Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are celebrating the return of fishing season and inviting customers to trade in used gear to be donated to local charities in exchange for big savings. The 2019 Spring Fishing Classic is a free celebration taking place March 1 – 17 at Cabela’s in Abbotsford.
Customers that donate used rods and reels (in working order) can receive trade-in savings of up to $200 on a new rod and reel. The used fishing equipment will be donated to local nonprofit organizations. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have donated nearly 340,000 products to youth-focused nonprofit organizations as part of the company’s mission to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.
The Classic also includes free fishing seminars for all skill levels, pro appearances, activities for women and children, and free giveaways. Visitors will also see a variety of special offers to upgrade their gear before they hit the water.
“The annual Spring Fishing Classic—a free event that reaches more than seven million people each year—provides great opportunities for families to get ready for fishing season and creating lifelong memories together on the water,” said Bass Pro Shops Communications Manager Katie Mitchell. “We encourage all anglers to participate in our rod and reel trade-in program which allows us to collect and donate products to local organizations that teach young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.”
Free Seminars and Family Events
The 2019 Spring Fishing Classic again offers opportunities to learn from the pros on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 1-3 with fishing seminars being hosted by some of the greatest anglers in the sport. Seminar sessions at Cabela’s in Abbotsford include:
• An In-Depth Look at Depth Finders: Depth finders are a part of most serious anglers’ kits, but how can you use one to truly maximize your performance out of the water? Join us on March 1 at 6:30 p.m. for this in-depth seminar on programming your depth finder to yield big results.
• Rig Building for All Species: Jigs, Specialty Rigs and More: When it comes to choosing jigs, specialty rigs and more, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. On Saturday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m., learn how putting together the perfect rig can help increase your chances of reeling in different types of fish species.
• Casting, Spinning, or Spin-Cast Outfits: What Tackle to Use and Why: Ask any angler, there are nearly endless tackle options to choose from. The type of outfit you are using, as well as the fish species you are targeting, both play into the way you stock your tackle box. Come speak with Cabela’s Pro Staff Aggie Fritz on March 3 at 3:30 p.m. and find out how you can optimize your setup.
Women’s Fishing Workshops are also available with introductory fishing information and helpful tips on Saturday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. The first 15 seminar attendees of each advertised local pro seminar and the Women’s Fishing Workshop will receive a Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s cooler bag and a pair of fishing scissors.
Kids’ Weekend offers free activities focused on teaching kids the basics of fishing. Kids activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. on March 16 and noon to 4 p.m. March 17. Free activities include casting challenges, a fishing workshop, fun craft, and a photo download.
• Local pros will also host seminars throughout the 17-day event
• For a full list of sessions and special appearances, visit www.cabelas.ca/fishingclassic.
Enter to Win
Attendees can enter for a chance to win a fishing trip with professional angler Casey Ashley. The winner will receive a one-day fishing trip on Table Rock Lake, travel expenses and hotel accommodations—a total retail value of $5,000. Enter at the store or online at www.cabelas.ca/fishingclassic.
For trade-in program details, event times and contest information, visit www.cabelas.ca/fishingclassic.
About Bass Pro Shops® Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates
White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”