Bass Pro Shops to host fishing event

Boat show, demonstrations and more on tap

Danielle Nadler/ViewJason Ohmes organizes reels in the fishing department inside Bass Pro Shops at 8200 Dean Martin Drive on Feb. 10. Ohmes is scheduled to give a presentation on tournament fishing during the Bass Pro Shops? Spring Fishing Classic, which begins on Friday and runs through March 15. Advertisement

Right about now, as the temperatures creep toward the 60s, the outdoorsy types are itching to get off their couches and step into the sunshine. It's no surprise that Bass Pro Shops jumpstarts its biggest event of the year this Friday. The Spring Fishing Classic, a 17-day affair, includes live demonstrations, seminars on all things fish, a boat show, sales, giveaways, kids' events and plenty of chances for customers to brag about their latest catch. Each event is free.

"We bring our professionals in to teach our customers about fishing and boating and match them up to the right products," said Mark Ellenberger, general manager of Bass Pro Shops at 8200 Dean Martin Drive. "It's a way that we can make folks feel like they're one with nature again."

The free Fishing University features pro bass fisherman Edwin Evers, who will talk about fishing electronics at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, and pro bass fisherman Denny Brauer, who will present "Flippin' and Pitchin'" at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. The Fishing University also includes a bait demonstration in Bass Pro Shops' massive fresh water tank, and March 7, 8, 14 and 15 feature seminars on "Fishing Season Guide" and "Fly Casting Basics."

Jason Ohmes, who works in the fishing department at Bass Pro Shops, will lead a seminar on tournament fishing. He encourages first-time tournament fishermen to pace themselves before they dive into the expensive tournaments.

"A lot of people want to get into the larger tournaments, but it's better to start with local clubs and get comfortable," Ohmes said.

He also suggests that fishermen get to know the local spots.

The valley's most popular fishing holes are Lake Mead, Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, Lorenzi Park and Sunset Park.

"Even though it's a desert, there are a lot of decent places to fish," he said.

The spring classic is a good chance for those who have never picked up a reel to learn the basics of the sport, Ellenberger said. Veteran fishermen will be on hand to teach first-timers fish species found in the Las Vegas area and how to pick out the right bait and the right equipment.

Throughout the Spring Fishing Classic, people can bring in their old reels and receive $5 to $100 off the purchase price of a new reel. The donated reels will be given to a local nonprofit.

The Spring Fishing Classic is followed by a boat show March 20 through 27. Seminars during the show cover fishing technique and equipment, motors and fish finders. Customers can win a boat, a GPS fish finder or an Artic Cat ATV, among other prizes.

Even in the face of the insecure economy, Ellenberger expects thousands to come out for the spring classic.

"At a time like this, it's the simple things in life that you can enjoy the most, and we definitely have that kind of environment," he said. "Customers come in here, and they spend hours walking around. When they leave, we really want them to feel like they met a friend today."

Contact Southeast and Southwest View reporter Danielle Nadler at dnadler@viewnews.com or 224-5524.