Forty-two aspiring anglers across Florida and other states learned from the pros at the award winning Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Keys University and Fishing Fever Tournament, held Oct.18-20 at the Elks Lodge in Tavernier.
Participants practiced their skills on the water, while catching and/or releasing 160 fish from eight boats.
Miami resident Donna Jocelyn took the top offshore prize with a 35.5-pound cobia on the Sea Horse with Capt. Rick Rodriguez. Kim Royal of Orlando caught one sailfish to win the top sailfish release.
Top inshore went to Janet Steiner of St. Augustine. She caught a 33.5-inch snook on Capt. Chris Hanson’s Scales 2 Tales. Top inshore release went to Pat Kucera of Tarpon Springs, who caught and released two tarpon on Scales 2 Tales.
Ayla Flores of Malabar was named top junior angler. The 13-year-old reeled in a 19-inch snook on Pelagic Raptors Charters with Capt. Mike Diaz.
Events began on Oct. 18 with a meet-and-greet. On Oct. 19, classroom presentations on fishing basics were offered by Capt. Lee Lavery. Capt. Jeanne Towne taught offshore fishing while inshore fishing and fly casting skills were provided by Capt. Rob Modys. Lady anglers gained skills including releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin casting, net casting and gaffing.
On Oct. 18-19, participants embarked on an offshore or inshore fishing adventure out of Whale Harbor Marina in Islamorada and other locations. It was followed by a fish filet demonstration.
Fish caught and/or released included cobia, sailfish, a variety of snappers, bonito, tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, sharks and more. With beginners fishing in high winds, there were eight tarpon releases and two sailfish releases in addition to fish caught or released.
“For my first time inshore fishing I can’t believe I won first place,” Steiner said.
“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,” said Betty Bauman, founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing.
