Age doesn’t matter to ladies who find fishing as a way to connect with each other, families and friends. Eight thousand ladies from all over the country, ages 18 to 80 have united at “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” award-winning fishing universities to learn fishing. Open to the public, the 2014 ‘Womens’ Fishing University’ series encourages women to enter the sports of fishing and boating by providing a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere for women to learn. Held in conjunction with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Sport Fish Restoration Program, the series offers a weekend of activities starting at only $99, where women can learn, practice and do, plus network.
Elizabeth Bender with a delicious blackfin tuna she caught off Dania Beach, Florida. Photo courtesy of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!
Described as the “No-Yelling” school of fishing, the weekend events teach women saltwater fishing techniques for inshore, offshore, bottom and fly fishing at beginner and advanced levels. To provide women their freedom while fishing, the Saturday afternoon “handson” fishing exercises including spin casting, conservation, net casting, gaffing grapefruits, boat handling, backing a truck and trailer rig and reeling to learn how to apply pressure to large fish.
There is also a networking reception for participants. A Mini University has been added to the selection, with a shorter agenda, starting at $59 for early entry.
Optional fishing charters are offered on the second day, followed by fish filleting. Upcoming 2014 dates are:
Year after year, participants praise the program and share the experience with fellow female anglers. “I learned more in three hours than I have learned all the years I went fishing with my husband – It would have been worth triple the price!” – Nicole Kristman, Cocoa Beach, FL. Donna Keneipp, Ft. Lauderdale FL added “The weekend offered boatloads of useful information – great for beginners but also for all skill sets!”
Featured in USA Today, Inside Edition, The Today Show and more, the program is held in conjunction with support from the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It is supported by partners such as Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Magic Tilt Trailers.
The significance of the program’s impact on the womens’ market resulted in the “Woman of the Year” award in the nation’s fishing industry made by the American Sportfishing Association. LLGF Founder and recipient of the award, Betty Bauman, commented, “Fishing provides a stress break and can be done with a variety of budgets. We’re doing our part to support the fishing industry by attracting new participants.” The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation recently reported that for the first time in several years, fishing has gained more participants than it lost – largely due to women taking up the sport. The RBFF also released that women now make up 41% of new anglers entering the sport.
Registration includes instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, networking parties, lunch at most events, goody bags and more. Charter fishing is additional. Contact: Betty Bauman, LLGF, phone 954-475-9068, fax 954-474-7299, email: info@ladiesletsgofishing.com, website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.
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
