The Philadelphia Fishing Show will be held this Friday through Sunday, February 21-23 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Over 75,000 square feet of fresh and saltwater fishing tackle, lodges, guides, apparel, travel destinations, boats, kayaks, RV’s and much more.
The show added 70 more booths this year for a total of 300 booths plus bulk space and attractions, including more space for seminars hosted by The Fisherman Magazine. Once again a full lineup of simultaneous seminars covering fresh and saltwater topics will run for three consecutive days, all included in your admission (see schedule below).
Check out the 5,000 gallon Hawg Trough aquarium with freshwater gamefish and then go catch a trout at the Trout Pond. See the 3,000-pound great white shark replica and then go toe to toe in the Fighting Chair Challenge. Improve or learn how to fly cast at the Fly Casting Pond with Capt. Mike Corblies. Exhibitors will be displaying everything from dry fly trout accessories to giant bluefin tuna gear, and everything in between! Admission is $10 admission for adults, kids ages 6 to 12 are $5, and kids 5 and under are as free as the parking.
The show is open Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Look for The Fisherman’s booth as soon as you walk through the front door of the show.
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is located at 100 Station Avenue in Oaks, PA. For show information call 732-330-5674 or visit PhillyFishingShow.com.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21
12:30 PM Capt. Erwin Heinrich (Scales n’ Tales Charters)
Jersey Trophy Stripers – Spring and fall, some of the very best trophy bass action along the Striper Coast occurs in the Raritan Bay complex; learn how the local captains target them. HALL A
1:00 PM Chris Gorsuch (Reel River Adventures)
Tactics for River Smallmouth – Pound for smallmouth may be one of the most exciting freshwater fish that swim. This workshop will cover bronzeback habits on a seasonal basis, focusing on key factors that affect success from the Delaware to the Susquehanna HALL B
1:30 PM Capt. Pete Sykes (Parker Pete’s Sportfishing)
Bucktailing Doormat Fluke – Whether you’re fishing the sandy bottom or the really sticky stuff, get the lowdown on bucktailing trophy fluke from this professional crew out of Belmar, NJ. HALL A
2:00 PM Capt. Dieter Scheel (Big D River Guide)
Delaware River: A Multispecies Approach – The Delaware River span offers a variety of targets, from American shad to walleye and everything in between. Learn about setups, techniques and baits used by one of the top guides in Pennsylvania. HALL B
3:00 PM Anthony Arcabascio (Tony Maja Tackle)
Bunker Spooning Striped Bass – You hear "MAJA spoon" on the radio a lot during the striper season, for good reason When it comes to trolling up trophy stripers, the MAJA system gets it done day after day. Learn how! HALL A
3:30 PM Tim Meador (Lotsa Limits Charters)
Lake Ontario Walleye Fishing – Trolling tips and techniques to help you put more walleye in the boat. How to use planer boards, line counters, worm harnesses and more. HALL B
4:00 PM Nick Honachefsky (Saltwater Underground)
South Jersey Back Bay Flounder – Fluke or flounder? For most South Jersey anglers a fluke and flounder are the same – but it’s the back bay shallow water tactics for scoring that really sets this fishery apart! HALL A
4:30 PM JB Kasper (The Fisherman Magazine)
Walleye Fishing Workshop – Join this noted author/angler for a unique look at walleye covering the basic elements that effect fishing for this species on a seasonal basis. Tackle, baits, lures and methods will all be covered to get you into the marbleyes. HALL B
5:00 PM George Burns (M3 Tackle)
How To: Fluke Spoons – Add another wrinkle to your 2020 fluke game with M3 Spoons. Learn about tackle selection, tactics and the proper way to use spoons for trophy fluke. HALL A
5:30 PM George Schauer (Pocono Outdoors Guy)
True Strain Freshwater Stripers – The PA record for striped bass stands at 53 pounds, 13 ounces. Is there a 54-pounder somewhere deep in the Pocono Lakes? Whether throwing topwater lures at stripers blitzing on alewives, or jigging and trolling deep for trophies, the Pocono Outdoors Guy has it covered. HALL B
