It didn’t take a big fish to win the LLGF Fishing Screamin’ Reels tournament in Islamorada, Florida, hosted by Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing. Thirty ladies caught a total of 145 mahi as well as 12 other offshore and inshore species. Fifty-nine mahi were released.
Halley Lazzo, Tavernier, Florida, took first place Offshore, fishing on the Big Huie with a 9.7 pound mahi, winning a Penn 30LD conventional rod and reel combo. She lost a 40-pound mahi at the gaff. Marion Iglecia, Fort Myers, Florida, caught a 9.18-pound mahi on Sea Horse to clinch second place Offshore. Maryanne Vondertann, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, caught a 14.85-pound blackfin tuna on Caribsea to clinch the Saturday top fish prize, a Penn Battle II combo. As she did not fish the second day, the fish was not included in the two-day awards.
Top junior angler award went to Amy Krueger, Parkland, Florida, on Caribsea for a 4 pound king mackerel. Erin Pyper, a junior angler from Parkland, Florida, won first place Inshore for a 26-inch snook release on Florida Keys Fun Fishing with Capt. Andy Downs. All anglers won Catch Ticket prizes.
The tournament, June 21-21, kicked off at the Tavernier Elks Club on Friday with a class on offshore fishing and conservation conducted by Capt. Skip Bradeen. Thirty women traveled from as far away as Georgia to compete, with several who had never caught an offshore fish.
Fishing days were Saturday and Sunday for inshore and offshore species out of Islamorada, Florida, from charter boats or owned boats. As Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing hosts educational fishing events for women, this tournament offered easy rules designed for novice anglers and a chance to learn fishing on the water.
Remaining 2019 LLGF events, with optional fishing, include: September 7-8 Tampa Inshore Seminar and Oct. 18-20 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar.