SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Bass Pro Shops 2015 Spring Fishing Classic is offering new features and an earlier date. This free event will be held Feb. 6-15 in 66 Bass Pro Shops stores across the U.S. and Canada except for Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary, where the event will be hosted March 20-29. In addition to the Classic's free fishing seminars, pro appearances at Bassmaster University, activities for women and youth, and giveaways, shoppers will see a variety of new special offers. For the first time ever, Rod & Reel Trade-In savings opportunities will occur throughout the 10-day event. New this year, shoppers who use their Bass Pro Shops credit card can earn up to a $100 rebate. Plus, anglers can audition for Bass Pro Shops new reality TV show The Next Great Angler.

"The Spring Fishing Classic reaches over 7 million people in the United States and Canada, helping instill a love for the outdoors and fishing -a hallmark of Bass Pro Shops." said Bass Pro Shops communications director Tammy Sapp "The 10-day event allows anglers of all levels to learn from the pros, shop the world's greatest fishing sale, and enjoy free activities that get the whole family excited and ready to hit the water with rod and reel in hand."

In addition to learning the hottest tips and strategies from the world's best anglers, Spring Fishing Classic attendees have two weekends to see new fishing gear, live tank demonstrations, and boat shows while the kids enjoy activities just for them.


New this year, customers can enter for a chance to compete on the new fishing show The Next Great Angler. The show features 12 anglers competing head-to-head to become the next great angler. The winner walks away with the title, one year's usage of a new Nitro, a Toyota Tundra, awesome new fishing gear, and paid entry fees to the 2016 Bassmaster opens. Register online starting Jan. 28, 2015, or during in-store auditions Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register online starting March 11 for stores in Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary. In-store auditions will be held Tuesday, March 24 at these two locations.


Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic
Bass Pro Shops 2015 Spring Fishing Classic is held Feb. 6 - 15 at 66 stores across the U.S. and Canada. It is held March 25 - 29 in Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary.
The Opening Day Countdown TV show will be on the Outdoor Channel Feb. 9-15 at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time. The show is filmed in front of a live audience at the Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, Missouri, and features all the latest tips and tricks you need to know for a great season on the water. The show is hosted by popular TV fishing show host Mark Zona; Kevin VanDam, four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year; and Tommy Sanders, ESPN Outdoors announcer and host.


The 2015 Spring Fishing Classic offers the opportunity to learn from the pros during Bassmaster University fishing seminars hosted by some of the greatest anglers in the sport:


• Kevin VanDam - Four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion and seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
• Jimmy Houston - America's favorite fisherman and member of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
• Tim Horton - Former Bassmaster angler of the year and four-time Bassmaster Elite Series Winner.
• Stacey King - Twelve-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier and three-time FLW Championship Qualifier.

Local pros also will host seminars throughout the 10-day event. Check http://www.basspro.com/classic to see the dates, times, and locations of local seminars and Bassmaster University.

Women are invited to attend a free seminar to learn fishing tips and how-to information on outdoor cooking and more. The seminar is Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. (Saturday March 28 at 3 p.m. in Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary) and the first 25 women to attend an advertised women's seminar will receive a Bass Pro Shops carabineer mug.

The 2015 Spring Fishing Classic wraps up with the Next Generation Weekend. The free activity-filled weekend focuses on teaching kids the basics of fishing. Kids' activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 15. In Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary, stores, kids' activities are available from noon to 5 p.m. March 28 and 29. Free activities include casting challenges, learn-to-fish workshops where kids can earn a certificate, crafts, and a photo download.

In addition to offering free, family friendly activities, the 10-day 2015 Spring Fishing Classic offers the world's greatest fishing sale. For the first time ever, rod and reel trade-ins are accepted during the entire event. Old rods and reels can be trade at the Pass It On booth to receive a discount coupon to use toward the purchase of a new rod or reel. All trade-ins will be donated to local youth organizations to help support outdoor education programs. To date, Bass Pro Shops has donated over 181,006 products to local organizations that teach young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.

Those using a Bass Pro Shops credit card to purchase new gear can receive up to $100 via instant rebate Feb. 6 - 15. Purchase a Bass Pro Shops branded reel $100 or more and receive free line spooling of XPS 8 30# braid. Purchase a Bass Pro Shops branded reel $99.99 or less and receive free line spooling of Excel clear monofilament during store hours Feb. 11-15 (March 25-29 in Anchorage, Alaska, and Rocky View, Calgary.)

Other offers during the Spring Fishing Classic include the chance receive a Bass Pro Shops gift card valued up to $1,000 with a boat purchase from Tracker boats, Sun Tracker, Nitro, or Mako. Visit http://www.basspro/classic for more information on qualifying purchases.



To see pros, seminars, topics, and times at local stores visit http://www.basspro.com/classic

Pros, events, seminars and times vary per store location and are subject to change.

About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 90 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 116 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company's Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), which has produced the number one selling brand of fishing boats for more than 35 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World's Best Hotels for Families. For more information, visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.


Media Contact:
Katie Mitchell
Bass Pro Shops Communications Manager
417-873-5618
kamitchell@basspro.com