Fun at the Florida Outdoor Writers Convention (FOWA)

I had a fun visit to the Florida Outdoor Writers Convention in Punta Gorda, FL Sept. 10-13. Lots of interesting topics! One of the coolest things was the breakout session, where we could see the latest and greatest in fishing equipment and accessories. Toyota had a cool video setup where you can see a video screen on your dashboard that helps in backing. So, if you're hooking up to a trailer by yourself, you can actually see the ball and trailer hitch meet. No more looking in the mirror at somebody flailing their arms and screaming to move over another inch, pull forward, turn, stop, stop, stop! What I hate is when you put the vehicle in park and it rolls forward - just far enough that you have to back up again! Pure Fishing had some neat things and brought some of those very efficient Berkley Gulp products. The ladies from the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" seminar will enjoy the benefits of using these versus struggling to net and keep bait alive. Thermacell had some new mosquito repellent devices that work great. Just put in butane, no flames, and within minutes all the bugs disappear from around you.

I fished the tournament with Capt. Bart Marx of Alpha and Omega charters. My co-angler was Tom Johnson who writes for Waterline and does the Fumbling Angler column for several Gulf Coast newspapers. Capt. Bart's strategy was to land us an inshore slam. Tom whooped me when we tackled the trout but I got one, he got three. Then we moved to Bart's secret snook spot, with Tom and I elbowing each other to crank on a snook. We both did well with a total of 7 snook and were 2/3 on our way to getting a slam. Then the magic happened. We switched from pilchards to shrimp and something was chewing on my bait. I set five times, missing the fish, until, viola, I released a redfish! We stayed awhile longer but Tom just didn't have the chances. We moved to a dock and released a few more snook then it was time to go in. We were almost third place in the tournament. Since it was based on total length of the fish, we were beat by boats who released sharks or stayed in one place and caught ladyfish after ladyfish. It was a fun tournament and well run.

Punta Gorda is a nice, friendly place. I had a chance to check out some sites for a future LLGF seminar. So, ladies, what do you think? Would you come to Punta Gorda for a seminar or rather have a wild, wooly adventure in Chokoloskee/Florida Everglades or what? Please give your opinion to billfishbetty@hotmail.com

LLGF at the Miami International Boat Show!

Whew! Here we are, back in the office after five ACTION PACKED days at the Miami International Boat Show! The boat show is an enormous event, one of the largest in the world and we were right there in the thick of it all! We had an opportunity to meet lots of you who love to fish or want to learn! We also got to see all of the new products on the market and we met with almost all of the fantastic companies who sponsor "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"

Our booth was on the skywalk overlooking the main floor of the convention center and we really had a lot of fun meeting new people and putting faces with the names of those of you who subscribe to our emails and read our blog. We hope to see all of you at one of our seminars this year! The exact dates and locations are on our website at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.

One of the highlights of the show was touring the new Ranger Boats 2410 bay boat. Mr. Larry Jett from Ranger Boats was kind enough to show us all the new features Ranger has added. Ladies, you're going to really like some of the things Ranger came up with! There's no doubt that manufacturers are taking the needs and preferences of women into consideration when bringing new products to the market!

Click on the video below to see Betty Bauman, founder of "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" and Larry Jett exploring all of the exciting components of the new Ranger 2410.

Tight Lines!

Jenn

LLGF Staff

LLGF Headquarters Works to Serve YOU!

Most people think we go fishing all the time. HAH! Wish it were so. However, the action never stops at LLGF Headquarters where Betty Bauman/Founder, Lisa Steinberg/Vice President and Jenn Weiden/Marketing Director spend lots of hours to make the seminars beneficial for particpants and sponsors and to handle administration. Karen LeFleur works part time in the office and helps to streamline our operation.

Much of our time is spent on seminar logistics, database management, planning, production of printed materials, website updates, promotions, product warehousing and funding development to pay for all of this. Each seminar is the result of more than 600 labor hours. We maintain a bank of computers and our five phone lines are constantly busy.

What's cool is this 11-year-old operation came from nothing to a program recognized around the world, by media, government and the industry, as the leader for bringing women into fishing. The donations and support from our sponsors and donors keep the wheels turning. It;s almost impossible to comprehend the interest of hundreds of entities who have contributed to make these opportunities possible.

LLGF is turning heads within the fishing industry, and this attention will bring more fishing products designed for women in the future (maybe a TV show with real women who like to fish?) If we don't stand up and be recognized, we won't be counted! Go, girls!

http://www.ladiesletsgofishing.com