New York Boat Show Kicks Off This Week At Javits
December 31, 2012 - After your New Year's festivities are complete, head out to the Javits Center in Manhattan to help 'complete' your holiday angling experience!

From January 3-6, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) will host a series of 'how to' fishing seminars at the New York Boat Show. According to RFA managing director Jim Hutchinson, the slate of fishing seminars has been coordinated exclusively to fit in with the schedules of active saltwater anglers in the New York metropolitan.

"We've set up happy hour seminars on Thursday and Friday to accommodate the after-work crowd, with morning fishing seminars on the weekend to give you more boat show time," Hutchinson said. "We've got some hardcore captains on the seminar stage, as well as some information about becoming a captain for those looking to get into the business."

The NMMA's Fishing University presented by RFA will kick off on Thursday, January 3rd at 6 p.m. with a spotlight on East River Stripers with renowned Manhattan skipper Capt. Tony DiLernia of Rocket Charters. "It's a must for guys looking to master New York Harbor fishing," Hutchinson said. At 7 p.m. on Friday, Staten Island fly and light tackle specialist Capt. Joe Mattioli of On the Bite Charters will put emphasis on light tackle and spin action on New York Bight stripers, blues, weakfish and false albacore.

On Friday January 4th at 6 p.m., Capt. Joe Leggio of ChasinTailTV.com will feature and multimedia presentation that focuses on effectively 'clamming' your way to a mad dog striper bite in New York and New Jersey waters. At 7 p.m. on Friday, as RFA's managing director and president of the New York Sportfishing Federation, Jim Hutchinson will change baits from clam to live bunker while discussing ongoing efforts to protect menhaden stocks and improve angler opportunities with trophy class (50-pound-plus) stripers every season using this fresh, live seasonal bait.

On Saturday morning, January 5th, Rich Johnson of The Fishing Line kicks off an action-packed lineup at 11 a.m. with his ever-popular presentation on using live snapper for doormat fluke in the 10-pound and up category. "These are the tournament-winning fish," Hutchinson said, a lead-in to the giveaway of a brand-new Hydra-Sports 2300 center console which will be awarded on the main seminar stage at noon on Saturday by The Fisherman magazine. In addition to the subscribers only award presentation, Hutchinson said the weekly magazine will have a few extra goodies and giveaways in the seminar area during the ceremony.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday the 5th, Capt. Andy LoCascio of Northeast Angling will put the spotlight back on catching trophy fish, as he offers his insights into scoring big striped bass throughout New York's marine waters, from New York Harbor to Montauk and every place in between. Fellow Northeast Angling co-host and charter boat Captain Rich Tenreiro comes on at 2 p.m. where he'll showcase how he catches big blackfish (tautog) aboard his R&G Charters out of Port Washington on the Island's North Shore.

If you just can't wait to get in on the outstanding fishing action, noted author, Newsday columnist and editor at The Fisherman Magazine, Tom Schlichter, will hit the seminar stage at 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 6th to put the spotlight on the outstanding East End cod bite typically experienced by the charter and party boat fleet from January through February. "Get the tips and schedule the trips, you can still be eating fresh seafood in the dead of winter if you're ready to put the boots to 'em," Hutchinson said.

The Annapolis School of Seamanship will also host a series of informative boating seminars, including a special look at how you can get your own captains license. Whether you want to run your own fishing charters or just take advantage of insurance discounts, this unique seminar on getting your USCG charter certificate will be held on Thursday and Friday evening at 5 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.