Fort Myers, FL – March 2026- – Aspiring anglers from all around Florida and other states united to learn fishing skills at the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” (LLGF) Gulf Coast University March 21-22 at Bass Pro Shops, Fort Myers, FL. The event offered education, fishing skill practice and an optional fishing trip.
The “No Yelling School of Fishing” provided a classroom presentation by Capt. Barry Nicholls and Betty Bauman. Skill practice for knot tying, fly casting, spin casting, live shrimp usage and net casting was offered, provided by local anglers and guides.
On Sunday, participants caught and/or released 105 fish from five boats including snook, redfish, sea trout, flounder, snapper, ladyfish, jacks and more.
The LLGF series is supported by major partners including Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Power-Pole, Penn, Lowrance and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are ICOM, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite, Egret Baits, Danco, Preferred Marine Sales Group and Big Rock Sports Conservation Foundation. Specific supporter is Fish America Foundation. Other supporters are on the website.
Upcoming 2026 LLGF events are:
April 17-19 South Florida Offshore Seminar and Fishing Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 25 Naples FL Bottom Fishing
May 15-17 Keys Fishing Screamin’ Reels Learning on the Water Tavernier, FL Keys
June 17-22 Isla Mujeres, Mexico fishing
Sept. 12, 2026 Freshwater Bass Seminar and fishing South Florida Dania Beach, FL
Oct. 16-18 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar and Fishing Islamorada, FL Keys
Nov. 21-22 St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy Guy Harvey Resort
Contact: Phone: (954) 475-9068; info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.
Ft. Myers University Fishing Report – Half Day, Sunday. “Caught” could signify either landing or releasing.
Capt. Erik Johnson: Fishing with live pilchards, the ladies hooked ten sea trout with two keepers, a jack, two ladyfish and a puffer fish. The ladies saw manatees and dolphin.
Capt. Barry “Cuda” Nicholls: 31 fish released, six species with live shrimp as bait. For Canan Myers, Deshler, OH it was her first time fishing in Florida. Each lady hooked 5-10 fish. Dawn Pomije and Kerry Wurl ladies fished under a bridge after the charter trip and released a jack crevalle.
Capt. Larry Hendricks: The group hooked twelve jack crevalle, a gag grouper, two grunts, a toadfish, a mangrove snapper, a blue runner and two sea trout for a total of 20 fish.
Capt. Bill Walker: Fishing with live pilchards, ladies hooked three snook from 19-21 inches, twelve sea trout from 13-19 inches, a 14 inch flounder and a 14 inch jack for a total of seventeen fish.
Capt. Brian Lynch: Jane Heffner released a 24 inch redfish. Ladies also hooked fifteen sea trout and a snapper.
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Brief Release:
Ladies Learn and Hook 105 Inshore Fish at Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Gulf Coast University March 21-22
New anglers from various Florida regions united to learn fishing skills at the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” (LLGF) Gulf Coast University held at Bass Pro Shops Fort Myers, FL.
The University offered education, fishing skill practice and an optional fishing trip. On Saturday were classroom presentations, followed by skill practice for knot tying, spin casting, live shrimp usage, fly casting and net casting.
For the Sunday inshore fishing, participants caught and/or released 105 fish from five boats including snook, redfish, sea trout, flounder, snapper, ladyfish, jacks and more.
Contact: Phone: (954) 475-9068; info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; www.ladiesletsgofishing.com, www.facebook.com/ladiesletsgofishing.
About “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”
The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to introducing women and families to fishing while promoting conservation and responsible angling. Dubbed the “No-Yelling School of Fishing,” LLGF offers hands-on training, immersive seminars, and fishing trips across Florida and internationally. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, the organization has educated over 9,000 graduates and gained national recognition in outlets such as NBC Nightly News, CBS, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Information is at https://ladiesletsgofishing.com/
