Catching the Ocean View: Lady anglers making waves in saltwater fishing and diving community


Some of the participants from last year’s Ladies Fish-Off. [Ladies Fish-Off]

By Jim “Chiefy” Mathie | New Pelican Writer

The strength of women in saltwater fishing and diving is pretty obvious in South Florida. 

It’s particularly so at the Ladies Fish-Off (ladiesfishoff.com) which has announced its 37th annual charity fishing tournament with over $20,000 in cash prizes. This is South Florida’s largest and longest-running female angler only fishing tournament. While men are allowed to captain and crew, it’s the ladies doing all the heavy reeling.

The event kick-off and captain’s meeting is June 1, 6 p.m. at Galuppis, with a silent auction, raffles and festivities. The single-day fishing event is June 3 with the weigh-in from 3 to 6 p.m. and party at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. The awards ceremony and luncheon will be held on June 4, 11 a.m. at Chaos Fishing Rods. 

“Saltwater Jackie” Sabins as a Chiefy Crew member speared this impressive mutton snapper last week while scuba diving. [Jim “Chiefy” Mathie]

A designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the tournament benefits The Flite Center and The Billfish Foundation. The Billfish Foundation’s mission is to conserve its namesake species worldwide while The Flite Center helps youth aging out of foster care. 

The Ladies Fish-Off organization has contributed over $560,000 to their beneficiaries since its inception. The president of the Ladies Fish-Off organization is Hillsboro Beach resident and Lighthouse Point attorney Lindsey Tenberg. She certainly has held her own among many in both fishing and diving.

A chance invite to a marlin fishing trip organized by the Lighthouse Point Saltwater Sportsman Association (LHPSSA) led to Tenberg joining the club in January. 

But she wasn’t a lone trailblazer. Four other women joined the club around the same time. 

According to Lighthouse Point resident and yacht broker Jackie Sabins, it was getting an invite to one of the meetings and then an interview with the board that led to her joining the club. A certified scuba dive master who has worked in the industry, and a freediver who is also a spearfishing enthusiast, joining this club was a natural fit for her. 

One important consideration in joining the club is “if she would be comfortable around the saltwater environment.” Little did the male anglers know her nickname is “Saltwater Jackie.” She thrives in the fishing and diving environment, making her a valuable club member. Two other women joined the same time as Tenberg and Sabins: Nicole Zapetis and Carolyn Stash.  

As owner and founder of Big Dog Tackle, Zapetis fit right in with the club. She can talk the language of outfitting and rigging a fishing vessel with the best of them. 

Stash is owner of AtlasTrax, a satellite boat tracking company. Her business allows her to be around a multitude of yachts making her comfortable on any vessel. The strength of women fishing and diving in South Florida enhances a club like the LHPSSA. 

The Ladies Fish-Off, started in 1986 by 10 lady anglers who organized the first one at the Sands Harbor Resort, has now led to four women making their way into the LHPSSA in 2023.

Welcome aboard, ladies!

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