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Outdoors Expo Kicks Off In Tampa

Tribune photo by FRANK SARGEANT

Bass pro Keith Johnson speaks in front of the Bass Tub, a giant freshwater aquarium loaded with largemouths.

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By FRANK SARGEANT

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 22, 2009

Hunters, anglers, boaters and outdoors families will gather with thousands of their closest friends at the 2009 Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo & Boat Show toady at the Florida State Fairgrounds east of Tampa.

It should be one of the best yet.

The show comes at just the right time for those tuning up for some spring fishing. The bass are on the beds in freshwater, and crappies are biting everywhere. In saltwater, a week of hot weather will bring the snook down the river mouths, start the redfish feeding, and turn on the trout on the deeper grass. It also will bring the first of the baitfish migrations into the area and start the whole cycle of Spanish and king mackerel, cobia and more.

At the heart of the Expo is the Sportsman's University, which provides continuous how-to information from the area's outdoors experts on exactly how to catch that lunker bass or snook, where to find the flats that hold tailing reds, how to work a topwater for big trout, or just what it takes to whip a tarpon.

There are some 60 seminars this year, on five stages. The instructors include all of the Bay area's best-known outdoors personalities.

Just as important, there is plenty to do at the show for youngsters, headed by the fishing derbies. The popular events are hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Children get an opportunity to fish the private lakes behind Expo Hall, with tackle and bait supplied, plenty of advice and even a helping hand at taking fish off the hook. With good weather, the lake often produces bass to 5 pounds, catfish to 8 pounds and plenty of panfish.

For hundreds of Bay area children, the Expo has provided their first fishing experience.

When they tire of fishing, the kids can try the climbing wall, harnessed safely as they make their way up. Or come back to Earth and learn to cast a fly, throw a cast net, tie a clinch knot or build a shock leader - with their mother and father likely right beside them for the latter lessons.

The Bass Tub, a monster aquarium loaded with wild lunker bass, is also a major attraction at the Expo. Bass pro Keith Johnson usually manages to fool several of the fish into attacking his lures during the course of the show, but he faces many of the same challenges all of us deal with on the water as the fish get "educated" to his lures.

A new feature this year is the "Be a Diver" pool, which will provide a free introduction to SCUBA diving, with loaner gear for anyone interested in giving it a try.

Also, Mike Williams brings back his highly popular Grilling Stage, showing how to grill everything from fish and game to pineapples and peppers.

There's also a great assortment of fishing boats and kayaks at the show this year, many with the best prices in years because of the economy.

Parking costs $5 for cars, $10 for RVs and buses. The show will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

The fairgrounds are at 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. Visitors are asked to enter the fairgrounds at the U.S. 301 entrance.

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