Fred Hall Show returns to Long Beach March 2-6

LONG BEACH — The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Shows have been a 70-year season-starting tradition for Southern California outdoor enthusiasts. The Fred Hall Show spotlights the latest must-have sportfishing gear, tackle, fishing boats, marine accessories, camping gear and diving, shooting and hunting products, along with hundreds of resorts, landings, lodges and outfitters that are ready to book outdoor adventures. This year’s show is scheduled to run March 2-6 at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

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.

There’s always a lot to take in when visiting The Fred Hall Shows, and this year is no different as show producer Bart Hall announced several new additions to the 2016 show. Here are just a few of this year’s show attractions:

A Look Back

Because it’s the 70th anniversary show, there will be archive photos of Fred Hall Show’s past on display throughout the show, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for images of show’s past while walking through the mazes of vendor aisles. 

Returning this year is the beloved Bongo’s Fashion Show, which used to be run by Bongo’s Sport Fishing in Newport Beach. The late Pat Raitt was the inspiration for the fashion show and bringing it back will honor her.

Another great act that has returned after a 10 year hiatus from the Fred Hall Show is Frank Addington Jr., aka The Aspirin Buster, on the Cousins Tackle Main Seminar Stage. His act will be shooting an arrow and splitting a baby aspirin pill in mid air. You have to see it to believe it. 

California Debut of the Ranger Tugs R-23

The Fred Hall Show will host the California premier showing of the new Ranger Tugs R-23. Represented by Long Beach Yacht Sales, the new Ranger Tugs R-23 is the latest addition to the award winning lineup of Ranger Tugs.

The new Ranger Tugs R-23, is powered by a standard 200 HP Yamaha outboard or optional 170 HP Volvo diesel Duoprop sterndrive, the R-23 bridges the gap between the popular R-21 EC and R-25 SC models. 

The first thing you will notice when looking at the new R-23 is the dramatic, curved windshield and visor, which is emphasized by several overhead skylights. There is no shortage of light or visibility onboard the R-23, which incorporates four opening roof hatches, sliding side windows, and an opening glass bulkhead, providing a very open and airy feeling inside and out. Opening port lights also allow for a nice cross breeze in the cabin.

The forward cabin on the R-23 has plenty of room for sitting around the teak table, separate sleeping for two or sleeping two together with the filler-cushion. The mid berth is great for kids or storage, and the dinette converts to a sleeper as the third berth. The well-appointed galley on the R-23 is standard with refrigerator/freezer, cooktop, and microwave. The forward head includes a marine toilet with holding tank, shower, sink, and mirror. 

The Ranger Tugs R-23 is standard with Garmin 7610 GPS with Depth Sounder/Fish Finder and available with optional HDX radar. VHF to stay in touch, illuminated compass, cabin nightlight, cockpit and exterior side trail lighting, and our patented built-in safety trailering lights (brake, turn, and reverse) are all standard equipment making the R-23 ready to cruise. The cockpit on the R-23 is built to fish and ready to entertain with standard rod holders, optional downrigger pads & outlets, a folding double seat, and cockpit table.

The R-23 is perfect for overnights or extended cruises. Whether you are new to boating or a seasoned captain, the R-23 is the perfect boat for your next adventure.

Long Beach Yacht Sales will be showing the Ranger 23 as well other Ranger and Cutwater Boats at the show. Long Beach Yacht Sales can be reached at 562-431-3393.

Free Seminars 

More than 400 seminars will be available, geared to anglers and outdoors enthusiasts of all experience levels. 

Presented by Progressive Insurance many of those seminars will be panel discussions. There are five main venues: Mammoth Lakes Seminar Stage, Hobie Kayak Fishing Seminar Theater, the Cousins Tackle Main Seminar Stage, the Okuma and Savage Gear Bass Tank, the Lowrance Learning Center, the Costa Sporting Chef Café and the Upstairs Seminar Rooms, or the Accurate and Hobie Saltwater Tank.

Berkley will present two extended and in-depth seminars that run 90 to 120 minutes on Thursday and Friday before the opening of the Long Beach show. Tickets can be purchased at fredhall.com.

The Mammoth Lakes Seminar Stage will feature seminars on everything in the Eastern Sierra and highlighted by a daily panel on, “Everything There is To Do in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes,” given by a panel of regional experts.

On March 5 the “Leaders of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife” will answer all your questions at 2 p.m. and at 11 a.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Chief David Bess will give a seminar entitled, “The Partnership between DFW Enforcement and Ethical Hunters and Anglers”.

The Cousins Tackle Main Seminar Stage will feature several speakers including, among many others: Capt. Ben Florentino, Corey Sanden and Capt. Jimmy Decker in a “Calico Bass Fishing Seminar,” Dick Shafer talking about “Surface Irons & Long Rods,” and Brandon Hayward’s final White Seabass Seminar. Seminars on the Cousins Tackle Main Seminar Stage take place hourly from one hour after the show opens until the close of business each day.

The Upstairs Seminar Room will host notables like surf fishing icon Bill Varney, an “Introduction to East Cape Fishing” by Capt. Mark Rayor with occasional guest appearances by the patriarch of Accurate Fishing Jack Nilson. Del Stephens will present a seminar on “Using Your Electronics to Catch More Fish.”

The Accurate Fishing Saltwater Mobile Aquarium will feature hourly seminars on nearshore fishing from many of California’s most famous nearshore saltwater anglers like Dave Hason and TV Star Dan Hernandez.

The Okuma and Savage Gear Bass Tank will feature most of the best local bass fisherman including one of the “hottest” big bass anglers on the planet Butch Brown and legends like Don Iovino. Hourly seminars held daily.

The New Hobie Kayak Fishing Seminar Theater will feature kayak fishing seminars by such iconic experts as: Kevin Nakada, Jim Salazar, Mike Ponce, Steve Orr, Ken Rosburg, Gilbert Hernandez, Andy Allen and others.

Sign up for extended classes at the Lowrance Learning Center. Learn how to get the most out of your Lowrance electronics. You must pre-register for these seminars at the Lowrance booth at the show.

Kids Activities

A full day of family fun activities is a hallmark of the Fred Hall Shows. This year 
Mammoth Lakes and Shakespeare will present the Kids Fish Free Trout Pond which offers young anglers an opportunity to catch their very first fish at the shows.

The whole family will also enjoy the Dodge/Ram Ultimate Air Dogs, The Great American Duck Races, Hobie Kayak lessons on the lagoon and Fishing in the City kids casting lessons. Other activities include air gun ranges, archery ranges, laser shot, lagoon casting, a climbing wall and a flight stimulator.

Marine Electronics

The marine electronics section of the Fred Hall Show cannot be matched anywhere in the west. Several manufacturers will unveil marine electronics for the first time to Southern California boaters during the show. 

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 $16 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and up, free for children 15 and younger with a paid adult, and free for active military personnel with a valid I.D.

The show is presented by Progressive Insurance. Tickets can be purchased in advance at fredhall.com or in person at the door. For details visit fredhall.com.