WARD MELVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FISHING EXPO
This show has quickly grown into one of the largest and most popular fishing shows in the region with over 150 vendors, 260 tables of fishing gear, rods, reels, tackle, captains and guides, and huge crowds. It features more than 15 seminars conducted by Long Island’s leading captains, guides and anglers, among them Capt. John Paduano, Matt Broderick, Capt. Tom Mikoleski, Capt. John Capuano, Bill Wetzel, Capt. Jason Colby, John Skinner, Ken Westerfield, Capt. Bob Schmidt, Capt. John McMurray and Capt. Paul Reppinger.
There will be free tackle giveaways to attendees under 20 years of age and over 100 great fishing related raffle prizes. Admission to the show is FREE. Money raised by the raffle goes to support the Ward Melville High School Fishing Club. The show is run by the teenage members of the club and its advisor, Bob Wilson. The Expo takes place this Saturday, March 2 in the school’s gymnasium located at 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket, NY 11733. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. For more information, call 631-730-4900.
WORLD FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPO
One of the region’s larger and more diverse fishing and outdoor shows, the World Fishing & Outdoor Expo, aka “The Suffern Show,” will be camped at the Rockland Community College Field House in Suffern, NY beginning this Thursday and running through Sunday. This is the show for those true outdoorsman among us, those who mix a love for saltwater fishing with a good dose of freshwater and also some hunting.
The show features more than 250 vendors offering sales on the newest boats, outdoor products, charters, and outfitter bookings for fishing and hunting. It also offers the area’s most comprehensive schedule of seminars on a variety of outdoor topics led by local and nationally-recognized experts. The list of seminar speakers includes: Jordan Lee – One of only 3 back-to-back Bassmaster Classic Winners in history. Brandon Palaniuk – “The Prodigy” was 2017 Angler of the Year, and is a Federation Nation National Champion with 15 top 10 finishes, including four top 5 BASS Elite finishes in 2017 on the Bassmaster Elite Trails. Peter Fiduccia – “The Deer Doctor,” author of 13 books on deer hunting and host of the popular outdoor TV show Woods N’ Water Big Game Adventures. Capt. Brian Bacon – co-owner of Rhode Islands’ premier charter boat fleet, Big Game Sport Fishing located in Point Judith, RI. Capt. Bacon has been fishing southern New England waters most of his life for everything from trophy stripers to canyon tuna. Additional speakers include John Crews (freshwater angling), Seth Feider (freshwater angling), Terry Baksay(freshwater angling), Capt. Shamus Mara (saltwater angling), Capt. Peter Bacon (saltwater angling), Pat and Tony Salerno (hunting), Joe Zaffuto (hunting), Capt. Brian Rice (saltwater angling), Mark McQuown (fishing electronics), Capt. Paul “Butch” Kross (saltwater angling), Kate Fiduccia (culinary) and Frikkie Du Toit (trophy hunting).
Saturday is being labeled Saltwater Superday and will feature a series of saltwater seminars by some of the Northeast’s top saltwater anglers, covering a variety of species and techniques. Sunday is Whitetail Superday and will feature a continuous series of whitetail seminars by some of the region’s top whitetail hunters. Other highlights include the Hawg Trough, a 5,000-gallon fish tank loaded with monster largemouth bass where top bass professionals will demonstrate the latest in lures and how they act in the water. There is also a Fishing Simulator where show goers can try their hand at an ultra-realistic, thrilling fishing simulator. Sunday, March 3 is Family Day and the first 100 children 11 and under will receive a free rod and reel upon entry, along with free admission. Tickets and information are available at www.SportShows.com/suffern.
