Thousands attend Sportsman’s expo
Fans of fishing, hunting and boating must have felt like little kids on Christmas this past weekend as thousands of them filled the Lee Civic Center for one of the longest running events at the venerable old building.
The 24th annual Florida Sportsman Expo featured more than 100 vendors, 50 classes and seminars and lots of activities for sportsmen of all ages and genders. Much of the action took place indoors, but there were also activities and RVs and other expensive toys on sale outdoors.
David East, who was in charge of the show, said if it involved the great outdoors, this show was certain to have it, and the economy and weather helped bring more people in.
“When it’s too chilly to fish, people tend to come here and it helps out attendance,” East said. “Our last show at Fort Pierce was up in attendance 52 percent from last year. It’s been growing as the economy has gotten better.”
The biggest draw of the event were the seminars. The five stages ran five seminars per day for people of all skill levels. Most of the seminars were on fishing by boat, kayak or off the pier, and also on how to catch those certain fishes, what to do at certain times of the year, even fileting your catch.
In the center of the arena, more than 80 chairs were set up so experts can teach and give hands-on demonstrations on rigging a line, how to tie a hook and other things.
The teachers were of all ages. Lindsey Roberts, 14, had a seminar on hunting with dad, showing the safe way for kids to carry a gun.
Chasten Whitfield, 16, taught castnetting to kids. She said she learned to do it herself after getting one stuck in her braces as a child.
“I love teaching kids and fishing with them. I just like helping. I thought I could take my love for both of them, so I taught myself a super-easy way to throw a castnet so kids can do it,” Whitfield said.
Casey Streeter of Matlacha came to the show with his 3-year-old son, Kai, to learn more about the products and attend the seminars and to watch his take a shot at the castnet.
“I’m a chartered guide and our family does its thing on the water,” Streeter said. “Kai is a great fisherman. He’s caught snook, tuna, some mahi. He can even bait his hook.”
There were also great buying opportunities. There was bait and tackle, poles, hunting equipment, guns, bats, RVs and other items available for sale.
There were also services available. Heather O’Brien worked with SeaTow of Fort Myers and she was happy to see people support local boating.
“We’re an onwater assistance program. If you break down on the water, we’ll fuel drop or tow home your boat,” O’Brien said. “We’re like AAA for boaters.”
Such an event brought people from all over Southwest Florida. Jeff Rimar, of Naples, said it was nice to see all kinds of boats geared for area waters.
“I’m here to observe the different products and catch some seminars. I have a group who’s very heavy into fishing,” Rimar said. “It would be nice to learn a few things and see what new products are out there. Anything new in boating is something we need to see.”