NEW YORK SPORTFISHING FEDERATION?S 29TH ANNUAL FREEPORT FORUM & AUCTION
The Annual New York Sportfishing Federation Forum & Auction will be held at the Freeport Recreation Center on February 18, 19 and 20, featuring seminars by the region?s top fishermen. Now in its 29th year, the New York Sportfishing Federation Forum & Auction at the Freeport Recreation Center is the ?can?t miss? sportfishing event of the year in New York.

The show opens on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. with a good crowd expected early as anglers search out the best early deals to be found among the 50 exhibitor booths, with a happy-hour seminar by Newsday outdoor columnist and author Tom Schlichter.

A full day of seminars will commence at 8 a.m. on Saturday, continuing until the show closing at 6 p.m. featuring at Capt. Al Goldberg (East End Trophy Fluke), Capt. Harry Weinblatt (Canyon Tuna & Marlin), Capt. Larry Festa (Monster Shark Fishing), Nick Karas (Sight-Casting New York?s Tidal Flats), Capt. Rich Tenreiro (Blackfishing Tips of the Pros), Capt. ?Kayak? Jerry Collins (Gear Up For Kayak Fishing), John Skinner (A Fish Eye?s Perspective On Targeting Fluke), Mark Malenovsky (Sand Eel Explosion in the Striper Surf), Capt. Bob Rocchetta (L.I. Stripers - First Bass to Trophy Catch), Capt. Jerry McGrath (Trip of a Lifetime, Tanaku Lodge, Alaska), Gary Caputi and Tony Maja (Striped Bass & The Bunker Run), Ralph ?Tin Man? Votta (Surf Fishing With Tins), Capt. Phil Kess (Gear up With Rigs, Knots & Special Tactics), Bruce ?Blue Front? Froth (Trophy Bucktailing), and Capt. Bob Schmitt (Freeport Wreck Fishing Secrets).

Sunday?s seminar line-up includes Capt. Rick Cohen (Getting Your Captain?s License), Capt. Stu Patterson (North Shore Light Tackle Action), Capt. John Marino (Long Island Blackfish Jigging), Dean Delle Donne (Offshore Rigging Workshop), and Capt. Andy LoCascio with a spotlight on striped bass. Sunday wraps up with a gigantic charity auction at 2:30 as nearly a hundred fishing related items and trips go up for bid, including autographed artwork by Carey Chen, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tanaku Lodge in Alaska, a shot at giant bluefin tuna on the Outer Banks, top-of-the-line rods & reels, as well as guided trips throughout the New York marine district! Free admission to the Auction after 2 p.m.

All proceeds from the three-day show and auction will benefit the New York Sportfishing Federation and its ongoing efforts to protect and serve the sportfishing community throughout New York. The 29th Annual ?Freeport Show? is open from 2p-6p on February 18th, 8a-6p on February 19th and 9a-2:30p on February 20th.

Admission is $10, $8 for kids and seniors, and children under 12 are free. Location is 130 E. Merrick Road in Freeport, less than half mile west of Exit M9W off the Meadowbrook. Look for the Federation postcard in your mailbox in the coming days ? you?ll get a chance to win a captain?s bag stuffed with wood plugs and other goodies just for stopping by the New York Sportfishing Federation and Recreational Fishing Alliance booth when you come to the show! When you join or re-join the Federation & RFA at the show, you'll automatically be entered into a prize drawing to win a new Lamiglas "Crazy Alberto" Extreme Series 10-footer for the season ahead!

For exact seminar times and a list of vendors, visit www.nysf.org.