SOUTH FLORIDA EVENT- Another great success!

We were pleased to have another successful event in South Florida . We wholeheartedly thank our event hosts: IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum & Bass Pro Shops. The weekend kicked off with a fun welcome party. Saturday began with classes on Basics, Offshore, Inshore and Bottom Fishing. After lunch, the ladies chose from several fishing skill stations to practice hands-on fishing techniques. The program concluded with a half day fishing, followed by fillet demonstration. Following is the fishing report:

Ft. Lauderdale Fish Adventure Reports, 4/2/06, ½ Day

Although the weather was beautiful, fishing was slow due to light winds and slack tide. While not every boat was successful, most boats reported at least a few fish caught or released!

Marlin My Darlin : Karen Walters, Naples , FL released the first sailfish of her life, measuring 7'1”. Sally Turner, Lake Worth , FL and Cheryl Perry, Stuart , FL , a mother-daughter team, both caught king mackerel. The ladies had the opportunity to use downriggers and tie line to leader.

Shooting Star : The ladies caught bait, a bonita, a 40 lb. amberjack and two king mackerel. They learned to rig the bonita to use as bait and to set the outriggers.

Happy Day Today : The ladies purchased live bait and all of them caught fish. They started the day with trolling, then bottom fished for the second half. April Teddlie and Leslie Arico, both from Ft. Lauderdale , FL , each caught their first-ever ocean fish - king mackerel. Sally Nicholas, Ft. Lauderdale , FL who had never fished before, caught a 25-inch king mackerel. The ladies learned how to pull in their own fish from the leader. ReAnne Walcott, Plantation , FL had an opportunity to drive the boat, a 45 foot Hatteras, back to the dock.

*Kilowett/Eddie Flack : The ladies returned with five dolphin. They trolled through a school of flying fish, some of which flew into the cockpit and caused the ladies to duck.

*Capt. Tony DiGiulian : Marge Washko, Wilton Manors, FL caught a king mackerel, Helen Gray, Wilton Manors, FL caught a dolphin, Laurie Welton, Ft. Pierce, FL caught a remora and Pat Morse, Merritt Island, FL released a kingfish. They tried kite fishing but there was not enough wind.

*Brute Dusky 23/Capt. Dick Russell : The ladies experienced trolling. While they hoped for dolphin, Gladys Castro, N. Miami Beach , FL was excited to catch a kingfish, commenting, “This is bigger than any fish we caught when fishing with our husbands!”

*Keepin It Reel/Greg Haskin : Although fishing was slow, the ladies used their time to practice knot tying. Linda Colt, Tulsa , OK released a small king mackerel.

*Whatever It Takes/Chuck Baldwin : While this boat is usually one of the top producers, the ladies went live baiting in 700 feet of water but did not see any fish. Trolling did not bring more luck.

*Native Premonition/Leon Wilcox: The ladies made a hearty effort to find fish, but returned home empty handed. They live baited and trolled.

Mary B: Although the ladies did not catch anything, they practiced reeling, rigging ballyhoo, dropping bait and learned about venting tools.

*Take the Ladies Fishing Sponsors

Recipe contest winner: Angie Michaels, Omaha , NE for “Crunchy Sea Bites”. The recipes were in the class book - watch for them in our cookbook, still in progress!

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 /Joel's Outboard Marine, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Lowrance Electronics, Rybovich, Viper Bob's Fighting Gimbals, Magic Tilt Trailers, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, IGFA and Gulfstream International Airlines for major sponsorships . Please patronize them! Annual partners : Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Minn Kota, Xtools, Bob's Machine Shop, Maxima Line, Power-Pole, Hook & Tackle, Eagle Claw, Bacardi, Silverstar Jewelers, Pompanette, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, Scientific Anglers, Panoptx, Mary Kay, Benchmark Business Systems, Image Graphics 2000 and Printing Corp. of the Americas. Event Sponsors : Bergeron Land Development, Ben & Jeannie Ellis, CRS - Real Estate Brokers,P.L., Smith Barney, Awlgrip. Welcome Party Sponsors: Spark-a-Lure, Ben & Bob's and Southern Wine & Spirits. Breakfast Sponsors: Publix and Grampa's Bakery & Bakery. Patron Sponsors: King Automotive.

