It’s that time of year when saltwater anglers start paying closer attention to the tides and water temperatures and mark their calendars for the 4th annual Sportfishing Festival, produced by Pacific Coast Sportfishing.
This year’s Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 27th and 28th at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
“When we started the Festival four years ago,” shares PCS editor and show producer Bill DePriest, “we wanted it to be a lot of things….a kick-off party for the season; a gathering place where anglers, captains and private boat owners can rub shoulders with each other; a chance to check out and purchase some of the newest and most innovative tackle along with replenishing the tried and true; and above all, the opportunity to hear some really great speakers share their insight as to why 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish and what it is that they’re doing differently.”
When it comes to fishing, knowledge is power. Now matter how accomplished an angler you may have become over the years, there are always subtle variations in techniques to try, strategies to employ, and conditions to better understand. “To be among the best means you’re always learning, which is why we created the PCS Festival” adds Drew Lawler, PCS president.
The year’s seminar series at the Festival will feature noted author and PCS columnist Mark Wisch who will share his lifetime of accumulated knowledge on fishing for yellowtails. Einstein understood physics the way Mark understands yellowtail. “In reality, we could literally have Mark on stage debriefing us for the entire two days of the Festival. But we only have him for a one hour slot on both Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, so get there early to get a seat” advises DePriest.
Following Mark at noon will be White Seabass guru Greg Trompas who will interviewed by the legendary Barry Brightenburg. As they say, iron sharpens iron and it will be very interesting to hear these two renowned white seabass experts draw upon each other’s considerable knowledge. Make this the season for your 50 pounder!
Next up will be the dynamic duo of Jimmy Decker and Dave Hansen with calico bass virtuoso Corey Sander at 1:30pm. When it comes to bass fishing, these three guys are simply the best in the business and will show you how and where to target the 8-pounders, which can make for truly epic local trips.
And headlining the seminar series at 3 pm will be none other than Mike “The Beak” Hurt and Todd Mansur as they take you on a simulated Offshore Tuna Hunt. It’s been several years since we have had tuna so you know we are due….be ready and among the first to fly your laundry by attending this very insightful seminar that will change the way you fish for tuna.
If you can’t make all the seminars on Saturday, come join the Festival again on Sunday and catch the ones you missed. “What separates the Festival from other shows is the content of our seminars. It’s why you’ll see professional captains with 30 years of experience sitting next to you taking notes” says DePriest.
This year’s Festival will also offer a “IGFA Tournament Observer Training Course” to be presented on Saturday, April 27th at 9 am. The class instructs experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held across the globe.
The popular course includes species identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules and tackle regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA OTC applications are available here.
Seminar Schedule / all seminar times are the same for both Saturday and Sunday
Doors open at 10 am.
10:30 am to 11:15 am
Yellowtail from Home guards to Kelps featuring Capt. Mark Wisch
12:00 pm to 12:45 pm
Coastal to Island Seabass featuring Captains Barry Brightenburg and Greg Trompass
1:30 pm to 2:15 pm
Calico Bass from Newport to Dana Point featuring Captains Corey Sanden, Jimmy Decker and Dave Hansen
3:00 pm to 3:45 pm
Offshore Tuna Hunt featuring Captains Mike “The Beak” Hurt and Todd Mansur.
