CULLMAN, Ala. – The largest fishing expo in Alabama history is set to make its debut in Cullman, Jan. 16–18, at the Cullman OmniPlex. The Ultimate Fishing Expo will feature hundreds of vendor booths showcasing fishing gear, expert-led seminars, exclusive show-only deals and numerous prize drawings for attendees.
The three-day event will run Friday, Jan. 16, from noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Vendors will offer a wide range of rods, reels, lures, terminal tackle and accessories for anglers of all interests, including bass, crappie, catfish, trout and more.
“This is truly a weekend dedicated to all kinds of fishing,” said expo organizer Jeff Shelton, owner of Spanker Jigs. “If you love fishing but are tired of going to boat shows full of party boats, this is your ultimate fishing weekend!”
In addition to shopping opportunities, attendees can take advantage of exclusive show-only discounts, product bundles and a full lineup of live seminars held throughout the weekend. Seminar topics will include bass, crappie and catfish fishing, live sonar technology and even demonstrations on pouring custom soft plastics. A Ranger RT188P boat, valued at approximately $40,000, will serve as the grand draw prize and will be wrapped live at the expo for attendees to watch the process.
Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a canned food donation benefiting Cullman Caring for Kids. Seniors ages 65 and older and veterans may attend for $8. Each ticket includes one entry into the prize drawings, with additional entries available for purchase for $5.
Food will be available throughout the weekend, with the OmniPlex café open during show hours and food trucks planned if crowds exceed expectations.
The event will also include celebrity appearances and guest speakers, including Hannah Barron, along with professional anglers Brandon Lester, Jordan Lee and Wes Logan. Additional speakers scheduled to appear include Crappie Dan, Wilson “The Professor” Frazier, Tyler Moses, Chad Buechler, Stacey Gaston and Brandon Crimmons.
Shelton said the idea for the expo began close to home. “The inspiration for putting this together came from my girlfriend, Christy,” he shared. “We’ve traveled to shows all over the place with Spanker Jigs, and one day she asked, ‘Why don’t we do our own show?’ That question planted the seed, and it just kept growing.”
He added, “As it began to grow, I realized that this is the most fishing stuff that has ever been under one roof in Alabama. We want this to be an annual event and are in the process of booking the same weekend every year, hopefully for many years to come.”
For full details, including vendor lists, seminar schedules, floor plans, parking information and prize drawings, visit www.ultimatefishingexpo.com or follow Alabama’s Ultimate Fishing Expo on Facebook.