Sponsor information is in the class book.

Join a LLGF Chapter! Make new fishing buddies! Go to www.ladiesletsgofishing.com for info.

Thanks to our speakers: Capt. Tony DiGiulian, Capt. Ed Kimmen, Capt. Lee Lavery, Bob Andrea, Michelle Owen, and Chuck Baldwin! They did a great job of showing how we can contribute to preservation of the environment.

Great Prizes! We had some great prizes, including a trip to Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina/Abaco, Bahamas , Costa Rica- Casa Mar Lodge, Alaska at the Cove Lodge and the Bimini Big Game Club. Also included were Mercury 40 hp Four-Stroke Engine, airfare from Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, tackle from Shakespeare (major sponsor!), art from Guy Harvey, Carey Chen & Don Ray. Also, great items from Panoptx eyewear, Eagle Claw, Lure Box, Hydro Glow, Taylor Made, Star Brite, Aquapacs, Lowrance Electronics, Jewelry from Silverstar Jewelers, fishing trips with Capts. Steve Brittain, Anthony Skinner, Marcia Foosaner, Greg Snyder and the Reward Party Boat. Thanks to all auction and raffle donors! Your contributions help us meet growth demands.

Next Events: St. Augustine on May 5-7 at the Northeast Florida Marlin Association. Following seminars include Sarasota/Aug. 18-20, possible Colorado Fly Fishing in August (TBA) and Islamorada/Oct. 13-15. Special event in Alaska on June 9-12 - A few spots are available, but reserve soon!

Send Us Your Letters and Photos! Please email comments about the seminar, especially if you bought tackle, boats, fishing equipment or if you have had an interesting fishing adventure. We want to keep in touch!

If you weren't lucky enough to get the LLGF 14K gold pendant by Silverstar Jewelers on display on the Silent Auction, you can buy it from us - $259 with diamond eye, $229 without diamond. You can also get it in white gold for the same price.

If Your Company is a Sponsor, You Attend the Seminar for Free!

We are looking for sponsors, door prize and goody bag donors for next year. Some sponsorships include a comp entry and other benefits. Please contact us!

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! A great way to practice conservation is by using the XTOOLS® E-Z Release® dehooker which allows for safe, simple and quick hook removal. Thank you to XTOOLS® for donating the E-Z Release® dehooker to all of our ladies who fished on Sunday!

Welcome, Ranger Boats , as the Official Boat of Choice for LLGF! This year, the boat features a beautiful “wrap” provided by Image Graphics 2000. Joel's Outboard Marine was the representing dealer. Be sure to visit www.rangerboats.com .

Finally, we have a nice utility trailer, thanks to the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling! Remember how important you can be in preserving our marine resources for the future!

Fun Ladies Tournament Coming up:

Saturday, June 3rd - 21st. Annual Ladies Fish-Off out of Hillsboro Inlet. If you don't have a boat, you can fish aboard their party boat. Contact Mike Leach at 954-351-8849 or log onto www.ladiesfishoff.com for more info.

Comments from Participants:

“With living in Florida , being able to fish is a MUST! A waste if you don't!” - S Nicholas, Ft. Lauderdale , FL

“I learned so much - without being yelled at!” - S. Reyes, N. Miami Beach , FL

“Great program for any age!” - S. Turner, Lake Worth , FL

“Enjoyed spending time with my peers learning fishing techniques in a very well-organized environment!” - V. Resende, Hialeah Gardens , FL

“No matter how much you know about fishing, you can ALWAYS learn more!” - J. Olczyk, Dania Beach , FL

“Second time around for me - Very informative, comfortable and friendly environment!” - P. Tower, Miami , FL

“Don't give up! Leaning fishing is an ongoing process - and have fun!” - M. Juarez, Miami , FL

“I learn something different each time!” - L. Colt, Tulsa , OK

“Great experience, fun and a great way to meet people!” - J. Vasquez, Miami , FL