Boating Industry magazine has selected Betty Bauman, Founder of Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing from 120 nominees to receive their 2023 Women Making Waves honor.
Bauman, from Fort Lauderdale, FL is recognized for Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing (LLGF) created in 1997 as a response to the lack of opportunities for women to enter fishing. Aligned with the R3 initiative, LLGF brings diversity to the sport by engaging and retaining female anglers through immersion-based educational programs, reaching the underserved market of women and sub minorities. The programs feature classes, hands-on practice, networking and a fishing experience in several regions of Florida. Fishing venues include inshore, offshore, freshwater and surf fishing. The org also conducts virtual meetings with education and conservation elements, international trips, fish cooking events and online fundraisers for women to start their tackle collection. Generating more than 9,000 graduates, LLGF is supported by sponsors and donors to make this year long effort possible.
Both Bauman and her seminar series, dubbed “The No-Yelling School of Fishing” are renowned nationally in the fishing and marine industries. Women from 48 states have attended. Bauman and the organization has received several national awards: Woman of the Year by the American Sportfishing Association, Top 21 Most Influential Marine Industry Leaders by Boating Industry Magazine, Women of Enterprise Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Top Women in American Boating by BoatU.S. Magazine, Marine Industries Association of South Florida Award of Excellence, Bass Pro Shops Pass It On Award and Women Rocking the Web by Women in eCommerce.
“Our mission is to help women feel comfortable entering the sport. Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing is a life-changing experience for women. Get the woman – get the whole family!” said Bauman as she works on national expansion.
Bauman has also reached millions of women through media efforts including “Inside Edition,” CBS’ “The Early Show,” NBC’s “Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,” “Good Morning America,” “Outdoor Life Network,” USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and many marine publications. This represents incredible exposure for the fishing and boating industries.
Featured on national network television and more, the series is supported by major partners including Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation, Take Me Fishing, Vamos a Pescar, Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Shearwater Boats, Power-Pole, Penn, TACO Metals, Lowrance, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, ICOM America, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Costa, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite, Seaguar, Future Angler Foundation and Preferred Marine Sales Group, Inc. Top donors are Yeti, Fishing Headquarters, Engel, AO Coolers, Big Rock Sports Conservation Foundation, Egret Baits/Vudu, Canoe Outpost, Flying Fisherman, Pelagic Gear, Flanigans, Guy Harvey, TTI Blakemore, HMY Yacht Sales, Sandbar Tackle, Danco, FishBites, Hobie Eyewear, Reel ‘em Up Lures and Brella. Keys-only sponsors include Platinum Sponsor Plantation Boat Mart and Marina as well as Island Arms & Indoor Range, Sunset Inn, Fidelity Real Estate and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
Bauman’s marine industry background includes marketing positions at Wellcraft Marine, Donzi and Aquasport before starting her own marine marking and public relations firm, MetroMedia Marketing, Inc., serving marine clients as a marketing consultant. Bauman published magazines for fishing tournaments in the Bahamas, USVI and Florida and conducted conservation programs for the Save Our Seas Foundation.
Information is on the website https://www.ladiesletsgofishing.com. A list of the 30 honorees is at https://boatingindustry.com/features/2023/06/26/2023-women-making-waves/ .
About “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”
The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation (LLGF) is a national charitable 501C3 organization dedicated to attracting women and families to fishing and encouraging conservation and responsible angling. In addition to providing educational events with hands-on practice and an opportunity to go fishing, LLGF promotes networking among women anglers and emphasizes mentorships. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, LLGF has over 9,000 graduates and is the largest organization in the world whose objective is to introduce women and families to fishing. Both Bauman and the University series – dubbed “The No-Yelling School of Fishing” – are known nationally in the fishing and marine industries. The organization has earned rave reviews from media including Inside Edition, The Early Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS, Good Morning America, Outdoor Life Network, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and more.
