Allison “Reel Love” Stattner
Allison grew up fishing the jetties and beaches in Avalon, New Jersey. Mostly mud minnows and bloodworms, she first started using Fishbites to catch kingfish off her hometown pier. Moving to Florida to attend graduate school at University of Miami, Allison took every opportunity to fish offshore in South Florida and The Keys, successfully competing in the sailfish tournament circuit. Finding real joy sharing her passion for fishing with others, she began participating in ladies’ events as an offshore seminar speaker and running family trips on local headboats. This eventually led to her “Reel Love” kids fishing camps, a great opportunity to use Fishbites with the next generation of anglers.
Today, Allison continues Reel Love Fishing through classes, small group charters, hosting ladies’ trips, community clubs and volunteerism. When she is not surf fishing the beaches near Palm Beach County, she is an ambassador for the FWC Catch a Florida Memory Angler Recognition Program, chasing species on the Saltwater Life List. Allison is the first angler to reach the 50 Club and working to complete the list and attain Master Angler. Her biography is also included in the recently published hardcover book, titled “50 Women Who Fish” by Wild River Press. She holds a position on the Board of the International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA) as Membership Chair, a rewarding role which allows her to support and engage with other women who also love to fish.