Bass Pro Shops event offers free family-friendly activities, seminars, and Bassmaster University
Bass Pro Shops 2016 Spring Fishing Classic is a celebration of America’s real national pastime—fishing. This free event will be held Feb. 12 – 21 in 76 Bass Pro Shops stores across the U.S. and Canada except for Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, where the event will be hosted March 4 – 13. In addition to the Classic’s free fishing seminars, pro appearances at Bassmaster University, activities for women and youth, and giveaways, shoppers will see a variety of special offers such as rod and reel trade-in savings opportunities and instant bonus offers up to $100.
“The Spring Fishing Classic has become a rite of spring for anglers across the United States and Canada,” said Bass Pro Shops communications manager Katie Mitchell. “The free event reaches more than seven million people and offers families the opportunity to enjoy one of America’s favorite outdoor activities—fishing. The 10-day event allows anglers of all levels to learn from the pros, shop the world’s greatest fishing sale, and enjoy free activities.”
In addition to learning the hottest tips and strategies from the world’s best anglers, Spring Fishing Classic attendees have two weekends to see new fishing gear, live tank demonstrations, and boat shows while the kids enjoy activities just for them.
Plus, customers can enter for a chance to win a fishing trip with the pros—Kevin Van Dam, Mark Zona, and Dave Mercer—in the Smashin’ Smallies with KVD, Zona and Mercer contest. The winner and a guest will receive a two-day, one-night smallmouth fishing trip in Michigan. Fishing equipment and travel accommodations will be provided—a total retail value of $5,000. Register at the stores or online at www.basspro.com/classicsweeps.
The 2016 Spring Fishing Classic offers the opportunity to learn from the pros during Bassmaster University fishing seminars hosted by some of the greatest anglers in the sport:
• Kevin VanDam – Four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
• Ott DeFoe – Five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.
• Edwin Evers – 10-time Bassmaster Elite Series winner.
• Mark Zona – Host of “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show” and “The Bassmasters” television shows.
• Scott Rook – Bassmaster Elite Series pro and nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.
Local pros also will host seminars throughout the 10-day event. Check www.basspro.com/classic to see the dates, times, and locations of local seminars and Bassmaster University.
Women are invited to attend a free seminar to learn basic fishing information and tips on how fishing can be fun. The seminar is Saturday, February 20 at 1:30 p.m. (Saturday March 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary) and the first 25 women to attend an advertised women’s seminar will receive a Bass Pro Shops tumbler.
The 2016 Spring Fishing Classic wraps up with the Next Generation Weekend. The free activity-filled weekend focuses on teaching kids the basics of fishing. Kids’ activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 21. In Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake,Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores, kids’ activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. March 12 and 13. Free activities include casting challenges, a fishing workshop, fun craft, and a photo download.
In addition to offering free, family friendly activities, the 2016 Spring Fishing Classic offers the world’s greatest fishing sale. Old rod and reels can be traded in at the Pass It On booth to receive a discount coupon to use toward the purchase of a new rod or reel. All trade-ins will be donated to local youth organizations to help support outdoor education programs. To date, Bass Pro Shops has donated over 216,451 products to local organizations that teach young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.
Those using a Bass Pro Shops credit card to purchase new gear can receive up to $100 via instant rebate.
Other offers during the Spring Fishing Classic include the chance to receive a Bass Pro Shops gift card valued up to $1,000 with the purchase of select boat models from Tracker Marine. Also during Tracker Marine’s “Hold the Line” promotion, you can select from the 2016 line up of Tracker, Sun Tracker, Nitro, Mako and Regency and most at 2015 prices. Visit www.basspro/classic for more information on qualifying purchases.
Pros, events, seminars and times vary per store location and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. To see pros, seminars, topics, and times at local stores visit www.basspro.com/classic.
About Bass Pro Shops® Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 98 stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® , a leading brand of fishing boats for more than 37 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® , voted by Travel + Leisure as one of the top 50 Best Hotels for Families in the U.S. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO.
By: Katie Mitchell, Bass Pro Shops
