Crappie Expo and Mr. Crappie Classic Invitational - Brad Wiegmann

[Slab]

Mark your calendars and get ready for a road trip because October 4-6 the inaugural Crappie Expo and Mr. Crappie Classic Invitational is happening in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s actually the first event ever that features the popular panfish. The event features the Expo that’s a consumer show with a 100,000-square foot exhibit hall plus the world’s largest crappie fry along with venders and exhibitors; in addition to the Mr. Crappie Classic Invitational tournament.



“Two years ago I had a phone call with Jack Wells the owner of B’n’M Poles prior to announcing the Crappie Expo and Mr. Crappie Classic Invitational. He said Wally it would be great for the crappie industry. Then a Steve Arrison from Hot Springs Tourism called and asked if I had every thought of doing an event like this one. At that point, I knew it would be successful event and went to working hard on it one year ago, “said Wally Marshall aka Mr. Crappie.

The current list of National Sponsors and Sponsors is phenomenal and includes boat manufactures, tackle dealers, fishing guiding and more fishing related companies. Title sponsors for the event is Ford Trucks and Riceland Bran Oil plus other National Sponsors and Sponsors including companies like PICO Lures, B’n’M Poles, TTI-Blakemore, Bobby Garland Crappie Baits, Charlie Brewer’s Slider Company, Mr. Crappie, Grizzly Jig Company and numerous other crappie fishing related companies. Imagine the Bassmaster Classic Expo, but crappie highlighting the show.

Mr. Crappie Classic Invitational will take place October 4-6 and limited to 100 boats on Lake Hamilton. Total prize money is based on the number of teams in the event and it is 100% payback. It’s a three day tournament starting on Friday, October 4. Takeoff is at 6:45 a.m. every morning leaving from the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s boat ramp on Lake Hamilton. The weigh-in for Friday is at the same ramp at 3 p.m. and everyone is welcome to come. Saturday, October 5, the number of teams is going to be cut down from the total number of teams to 50 with weigh-in time at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 6, the top 25 teams will have to be at the Hot Springs Convention Center at 3 p.m. with the final day weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Crappie Expo Hot Springs Convention Center.

World’s largest crappie fry is schedule for Saturday, October 5, starting at 11 a.m. in the parking lot behind the Hot Springs Convention Center. Anyone wanting to go to the crappie fry will have to get the free tickets at booths inside the Crappie Expo. Note that free fish will only be given out until the sully of fillets run out.

“For the first time in fishing history crappie fishing in America will have an expo and a tournament of this scale. This great event once again highlights another species of fish that can be caught in our local lakes along with all the other great species. Hot Springs has been proud to highlight the best n bass fishing in past tournaments and we are thrilled to help shine the spotlight on crappie fishing and its best anglers,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs.

Seminars: Garmin will be holding a seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Humminbird will be holding a seminar at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A crappie expert will be doing a seminar at noon. All of the seminars will be held in room 201/202 at the Expo Center. All the events are free to the public.
www.crappieexpo.com

Crappie Expo location
Hot Springs Convention Center
134 Convention Blvd
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901


Crappie Expo
Friday October 4, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday October 5, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday October 6, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.


Tournament Official Takeoff and Weigh-in Friday/Saturday
Arkansas Game & Fish Boat ramp on Lake Hamilton
350 Fish Hatchery Road
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913

[Ketchn]

sounds like quite a bash to me , looks like it will be a real big turn out .

[Redge]

Wow, I’m with Ketchn, sounds like a heck of an event!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

[SuperDave336]

Yup should be a good one. Wish I could go. Maybe one day.

[Jamesdean]

Man, Just wish I could make it. Too many prior engagements...Looks like a good time for all who show up for sure...

["G"]

Crappie.com will have a booth set up there....stop by and say hi to me and Slab. Got word last night that Billbob might just make the scene too.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Man if my health was better my wife and I would love to be there. Maybe next year. Thanks to CC for being there and promoting our sport.

[trypman1]

Sounds great to me.

[dead minner]

Is it 100 teams?

[Slab]

Is it 100 teams?

It's limited to 100 boats, but not sure they're all different teams. Who knows, maybe some of the big sponsors have two teams.