters.com.

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!

A Note on Conservation: Remember, it is up to you to insure there will be quality fishing tomorrow!

LLGF Seeks Utility Trailer: If you know of a company who is able to donate a covered trailer, please contact us!

Special Thanks to Bay Harbor Ford for providing an exciting selection of trucks!

Comments from Participants: "Great for women of all ages! - S. Perkins, Bradenton, FL

"This will improve my fishing two-fold!" - S. Arkoosh, St. James City, FL

"Terrific avenue for ladies to learn fishing and find others to fish with!" - C. Davis, Nokomis, FL

"A great amount of information, especially learning to use my hips, not my arms to fight fish!" - E. Ogden, Punta Gorda, FL

"Very helpful!" Easy to understand and learn!" - M. Gardner, Longboat Key, FL

"Loved it, Much better than anticipated!" - M. Ware, Bradenton, FL