Fred Hall LB Show: Fishing Gear, Boats and More

Byline: The Log Staff

Fred Hall LB Show: Fishing Gear, Boats and More

For 67 years, the Fred Hall Shows have been designed to provide families with a full day’s worth of outdoor recreation entertainment. And for 2013 — at the Fred Hall Long Beach Show — there is more to see and do than ever before.

The Fred Hall Shows are the largest consumer fishing shows in the world — and they also showcase more boats, more shooting sports gear and more travel and vacation opportunities than you are likely to see anywhere else. The Fred Hall Long Beach Show — March 6-10 — will more than live up to its billing as the “Ultimate Outdoor Experience.”

There is much to see and do here, for every member of the family. Here are just a few of this year’s show attractions:

Typhoon Optics Freshwater Tank: California’s Best Bass Pros        

The Typhoon Optics Freshwater Tank is always a popular attraction at the shows. The seminar topics here have changed considerably from previous years. You can learn about catching and using live shad in local lakes, fly fishing for bass, tips on targeting stripers and much more.

Seeker Rods Saltwater Tank: Learn From the Pros

The Seeker Rods Saltwater Tank serves as the backdrop to some of the show’s most exciting and beneficial seminars. Topics range from local inshore instruction to offshore and multi-day trips. This popular attraction lets you take a closeup look at local game fish while learning from the pros about how to make your trips more successful.

Mammoth Lakes Kids Fish Free Trout Pond
Kids’ Trout Fishing has been a tradition at the Fred Hall Shows for more than 50 years. Generations of young anglers have caught their very first fish at the shows. It is very common to see a grandchild and parent accompanied with grandparents carrying on the family tradition. This year, Mammoth Lakes is sponsoring the trout pond at the shows. The fish can be kept or released for restocking into a release pool. The fish being kept will be bagged and stored in a refrigerator for pick up before leaving the show. It’s all free for the junior anglers. Even if you don’t come with a youngster, stop by and watch the fun. It is sure to put a smile on your face.

Lowrance Learning Center: Instruction on Lowrance Products  

The free Lowrance Learning Center is the best possible way to learn how to use the latest in fishfinding electronics. This year’s classes are 75 minutes in length, and the topic is using the new HDS Structure Scan Feature. Class size is limited to 40, and you must sign up before each session at the Lowrance booth.

Costa’s Sporting Chef Cafe: Easy Cooking Lessons, Music and Fun    
Scott Leysath is the Sporting Chef. If you aren’t familiar with Leysath, he is the host of the popular television show “Dead Meat” and a long-standing entertainer at the Fred Hall Shows. Leysath demonstrates how to prepare great fish and game recipes that are easy, fast and delicious. He shares the stage with Gary Shiebler, who plays some music and heckles Leysath while he is cooking — resulting in a great time for all attendees. Samples of Leysath’s work are offered throughout his performance.

Orange County Archery Range: Family Archery Shooting
Kids of all ages love archery, and supervised instruction assures a positive experience. The Orange County Archery display is located between the lobby and the main exhibit hall. The shooting range is located outside on the patio near the Mammoth Lakes Kids Trout Fishing pond.

Ram Dock Dogs: Big Air Dog Jumping Competition  

Always a hit at the Fred Hall Shows, the Dock Dogs provide fun, fast-paced action that entertains the entire family. You can register to bring our own dog, or just come watch the performance on the patio, by the Mammoth Lakes Kids Trout Fishing Pond. For more information, visit dockdogs.com.

Soft Air Gun Ranges       

Soft Air is fun for the whole family. It provides a great way to enjoy the excitement of target shooting without the noise and equipment needed for with the more powerful air guns. Many brands and models are available to shoot, and it’s all free. Staff will be on hand to help get you started and show you how it all works. Two ranges will operate during show hours.

Great American Duck Races    
The Great American Duck Races offer fun for the entire family. The kids get to name, hold and race live ducks. It’s fast, it’s wild, it’s a lot of laughs — and it’s free.

