Ladies came from as far away as Texas to compete at the non-intimidating Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Screamin’ Reels tournament May 17-19, 2024 in Islamorada, FL. Hosted by the nonprofit Ladies Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF), the tournament kicked off on Friday at the Tavernier Elks Club, followed by friendly fishing competition on Saturday and Sunday out of Islamorada, FL. A total of 180 offshore and inshore fish were hooked by women fishing from private or charter boats.
Winners:
First Place Offshore: Tatiana Andronik, Indian Trail, NC 4.75 lb. Mahi on KK IV
Second Place Offshore: Kyllene Carter, Miami Shores, FL 4.4 lb. Mahi on Big Dave
First Place Jack Division: Penny Jacobis, Pinecrest, FL 48.5 lb. Amberjack on Sea Horse
First and Second Place Inshore: Elizabeth Palma, Key Largo, FL 26 and 22 inch Redfish on Uno Mas
Top Teen: Isabella Chandler, Jacksonville, FL 35.5 lb. Amberjack on Sea Horse
Some ladies caught their first of their lives. There were three mother/daughter teams and for one pair the event was a mother’s day gift.
$1,000 in prizes including Penn combos, art prints, shirts and more were presented on Sunday upon the return of boats at Whale Harbor.
Commented Betty Bauman, LLGF Founder, “Screamin’ Reels is a different breed of tournament, where it’s game on for almost every legal offshore or inshore species in the sea. It’s perfect for novice or average anglers and those who never caught a fish nor would dream of entering a fishing tournament.”
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 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, Future Angler Foundation and Big Rock Sports Conservation Foundation. Top donors are Yeti, Fishing Headquarters, Engel, AO Coolers, Egret Baits/Vudu, Hobie Eyewear, Canoe Outpost, Flying Fisherman, Pelagic Gear, Flanigans, Guy Harvey, TTI Blakemore, The Fish Grip, Engel, Danco, Flambeau, Guy Harvey and Outpost Resorts, FishBites and Brella. Local sponsors were Sunset Inn, Islamorada and Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Supporters and other contributors are listed on the website.
LLGF offers a second Keys event Oct. 18-20 with full day fishing seminar, two days of fishing and casual prizes.
Participants must register in advance for all events online at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
2024 remaining LLGF events, with optional or included fishing are:
Contact: Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing, phone 954-475-9068, email: fish@ladiesletsgofishing.com, website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing
Saturday Full Day Fishing:
Sea Horse/Capt. Rick Rodriguez: Four amberjack, 16 yellowtail snapper, one mahi, plus release of two parrotfish, 10 yellowtail snapper and three houndfish.Penny Jacobis, Pinecrest, FL took first place Jack Division with her 48.5 lb. amberjack. It was the first time ever catching large amberjack for all ladies. Tatiana Andronik, Indian Trail, NC released a 10 lb. barracuda. Thirteen year old Teen Angler Isabella Chandler, Jacksonville, FL caught her first blackfin tuna and first amberjack weighing 35.5 lbs.
KK IV/Capt. David Galene: Eight blackfin tuna, eight mahi, eight yellowtail snapper and two bonito.
Big Dave/Capt. Don Chittick: Three mahi and two amberjack. A 36.9 lb. amberjack caught by Sundie Wilcox, St. Augustine, FL was the third heaviest in the tournament. Dawna Gilbert, Destin, FL caught a large amberjack but a shark got the best of it. Kyllene Carter, Pinecrest, FL caught a 4.4 lb. mahi earning second place offshore.
Sunday 3/4 Day Fishing:
Sea Horse/Capt. Rick Rodriguez: Eight blackfin tuna, two amberjack, two bonito, one mahi and one remora.
KK IV/Capt. David Galene: Nine mahi, one amberjack. Tatiana Andronik, Indian Trail, NC landed first place with a mahi weighing 4.75 lbs. Susan Anthony, Ft. Myers, FL caught her first large amberjack weighing 42.6 lbs. the second heaviest amberjack in the tournament. Two parrotfish were released.
Uno Mas inshore: Elizabeth Palma, Key Largo, FL snagged first and second place inshore with her 26 and 22 inch redfish. She also released a 22 inch snook and an 18 inch sea trout.
Blackwater Charters Capt. Dylan Scoble: Seven sea trout, 20 jack crevalle, 10 catfish, one ladyfish, six mangrove snapper, five lane snapper, two sharks and three blue runners.
The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF) is a national charitable 501C3 organization dedicated to attracting women and families to fishing and encouraging conservation and responsible angling. In addition to providing educational events with hands-on practice and an opportunity to go fishing, 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 and families to fishing. Both Bauman and the University series – dubbed “The No-Yelling School of Fishing” – are known nationally in the fishing and marine industries. The organization has earned rave reviews from media including Inside Edition, The Early Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS, Good Morning America, Outdoor Life Network, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and more.
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. View all posts by The WON
