New England Saltwater Fishing Show Returns to Providence with 300 Exhibitor Booths

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show packed more than 300 exhibitor booths into the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence from March 6 to 8, drawing anglers from across the Northeast to what is consistently described as the largest saltwater fishing show of its kind in the region. Presented by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, the three-day event lived up to that billing and then some, with a new offshore tournament announcement stealing the spotlight on opening day.

Scott Travers, executive director of RISAA, cut a symbolic fishing line to open the show Friday alongside Rhode Island Rep. Seth Magaziner and Paul Squarcia, owner of the newly formed RI Breakers Angling Club. Squarcia used the occasion to officially announce the Breakers as an expansion team in the Atlantic Division of the Sport Fishing Championship league. The club's debut event won't be small: a media advisory issued at the show confirmed the first annual Rhode Island Offshore Invitational Tournament, hosted by the city of Newport, scheduled for July 31 through August 2. Competing boats will run 130 miles offshore targeting Blue and White Marlin, Bigeye and Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin and more, with rankings and prize money on the line.

For tuna anglers, that announcement was hard to ignore, but the show floor itself had plenty to keep you busy for all three days. The 300-plus booths covered the full spread: tackle, rods, reels, lures, electronics, charter guides, boats, motors, accessories and clothing. Most exhibitors came in with exclusive show specials, and Travers made a point of flagging that. "You will not want to miss the show specials offered by exhibitors and the great how-to seminars being offered by some of our area's top anglers and charter captains," he said, adding a direct pitch to species-focused anglers: "Learn strategies and tactics to target the species that we all love to catch, eat or release — striped bass, summer flounder, tautog, tuna and a host of others."

The seminars ran non-stop across the weekend, delivered by experienced captains and local experts covering that same roster of species. Travers called the lineup one to be proud of: "We are blessed with a variety of outstanding seminars, exhibitors, and vendors this year demonstrating the latest in fishing gear and tackle, electronics and so much more."

Among the notable international presences at the show was Angling Ireland, the sport fishing tourism arm of Inland Fisheries Ireland, the government agency that manages and regulates both fresh and saltwater fishing throughout Ireland. Their participation was flagged as one of the weekend's highlights.

Admission was $15 at the door. Children 11 and younger got in free and had access to a dedicated kid's casting area. Sunday was Family Day, with women admitted free. For the full seminar schedule, speaker lineup and exhibitor list, nesaltwatershow.com carries all the details.

EastBayRI summed it up simply: the show "was a big hit once again this year." With a new offshore tournament now on the calendar and the Breakers officially in the SFW Atlantic Division, that momentum looks set to carry well into the summer season.