Last June, Betty Bauman– founder of the women’s fishing university, “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”– and some of her seminar goers chartered Islamorada offshore captain Kenny Spaulding’s Caribsea for a day of dolphin fishing in the Keys.

Before the outing was even half over, the ladies had boated a 32-pounder, a 25-pounder and 24 “schoolies”, or small dolphin fish.  But it was Bauman herself who made the catch of the day– a 58-pound bull that ate a trolled bally hoo about 28 miles off Islamorada.

“Had it not been for the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” educational events, we would never have met each other and this may not have happened,”  Bauman said later.

Would-be female anglers who would like a chance for such an exhilarating experience are invited to sign up for the April 21-23 seminar at I.T. Parker Community Center in Dania Beach near Fort Lauderdale.  The session– which falls during April 22’s observance of Earth Day– will include lectures on recreational fishing basics; inshore and offshore fishing techniques and conservation followed by hands-on skill sessions such as knot-tying, bait-rigging, fly- and spin-casting, practicing gaffing fish using a grapefruit; cast-netting; backing a trailer down a ramp; and boat handling.  Sessions are taught by both male and female experts.

There will be evening social events and an optional fishing trip on April 23 followed by a fillet demonstration.

Attendees may invite a male guest or other family members to accompany them.

Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is among the event sponsors.  More than 8,000 women have participated in the program since it was founded in 1997.

Those who can’t make the Dania Beach session can attend LLGF’s Inshore/Bay seminar May 20-21 in Clearwater, FL. and the “Anyone Can Win” Fishing Tournament June 16-17 in Islamorada.  Attendees are invited to stay at a Guy Harvey Outpost hotel (www.guyharveyoutpost.com).

For more information, or to register for any of the classes, call 954-475-9068 or email fish@ladiesletsgofishing.com or visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com