Florida Sportsman Expo Hits Fort Myers
12/17/2012
Ft. Myers, FL Now in its 21st year, the Florida Sportsman Expo comes to the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers for the weekend of Feb. 2-3.
The Sportsman Channel serves as title sponsor for the Expos. Anglers, hunters and boaters will be treated to the latest “how-to” seminars as well as demonstrations, contests and free prize drawings each day.
Seminars take place at five different stages around the exhibition hall including the following presentations and demonstrations:
Capt. Rick Grassett, “Mastering Winter & Spring Tides”
Capt. Dave Pomerleau, “Tarpon & Snook By Night”
Capt. Mark Nichols, "Advanced Flats Tactics"
Lyle McCandless, “Hunting With Airboats & Buggies”
Capt. Jon Fetter, “Tripletail & Cobia”
Capt. Larry Finch, "Beaches, Bridges & Piers"
Peter Hinck, “Become A Kayak Angler”
Capt. Tony Bozzella, "Turkey & Deer Strategies"
Capt. Chris O’Neill, “Top-Water Plugging”
Capt. Daniel Andrews, “Boca Grande Silver Kings”
Capt. Rick Ryals, “Snapper & Grouper”
Plus many more …
Also featured are free lessons at a 100-foot fly-casting pond, a separate Zebco kids’ casting pond with free prizes and face painting, the popular hands-on rigging station and the Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 500-gallon saltwater tank.
Visitors will see the newest lineup of boats in all sizes at special show prices plus rows and rows of booths with the latest tackle, gear, electronics and gadgets. Attendees can hold a live Burmese python for picture taking, and the Sportsman Channel offers a free drawing (no catches or strings attached!) for a 42-inch flat-screen TV to be given away on both days.
“It’s a great show for all ages and especially families,” said Expo director Doug Kelly, who pointed out that kids 12 and under with parents are free. “The variety of things to do and see is better than a three-ring circus for every angler, hunter and boater.”
Another favorite show attraction is the Riggin’ it Right Academy. Anglers take turns sitting at learning stations with all supplies, tackle and baits provided for free while Florida Sportsman experts offer hands-on instruction on properly rigging baits and lures that work best from Charlotte Harbor to Chokoloskee.
A tricked-out swamp buggy and airboat at the Hunting Pavilion will keep the camera phones clicking. Hunting pros describe how to rattle up a buck or call a turkey.
In just five minutes anyone can learn how to throw a cast net at the cast net pit. The kayak stage features rigged kayaks and instruction on the many advantages of quiet, stealthy, non-combustion fishing.
“All the instruction, seminars, demonstrations, contests, free drawings and boat and tackle displays are included in the admission price,” said Kelly.
Tickets at the Lee County Civic Center are $8 for adults and kids 12 and under with parents free. Show hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3. Find more details and print discount coupon for $1 off admission.
