Types of Exhibits
Exhibitor Information
General Information
Press Release
Seminar Schedule
Past Show Photos
Map to George R. Brown
2011 Fishing Show Press Release |
|
Texas fisheries suffered only minor damage from the deep freeze of early February. In its wake, warmly welcomed after any winter, comes the 36th annual Fishing Show, set for March 2-6 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. When temperatures plummeted into the 30s and bottomed finally in the low 20s, anglers held their collective breath. Then the sky cleared, temperatures warmed, and we’d weathered yet another storm. That brings us to another Fishing Show, another chance to rekindle those old friendships and recharge our enthusiasm for the simple act of dropping a baited hook into water. At the Fishing Show this year, visitors will be treated to yet another jaw-dropping, eye-opening collection of new toys and temptations with which, hopefully, to fool more and bigger fish. Manufacturers weathered storms of their own in recent years, economic gales that caused many to hold back on introduction of new lines, but those hurtful blows have passed. Shimano, the perennial leader in fishing innovation, returns to the show with a full, fresh lineup. One of the most talked-about reels in the company’s sack for 2011 is Caenan, Shimano’s first baitcaster in years to be priced at less than $100. Anglers who put this reel to use in Texas bays and lakes will find they’ve gotten more than expected and wonder if Shimano might have mispriced it. For deep-water anglers, Talica two-speed reels and the beefy Trinidad family make excellent matches to Shimano’s expanding line of Terez special-purpose rods. Watch also for new entries in the rod market from proven players such as American Rodsmiths, Castaway and Falcon. In addition to improved quality in rod blanks, most manufacturers are introducing innovative handle, grip and guide systems to make their rods more sensitive, more responsive, and stronger. Quantum, Fin-Nor and Abu-Garcia roll out new reels this year, and everything presented at the show is placed with Texas-sized fish in mind. Manufacturers are packing their reels with the highest quality features, often at the expense of profit. If one reel retails for a few dollars more than a similar model from a different maker, ask why. There’s going to be something in the higher-priced reel that justifies the additional cost. You may or may not want or need that feature, but it will be there. Lure makers are bringing all their latest, fish-tempting creations to the show. For many, southeast Texas is a proving ground of sorts. Lures that pass muster with Fishing Show visitors are nearly guaranteed to be accepted and productive elsewhere, and manufacturers welcome Texans’ valued opinions. A thorough check of the exhibitors list turned up an unusual
number of soft-plastic entries, some old and some new. It seems that
no matter how intricate or detailed this family of lures becomes,
there always is someone who sees room for improvement. Hottest plug in the hard-bait lineup for 2011 is Shimano’s Waxwing, four years in the making and as close to “idiot proof” as a fishing lure can be. Its ability to make sudden directional changes without any effort on the angler’s part sets Waxwing apart from everything else in the water. Several companies also will tempt offshore fishermen with a variety of new jigs and plugs. Snapper Slapper introduces some new baits at this year’s Fishing Show, as will TKO Offshore lures. Ask which sizes and colors are best for where and when you fish. The people who make these jigs also fish them regularly and can put exactly the right sizes and colors into your tackle box. The Fishing Show has marine electronics, too, including all the latest in full color and 3-D fish finders and GPS navigation. Top companies, such as Lowrance, Garmin and Magellan, have personnel on hand who can demonstrate first-hand how to maximize the performance of these invaluable machines. The men and women who staff Fishing Show booths often are factory personnel, sometimes even the same engineers and inventors who created the tackle in the displays. Questions they cannot answer are rare. Instead, inquiries as to the technical specs of a reel or line or lure usually generate more information in greater detail than could be garnered in weeks of personal searching and reading. Returning to this year’s Fishing Show is the Shimano Workshop, where factory personnel offer free reel inspections and offer a 25 percent discount on (limited) parts at the show. In addition to fishing tackle, of which there is plenty, the Fishing Show also attracts scores of guides and outfitters from some of the top angling destinations in the world. Consider the show a five-day window of opportunity, a chance to shake hands and become familiar with the people who live and work in places you’ve only fished in dreams. Make your connections, then make your reservations to spend a weekend or a week on premier water from Alaska to South America. Guided fishing trips make excellent family vacations. At the Fishing Show, you’ll find camps that cater to entire families of hard-core anglers, and camps that offer varieties of activities, above and beyond their fishing, for visitors of all ages. If your focus is on local water, consider shopping for a new boat at the Fishing Show. Several dealers will be on hand to give fishermen who missed the January event “second chances” at great deals. Once spring unfolds in earnest, demand will rise, and so will boat prices. Take advantage in early March, at the Fishing Show, and you’ll be on the water in your new boat while procrastinators are still haggling across bare desks. The 36th Fishing Show has a couple of unique attractions, including a personal appearance by Gary Loomis, founder of the company that bears his name and produces some of the world’s finest fishing rods. New this year is Berkley Experience, a 60-foot trailer of fishing activities and exhibits. There, you can fill your reels with Trilene or Big-Game line for just a penny a yard, or select Spiderwire Braid for just a nickel per yard. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be on hand to
explain statewide fishing regulations and promote its angler- and
boater-education programs. Be sure to ask game wardens about special
youth activities and the state's nationally acclaimed restocking and
hatchery programs. At 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the Two of Us bass club hosts
kids fishing clinics in the rear of the center. Each child who
participates gets a free tackle box filled with goodies, and
instructors “guarantee” they can teach any youngster to cast. Even
if you don't have children, stop by that area and express some
appreciation for the job that Lindy Ellison and club volunteers do
there. QUICK FACTS
|