Preview: Fred Hall Show in Long Beach

LONG BEACH — Southern California’s outdoor enthusiasts welcome Christmas in March as the Fred Hall Show jump-starts its 2017 calendar with this year’s first boating, fishing, hunting and outdoors exposition at Long Beach Convention Center and Arena.

Doors open March 1, with the show continuing through March 5.

The Fred Hall Show in Long Beach will feature acres of fishing tackle, boats and other outdoor gear, products and services.

Once the lights dim in Long Beach the Fred Hall Show moves to Bakersfield for the Central Valley Sports Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds, March 10-12. The Fred Hall Show at Del Mar Campgrounds follows two weeks later, March 23-26.

Shows in Long Beach and Del Mar are highlighted by the Ultimate Air Dogs event, presented by Ram Trucks. (Coors Light presents the Dock Dogs West Coast Challenge at the Bakersfield show.)

The Log and FishRap will be giving away daily prizes at the Long Beach and Del Mar shows. Daily prizes include rod and reel combos, lures, jigs, shirts, Duffy boat rentals, tow memberships and tackle boxes. A Malibu Kayak – Sierra 10 is this year’s top prize. Contestants can enter their names for prizes at The Log/FishRap booth at both shows. The winner of the kayak will be announced after the Del Mar show.

This year’s show welcomes Daiwa as the new sponsor of the Bass Bin and Accurate Fishing Tackle returning as the Saltwater Tank sponsor, presenting seminar speakers every hour.

Another new addition to the Fred Hall Show is New Winn Grips Rod Builders Depot. Costa Sporting Chef Café, with the Sporting Chef Scott Leysath, will provide food and entertainment at all three shows. Singer-songwriter Gary Shiebler is expected to be a part of the entertainment segments.

Hobie sponsors the Hobie Kayak Theater and offers test rides in the Hyatt Lagoon just beyond the Long Beach Convention Center. Daiwa and other companies will also be presenting at the Hyatt Lagoon.

Also sponsoring at the Long Beach show are Cousins Tackle, Lumberjacks and Mammoth Lakes.

More than 700 free seminars, geared to anglers and outdoors enthusiasts of all experience levels, will be featured at all three shows.

Wednesday’s seminars and demonstrations kick off with the Great American Duck Races and cooking lessons with Leysath. Other opening day seminars include discussions on: hardbaits for bass; top water baits; fishing for freshwater lobsters; rigging for albacore, tuna and yellowtail; surf fishing; pro tips for halibut fishing; tuna fishing in Puerto Vallarta; bass fishing at Lake Casitas; lobster hooping; fishing on three-quarter-day trips; and, modern rock fishing methods, among others.

Seminar and event sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and continue through 7:15 p.m.

Similar seminars are offered throughout the rest of the show. Other highlights include: 10-day fishing trips to Alijos Rocks and The Ridge, presented by Capt. Frank LoPreste; sportfishing at Cedros Island; kite and balloon techniques for bluefin tuna fishing; fishing at Channel Islands on a small boat; softbaits for inshore and offshore game fish; surface iron fishing for beginners; jig fishing; kayak fishing at Cedros Island; fishing coastal waters; calico fishing; using reaction baits for locating and catching bass; thresher shark fishing techniques; Hurricane Bank fishing; fly rod fishing techniques; and knot tying.

Some of the biggest names in the industry will be hosting or presenting seminars, including: Capt. David Bacon; Capt. Tiffany Bacon; Bobby Barrack; Capt. Ryan Bostian; Rusty Brown; Steve Carson; Capt. Keith Denette; Capt. Benny Florentino; Chad Geirlich; Tommy Gomes; Capt. Dave Hansen; Dan Hernandez; Don Iovino; Gerry Mahiew; Marlon Meade; Randy Pringle; Jim Salazar; Jeff Simpson; Capt. Taro Takeuchi; Rich Tauber; and, Bill Varney, among others.

The Thursday-Sunday event and seminar schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, March 2: 1:30-7:45 p.m.
• Friday, March 3: 1:30-7:45 p.m.
• Saturday, March 4: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday, March 5: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The complete schedule of seminars can be found online at fredhall.com/long-beach/show-info-long-beach/seminars-long-beach/.

Show hours are 1-9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Regular admission is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and up, $12 for active military personnel with a valid identification and free for children 15 and younger with a paid adult.

The Fred Hall Show, which is presented by Progressive Insurance, is the largest consumer fishing show in the world — showcasing more boats, more shooting sports gear and more travel and vacation opportunities than you are likely to see anywhere else.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at fredhall.com or in person at the door. For details visit fredhall.com.

The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard in Downtown Long Beach.

Fred Hall Show celebrates its 71st year in 2017; shows have previously been held at Chicago’s old convention center downtown, the Cow Palace in San Francisco, a parking lot at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles Convention Center, Pan Pacific Auditorium, Los Angeles’ Gilmore Stadium, Great Western Exhibit Center, San Diego’s Golden Hall and the fairgrounds in Del Mar.