Friday, February 22nd 2013, 10:47 pm
Die-hard fishing fans will get to check out their favorite anglers this weekend and some never-before-seen fishing gear at the Outdoor Expo inside the Tulsa Convention Center.
And the Convention Center is bracing for record-breaking attendance.
The Expo is 150,000 square feet of everything you can think of that relates to fishing.
"People [don't] think too many people bass fish, but when you come here and look in here, you know how many people [do] bass fish," said Okmulgee resident Mark Baldridge.
There are more than 200 exhibitors, obviously a lot of boats, but also boatloads of other things to keep fishing fans busy.
2/22/2013 Related Story: Bassmaster Classic Expo, Bass Bash Offer Free Family Fun
"There are things here for little kids, there are casting competitions—stuff for everybody. Wives, girlfriends, you name it—bring everybody, because there is something to do here for whatever interest level you have for fishing," said John Mazurkiewicz, with Shimano.
An estimated 100,000 people will attend the three-day event.
"It's pretty awesome. There's a lot of stuff, lot of things going on here, that's for sure. Lot of things to check out," said Tulsan Brad Brooks.
See Bassmaster Expo Events And Interactive Map
And manufacturers unveil many brand new products during the Bassmaster Classic Expo.
"The amount of people, the amount of excitement, the amount of new products that you get to see, it's overwhelming," said Craig Pettigrew, from Dallas. "It's not just what you see at the Walmarts or the Academys. You have to come see it in person."
Many believe the outdoor expo could break attendance records, or at least have the best attendance in a decade. Close proximity to the weigh-ins at the BOK Center make it fan friendly, and Oklahoma's central location, nationally, means it's easy to get to for many travelers.
"It's fantastic, it's great. We've needed something like this for a long time," Baldridge said.
The Bassmaster Classic at the Convention Center runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free.
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