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22
11 a.m. Capt. Eric Kerber (On A Mission Fishing Charters)
Pot Hopping Mahi – During the last few seasons mahi – aka dolphin and dorado – have invaded inshore waters where savvy captains are loading up around the pots, markers and buoys. Gear up for some offshore excitement close to port. HALL A
11:30 a.m. Chris Gorsuch (Reel River Adventures)
Tactics for River Smallmouth – Pound for smallmouth may be one of the most exciting freshwater fish that swim. This workshop will cover bronzeback habits on a seasonal basis, focusing on key factors that affect success from the Delaware to the Susquehanna HALL B
NOON Capt Sean Welsh (Restless Lady)
Fishing the Bluewater – From mid-range to the deep canyons, Capt Sean will share his time-tested techniques for catch bluefin, yellowfin, swordfish, wahoo, blue and white marlin along the Mid-Atlantic Coast. HALL A
12:30 p.m. Capt. Dieter Scheel (Big D River Guide)
Delaware River Shad – Get a unique perspective on the Delaware River shad run, with population overview and tactics for targeting "America’s fish" with one of the top guides on the Big D HALL B
1 p.m. Capt. Jim Freda (Shore Catch Sportfishing)
Inshore & Midshore Bluefin – Popping, jigging and trolling tactics and techniques for targeting bluefin tuna from spring through fall at the Jersey Shore. HALL A
1:30 p.m. Capt. Pete Sykes (Parker Pete’s)
Targeting Trophy Stripers – The spring run for trophy stripers is hot along the North Jersey coast. From live bait to trolling spoons and mojos, join noted Shark River charter captain in the spring hunt for big bass. HALL B
2 p.m. Capt. Erwin Heinrich (Scales n’ Tales Charters)
Structure Fishing for Doormat Fluke – Getting on the best fluke bite is critical for the professional captain! Tips from the helm on making the most out of every fluke trip this season with the inside track on finding doormats in 2020 HALL A
2:30 p.m. Nick Honachefsky (Saltwater Underground)
Surf Stripers & Blues – New Jersey’s back bay striper season reopens March 1 which puts casters back into the action for another year. Join noted noted author/angler in annual quest for stripers & blues in the surf from spring through fall. HALL B
3 p.m. Jim Farley (M3 Tackle)
Bunker Spooning Trophy Stripers – Every striper season, spring and fall, the largest bass of the year come on the spoon; whether you’re dragging wire or running braid, learn the tactics and techniques for spooning a trophy. HALL A
3:30 p.m. Capt. Brett Taylor (Reel Reaction Sportfishing)
Trolling Motor Tactics – Join noted Barnegat Inlet & LBI captain for a tactical look at fishing using a Minn Kota trolling motor & advanced Humminbird electronics. HALL B
4 p.m. Capt. Frank Wagenhoffer (Fin Chaser Charters)
MOJO Stripers – Get your mojo running with this top NJ pro as he shows you how to utilize different style mojos for certain situations HALL A
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
11 a.m. Capt Sean Welsh (Restless Lady)
Fishing the Bluewater – From mid-range to the deep canyons, Capt Sean will share his time-tested techniques for catch bluefin, yellowfin, swordfish, wahoo, blue and white marlin along the Mid-Atlantic Coast. HALL A
11:30 a.m. Capt. Mike Rothman (Bonanza II)
Delaware Bay Drum – When the dogwoods bloom, the drum will boom! Prepare for the arrival of black drum in May by joining noted Fortescue, NJ party boat captain in the hunt for "boomers" on Delaware Bay. HALL B
NOON Capt. Jim Freda (Shore Catch Sportfishing)
Inshore & Midshore Bluefin – Popping, jigging and trolling tactics and techniques for targeting bluefin tuna from spring through fall at the Jersey Shore. HALL A
12:30 p.m. George Burns (M3 Tackle)
How To: Fluke Spoons – Add another wrinkle to your 2020 fluke game with M3 Spoons. Learn about tackle selection, tactics and the proper way to use spoons for trophy fluke. HALL B
1:30 p.m. Frank Mihalic (The Fisherman Magazine)
Jumbo Tautog Tactics – Big blackfish love the gnarliest of structure, making them one of the most challenging saltwater species to catch. Top tips from a South Jersey togaholic and freelance writer. HALL A
