2016 Spring Fishing Classic Calendar Listing

WHAT: Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic

WHEN: February 12 – 21, 2016

(March 4 –13, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary locations)

WHERE: 76 Bass Pro Shops stores across United States and Canada

COST: FREE

ABOUT: Bass Pro Shops' Spring Fishing Classic offers sportsmen and women, kids, and families interested in fishing the opportunity to enjoy 10 days filled with the latest fishing gear, tips, outdoor celebrities, giveaways, and more. The Spring Fishing Classic provides opportunities for novice and experienced anglers to learn from the pros while kids can attend a fishing workshop, participate in the casting challenge, win prizes, and more during the Next Generation weekend.

IMPACT: Nearly 40 million licensed anglers generate over $46 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people. At least 60 million anglers fished at some point over the past five-year years (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

MORE: Pros, events, seminars and times vary per store location and are subject to change. To see pros, seminars, topics, and times at local stores visit www.basspro.com/classic beginning February 3.

Special Spring Fishing Classic events

• Rod & Reel Trade-In: Rod and reel trade-ins are now accepted during the entire 10-day event. Save up to $200 on qualifying rod and reel purchases. All trade-ins will be donated to local youth organizations to support their outdoor education programs. To date, Bass Pro Shops has donated over 216,451 items. Rod & Reel Trade-In is available from Feb. 12 – 21 during store hours (March 4 – 13 at Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores).

• Instant Rebate: Use a Bass Pro Shops credit card to purchase new gear and receive up to $100 in instant rebate Feb. 12 – 21 (March 4 -13 for Anchorage, Alaska) during store hours (U.S. stores only).

• Bassmaster University features seminars from the greatest anglers in the sport Feb. 12 – 21 (March 4 –13 at Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores). In addition, local pros will host seminars throughout the 10-day event. Check www.basspro.com/classic to see the dates, times, and locations of local seminars and Bassmaster University.

• Women's Fishing Workshop provides women basic fishing information and tips on how fishing can be fun Saturday, February 20 at 1:30 p.m. (Saturday, March 12 at 1:30 p.m. at Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores).

• Smashin' Smallies with KVD, Zona and Mercer: Enter to win a fishing trip with the pros—Kevin VanDam, Mark Zona, and Dave Mercer. The winner and a guest will receive a two-day, one-night smallmouth fishing trip in Michigan. Fishing equipment and travel accommodations will be provided—a total retail value of $5,000.

• Triple Crown Bonus Days: Receive three times the rewards points, free standard power pros accessory installation, and up to $100 in bonus bucks with purchase of qualified items during store hours Feb. 12–16 (during store hours March 4–8 Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary).

• Uncle Bucks Fried Fish Sampling: Saturday, February 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (March 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores).

• Next Generation Weekend: Free activities for kids including the casting challenge, photo opportunity, craft, and a fishing workshop February 20 and 21, noon to 5 p.m. (March 12 and 13 noon to 5 p.m. at Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores).

Pros, events, seminars and times vary per store location and are subject to change. To see pros, seminars, topics, and times at local stores visit www.basspro.com/classic.

Spring Fishing Classic 2016: Experience the World's Greatest Fishing event and sale

Bass Pro Shops event offers free family-friendly activities, seminars, and Bassmaster University

Bass Pro Shops 2016 Spring Fishing Classic is a celebration of America's real national pastime—fishing. This free event will be held Feb. 12 – 21 in 76 Bass Pro Shops stores across the U.S. and Canada except for Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, where the event will be hosted March 4 – 13. In addition to the Classic's free fishing seminars, pro appearances at Bassmaster University, activities for women and youth, and giveaways, shoppers will see a variety of special offers such as rod and reel trade-in savings opportunities and instant bonus offers up to $100.

"The Spring Fishing Classic has become a rite of spring for anglers across the United States and Canada," said Bass Pro Shops communications manager Katie Mitchell. "The free event reaches more than seven million people and offers families the opportunity to enjoy one of America's favorite outdoor activities—fishing. The 10-day event allows anglers of all levels to learn from the pros, shop the world's greatest fishing sale, and enjoy free activities."

In addition to learning the hottest tips and strategies from the world's best anglers, Spring Fishing Classic attendees have two weekends to see new fishing gear, live tank demonstrations, and boat shows while the kids enjoy activities just for them.

Plus, customers can enter for a chance to win a fishing trip with the pros—Kevin Van Dam, Mark Zona, and Dave Mercer—in the Smashin' Smallies with KVD, Zona and Mercer contest. The winner and a guest will receive a two-day, one-night smallmouth fishing trip in Michigan. Fishing equipment and travel accommodations will be provided—a total retail value of $5,000. Register at the stores or online at www.basspro.com/classicsweeps.

The 2016 Spring Fishing Classic offers the opportunity to learn from the pros during Bassmaster University fishing seminars hosted by some of the greatest anglers in the sport:

• Kevin VanDam - Four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
• Ott DeFoe – Five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.
• Edwin Evers – 10-time Bassmaster Elite Series winner.
• Mark Zona – Host of "Zona's Awesome Fishing Show" and "The Bassmasters" television shows.
• Scott Rook – Bassmaster Elite Series pro and nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.

Local pros also will host seminars throughout the 10-day event. Check www.basspro.com/classic to see the dates, times, and locations of local seminars and Bassmaster University.

Women are invited to attend a free seminar to learn basic fishing information and tips on how fishing can be fun. The seminar is Saturday, February 20 at 1:30 p.m. (Saturday March 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary) and the first 25 women to attend an advertised women's seminar will receive a Bass Pro Shops tumbler.

The 2016 Spring Fishing Classic wraps up with the Next Generation Weekend. The free activity-filled weekend focuses on teaching kids the basics of fishing. Kids' activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 21. In Anchorage, Alaska, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake,Ontario, Moncton/Dieppe, New Brunswick, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores, kids' activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. March 12 and 13. Free activities include casting challenges, a fishing workshop, fun craft, and a photo download.

In addition to offering free, family friendly activities, the 2016 Spring Fishing Classic offers the world's greatest fishing sale. Old rod and reels can be traded in at the Pass It On booth to receive a discount coupon to use toward the purchase of a new rod or reel. All trade-ins will be donated to local youth organizations to help support outdoor education programs. To date, Bass Pro Shops has donated over 216,451 products to local organizations that teach young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.

Those using a Bass Pro Shops credit card to purchase new gear can receive up to $100 via instant rebate.

Other offers during the Spring Fishing Classic include the chance to receive a Bass Pro Shops gift card valued up to $1,000 with the purchase of select boat models from Tracker Marine. Also during Tracker Marine's "Hold the Line" promotion, you can select from the 2016 line up of Tracker, Sun Tracker, Nitro, Mako and Regency and most at 2015 prices. Visit www.basspro/classic for more information on qualifying purchases.

Pros, events, seminars and times vary per store location and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. To see pros, seminars, topics, and times at local stores visit www.basspro.com/classic beginning February 3.

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