Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival Set for April 28-29

Byline: The Log Staff

COSTA MESA — The third annual Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival is gearing up for its largest show yet at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, April 28 and 29.

Headlining the show will be a series of saltwater fishing seminars taught by some of the most renowned experts in their field. Seasoned anglers, as well as those new to the sport, will find useful tips that Pacific Coast Sportfishing publisher Bill DePriest said “will forever change the way you fish.”

Exhibitors at the festival will include leading fishing and tackle companies such as Shimano, Daiwa, G. Loomis, PowerPro, Mustad, Okuma, Costa Del Mar, Penn, Berkley, Tuff-Line, Seeker, Avet, Accurate, Phenix, Raymarine and Parker Boats. Anglers will have the opportunity to meet with factory reps and dealers who are extremely knowledgeable about local fishing and can help match the right equipment with the type of species you want to target, DePriest said.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the festival’s first day continues until 6 p.m. On Sunday, festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This show offers a learning curve shortcut to improve your skills,” said Drew Lawler, chief content officer of Pacific Coast Sportfishing. “There is a world of difference between fishing and catching. These seminars will help you to improve your catch ratio and make the sport a whole lot more exciting for anglers with all levels of experience.”

Fishing enthusiast and Newport Beach resident Ken Verheyen said of the show, “I come to learn about equipment and techniques. There are some great buys too. It’s something my son and I really look forward to attending each year.”

For more information, visit pcsportfishing.com

This year’s seminar lineup is as follows:

Saturday, April 28
10:30-11:15 a.m.: Lifetime of Catalina Secrets — Capt. Mark Wisch.
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Coastal White Seabass — Capt. Barry Brightenburg; Scott Aalbers, M.S. (PIER); Chugey Sepulveda, Ph.D., (PIER).
1:30-2:15 p.m.: Coastal to Island Calico Bass Tips from the Best — Corey Sanden, Capt. Dave Hansen.
3-3:45 p.m.: Bay Bass Masters — Capt. Jimmy Decker.

Sunday, April 29
10:30-11:15 a.m.: Lifetime of Catalina Secrets — Capt. Mark Wisch.
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Coastal White Seabass — Capt. Barry Brightenburg; Scott Aalbers, M.S. (PIER); Chugey Sepulveda, Ph.D. (PIER).
1:30-2:15 p.m.: Setting Up for Lings and Reds — Capt. Todd Mansur; Capt. Dave Hansen.
3-3:45 p.m.: Mouth Hooking Thresher Sharks with Big Success — Chugey Sepulveda, Ph.D. (PIER); Scott Aalbers, M.S. (PIER); Craig Heberer, M.S. (NOAA).