|
This is a leap year. Do yourself a favor and spend 2008’s
extra day at the 33rd annual Fishing Show, March 5-9 in the George
R. Brown Convention Center.
With nearly a quarter million square feet of exhibit space, the
Fishing Show is ranked among the largest consumer shows in the
nation. And because its draws upon more than 300,000 licensed
anglers in the greater Houston area – plus thousands more who travel
here specifically for this event, it also is a proving ground at
which major manufacturers and entrepreneurs seek the opinions and
impressions of hard-fishing Texans.
This year's show includes yet another exceptional lineup of rods,
reels, lures, fishing accessories and necessities, and the space
will contain more boats than ever. After gathering whatever
new toys and gadgets they can carry, visitors can pick the brains of
nearly 100 professional guides and outfitters here from Alaska to
South America and all points – especially southeast Texas and the
northwestern Gulf Coast – between.
The Fishing Show is as sure a harbinger of spring here as are robins
and mosquitoes. Local anglers know that with this show come warmer
weather, prettier water and hungry fish. Some sportsmen use the
Fishing Show as an excuse, and it’s a good one, to regain contact
with summertime friends and learn the latest techniques and
strategies.
To that end, the 2008 Fishing Show has in store an amazing roster
of seminar hosts. The schedule includes both freshwater and
saltwater experts, most of whom are from the area and will provide
information that is valid on the water beginning with the day it is
presented.
One thing that makes the Fishing Show unique among consumer
exhibitions is that its booths typically are staffed by
factory-trained representatives and, in many cases, engineers and
designers straight from the manufacturing facilities. Rather than
stop by describing a reel as “red with some ball bearings,” the
folks behind the tables in this show can recite technical specs and
explain how any of their products works.
Only the hottest, newest, fishing tackle available will be on
display.
Leading that charge in several arenas is Shimano, which
introduces its all-new Stella series of spinning reels to Houston at
this show. Stella features a unique line-management system that
virtually eliminates wind knots and loops caused by loosely packed
line.
For tarpon fishermen, Shimano brings to the plate four new
TLD-series reels. The 20II packs 700 yards of 20-pound test
monofilament, and the 30II stacks a run-stopping 600 yards of
30-pound test. At high speed, they re-spool a full 38 inches of line
per crank; shift into power gear, and they regain 15 precious inches
of line per turn to take the starch out of stubborn fish.
Shimano's recently retooled Curado remains a favorite of Texas
anglers. Built to tighter tolerances than the early Chronarch,
once the company’s gold standard, the Curado is a reliable workhorse
of a reel for any coastal application.
Rod makers continue to impress southeast Texas’ highly skilled
anglers with stronger and lighter products.
Local fishermen will be impressed with American Rodsmiths 2008
lineup, most of which is designed specifically for the region’s most
popular species and presentations. Shimano also has a few
surprises in its model-year quiver that should be of interest to
Houston’s best anglers.
Some of the hottest sticks in town are Fishing Tackle Unlimited's
store-brand series, which are built with the same quality components
and with the same attention to detail as rods that cost considerably
more.
The show also features many smaller rod companies and a few custom
rod builders, such as Savage and Talbot. Playing at this level
enables buyers to specialize in a way not possible with major-market
manufacturers.
In the plug market, MirrOlure continues to present plugs that
look good and catch fish. Its line of suspending and surface plugs
continues to grow, too, in response to Texas coastal anglers’
perpetual fascinations with big trout and reds.
One of the hottest new plugs on the market is the Stunt Grunt, a
simple bait that is being snapped up as quickly as coastal fishermen
can get their hands on it. The lure doesn’t pack much sizzle
aesthetically, but fish can’t seem to pass it up.
Lonnie Stanley's Swim Jigs remain hot in freshwater and saltwater;
like so many of Stanley’s creations, the bait has no trouble making
the transition from lake to bay and back again. Stanley also is
showcasing its Wedge tails and Wedgehead V-lock jig heads, which
make easy work of aligning soft plastics correctly on the hook.
Strike King's spinnerbaits and buzzbaits remain favorites on the
state’s top bass lakes, such as Sam Rayburn, Fork and more recently
Conroe. Never mind what that Yankee groundhog said about six more
weeks of winter. Texas largemouths are convinced it’s spring, and a
good spinnerbait can be irresistible to them.
Bass Assassin’s lineup includes new baits and new colors, all of
which are regulars in coastal anglers’ boxes. Bob Norton has some
new tails that are equally seductive to trout and reds, especially
in the clearer water from our mid-coast region southward.
The Fishing Show has marine electronics, too, including some of the
most comprehensive machines ever offered. Check out the latest in
fish-finding and navigation technology from companies such as
Lowrance, Garmin, Magellan and Hummingbird.
Visitors also will see more boats than ever at this year’s show,
including several models that weren’t available until now. Show
producer Dave Holder said that the majority of those boats will be
nearshore and offshore saltwater hulls but that bass fishermen also
will have plenty over which to drool. The big outboard makers
will be represented, as well. Yamaha and Mercury continue to
dominate in this market, but Evinrude and Suzuki are gaining transom
space. Show goers who are unsure which engine best suits their needs
will have full-time access to experts from each of those makers.
Tops-N-Towers and Millennium Marine bring to the show some of the
most impressive aluminum work available anywhere. Either is
capable of turning a simple piece of tubing into a custom fishing
accessory. Thumb their catalogs to get an idea of the creativity and
craftsmanship available from both.
One of the most innovative products on display is Wade Easy’s Third
Leg, a contraption that attaches to a wading belt, floats behind a
fisherman as he or she walks, then can be settled onto the bay floor
to provide back support whenever and wherever needed. Available in
bright colors or camouflage (for duck hunters), the Third Leg helps
anyone stay on the water longer without fatigue or an aching back.
Literally dozens of fishing guides and outfitters -- from Alaska to
Panama -- will be on hand throughout the show's five-day run. They
bring their calendars, and most of them offer special show
incentives to anyone who books a date and leaves a deposit.
Louisiana’s Lake Calcasieu is well represented, and fishing there
has been absolutely red hot nearly two years behind the devastation
of hurricane Rita. Texas' bays have been every bit as productive
this year, in some areas even more so, and there will be plenty of
home-grown pros on hand to lead you to longer, heavier stringers.
Hacko and Friendswood Frame & Gallery are back with their
outstanding collections of outdoors art and books, as are several
jewelers who specialize in fishing-related pieces. This is an
excellent opportunity to hang something new on the wall or around a
neck.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department returns with its informative
presentations on statewide fishing regulations, angler education and
boater education programs. Be sure to ask them about special youth
programs and the state's nationally acclaimed restocking and
hatchery programs.
This year's seminar schedule runs full throttle with some of the
best speakers on the hottest topics ever presented. Details are
available daily at the door, but there's not a dud on the roster.
Visitors who need a break could do much worse than to take a seat
and listen to whichever speaker happens to be on stage at the time.
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, and the instructors “guarantee”
that they'll teach every child how to cast or have the lights go out
while they’re still trying. Lindy Ellison oversees this operation
and has a genuine passion for the task. Even if you don't have
children, stop to express some appreciation for the job that Ellison
and club volunteers do.
Show hours are noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7
p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 adults,
$2 children 6-12. For more information, call 281-350-2741 or go to
houstonfishingshow.com.
QUICK FACTS
What: 33nd annual Houston Fishing Show
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
When: March 5-9
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $8 adults, $2 children 6-12
Contact: houstonfishingshow.com.
|
