More than 40 aspiring anglers from Florida and other states came to the Keys to learn from the pros at the award-winning “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Keys University from Oct. 23-25 at the Elks Lodge in Tavernier.
Awards were presented for the LLGF Fishing Fever tournament with a total of 180 fish caught and 101 released. Top offshore went to Jan Morris, of Rotunda West, who caught a 23.26-pound wahoo on the Sea Horse with Capt. Rick Rodriguez. Second-place offshore went to Noelle Goulart, of Belle Isle, for catching a 13.8-pound king mackerel on Blue Chip Too with Capt. Skip Bradeen.
Top inshore went to Goulart for reeling in a 30.5-inch snook on Ankle Deep Charters with Capt. Jeremy Mathis. Second-place inshore went to Anita Laico, of Singer Island, for catching a 31-inch snook on Capt. Chris Hanson’s Scales 2 Tales. The top party boat went to Vivian Villanueva, of Cooper City, on Captain Michael.
The fishing activities kicked off with a meet-and-greet social featuring networking, fundraisers and a master chef appetizer contest. First place went to Nancy Rudick, of Pompano Beach, for deviled eggs. Events continued with classroom presentations on offshore, bottom (Capt. Jeanne Towne) and inshore fishing. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin casting, fly casting, net casting, gaffing grapefruits and more were available for hands-on practice.
On the final day, participants embarked on a fishing adventure out of Whale Harbor Marina, followed by a fish fillet demonstration. Fish caught included sailfish, mahi, wahoo, blackfin tuna, yellowtail snapper, king mackerel, tarpon, snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, sharks and more. Friday was a bonus fishing day.
“It was the best day of my life,” said Jan Morris, a novice angler who was not expecting to win the top offshore prize.
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 and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, Sunrise Resort & Marina and Future Angler Foundation. Local sponsors were Breezy Palms, Seaside Glass Works, Dog House Sport Fishing Charters, Calusa Cast Nets and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
