OAKS — Since the American Sportfishing Association launched the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow five years ago at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, it has attracted a diverse lineup of guides and charter captains as exhibitors and presented seminars by a variety of professional anglers.
After previewing this year’s show, which returns to the 200,000-square-foot expo center Thursday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, March 1, that format continues. In attendance will be charter captains from Lake Ontario to the Chesapeake Bay and fishing guides from the St. Lawrence to the Potomac rivers, as well as lakes, rivers and streams in between. There is also a variety of seminars that are highlighted by regional professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli, who won last year’s BASS Elite Tournament on the Delaware River and is a former Bassmaster Classic champion and Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year.
ASA is the sportfishing industry’s trade association and is committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. It does that by giving the industry a unified voice by speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoors journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America.
Through the “KeepAmericaFishing” angler advocacy campaign, ASA gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to fish on the nation’s waterways. America’s anglers generate $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy, creating employment for more than 828,000 people.
Fishing vendors will have state-of-the-art gear and tackle that features the best names in the business when it comes to tackle manufacturers, including Shimano, Storm, Quantum, St. Croix, Okuma, Temple Fork Outfitters, G. Loomis and Livingston Lures. There are also smaller custom tackle manufacturers whose products are found only at sportsman’s shows and not in big-box retail stores or catalogues.
In “The Boatyard” more than 100 kinds of boats —from bass boats to saltwater fishing boats to watercraft for every activity — will be on display. Nearby is the area displaying campers, RVs and ATVs to go with an extensive lineup of lodges, guides and tourism associations featuring hunting, fishing and vacation trips.
In keeping with the water theme, a special attraction this year for the first time is Shark Encounters at the Ford Entertainment Stage. This 5,000-gallon tank contains live sharks, and diver Philip Peters swims with them while providing educational information.
Less adventurous is the Hawg Trough where professional bass anglers and guides will present daily seminars on the latest techniques to catch bass. Anglers can get into the act fly fishing at the casting pool while getting advice from experts, or they can try landing a monster fish at the fishing simulator.
Others presenting bass seminars include professional anglers Brandon Palaniuk, who has two wins and seven top 10 finishes on the Bassmaster Elite circuit; and Paul Mueller, recent National BASS Federation champ. For hunters, deer hunters Lane Benoit, C.J. Winland and Peter “The Deer Doctor” Fiduccia headline the list of the hunting experts presenting tips and strategies. In addition, there are daily live raptor demonstrations by Baywing Falconry and bird dog seminars.
An expanded exhibitor area will have hunting outfitters from throughout the United States and Canada and vendors for firearms, archery and hunting gear. There are also exhibits on hunting camps and resorts, hunting dogs and taxidermists.
Sunday is Family Day with more special activities, including no admission charge for children younger than age 11 when accompanied by a paying adult. The first 150 will receive a complimentary Plano tackle box. Families will also be able to test their skill at Stihl archery.
If you go
Tickets and information for the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sportshow at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, are available online at
www.sportshows.com.
Show hours are Thursday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 27, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.