Posted by Admin | Posted in custom bass fishing | Posted on 18-02-2012
Tags: bass fishing, catfish pond, cup champion, mountain trout, ski boats
David Dudley of Lynchburg, Va., the 2003 FLW Cup Champion, the 2011 FLW Angler of the Year, and all-time leading FLW money winner with more than $2,743,948, headlines this year’s show. He’ll be joined by freshwater and saltwater experts including Mike DelVisco, BASS fishing pro from Greer, S.C.; Cory Routh, kayak fishermen and guide; Capt. Jimmy Price, flounder expert; and Capt. Rick Bennett, inshore and offshore guide. These and other fishing professionals will give free seminars in three different seminar rooms throughout the show.
The Expo showcases the latest in fishing and recreational boats, including bass rigs, aluminum boats, pontoons, and ski boats, and the latest in fishing tackle and electronic gear.
Two additional attractions are the Oklahoma Bass Tub and the Mountain Trout and Catfish Pond.
For a change of pace, visitors can meet six-time World WakeSurf Champion Drew Danielo, who will sign autographs and explain how to get involved in this quick-growing water sport.
Danielo isn’t the only water-riding enthusiast at the show. Twiggy, the water skiing squirrel, makes a return appearance based upon popular demand. Twiggy will demonstrate his skills while also emphasizing water safety. Youngsters of all ages will get to meet Twiggy and take photographs following Twiggy’s performance.
The show starts Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. and runs to 9 p.m. Other hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $4 for junior anglers. Children under 6 are free when in the company of an adult. Visit ncboatshows.com for a $1 coupon off admission.
Forty-nine anglers from 22 states will be competing in the Feb. 24-26 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River, Shreveport-Bossier, La.
Alabama boasts the most Classic qualifiers with 12 anglers. Dustin Wilks of Rocky Mount, a five-time Classic qualifier, is the only North Carolinian to make the world championship of fishing this year.
The Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo will take place at the Shreveport Convention Center while the CenturyLink Center will host the weigh-ins and serve as the ESPN broadcast site.
For the sake of uniformity, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved changes that establish a general statewide minimum size limit of 14 inches for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. On some waters, two fish may be less than 14 inches.
The NCWRC withdrew two proposals.
First, the NCWRC withdrew the proposal that would have increased the minimum size limit for striped bass and hybrid bass at Jordan Lake. Instead, it kept the current 20-inch minimum size limit and four-fish daily creel limit.
Next, it withdrew the proposal for grass carp at Lake Tillery since protection is not deemed necessary given the level of aquatic vegetation control and potential negative impacts to native vegetation at the lake.
The High Point Showplace hosts the International Custom Rod Building Exposition on Feb. 25-26. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per day for all ages.
Hundreds of custom rod builders will be present to exhibit and sell their products and to give tips on rod building. In addition, free seminars on rod building will be presented throughout the two days of the show.
Presenters include Gary Loomis, composite rods and blanks specialist; Dennis Papike, veteran custom rod builder; Jimi Ellis, decal expert; and Jason Brunner, rod and blank designer for St. Croix Rod Co.
Bryan Thrift of Shelby ranked sixth with 61-12 at the Feb. 9-12 FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla. Thrift banked $17,000.
Phil Jarmon of Apex placed 23rd among the co-anglers with 20-05 and earned $1,300.
The Carolina Crappie Association will hold a tournament Saturday at High Rock Lake. the weigh-in takes place at 3 p.m. at Hill’s Minnow Farm in Salisbury.
Tony Garitta is a fishing columnist for the Dispatch.

July 24, 2011 12:00 AM