2014 Flats Pro Seminars

[silverking]

FLATS PRO SEMINAR

Sign up now to attend the Flats Pro Seminar on Saturday, February 8 or Sunday, February 9, 2014, at Shields Marina in St. Marks. This comprehensive course will feature instruction on when, where and how to fish the flats of Apalachee Bay and the Forgotten Coast. Topics will include knots, tackle, lures, baits, tides and lunar phases, navigation, flats etiquette, boat and trailer rigging and other subjects to help anglers catch more redfish, trout and other inshore game fish. Captains Dave Lear and Chuck Simpson will be the primary instructors, along with Brett Shields. A BBQ lunch and goody bag with lures, Eagle Claw hooks, charts and other valuable information ($25 value) is included with admission. More than $1,000 in door prizes, including Shimano spinning reels, tackle and other outdoor gear, will also be awarded each day.

WHEN: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 or SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2014
9:00 a.m to 3:30 p.m
WHERE: SHIELDS MARINA SHIP’S STORE, ST. MARKS, FL
COST: $85 (Seating is limited; advance registration required)
Junior Anglers (12-16) $25 when accompanied by an adult

REGISTRATION: http://www.captaindavelear.com

[silverking]

In response to another thread about land-based fishing spots, the seminars will cover wading opportunities as well as kayak fishing in the Big Bend for those of you who are boat-less or members of the plastic fleet.

The sessions on knots, lures/bait, how-to, etc. are universal.

If someone is looking for a gift idea, we offer nice certificates and can get them out if payment is received by 12/20. Give me a call if you have any questions about the seminar curriculum or registration.

[silverking]

Still seats available for both days, but they are filling up fast. We have always sold out and cannot accept walk-ins so sign up early to ensure a seat or your preferred day. We can send out certificates for holiday gifts if they are ordered this week. Can accept checks or credit cards through PayPal.

In addition to 6 hours of detailed instruction and lunch, attendees get an angler bag with up to $25 worth of goodies (charts, lures, mags, terminal tackle). We'll also be giving away more than $1,000 worth of door prizes each day. Prizes include accessories, art, lure kits, Polar Bear coolers, tackle bags, rod and reel combos and Shimano spinning reels.

For more information or questions, please visit my web site at: www.captaindavelear.com

Thanks and tight lines.

[silverking]

We still have openings, especially for the Sunday session but they are filling up and we expect another sell-out. If you're new to the area or flats fishing in general, this class will help shorten the learning curve. We cover how, when, where and why for the Forgotten Coast from Apalach to Keaton Beach for small boat owners, kayakers and wading anglers.

In addition to six hours of instruction and lunch, each attendee gets a goody bag with charts, lures and other stuff, plus we will be giving away $1,000 worth of door prizes each day. Prizes include Polar Bear coolers, tackle bags, lure kits, accessories, rod and reel combos, Costa polarized sunglasses and Shimano Stradic reels.

For more information or questions, please visit my web site at:

www.captaindavelear.com

Thanks and hope to see some of you next month.

[tallykenj]

My daughter and I attended this in the past and I've had some friends attend as well. Dave, Chuck and Brett provide some great information (food and prizes, too). Next to fishing, you won't find anything better to do at St. Marks.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

[silverking]

Now that a little matter of a football game is over (Great season for the National Champion Noles!) and since it's still too early for pitchers and catchers to report, it's time for the other sport.

Getting several calls and emails a day to register for the seminars so if you're thinking about attending, don't wait. We're on track to completely sell out for the third year in a row and won't be able to accommodate walk-ins. Still have some openings for Saturday and Sunday is quickly catching up. Each session will be a full slate of instruction on when, where and how to fish the flats of the Forgotten Coast and it's geared towards novice and seasoned anglers alike. One of the more popular sessions includes a PowerPoint presentation with launch sites and specific areas to fish for skiffs, bay boats, kayaks and waders. Every attendee gets a goody bag with Eagle Claw hooks, lures, charts, handouts, knot-tying kit, magazines, koozies, etc. We're even going to feed you a hearty lunch. Topics include fish habits and habitat, tackle, lures, bait, tides and WX/solunar factors, flats etiquette, boat rigging and basic maintenance, fish handling, etc.

We've been promoting daily door prizes equaling $1,000, but that's been revised. It's probably closer to $1,500 now thanks to our generous sponsors. We have two pair of Costa 580 polarized sunglasses to give away each day (valued at $230-250 a pair), a one-year membership to SeaTow each day, technical clothing like a Carhartt vest and Frogg Toggs rain suit, Polar Bear soft coolers, Hall 'em In custom wooden plugs, tackle kits, tackle bags, Shimano Stradic reels, fish ID charts and much, much more.

If you're new to the area or flats fishing, or even if you're an old salt wanting to expand your repertoire (and win some cool stuff), the Flats Pro Seminar has something for everybody. We offer a reduced rate for junior anglers (12-16) when accompanied by an adult.

For more information or to register, please visit my web site at: www.captaindavelear.com

[silverking]

Thanks to the generosity of Fred Hall of Hall 'em In Custom Wooden Lures, each adult attending the Flats Pro Seminars next month will receive a Hall 'em In custom plug in their angler bag. These hand-turned, painted and finished lures like the Peanut, Boca Bite, Ripper and Bustin' Bob retail for $16.50 or more. So the bags (which will also include Eagle Claw hooks, Sureketch jigs, DOA lures, Pro-Cure Bait Scents, charts, magazines and other goodies) are worth $40 alone. We also have some exotic wood HEI key chains that we'll be giving away as door prizes, along with $1,500 worth of stuff each day, including SeaTow annual memberships, Aqua Dream spoon kits, Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art, Costa 580 polarized sunglasses, Shimano Stradic reels, tackle bags and accessories.

I fished with Dr. Hall and his fish-catching plugs in Chokoloskee recently for a snook article that is running in the February issue of Salt Water Sportsman. They're beautiful and they definitely work!

www.halleminlures.com

[flatsbroke]

How many other members have attended these seminars in the past? And for the ones that have,were there a good percentage of wife's or gf's attending. Nicole and I are thinking we will attend this year. Thanks.

[silverking]

Flatsbroke,

Don't have a figure on how many forum members have attended, but I would venture to say quite a few.

As far as the makeup of the classes, we have always had a bunch of wives and girlfriends participating and that's trending the same again this year.

Hope you and Nicole can make it.

[silverking]

The Saturday session is now completely sold out. There are still a few seats available for the identical Sunday class. Once it is filled, we will start a waiting list.

If you are considering attending the Sunday class, register soon as we expect another total sell-out. Our grand door prizes will be two beautiful matted redfish/chart prints by the talented Steve Whitlock, Game Fish Art.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing some of you next month.

[HewesMan]

Are the door prizes done off of a raffle where we need to buy tickets or is it done off if a "registration" ticket?

[silverking]

No raffle, door prizes are included as part of the registration. Haven't divided all the loot up yet per day, but we should have enough stuff where everyone wins something ($1,500 worth each day). Each angler bag will have tickets for the "regular" prizes like tackle bags, hats, lure kits, etc. and they'll also include tickets for the final big-ticket prizes like the Steve Whitlock prints, Costa 580 polarized sunglasses, Shimano Stradic reels, etc. Our many great sponsors make this all possible.

[silverking]

Both days are now sold out. We cannot accept walk-ins at the door and those registered must attend on the day requested due to space limitations.

If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please email your contact information and preference to info@captaindavelear.com. Please DO NOT send payment until your slot is confirmed.

We look forward to seeing all our attendees next month in St. Marks (February 8-9) at Shields Marina.

Tight lines,

Capt. Dave Lear