TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Learning Experience

ADVERTISEMENT

By FRANK SARGEANT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

Watching somebody tie a knot rarely teaches you to tie the knot yourself. It takes hands-on practice to learn the skills.

That's the principle behind the hands-on 'Riggin' It Right Academy' that is the centerpiece of the Florida Sportsman Fishing and Boat Show, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds, off Interstate 4 east of Tampa.

'We sit the anglers down at a learning station with all the needed supplies for whatever is being taught, rigging a swimming mullet, a popping cork rig, tying a uni-knot or whatever, and walk them through it,' says show director Robin Smillie. 'We carry out the same focus we have in Florida Sportsman magazine, with a ton of how-to stuff everywhere you look.'

The academy is taught by professional fishing guides and pro anglers, and there's also the chance to meet some of the stars of Florida fishing, including retired Florida Sportsman editor Vic Dunaway, and captain Bill Miller of Bright House Networks' Catch 47, who also writes a fishing report for the Tribune.

Hosts of the 'Florida Sportsman Live' radio show Ray Markham and Gary Folden will also be at the show. Markham is also a Tribune fishing writer.

Buster McKenzie of Calusa Castnets will give hands-on instruction in choosing and using a bait net, and at the casting pool, equipped with floating flats boats; many other experts will present clinics on finding and catching Florida's favorite gamefish.

There are more than 100 vendors at the show, offering everything from basic live-bait rigs to high-end marine electronics and the latest flats and offshore boats.

There is also a casting pond for children, and every child who makes a few casts takes home a tackle pack.

AT A GLANCE

WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE: State Fairgrounds

ADMISSION: $8 for adults; free for children 12 and under with parents. Discount ticket coupons at floridasportsman.com/shows.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT