International Women's Fishing Association Invades Venice
Thirty top light tackle anglers from as far away as Costa Rica rolled into Venice Marina May 12th to participate in the 4th Annual IWFA Redfish and Speckled Trout Tournament.
Using 8 and 12# ANDE monofilament, the ladies targeted redfish and speckled trout on light spin tackle using artificial or dead bait. In keeping with the rules of the IWFA, all fish were released after a quick photo.
Conditions were slick calm on Monday when the gals headed out paired with 15 of the top inshore guides in Venice. At the end of the day, High Point honors went to Rebel Caplinger of Slidell,LA. who fished with Capt. Jeff Fuscia.
Day two arrived with a strong easterly wind. Those that made a change in game plans and headed to the West side fared better than those that went back to the "honey holes" on the east such as Redfish Bay and Blind Bay. Capt. Jeff Fuscia earned top boat honors again with angler Susan Gros of Myrtle Grove, LA. who captured High Point Angler and Kate Burke from Islamorada, FL. onboard. At the end of day two, Mary Floyd of Marrero,LA. was in 1st place.
Day three dawned with thunderstorms and lightning. After a short weather delay, the anlgers headed out. Surprisingly, when we arrived on the East side near Deepwater Point, the conditions were calm. Once the tide staretd to fall around 9 a.m., the redfish turned on. Those captains that were patient and stuck with their initial plans fared better than those that ran round trying to get on the fish. At the conclusion of day three, Beth Boutell of Boazman,Montana earned High Point Angler with Capt. Rick Seither as top guide.
Back at Venice Marina, the points for all three days were tallied and the results are listed below:
1st - Susan Gros, Myrtle Grove, LA. 2708
2nd - Mary Floyd, Marrero, LA. 2475
3rd - Kate Burke, Islamorada, FL. 2195
GUIDES
1st - Capt. Jeff Fuscia 5095
2nd - Capt. Rick Seither 4632
3rd - Capt. Buddy Bergeron 3610
As the winner of the IWFA event, Susan received a carved redfish by Houma Indian carver Ivy Billiot, a gold IWFA disc and an invitation to participate in the prestigious IGFA World Championship Series to be held in Islamorada, FL in 2008.
Totals of fish released are as follows:
Redfish Over 27 inches = 349
Redfish 27 and under = 1,069
Speckled Trout = 779
The ladies overwhelmingly voted to return to Venice in 2008, so plans are already in the works for next year's tournament.
Thanks to all of the guides that participated, and to Venice Marina for their hospitality and fine food.
