Fishing opportunities might be limited now that we’ve entered the depths of winter, but there are several boat and outdoor shows within range of Long Island and Metro area anglers worth spending some time at between now and the end of February.
First on tap is Striper Day sponsored by Surfcasters Journal this Saturday, January 14th at Hofstra University’s Student Center. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the show goes to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door. If you are into catching stripers, and especially if you are into catching them in the surf, then this show is for you. Everything you need to catch stripers will be available at the show, there are ongoing seminars throughout the day, and the first 400 people who arrive after 11 a.m. will go home with a goody bag of tackle. There’s also a giant raffle. The Fisherman will be there so be sure to stop by our table and say hello. For more info, go to www.striperday.com.
Looking for a new boat, hoping to repower, or planning on upgrading your electronics? What better place to do it than the New York Boat Show. It will be berthed at the Jacob Javits Convention Center from January 25th through the 29th. Go to the show website for their schedule of boating and fishing seminars. Show dates and times are: Wednesday, January 25 through Friday, January 27 – noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, January 28 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, January 29 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults (16 and older) and free for 15 and younger when accompanied by an adult. The Javits Convention Center is located at 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001. The main entrance is at Eleventh Avenue at 35th Street. For more info, call 212- 216-2000 or go to www.nyboatshow.com.
February brings with it the New York Sportfishing Federation Forum & Auction at the Freeport Recreation Center on the weekend of February 18-19. It is well attended by local tackle shops and captains and there are always some good deals to be had on tackle. It also features ongoing seminars by some of the regions best anglers, and an auction with lots of great items and fishing trips up for bid. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the auction kicking off at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, contact Capt. Joe Paradiso at 631-786-8418.
January and February also play host to a number of fishing flea markets. These are great places to find old, out of production lures, used rods and reels, and other items like rod building components and rigs for a wide variety of species. Their info is listed below:
January 28: Long Island Fishing Flea Market; Hosted by the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing, it will take place on Saturday, January 28th at the Hibernian Hall, 27 Locust Avenue in Babylon. You’ll find lots of great deals on new, used and antique tackle, rods, reels and hard to find lures and accessories. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $4. For more info, call 516-647-8492.
February 5: Route 110 Fishing Flea Market; Located at Camelot Hall, 585 Broadhollow Road (Route 110) in Melville on Super Bowl Sunday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 – Children under 12 free. There will be a huge amount of new, used, custom and antique fishing tackle for sale. For more information call 917-312-0506.
February 26: East Meadow Fishing Tackle Show; Located at Temple Emanu-el, 123 Merrick Avenue in East Meadow. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 – children under 12 free. The largest fishing flea market on Long Island with vendors from five states attending. For more info call 917-312-0506.
