I never imagined I’d be this excited about a sportfishing show, but somewhere along the way the world of boating and angling completely pulled me in. Like so many anglers, boaters, and outdoor lovers across Southern California, I’ve had the Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show, presented by Geico, circled on my calendar for months.
The show returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA, March 5 through 8, 2026, and this year the excitement continues the following week at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego March 19 through 22, giving even more of our coastal community the chance to experience one of the most anticipated marine and outdoor events of the year.
For Bill DePriest, one of the key people behind the show, this expansion into San Diego is something he’s been hearing about for years. “Putting together the San Diego show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds has been incredibly exciting,” DePriest said. “Vendors from our OC show have been asking us to bring a show to San Diego for years, and with no San Diego show scheduled for 2025, we knew it was time to make it happen for the local community.” He added that the response from the industry has been overwhelming. “The support from the industry has been outstanding, and the show is shaping up to be one of the largest ever produced in San Diego. We’re truly honored that the industry has entrusted us to create a fishing tackle, boat, and outdoors show that both attendees and vendors can be proud to be part of.”
What makes the Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show stand out is that it feels less like a traditional trade show and more like a fair built specifically for people who love life on and around the water. Spread across more than 250,000 square feet in Costa Mesa, the show floor is filled with hundreds of vendors. DePriest explains just how expansive that vendor presence really is. “You’ll find everything from freshwater and saltwater fishing tackle manufacturers to the largest retailers in the industry, along with boats, marine electronics and accessories, fishing and hunting destinations and guides, plus sportboats and landings.”
For many attendees, the shopping alone is worth the trip. Show specials on rods, reels, tackle, and marine accessories are a major draw, and vendors often bring specialty products and new releases specifically for the event. Boats from local dealers and manufacturers will be on display throughout the venue, allowing visitors to step aboard, compare models, and talk directly with experts. As DePriest describes it, the value of the show compared to shopping elsewhere is clear. “The difference is that it is everything you will ever need in one place, the best deals of the year, and the knowledge from the industry professionals is being shared on a high level.”…