Women from Florida and other areas cast off for adventure and learning at the award-winning “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Keys University and Fishing Fever Tournament, held Oct. 17-19 at the Elks Lodge in Tavernier. Participants learned from top captains and pros before testing their new skills on the water, where they caught and/or released 150 fish from seven boats during the friendly tournament.
Winner in the offshore division was Noelle Goulart of Belle Isle, Florida, with a 12.17-pound bonito aboard Kay K IV. She also caught a 10.9-pound mahi.
Inshore, Key Largo’s Maryann Lemak caught and released a 30-inch jack crevalle on the Scales 2 Tales. Second place went to Betty Trueba, of Key Largo, with a 26.75-inch redfish on the Scales 2 Tales. Trueba also had the top tarpon release.
The events kicked off with a meet-and-greet, followed by hands-on education from fishing captains on Oct. 18. The sessions featured basics with Lee Lavery, offshore instruction by Jeanne Towne, conservation insights from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and inshore and fly casting with Rob Modys.
Ladies took to the water on Oct. 17 and Oct. 19 for offshore and inshore charters, learning from professional guides while landing a variety of species including blackfin tuna, mahi, yellowtail snapper, bonito, tarpon, snook, redfish, and trout.
“This event is perfect for beginners and intermediate anglers to learn, practice and go fishing,” said Betty Bauman, founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing.