Shimano Saltwater Seminar Stage  
The Ultimate Saltwater Experience Seminar Stage sponsored by Shimano will feature an outstanding and diverse lineup of guest speakers. From “Long-range Fishing in Mexico” to the “Catching Giant Bluefin,” it’s all here. In addition to the hourly seminars, there will be daily panel discussions allowing interaction between the panel of experts and the audience. If you want to learn more about catching calico bass, don’t miss the daily panel consisting of captains Jimmy Decker and Ben Florentino, joined by Corey Sanden and Jack Sowell. These guys are the best of the best, when it comes to hardcore calico anglers. From fishing the kelp beds along the coast to finding big bass on the boiler rocks around the islands, they will cover it all. For a more general overview of getting the most out of private boating, a panel discussion with boat builder Harold Davis, Capt. Mark Wisch and guests Rob Sanford of San Diego Boats and Jim Hendricks of Trailer Boat will explore all aspects of fishing from your own boat.

Scuba and Free Dive Pavilion     
Put on a drysuit, step into the pond, learn to dive — and then get out completely dry and walk the show. It’s sponsored by Deep Blue Scuba and Dive Center.

Discover Fly Fishing Casting Ponds    
Always wanted to try fly casting? At the Fred Hall Shows, you can. Certified instructors are on hand to show you how much fun fly casting can be. All instruction is free, and all ages are welcome. Fly fishing is a wonderful sport and can be easily added to any angler’s arsenal, for more fun catching all types of game fish. Fly fishing the surf has become a great way to get introduced to the wonderful world of fly fishing. The all fly casting area is located in the exhibit hall. Just look for the 100-foot-long mountain scene.

Berkley In-booth Seminars: The Berkley Family of Fishing Stars         
Berkley, Penn, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, Shakespeare and other popular brands can all be found at the Berkley booth, at the center of the exhibit hall. That is also where you will find the Berkley seminars — where both freshwater and saltwater topics are covered.

Hunting/Shooting Stage         
While at the show, check out the seminars being presented on the Hunting/Shooting Stage in the exhibit hall. Here is where you will find Jack Dagger, the King of Fling, performing twice each day with his dazzling knife throwing act; and the Speed Shooting Challenge, featuring four professional shooters as they compete for speed and accuracy.

DFW Kids Casting: Kids Learn to Cast for Prizes   
Kids always have a ball at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Casting Range. Prizes are awarded throughout each day — including rod and reel combos. It’s free, and loads of fun.

Kids’ Saltwater Touch Tank      
Bring the kids by the Kids’ Saltwater Touch Tank during the show, where they will be able to touch and learn all about some of the friendly and fascinating creatures from the ocean.

History-making Yellowfin Tuna On Display  

On display next to the Excel Sportfishing booth will be a life-size mount of the largest yellowfin tuna ever landed on rod and reel. This whopping 445-pounder was caught recently by John Petruescu aboard the long-range sportfishing boat Excel.

Get Your Photo Taken with a 1,000-pound Bluefin Tuna      

Pelagic will be displaying a life-size mount of a 1,000-pound giant bluefin tuna at the Salwater Stage. This enormous and impressive fish stands nearly 12 feet tall, and it will be available for photo opportunities. You might never have a chance to stand next to one of these magnificent fish again.

California Fishing 101
A special pre-show “California Fishing 101” seminar is planned this year — and tickets can only be purchased online, at fredhall.com. If you have always wanted to learn how to catch fish, here is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Expert instructors will walk you through the steps needed to get out on the water and start catching local fish in both fresh water and salt water. The class is designed for novice to intermediate anglers of all ages. The three hour class — from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 9 — includes admission to the show afterward and a selection of fishing tackle and discount coupons for fishing trips, tackle and more. The price is $100 for adults; $50 of children 15 and younger — and advance online purchase is required, at fredhall.com

There will be many opportunities to win prizes at this year’s Fred Hall Long Beach Show — and you’ll find special show pricing on items at many of the show’s exhibitor booths.

Show hours are 1-9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, free for children 15 and younger with a paid adult, and free for active military personnel.

The show is presented by the American Sportfishing Association and Fred Hall & Associates. Tickets can be purchased in advance at fredhall.com or in person at the door. For details, visit fredhall.com.

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