2 p.m. Capt. Darren Dorris (Salty Lady Sportfishing / LBIShark.com)
Inshore Shark Fishing – Freelance writer, photographer, TV personality, and Beach Haven charter captain has customized his early summer inshore trips for catching big sharks just off the Jersey Shore beaches on lighter tackle. Gear up for nearshore big game. HALL B
2:30 p.m. Capt. Scott Newhall (Time Out Charters)
Doormat Fluke – South Jersey based guide specializing in back bay and nearshore fishing, Capt. Scott has been a contributor to The Fisherman for 20 years. Join his tactical discussion on fluke strategies to enhance your tallies and doormat potential for 2020. HALL A
3 p.m. Capt. Eric Kerber (On A Mission Fishing Charters)
MOJO Stripers – Get your mojo running with this Shark River Inlet pro as he shows you how to utilize different style mojos for success in every situation. HALL B
FRESHWATER CLASSES (Hall C)
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21
1 p.m. Jim Price (Kayak Anglers Eastern PA)
Kayak Fishing – Kayak fishing rivers and lakes with the 2019 Eastern and Central PA Kayak Angler of the year. A mixed bag of targeted species with an emphasis on smallmouth.
2 p.m. Travis Manson (Travis Manson Guide Service)
Preparing for A New Body of Water – How a tournament angler prepares to fish a new body of water. Breaking down the lake and selecting the right gear.
3 p.m. Anthony Awgul (Menace Baits)
Northeast Bass Fishing – A seasonal approach to catching more and bigger bass in the Northeast from a tournament angler’s perspective.
4 p.m. Ben Broscius (American Standard Fly Fishing Guides)
PA Trout on Flies – Targeting Eastern PA trout in the Spring using flies.
5 p.m. Ken Krott (Lip Ripper Charters)
Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon – Trolling for trout and salmon on Lake Ontario. Lures, presentations, and techniques to put fish in the boat by one of the lake’s top captains.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22
11 a.m. Ben Broscius (American Standard Fly Fishing Guides)
PA Trout on Flies – Targeting Eastern PA trout in the Spring using flies.
NOON Michael DiGuiseppe (Muskies Inc Chapter 50)
Chasing Muskies – A look inside the arsenal of an avid muskie angler. Learn about equipment, strategies, and how to change with the seasons. Safe release techniques are also covered.
1 p.m. Rod Bates (Koinonia Guide Sevice)
Targeting Catfish – Tactics and gear for catching Channel and Flathead Catfish. Catching your own bait and how to keep it.
2 p.m. Travis Manson (Travis Manson Guide Service)
Preparing for A New Body of Water – How a tournament angler prepares to fish a new body of water. Breaking down the lake and selecting the right gear.
3 p.m. Anthony Awgul (Menace Baits)
Northeast Bass Fishing – A seasonal approach to catching more and bigger bass in the Northeast from a tournament angler’s perspective.
4 p.m. Dustin Theobald (Kayak Anglers Eastern PA)
Kayak Fishing – This competitive kayak angler spends much of his time chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass, but he also hits the inshore waters fluke and bluefish as well. Join Dustin for look at kayak fishing, from intro and basics all the way to tournament tactics.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
11 a.m. Ken Krott (Lip Ripper Charters)
Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon – Trolling for trout and salmon on Lake Ontario. Lures, presentations, and techniques to put fish in the boat by one of the lake’s top captains.
NOON Ben Broscius (American Standard Fly Fishing Guides)
PA Trout on Flies – Targeting Eastern PA trout in the Spring using flies.
1 p.m. Rod Bates (Koinonia Guide Sevice)
Targeting Catfish – Tactics and gear for catching Channel and Flathead Catfish. Catching your own bait and how to keep it.
2 p.m. Travis Manson (Travis Manson Guide Service)
Preparing for A New Body of Water – How a tournament angler prepares to fish a new body of water. Breaking down the lake and selecting the right gear.
3 p.m. Anthony Awgul (Menace Baits)
Northeast Bass Fishing – A seasonal approach to catching more and bigger