Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

Look out! The ladies are going fishing

by Bob Wonders on 22 Oct 2011
Pretty happy group here, and it looks like dinner that evening was most enjoyable. - ladies go fishing Ladies Let's Go Fishing
The fabulous Florida Keys have a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s 'hot spots' when it comes to angling, with marlin, sailfish and all manner of supreme table fish hunted in the nutrient-rich waters by the Caribbean and South Atlantic.

One of the first stops when heading down to the keys from Miami Beach is Islamorada, one of the highly favoured ‘ports of call’ along the keys.

Islamorada actually comprises six islands, including Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and the offshore islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key.

It’s right here at Islamorada where the action will be fast and furious over the weekend of November 11-13 when more than 6000 ladies will be on hand for the award-winning ‘Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing’ seminar.

The gala event is supported by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with a range of other sponsors helping out throughout the weekend.

An astonishing array of different classes have been established for the contestants with a line-up of highly experienced guest speakers, among them some of the Florida Keys best-known sport fishing skippers.


The ladies will learn ‘hands-on’ fishing skills in offshore, bottom, inshore and fly fishing techniques, no matter whether they are rank beginner, intermediate or advanced levels.

Additionally, student anglers will be taught proficiency in marine and habitat conservation and hone their skills at knot tying, bait rigging, spin and net casting, stand-up fish fighting techniques, such as reeling under pressure, use of the gaff and safe removal of hooks.

Even boat and trailer handling will be extensively covered.

The action is staged out of Islamorada’s Holiday Isle Beach Resorts and Marina, with classroom sessions followed by lunch and hands-on activities on the Saturday (November 11) through to late afternoon.

On Sunday morning, the ladies can test their newly-acquired skills in a variety of ways; they can take an optional offshore or inshore fishing adventure, fish the shallows from a drift boat or try their hand at inshore flats fishing.

So, what does a lady do when she lands a succulent catch?


Easy, this great event also hosts classes on filleting and preparing fine table fish.

Last year, the ladies turned out in force for the tournament, which is also known as 'the No-Yelling School of Fishing.'

In 2010 contestants came from as far away as New Mexico, Massachusetts and Missouri and organisers said they ranged in age from 21 to 80!

A common explanation for the attendance from several women was along the lines of 'I like to eat fish, so I should know how to catch them.'

Makes sense to me.

Obviously, the Florida Keys is the place to be in November – not only the Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing, but the world-famous World Offshore Powerboat Championships scheduled for Key West the previous weekend.

We can only hope the offshore racers don’t scare all the fish away.

Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERX-Yachts X4.3Switch One Design

Related Articles

Class40 top guns enter Rolex Fastnet Race
One of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever Now 20+ years old, the Class40 has proved itself one of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever.
Posted today at 6:45 am
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 2
Pieter-Jan Postma leads after the second day of racing in The Netherlands Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, is leading the fleet of 307 Finns from 27 countries after everyone sailed two more races at the 2025 Finn World Masters in Medemblik. France's Laurent Hay is second with Germany's Fabian Lemmel in third.
Posted on 17 Jun
World Sailing launches the World Sailing Academy
A new online learning platform for the global sailing community World Sailing officially launched the World Sailing Academy, an innovative new online learning platform designed to provide comprehensive educational resources and training to sailors, coaches, officials, administrators, and the global sailing community.
Posted on 17 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom.
Posted on 17 Jun
New Caledonia Groupama Race update
Rushour crew safely back in Noumea after capsize The boat was located and it was identified as capsized. All crew members were accounted for. Crew were transferred in the larger aircraft at Koumac and arrived back at Noumea at about 4pm local time.
Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality.
Posted on 17 Jun
ASBA launches Touring Trophy Series
The new leadership team brings experience, enthusiasm, and strong focus on inclusivity and planning The Australian Sports Boat Association (ASBA) has announced a dynamic new initiative to enhance participation and connectivity within the sports boat community - the ASBA Touring Trophy series.
Posted on 16 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 1
Eight races over two course areas in four groups with four different winners Racing at the 2025 Finn World Masters began in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Monday with eight races over two course areas in four groups.
Posted on 16 Jun
The Ocean Race will return to Itajaí, Brazil
During the 2027 and 2031 around the world races The Ocean Race confirms Itajaí, in Santa Catarina state, in Brazil will once again host the world's most iconic around-the-world yacht race in April, 2027 and again in 2031, in a two-edition hosting partnership.
Posted on 16 Jun
IRC UK National Championships overall
Adam Gosling's JPK 1080 Yes! crowned overall champion The final day of the 2025 IRC National Championships, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, began on schedule, with a steady south-westerly breeze bringing yet another twist to the range of conditions experienced.
Posted on 16 Jun