'Deadliest Catch' Captain to Make Visit to West Marine Grand Opening in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG - West Marine, the country’s largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and apparel, announced the grand opening weekend celebration of its flagship store in St. Petersburg. The celebration will take place from Thursday, May 12-Sunday, May 15, 2011. 

Mike Fourtner of the fishing vessel, Time Bandit, featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” will be at the store signing autographs from 2-4 p.m., on Saturday, May 14.

Anglers and boaters can take part in the weekend celebration at the store, located at 2010 Tyrone Boulevard North in St. Petersburg.  Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. on Sunday. 

“Casting for a Cause” Charity Night will be held on Thursday, May 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the store. Tickets are $10 and available at the door or through the following local charities including: the Tampa Chapter of the CCA, Snook Foundation, Old Salt Fishing Foundation, Sea Scouts, Treasure Island Yacht Club and the  Clearwater Aquarium gift shop.

The weekend will be chock full of free fishing seminars:

• Kite Fishing with George Poveromo
• Bottom Fishing Tactics & Offshore Trolling with Capt. Dave Zalewski
• Capt. Dave Blanchard founder of “Pumpkin Jigs” shares insider know-how
• Kayak fishing with Captain Jason Stock
• Inshore Sportfishing with Capt. Jimmy Huddleston
• Capt. C.A. Richardson, Host of Flats Class TV helps anglers achieve success
• Capt. Mark Nichols, owner of DOA Lures, gives tips on how to sneak up on the fish.
• Capt. Stuart Ames, Fishing opportunities for the Inshore angler.

Other activities throughout the weekend: 

• Great deals on 48 boats on site from Thunder Marine, Turner Marine, Andros Boats, Quality Boats, Gause Built Boats and many other West Coast Florida-area dealers
• High Tech Electronics Demonstrations with Raymarine, Sony, Navico, Lowrance and Icom.
• Kayak Pool
• Door-Buster Discounts throughout the weekend

ABOUT WEST MARINE

West Marine, the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, has more than 325 company-owned stores located in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada and three franchised stores located in Turkey. For more information on West Marine's products and store locations, or to start shopping, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464).