Winter shows, seminars can help anglers out
The Christmas holidays signal an unofficial end of the fall saltwater fishing season. Sure, there will be some days when stripers, speckled trout and red drum bite pretty well, but the number of folks enjoying the fishing will have dropped like the overnight temperatures. For those thinking of heading out, stripers seem to like the nastiest weather they can find, while specks and pups like days with sunshine and warming temperatures, and the second day is usually better than the first, and the third better than the second and so on.
Hunters still have some time left for ducks, geese, quail, rabbits, squirrels and such, but deer season closes Jan. 1 except for some special urban archery seasons, and the number of hunters for them is limited. Most small-game seasons end in January and February.
Like many biologists, I am concerned about the rapidly expanding feral hog population within North Carolina’s borders. The one good thing is, they have been classified as pests and can be hunted all year. This gives big-game hunters some action after New Year’s Day, and they are doing farmers a favor by reducing the numbers of hogs.
As long as this is not a particularly harsh winter, there will be periods of several days every so often when the sun will shine, nighttime temperatures won’t drop like a rock and daytime temperatures will reach the high 60s. I call these days “special, limited-edition, outdoor attractions,” but my wife simply calls them distractions. Sunny and warm winter days beckon sportsmen, especially fishermen, to come out and play, and many times, excellent catches will whet the appetite for the next warm spell.
Winter is a great time to do the needed R&R on your fishing and hunting gear. It can be done in front of a crackling fire, with warm fingers, while watching a college basketball or NFL playoff game.However, this will eventually come to an end, as there are only so many ways and times you can lube reels, replace drag washers and bearings or strip your favorite shotgun or rifle to the trigger group and barrel for a complete cleaning. Eventually sportsmen will run out of “must-do” activities and get antsy.
This is where the winter boating, fishing, hunting and outdoor shows come into play. They are held at this time of year for a reason: because we are stir-crazy and will attend. For 2015, the winter show season begins with the Jan. 9-11 Raleigh Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo (www.ncboatshows.com) at the N.C. State Fairgrounds and carries through to the Crystal Coast Boat Show (www.crystalcoastboatshow.com) held along the Morehead City Waterfront in mid-May. During this time, there are boat shows, fishing shows, hunting shows, outdoor shows, a farm show and numerous fishing and hunting schools and seminars. A sportsman can find something to do almost every weekend and several weekends are double and triple booked.
The shows do a pretty good job as a substitute for actually going fishing or hunting, but they just aren’t the same as the real thing. The trout and catfish ponds at the fishing shows and the 3-D archery range at the Dixie Deer Classic are nice touches, but for some folks, they may actually be more antagonist than pacifier.
The shows are different, and you can easily find the one best for you. Fishing shows will devote more space to tackle and accessories. Hunting shows feature hunting gear, opportunities and accessories, and outdoor shows present a mixture of all kinds of outdoor activities and the equipment and accessories.
If you are looking for the latest in new boats, then a boat show will have more for you than the others. Don’t get into a hurry, and be sure to check the boards and books in each dealer’s space, also, for new but not current year boats and used boats. They typically don’t bring these boats to shows, but they will have a listing somewhere in the booth and there can be some great deals.
Fishing shows will have boats too, but fewer, and the concentration will be on fishing boats. Runabouts and ski boats stay at the dealerships for these shows. Boats may range from john boats to large express or center-console sportfishermen, but the emphasis will be on boats for fishing. Fishing shows feature lots of tackle and accessories. Again, don’t get in a hurry. There will be booths with the latest in tackle and other booths will be offering deep discounts on rods, reels and lures that have been changed or discontinued.
Hunting shows focus on the equipment and options for bagging more game. Most I have been to tend to have more area focused on big game and waterfowl, but there will also be some booths featuring quail and other small game. Many times there are outfitters from out of state offering mule deer, elk, moose and other hunts. Other booths will feature clothing, stands, feeders, calls and all sorts of accessories.
Outdoor shows usually have a little from boat, fishing and hunting shows, plus booths featuring camping, RVing, hiking, mountain biking, off-road motorcycles, ATVs and much more. These shows typically offer a great cross section on all kinds of outdoor activities — just as the name says.
I’ll suggest that every boater, fisherman, hunter or other outdoor enthusiast should plan to spend some time visiting at least one show this winter. In addition to the display and sales booths, there will be opportunities for education on a variety of subjects. Most of the fishing and hunting shows will include seminars by local and regional experts, and a few even bring in nationally known fishermen and hunters. I have found that when the local experts get going with their seminars, it is time to ask questions and get the true skinny on fishing and hunting in their areas. Most are very forthcoming, and there are opportunities for major shortcuts along the learning curve.
There are also excellent learning opportunities in many booths. Dealers bring area pro-staffers to fishing and hunting shows and sponsored skiers, wakeboarders, mountain bikers and more to outdoor shows. Sure there are product pitches included in the mix, but there is a lot that can be learned during the shows.
For those who want more, there are also several fishing seminars across the state each year. The oldest going is the Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar (www.nationalseminarseries.com) that will be in Cary on Jan. 24. Some are more tuned locally like the Oak Island Recreation Department Fishing School (www.oakislandnc.com/departments/parks-recreation) in Oak Island on Jan. 31. There is a variety to choose.
On the business end of things, the shows are also places to learn about financing and insurance. Typically those financial and insurance businesses that purchase a booth and staff it for shows are more aggressive with their rates. Even if they aren’t, you can get a rate to compare and often learn of incentives that will be coming.
Another business plus of shopping at shows is that most of the outboard manufacturers offer an extended-warranty special to help their dealers get an early start to the season. A free or deeply discounted extended warranty is a big plus. Remember, that extended warranties are like insurance. You hope you never need it, but it’s a big relief, and you’re glad you spent the money if you ever do.
There are numerous boating, fishing, hunting and outdoor shows across North Carolina, and they offer a good mix of products, accessories and seminars. They really do help get through the winter and I would recommend spending a leisurely day checking one (or more) out.
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