While most of the focus will be on this week’s 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Lew’s serves up a good argument that the 100,000 fans expected to attend might actually benefit more from the pros who aren’t attending. Think about the logic.
Lew’s has five pros competing in the Classic, but another 21 top-tier anglers representing its brand at the Bassmaster Classic Expo in Tulsa later this week.
Among them are seven previous Classic winners in Hank Parker, David Fritts, Paul Elias, Guido Hibdon, Dion Hibdon, Jay Yelas and Cliff Pace. There are also four FLW Forrest Wood Cup titleholders, including Yelas, Dion Hibdon, Randall Tharp and reigning 2015 Cup champion Brad Knight.
Stephen Browning, Terry Scroggins, Kevin Short, Mark Menendez, John Murray, Cliff Prince, Greg Bohannan, Glenn Browne, Bill McDonald, Wesley Strader and Andrew Upshaw also bring impressive bass fishing credentials to Lew’s Expo presence.
Attendees looking for species diversity need to take advantage of Wally Marshall being on hand too. Known as “Mr. Crappie,” Marshall’s entire career has been dedicated to fishing for crappies and educating other anglers on how to catch them. He’ll have the latest in fishing reports and tips for Oklahoma and neighboring states.
Marshall and all Lew’s pros are part of the several dozens of fishing experts representing the more than 150 companies exhibiting at the Expo, meaning the show is a hot spot for fishing expertise.
“Whether you’re an avid angler or beginner, Lew’s pros are here for you,” said company CEO Lynn Reeves. “I mean, having David Fritts show you how to tune a crankbait or Terry Scroggins helping adjust your new baitcast reel is quite the one-on-one experience. I’m confident you’ll find all of our guys quick to share their knowledge, serve up an autograph and smile for a photo.”
Lew’s is also hosting daily booth drawings for prizes that include its new Super Duty Wide Spool baitcast reels, Team Lew’s Pro spinning reels and boat bags. Grand Prize is a limited edition Team Lew’s Pro Speed Spool.
A Lew’s t-shirt toss is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Bassmaster Classic Expo, March 4 – 6, is open to the public and entry is free. Lew’s booth number is 825.
“Of course, we’ll be cheering for our pros in the Classic, but the Expo is a great place to talk fishing while we wait for the daily weigh-ins. We hope to see you there,” Reeves added.
Lew’s anglers competing in the Classic are Jason Christie, Mark Davis, Bill Lowen, Chad Morgenthaler and Marty Robinson.
For more information on Lew’s, visit Lews.com or follow Facebook/Lewsfishing. For more information on the Bassmaster Classic, including the Expo floor plan and daily weigh-in details, visit Bassmaster.com.