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Anglers Hook 182 Fish at Fishing Fever Tournament

Twenty six aspiring anglers came from Florida as well as other states to learn from the pros at the award winning “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®” Keys University and Fishing Fever Tournament, October 13-15 at the Elks Lodge, Tavernier, FL. Participants came to learn about fishing and practice their skills on the water, catching and/or releasing 182 fish from eight boats in the Fishing Fever Tournament. Platinum sponsor was Plantation Boat Mart and Marina with other partners listed below.

Fishing Fever Tournament Oct. 13-15
LLGF Keys Participants: Participants at Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Keys with FWC officers.

Winners of the LLGF Fishing Fever Tournament were:

  • Top Offshore: Wanda Lynch Burns, Bel Aire, MD, mahi, Kay K IV with Capt. David Galen
  • Second Place Offshore: Lisa Magill, Pompano Beach, FL mahi, Kay K IV with Capt. David Galen
  • Top Inshore: Lori Limberg, Odell, IL, 28.25 inch snook release on Capt. Chris Hanson’s Scales 2 Tales
  • Second Place Inshore: Melody Tuschel, Big Pine Key, FL, 27 inch snook released on Capt. Dylan Scoble’s Blackwater Charters
  • Honorable Mention: Lori Love, St. Augustine, FL, 46.7 lb. amberjack on Sea Horse with Capt. Rick Rodriguez

The University kicked off on Friday with a meet-and-greet.

Saturday’s events began with classroom presentations on fishing basics by Capt. Lee Lavery, offshore fishing by Capt. Jeanne Towne, Conservation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and inshore fishing by Capt. Rob Modys, followed by lunch and hands-on fishing skills until 4 pm. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin casting, net casting, gaffing grapefruits and more were available for hands-on practice.

Saturday events concluded with a silent auction, followed by a networking party hosted by Seaside Glassworks, Islamorada, FL.

lady catching fish

On Friday and Sunday, participants embarked on an offshore or inshore fishing adventure out of Whale Harbor Marina, Islamorada, FL and other locations, followed by a fish fillet demonstration. Fish caught and/or released included mahi, blackfin tuna, amberjack, a variety of snappers, bonito, tarpon, snook, redfish, sharks and even a crocodile plus more.

This event was designed for beginners who can win a prize in our Fishing Fever tournament, even if it was their first fish ever caught or released.

Betty Bauman, Founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing

Featured on national network television and more, the series is supported by major partners including Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation, Take Me Fishing, Vamos a Pescar, Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Shearwater Boats, Power-Pole, Penn, TACO Metals, Lowrance, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, ICOM, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Costa, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite and Future Angler Foundation. Local sponsors were Plantation Boat Mart and Marina Platinum sponsor, Island Arms & Indoor Range, Fidelity Real Estate Group, Seaside Glass Works and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

Fishing Fever Tournament 2023
Sea Horse Sun ladies with amberjack: Lori Love, St. Augustine, FL; Melody Tuschel, Big Pine Key, FL; Felicia Alexander, Coral Springs, FL; Desaray Norris, Naples, FL and Shelley Hughes, North Ft. Myers, FL on Sea Horse.

Contact: info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; www.ladiesletsgofishing.com and www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.   

About “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”

The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF) is a national charitable 501C3 organization dedicated to attracting women and families to fishing while encouraging conservation and responsible angling. LLGF promotes networking among women anglers and emphasizes mentorships. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, LLGF has over 9,000 graduates and is the largest organization in the world whose objective is to introduce women to fishing. Both Bauman and the University series – often dubbed “The No-Yelling School of Fishing” – are known nationally in the sport fishing and marine industries. The organization has earned rave reviews from national media including “Inside Edition,” CBS’ “The Early Show,” NBC’s “Nightly News,” “Good Morning America,” “Outdoor Life Network,” USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and more. 

  • About The WON

    The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women.