Five Winter Shows for Bass Fishermen
From January through March, there are dozens of fishing shows to attend between Virginia and Maine. Many of these trade shows and expos are saltwater-fishing focused, which is why we’ve selected a handful of winter shows for bass fishermen to attend, along with a few suggestions of noteworthy exhibitors to visit at each one.
New Hampshire Outdoor Expo
When: March 7-9, 2025
Where: Hampshire Dome, Milford, NH
Visit These Exhibitors:
Berkshire Bass – Booth 328
Book a trip in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts with esteemed bass fishing guide, Spencer Cookson. They’re also a supplier of popular bass fishing brands like Beast Coast, Megabass, Gambler, Douglas Rods and more.
Different Baits – Booth 428
Support small business and explore their selection of locally made, custom-painted bass lures. Choose from a wide range of jerkbaits and crankbaits or spooks and wakebaits to catch a new PB this season.
Duckett Rods – Booth 608
Need a new setup before the prespawn season rolls around? Check out a selection of American-made spinning and casting rods constructed along the shores of the Tennessee River in the famed bass fishing destination of Guntersville, AL.
Real Prey Swimbaits – Booth 425
If you like throwing XL swimbaits for trophy largemouth, Real Prey is a must-visit booth. Based in Massachusetts, these soft plastics are available in an array of sizes and natural baitfish patterns that are sure to dupe the biggest bass in your go-to pond.
View the full list of exhibitors
New England Fishing Expo
When: January 31-February 2, 2025
Where: Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough, MA
Visit These Exhibitors:
BullShad Swimbaits – Booth 604
Check out a selection of heavy-duty swimbaits and wakebaits made here in the USA by former fishing guide turned lure builder, Mike Bucca.
Defiant Baits – Booth 517
There’s no shortage of stocked trout ponds across the Northeast, and in many of those trout ponds, there are jumbo, trout-eating bass. Explore Defiant’s lineup of soft-plastic trout and perch-imitation swimbaits, among other natural patterns, or re-up on bladed baits and jigheads for the spring season.
Beast Coast Fishing – Booth 860
Stock up on jigs, craws, finesse swimbaits and more from this tackle manufacturer based near one of Connecticut’s bass havens, Candlewood Lake. Their baits are developed using first-hand experience and are designed to keep their customers rods bent even through the Northeast’s most challenging, ever-changing conditions.
Minn Kota/Humminbird – Booth 318
With the recent introduction of forward-facing sonar, bass fishermen around the country are rushing to upgrade their electronics. Swing by their booth to get the scoop on Humminbird’s new Mega Live 2 technology and the key features that will help to keep you on the bite year-round.
» Plus, sit in on seminars and demos from local professionals like Bassmaster Elite Series Anglers Alex Wetherell and Kyle Patrick.
View the full list of exhibitors
Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show
When: March 21-23, 2025
Where: Mohegan Sun Earth Expo & Convention Center, Uncasville, CT
Visit These Exhibitors:
CT Fish Nerd – Booth 228
Book a trip with OTW Columnist and kayak fishing guide Josh Rayner, and while you’re at it, scoop up a few of his hand-tied hair jigs that are specifically designed to imitate natural crawfish and baitfish patterns.
Doomsday Tackle – Booths 428 & 430
Based in Chatham, VA, Doomsday offers a slew of specialized rods for bass anglers, whether you’re looking for a crankbait-specific casting rod or a lightweight spinning setup for dropshots and Ned rigs.
Game On! LLC – Booth 124
Based in Connecticut, Game On Lures has been one of the leaders of the new school when it comes to striped bass baits. Now, they’re stepping into the freshwater bass scene with their tear-resistant DuraTech paddletails, available in a range of sizes and colors that are sure to crush smallmouth and largemouth.
Mayo Baits – Booth 219
Established in 2006, Mayo Baits first caught on with the RI Bass Nation. These hand-poured soft plastics are made locally and come in a wide variety of styles that mimic local bass forage, from tubes and stickbaits to creature baits and finesse swimbaits.
» Hit your favorite booths and listen to a seminar hosted by trophy fishing specialist “Crazy” Alberto Knie, or take notes as kayak tournament angler Ryan Nye dives into competitive fishing strategies for smallmouth and largemouth bass.
View the full list of exhibitors
Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
When: February 13-16, 2025
Where: Niagara Falls Convention Center, Niagara Falls, NY
Visit These Exhibitors:
New York Kayak Bass Fishing – Booth # TBD
If you’re a kayak fisherman looking to dip your toes into the competitive side of bass fishing, the NYKBF Club is a great place to start. They offer live and online tournaments across New York State for anglers of all ages and skill levels. In recent years, their most attended tournament is the charity tournament in April, with all proceeds donated to local suicide prevention charities. Fish competitively, and feel good about it.
Fish USA – Booth # TBD
Support our friends at Fish USA—a company that started small in a garage back in 2000 and has since grown into one of the Northeast’s largest gear and tackle distributors. Based just inland from the shores of Lake Erie in Fairview, PA, they offer a wide range of rods, reels, lures, electronics, terminal tackle and more for bass fishermen of all walks.
Buffalo Tackle – Booth # TBD
This local tackle manufacturer based in Buffalo, NY, cranks out proven bass baits under their Challenger Lures brand, from jerkbaits and jointed minnows to bucktail and marabou hair jigs. Their lures are specifically designed to dupe the Empire State’s big, cold water bass.
Acme Tackle – Booth # TBD
Headquartered in Providence, RI, Acme has been a longtime leader in tackle manufacturing whether you’re a die-hard ice fisherman or a leisurely, warm-weather wader in the local bass pond. Grab a couple packs of Kalin’s soft-plastic grubs to tip your bladed jigs, and stock up on metals like the classic Kastmaster or blade baits like the Reef Runner Cicada.
» Once you’ve made your rounds and restocked your tackle trays, enjoy seminars from local bass aficionados like tournament angler Brad Brodnicki.
View the full list of exhibitors
Philadelphia Fishing Show
When: February 14-16, 2025
Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA
Visit These Exhibitors:
Reel River Adventures – Booth 230 & 232
Book a bass fishing charter with a buddy on either the Susquehanna, Juniata, or Delaware rivers in one of Reel River’s custom jet boats. When conditions allow, they run trips 6-7 days a week between March and December. They target both largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the owner has such faith in their guides that, in the event you don’t catch a bass, you don’t pay!
Clyde’s Cranks – Booth 701
Glidebait and swimbait fanatics are sure to find a tournament quality trophy bass bait here. Clyde’s Cranks offers custom painted glides, swimbaits, and of course, crankbaits, in natural patterns, as well as customizable patterns to meet your design requirements. On top of that, they’ve got a collection of glossy black and red topwaters (ideal for the night shift angler), and even a series of custom-painted, budget-friendly lures.
Daddy Mac Lures – Booth 302
Based in Massachusetts, Daddy Mac Lures has created several staple saltwater and freshwater baits over the years. Despite placing emphasis on saltwater tackle, their freshwater glidebait lineup is no joke, offering jointed trout, bluegill, crappie, and snake imitations with the durability of a striped bass plug.
» After picking up a few new baits, head over to the Hawg Trough—a 5,000 gallon demo tank full of freshwater fish species of Pennsylvania. Watch and listen as tournament bass anglers like Bobby Uhrig and Grae Buck provide demonstrations with a wide selection of lures and while giving some firsthand insight into how to effectively fish them.
View the full list of exhibitors
Source: https://onthewater.com/five-winter-shows-for-bass-fishermen
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