Fishing, Boating Show Expects to Reel In Crowds

Fish enthusiasts can take a long look this week at saltwater bass, calico and halibut--fish usually seen only as they are reeled in or on the dinner table.

More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the second annual Fred Hall Tri-County Sports Show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds through Sunday.

The fishing and boating show’s highlights include the world’s first mobile saltwater bass bin.

Cal State Northridge professor Larry Allen conceived of the 3,500-gallon aquarium after noticing that only freshwater bins existed at such shows.

The goal of the bass bin is to educate the public about angling techniques and the biology and conservation of saltwater bass, which have been overfished.

“Fishing pressure is heavy these days worldwide,” Allen said. “We’re looking at the collapse of the commercial fisheries in this decade. The sport fishing industry has also exploited some fish and that’s what this tank is about--we teach catch and release and conservation to have a sustainable yield in the future.”

The tank also raises money for Allen’s Nearshore Marine Fish Research Program at Northridge, which studies the biology of protected species.

“We need to learn as much about the biology of fish as we can with a goal of reasonable management,” Allen said.

With the exception of the California halibut and kelp bass, little is known about the life cycle of the different varieties of saltwater bass, Allen said.

While Allen speaks about conservation, Mike Gardner shares angling techniques at the bass bin.

“It helps them to be able to visualize these fish in the water,” said Gardner, author of “Fish Have No Hands.”

Gardner said he caught most of the tank’s bass in Long Beach Harbor, where he is a professional fish guide. And after the show, he said, they are returned to Allen’s research facility.

“You’d think the children would be interested in this, [but] it’s really a bigger attraction for the adults. It’s quite a treat for them to see these different species,” he said.

Other show highlights include Buck Potter’s freshwater bass bin stocked with bass from nearby lakes, boats and supplies of all varieties and a giant outdoor tank filled with trout for children to catch.

Admission is $6 for adults and free for children. Hours are 2 to 9 p.m. through Friday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.