Boat Show Powers Into Atlantic City Through Sunday

The long-anticipated Atlantic City Boat Show starts 11 AM today and runs through 5 PM Sunday at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

After a two-year COVID hiatus, hopes are high that, despite rapidly escalating fuel prices, supply delays, and parts shortages, well, the urge to buy is strong enough to sign on the dotted line(s).

Signs are certainly encouraging, though. While attending/working three of the four days at the NJ Marine Trades Boat Show two weeks ago at the NJ Convention & Expo Center in Edison, we were surprised not only at the attendance but the number of boats being sold. Even on the show opener, Thursday, February 17, traditionally the slowest day floor traffic-wise, contracts were being signed.

This augers well for the upcoming Atlantic City event.

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From sportfishing and pleasure yachts to center consoles, walkarounds, jet boats, pontoons and tri-toons, PWCs, fish ‘n skis, bowriders, skiffs, inflatables, kayaks, canoes, SUPs...they’re all under one roof at 1 Convention Boulevard.

Ditto marine electronics, marine accessories and supplies, nautical wear, marine services, marinas, outboard engines, marine insurance services, charter boats, dock services, boating schools, fishing tackle manufacturers, custom marine jewelry, fisheries conservation organizations, fishing tackle dealers, fishing publications, and more.

All told, nearly 300 exhibitors. Figure on staying the day, then returning for another visit.

To be sure, this is one of the premier boat shows on the east coast, and all indications point to a super event.

More than worth the price of admission are the seminars presented by The Fisherman Magazine. These will run all five days and are given by some of the most knowledgeable, accomplished, and well-known anglers in the northeast. The classes, held in Space P32, cover it all, from the tidal river to bay to surf/jetty, and inshore to offshore.

A few you don’t want to miss include the following.

Wednesday: Striped Bass on Bait (1 pm); Kayak Fishing (2:30 pm); Introduction to Tuna Fishing (4:15 pm).

Thursday: Fishing Absecon Inlet Jetties (1 pm); South Jersey Sheepshead (4:15 pm).

Friday: Trolling for Tuna (1 pm); Jigging Doormat Fluke (2:30 pm); South Jersey Wreck Fishing (4:15 pm); Popping and Jigging Tuna (5:30 pm).

Saturday: Catching Jumbo Tog (11 am); Fluke Fishing Sandy Hook to Delaware Bay (1:15 pm); Fishing Offshore Species (2:30 pm).

Sunday: Art of the Cast (noon); Flutter Spoon Stripers (1pm); Trolling Motor Tactics for Fluke (2:15pm); NE Striper Study (3:30pm).

The full roster of seminars and list of exhibitors is available at acboatshow.com.

Show admission is $18 ages 13 and above; free for youngsters 12 and under. Show hours are 11 am-8 pm Wednesday-Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 10 am-6 pm Sunday.